topic Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit? in Credit Cards

When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:27:34 GMT

I opened a secured First Premier credit card in November 2011, I've paid it on time and in full each month. My limit is $300 and I paid a $95 dollar security deposit? How long should I wait before I ask for an increase on my limit? Thanks!

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

laz98 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:38:32 GMT

First Premier is not generally known for being generous with credit limits or increases, & there are sometimes fees associated with any increases you do get. Just a buyer beware, so to speak

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

pizzadude — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:55:35 GMT

+1 to Laz's comment ~ if I were you I'd be looking to jettison the First Preemie card and find something with lower fees. Do you have any other CCs open ? Have you tried the Cap1 or HSBC rebuilder cards ??

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

CreditScholar — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:00:23 GMT

I wouldn't expect anything from them. Get rid of them as soon as you can and you'll be better off for it.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

Anonymous — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:00:23 GMT

Usually, it would be a 6 month wait, but since you pay for increases anyway IIRC, go for it whenever you please, IF you are willing to pay. My 2¢.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:02:50 GMT

@cwwatts1202 wrote:
I opened a secured First Premier credit card in November 2011, I've paid it on time and in full each month. My limit is $300 and I paid a $95 dollar security deposit? How long should I wait before I ask for an increase on my limit? Thanks!

IMO, I would not ask unless your OK with paying them a fee 25% of the total increase.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:03:36 GMT

@cwwatts1202 wrote:
I opened a secured First Premier credit card in November 2011, I've paid it on time and in full each month. My limit is $300 and I paid a $95 dollar security deposit? How long should I wait before I ask for an increase on my limit? Thanks!

IMO, I would not ask unless your OK with paying them a fee 25% of the total increase.

Looks like too many people are telling you the same thing!!

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:06:47 GMT

They charge for an increase?! Wow. it's the only CC I have..i'm trying to rebuild my credit...wouldn't it look bad if I closed the card? Wouldn't that hurt my score I mean? I got approved for a Cap 1 secured card, $200 deposit, $200 limit...but didn't do anything with it since I got the First prem. with a lower deposit and higer limit.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:08:42 GMT

@cwwatts1202 wrote:
They charge for an increase?! Wow. it's the only CC I have..i'm trying to rebuild my credit...wouldn't it look bad if I closed the card? Wouldn't that hurt my score I mean? I got approved for a Cap 1 secured card, $200 deposit, $200 limit...but didn't do anything with it since I got the First prem. with a lower deposit and higer limit.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and axe FP and go with Cap1. Make deposits on it to get a higher CL.

Don't let FP kill you with fees!!!

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:11:33 GMT

I havent had any problems with them thus far...I mean I only use 10% of my limit, and I pay it in full each month...except of course the annual fee, which I won't be paying again till November...the interest is outrageous (49.9%) but since I'm only using 10% and paying it off in full each month, im not worried about the interest...I dont wanna hurt my score by closing it, if it will hurt it. I just won't ask for an increase I guess, and try to get another CC and not use the First premier.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:12:31 GMT

@cwwatts1202 wrote:
I havent had any problems with them thus far...I mean I only use 10% of my limit, and I pay it in full each month...except of course the annual fee, which I won't be paying again till November...the interest is outrageous (49.9%) but since I'm only using 10% and paying it off in full each month, im not worried about the interest...I dont wanna hurt my score by closing it, if it will hurt it. I just won't ask for an increase I guess, and try to get another CC and not use the First premier.

How do you pay every month?

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:14:25 GMT

@LS2982 wrote:
@cwwatts1202 wrote:
I havent had any problems with them thus far...I mean I only use 10% of my limit, and I pay it in full each month...except of course the annual fee, which I won't be paying again till November...the interest is outrageous (49.9%) but since I'm only using 10% and paying it off in full each month, im not worried about the interest...I dont wanna hurt my score by closing it, if it will hurt it. I just won't ask for an increase I guess, and try to get another CC and not use the First premier.
How do you pay every month?

Over the phone, with my debit card.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:20:34 GMT

@cwwatts1202 wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
@cwwatts1202 wrote:
I havent had any problems with them thus far...I mean I only use 10% of my limit, and I pay it in full each month...except of course the annual fee, which I won't be paying again till November...the interest is outrageous (49.9%) but since I'm only using 10% and paying it off in full each month, im not worried about the interest...I dont wanna hurt my score by closing it, if it will hurt it. I just won't ask for an increase I guess, and try to get another CC and not use the First premier.
How do you pay every month?
Over the phone, with my debit card.

Thats $11 dollars a month. It's not worth it!

Me personally, I held the card for 1 year and I felt that was way too long. If your going to continue using it, set your checking acct. up online and pay them, no fee for it.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:26:40 GMT

No, I dont pay anything to make a payment over the phone. It cost money if you want an express payment or something, where they take the money out the same day..but I never do that. I just call a couple days before it's due and pay it and choose to have it taken out the next business day or whatever it tells me I cant remember off hand. But I dont pay to make my payment.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

cwwatts1202 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:27:24 GMT

Oh, but they charge you like 5 dollars a month to have an online acct..where you can pay online. That I will not do.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

Anonymous — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 07:42:18 GMT

Since you are minimizing your monthly fees, you might as well keep it for the year and cancel before the next AF.

Strongly suggest you put more deposit into Capital One for bigger CL. Eventually you should be able to get a good card from Captial One. It worked well for me.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

Anonymous — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:47:08 GMT

i must be the only one with first premier with 19.99 apr and with no monthly fees. im sure they will pull a nasty trick come one year with them but haha little do they know im gonna axe them for our one year anniversary! seriously though despite the bad rep cap one gives they offer a great rebuilder/builder card and that will get you into primeland over time. or you could look into bank of america secured they do have a great program for that too as i have one myself. can you get into navy federal credit union?

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

bichonmom — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:15:56 GMT

The sooner you get another CC, the better it will be for your long-term AAoA, since when you axe FP, you'll be getting rid of your oldest acct. While it does stay on your CR for 10 yrs., still it's better to have a CC you'll be keeping for l/t AAoA. (So, in 10 yrs.,, your oldest acct will still be 10 yrs old. If you wait to get a 2nd CC, in 10 yrs., when FP drops off, your oldest acct will only be as old as the CC you get to replace FP.) I hope that makes sense. It's awkward to write.

Anyway, depending on your CR, you might talk w/local CUs about having a secured CC. Or even your local bank, but CUs are generally easier to work with and more lenient than banks. You could also try Cap One, but their cards don't grow or graduate, like a CU CC can. Also, Cap One is going to be more likely to have an AF, which your CU probably won't.

I'd definitely start working now, so that when your FP AF is going to be charged again, you'll be in a position to close the acct -- BEFORE they charge you.

If you have baddies on your CR, you may need to wait, depending on what they are.

Re: When should I ask for an increase on my limit?

LS2982 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:21:12 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Since you are minimizing your monthly fees, you might as well keep it for the year and cancel before the next AF.

Strongly suggest you put more deposit into Capital One for bigger CL. Eventually you should be able to get a good card from Captial One. It worked well for me.