topic Re: First Auto CLI - CapitalOne in Rebuilding Your Credit

First Auto CLI - CapitalOne

looking335 — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:43:29 GMT

This morning I found an E-Mail from CapitalOne. I thought it was my SavorOne (the one for Good Credit) statement, which usually comes around this time. No, it was congratulating me on a credit limit increase I never asked for. It's my first one ever! I am rebuilding and have been a lurker for some time. It was hard for me to adjust to the rebuild process being a journey and not a quick fix. Please do not take this post as bragging. My automatic credit limit increase was $1000 (from $2400 to $3400, I started at $2000). I don't know what credit score to report here but the one available through CaptialOne showed 628 (remember, rebuilding). Here is the crazy part of all of this. My utilization on that card was 91%. I was using the "snowball effect"(?) I read about on here so hadn't gotten to that card yet. I have often read about "data points" so wanted to share this in case it may be beneficial to someone. Still shocked it happened (largely because of the card's high utilization). My overall utilization is 77%. If I can provide anything additional, please let me know. Thanks for everyone being so helpful here.

Re: First Auto CLI - CapitalOne

FicoMike0 — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:58:25 GMT

congratulations!

I've read other posts indicating Capone likes high utilization. I've had qs, pced to savior for three years. Started at $2000, now at $4200, mostly $400 at a time. I charge $200-300 a month. Not enough to suit them, I guess. My total util is < 1%, my creditwise score 800.

I just got a $16500 to $24500 cli from navy, with even less utilization.

Re: First Auto CLI - CapitalOne

Vinjints — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 02:40:08 GMT

Never look a CLI horse in the mouth. But this seems like they noticed you're carrying the balance and want to be able to give you more room to charge more items and pay them additional interest vs rewarding you. Stand fast on the rebuild and limit what is going on these cards.

Re: First Auto CLI - CapitalOne

looking335 — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 23:56:07 GMT

@Vinjints wrote:
Never look a CLI horse in the mouth. But this seems like they noticed you're carrying the balance and want to be able to give you more room to charge more items and pay them additional interest vs rewarding you. Stand fast on the rebuild and limit what is going on these cards.

I never thought about that. It makes sense. Thanks for the insight. I will. That experience left a bad taste in my mouth.