What is the strategy for CLIs? I just got a bunch of hard pulls doing it on my cards

[Anonymous]

So I've never asked for CLIs before and decided to yesterday on all my cards. I was successful for about half but at the same time I now added around 5 hard pulls from banks like Chase and Barclays. Others like the Apple card only did soft pulls for an increase. It was worth it but I feel a bit wounded from all the hard pulls.

What is the smart strategy for requesting CLIs? Do people normally do them all at once and rack up a bunch of hard pulls or do people only choose to do so on the cards that don't do hard pulls like the Apple card? Up until now I didn't even know which ones did and which ones didn't, and I don't know if they're consistent either. I've heard that some request every 6 months and is that a good idea or no? I can't imagine getting 5 hard pulls every 6 months for that so I feel like there's something I'm missing. 

Thank you!

[Michizane]

You should focus on the cards that do soft pulls, and 6 months is healthy for that...but some banks will allow you request whenever Discover for example...but it usually doesn't make sense to CLI more then once per statement at most. 

For cards that do hard pulls, only CLI them if you really need the extra limit and you have an inquiry to burn. 

[Anonymous]

I was declined on my Discover and have been looking to see if it's a hard pull or a soft pull. You're saying that Discover always does soft pulls? Good to know

What about American Express? 

[M_Smart007]

American Express has always been a "SP" for Me. (Usually you would want to ask high, like 3x)

[Michizane]

Yes, Discover does soft pulls. And for Discover, they tend to be pretty consistent with CLI's if you use their cards a decent amount. I was able to get 3 CLI's in 3 months just by using the card and requesting it after the statement cut (5% on PayPal was an easy case to use the card more). Based on my experience, and numerous other folks on here, Discover is one of the most consistent with CLI's especially if you use the card.

As for Amex, they can be pretty good as well, and tend to be one of the most predictable with CLI's. Within the first 61-91 you can request up to a 3x limit increase. And if approved, you have to wait 181 days for another 3x. Once you reach around $35K they will ask for proof of income. And they also SP. 

Capital One is probably one of the most stingy with CLI, and it is SP.

[Anonymous]

Ok I just did something very dumb. I had thought I didn't apply for a CLI on my American Express yesterday but I actually did, and I applied for a 2nd one this morning. I thought I didn't because I didn't have a yes or no on my notes but now I see that's because the request takes 7-10 days to be processed.

So now American Express got 2 different CLI requests in less than 12 hours, probably both for very different amounts. Does anyone know what happens in this situation? Should I call them and tell them what happened? Ugh.. should've taken better notes. Just too many cards to keep track of!

[Michizane]

I would call unless you got a clear answer on the first CLI request. They should be SP's, but just in case you might have gotten an initial CLI approval.

[Anonymous]

I called and they said the 2nd one was disposed of automatically because it was under 36hrs. 

They looked into my request and I did not get my CLI however, unfortunately. I've had this card since 2019 with no CLI. Is that unusual? My pay hasn't increased since then but that didn't stop others from increasing my limit. 

[FinStar]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

I called and they said the 2nd one was disposed of automatically because it was under 36hrs. 

They looked into my request and I did not get my CLI however, unfortunately. I've had this card since 2019 with no CLI. Is that unusual? My pay hasn't increased since then but that didn't stop others from increasing my limit. 

---

If the CLI was not approved, the letter will indicate the reason(s). Not every account that you have may be eligible for a CLI -- all things considered.  Some requests will be successful, others will not (just because one lender yields a CLI, doesn't mean everyone will).

It all boils down to your overall profile, history, scores, their internal records, your income/DTI, etc.

[Anonymous]

If I'm denied a CLI are credit card providers required to send me a letter explaining why just like they are required when I get denied a credit card? Is that how it works? Some of them that denied me didn't state that they would send me a letter of explanation.