Any advice on requesting a Credit Limit increase with my CCC??

[Anonymous]

I have a few Credit Cards and they BOTH have a <$2300 Credit Limit on them. I have recently used anywhere from 10-30% of the total Credit Limit, but pay them off every month. Now, my FICO is up over 710 and I'm looking to get it over 730+. I called one of the CCCs and requested a Credit Limit Increase a few months ago and they raised it from $1850 to $2150 (+$300.00).  Small, but at least it's something. My FICO later jumped 8 points due to an increase in my Available Credit.  Now - I want to call the other CC (to request an increase), but need to know if there is anything I need to offer or avoid saying when I request they raise my CL, like . . .  I'm getting ready to make a large purchase and need the extra money or I'm trying to raise my Credit Score, etc.  The last CC kept asking me Why do you want/need an increase, etc. Since they ONLY raised me $300 total when I kept that card paid-off AND I had the Account for >3 years now, it makes me think I didn't tell them what they wanted to hear to raise it more than $300. I make over 45,000/year and haven't requested an increase in a few years now . . . . on ANY of my Accounts.  Any advice for what to tell them when they ask me why I want an increase in my CL . . . which I'm ultimately doing to raise my Available Credit, thus increase my FICO? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I got a CLI recently from FIA and the analyst asked me the same question. I just responded, I plan on making a particular purchase soon and I dont want it affecting my UTIL when that time comes.

[Anonymous]

I usually say something along the lines of "I would like to make this the number one card in my wallet" or "I am looking to cut my other cards and would like to get my limit high enough to make up for the loss of the other cards."

Corny but usually works for me.

[notmyname]

Don't tell them it is for the purpose of raising your score. You can tell them that you would like the card to be more USEFUL and not have to worry about the card be maxed, which you do when you use up to half of your available limit, If you get a negative reply here, just point that when you spend to that level on your accounts , your reports have made that comment to you.

I never mention Fico. I believe this is a key word for a customer who doesn't plan to make full use of the card but are building UTL. (funny thing....they're correct)

I can't know what might be said or asked of you, so let me just say , I have had great results NEVER using the word , NEED. Always positive and about WANTING, PLANNING,BEING PREPARED FOR.

Do this with a clear and calm mind and remember you are not begging, you are conducting your personal business and should expect a pleasant respectful interaction. If you don't get this you are talking to the wrong person.

Good luck

NMN.

[CreditAble]

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BDuffey wrote:
I have a few Credit Cards and they BOTH have a <$2300 Credit Limit on them. I have recently used anywhere from 10-30% of the total Credit Limit, but pay them off every month. 

  I'm getting ready to make a large purchase and need the extra money or I'm trying to raise my Credit Score, etc.  The last CC kept asking me Why do you want/need an increase, etc.

I make over 45,000/year and haven't requested an increase in a few years now . . . . on ANY of my Accounts.  Any advice for what to tell them when they ask me why I want an increase in my CL . . . which I'm ultimately doing to raise my Available Credit, thus increase my FICO? Thanks.

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I always tell the CSRs that I restrict myself to not going over 50% individual utilization on any one card. I request CLIs based upon my anticipated future purchases that will total more than 50% of the current credit limit.

[Anonymous]

When I got the CLI on my Cap 1 card I plainly said that the $500 limit restricts what I can use the card for, and what I can't.  And that because the limit is so low, I can rarely use it. 

And since I got the CLI, I've been using it a lot more.  I've put nearly $327 in purchases on it, not much, but that's $180 more in one month than I did the entire 12 months before that.