@EGMF wrote:Maybe twice a year, I look into easy (SP/No Pull) CLIs from my existing accounts. Besides Capital One, I can't remember the last time I wasn't approved for a CLI.
- Discover IT- Approved $1800 incresse
- Citi Costco Anywhere- Approved $1200
- BofA Unlimited Cash- Approved $1500
- BofA Customized Cash- Limit increase not available at this time
- American Express Everyday- We aren't able to increase your limit at this time
- American Express Preferred- We aren't able to increase your limit at this time
- Citi Simplicity- Increase not available at this time
- I don't even check Capital One anymore.
My overall scores are in the 770s with a 12% utilization (0% balance transfers). Maybe a sign of the times, but I don't think I've ever not gotten a requested AE increase. Still in pursuit of my first $30k card- I kind of thought this was going to be the year for AE.
I don't think cli are ever easy, it just depends on one's profile, usage, and lender. For every person who says they always get cli you will find another who can't catch a break
. As for Amex,,they gotta like what they see. With very minimall usage, and low income Amex has stopped everything for me, no cli, no pl offers, not even to check, and though I don't chase subs, no sub language lol. Everyone will have different experiences this is mine. Good luck on your Pursuit of Happiness, er pursuit of 30k
@EGMF wrote:Maybe twice a year, I look into easy (SP/No Pull) CLIs from my existing accounts. Besides Capital One, I can't remember the last time I wasn't approved for a CLI.
- Discover IT- Approved $1800 incresse
- Citi Costco Anywhere- Approved $1200
- BofA Unlimited Cash- Approved $1500
- BofA Customized Cash- Limit increase not available at this time
- American Express Everyday- We aren't able to increase your limit at this time
- American Express Preferred- We aren't able to increase your limit at this time
- Citi Simplicity- Increase not available at this time
- I don't even check Capital One anymore.
My overall scores are in the 770s with a 12% utilization (0% balance transfers). Maybe a sign of the times, but I don't think I've ever not gotten a requested AE increase. Still in pursuit of my first $30k card- I kind of thought this was going to be the year for AE.
Interesting. I've found the opposite this year--every CLI I've requested has been granted. (Like you, I don't bother trying Cap1 any more.) They've ranged from $2,000 (BofA CC) to $5,000 (Amex BCP) increases. Ironically, my scores are lower now than they've been in years! My utilization is hovering at 30%--much, much higher than normal--but the CLIs keep coming.
As we all know on this board, we're all unique individuals with unique financial/credit profiles, so it's not surprising (to me) that you're not having much luck with CLIs yet I am. Next month, it could easily be reversed. 
@GatorGuy wrote:You mention nothing about the most important factor is in my opinion, income.
Think of credit scores as getting you in the door. They help determine that you are credit worthy. However income and balances determine how much credit you can handle. Many lenders will limit the credit they extend as a proportion of your income.
The second important factor is usage. Some lenders want to see their current credit limits being used before giving you additional credit. This limits their risk unnecessarily. This will likely become more important as the economy slows down further.
I'm not sure I agree--or disagree--with your statement about the importance of income. Mostly I'm just confused on the whole topic!
My income nosedived after I was forced to retire early due to illness. I had planned on working AT LEAST another 20 years, if not more, but that went out the window. So I was stuck with just the SS I'd accrued up until then. My income now is embarrassing....certainly a far cry from the very healthy 6-figure income I used to make. But with all that said, here's the thing: even with my paltry income, I have high CLs (five figures) on almost all of my cards. All of them were acquired *after* retiring, so my previous big salary is not/has not been a factor.
Some of my biggest CLs are from banks that not only know my income, but also my assets/net worth, housing situation, etc. I believe those questions are optional, but I'm happy to answer them because they *definitely* improve my financial profile!
I do agree that usage is important, but even with that there's wiggle room. My utilization is much higher than normal right now, hovering around 30% overall, and as high as 81% on one card, yet that hasn't stopped any of the CLIs I've requested recently from being granted. So I don't know! Each of the banks that recently granted a CLI had my usage history--and payment history--to factor in to the decision, but still...
@SoCalGardener wrote:
@GatorGuy wrote:You mention nothing about the most important factor is in my opinion, income.
Think of credit scores as getting you in the door. They help determine that you are credit worthy. However income and balances determine how much credit you can handle. Many lenders will limit the credit they extend as a proportion of your income.
The second important factor is usage. Some lenders want to see their current credit limits being used before giving you additional credit. This limits their risk unnecessarily. This will likely become more important as the economy slows down further.
I'm not sure I agree--or disagree--with your statement about the importance of income. Mostly I'm just confused on the whole topic!
My income nosedived after I was forced to retire early due to illness. I had planned on working AT LEAST another 20 years, if not more, but that went out the window. So I was stuck with just the SS I'd accrued up until then. My income now is embarrassing....certainly a far cry from the very healthy 6-figure income I used to make. But with all that said, here's the thing: even with my paltry income, I have high CLs (five figures) on almost all of my cards. All of them were acquired *after* retiring, so my previous big salary is not/has not been a factor.
Some of my biggest CLs are from banks that not only know my income, but also my assets/net worth, housing situation, etc. I believe those questions are optional, but I'm happy to answer them because they *definitely* improve my financial profile!
I do agree that usage is important, but even with that there's wiggle room. My utilization is much higher than normal right now, hovering around 30% overall, and as high as 81% on one card, yet that hasn't stopped any of the CLIs I've requested recently from being granted. So I don't know! Each of the banks that recently granted a CLI had my usage history--and payment history--to factor in to the decision, but still...
I think in your situation it's your assets that are helping you, namely your seven (maybe even eight?) figure home. This is just my opinion, though.
