Cap One CLI strategy

[Anonymous]

Recently got a QS1 card with a lower limit ($300) on the steps program. I am wondering about spending patterns and payments and how they could affect the CLI.

Does the type of spending matter much? Such as recurring monthly (tv/phone/etc) vs in person shopping/dining vs online purchases. Or maybe a mix of them all. 

For payments, does multiple payments a month vs just one make any difference? So far I paid the AF immediately,  and then PIF when near max and prior to due date. 

Just want to be smart about maximizing the potential from this.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Recently got a QS1 card with a lower limit ($300) on the steps program. I am wondering about spending patterns and payments and how they could affect the CLI.

Does the type of spending matter much? Such as recurring monthly (tv/phone/etc) vs in person shopping/dining vs online purchases. Or maybe a mix of them all. 

For payments, does multiple payments a month vs just one make any difference? So far I paid the AF immediately,  and then PIF when near max and prior to due date. 

Just want to be smart about maximizing the potential from this.

Thanks.

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If your goal is to get a CLI on this card, you may have a hard time, given what I've read in these forums. QS1 can be one of those cap 1 "bucketed" cards that never seem to grow. I have a $500 QS1 that will get up to 750 after I'm done with credit steps. What you might try to do is what you're already doing, heavy use and pif. But, you might consider clicking on the CLI luv button at 91 days from opening the account to see what they'll give you. You will prolly get $100 CLI like many of us get.

 You can try to PC the card at 100 days but it's apparently very rare for aQS1 to go anywhere. Mine will be in July so I'll try it to see what happens. good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I'm not expecting a lot from this, but anything will help. 

I do have a secured card with them, for a couple of years now. Started with $500 deposit, and then they gave a CLI of $300 for $800 total. I have kept utilization under 50%, and under 30% a vast majority of times. 

Also have an auto loan through them. Always paid on time and have even paid an additional 10% monthly towards the principal. 

Hoping this all adds up well in their eyes. 

[Anonymous]

Apparently it's easier to upgrade the platinum card to a QS (that's what I did at 100 days, no AF). I wonder what you'd get if you tried their (no hard pull) prequalify offers...? 

[Anonymous]

That is how I got this one. Did the pre qual and both platinum and QS1 came back. Did a bit of research. Same APR for both, differences were the QS1 had the $39 AF but also 1.5% rewards. Somebody did the math and at only $2xx a month spending you cover the AF. Not too difficult to reach that. In my first month I have already got $6 rewards racked up.

[Remedios]

You can ask for increase sooner, but if granted, it will be deducted from your steps increase.

As far as the amount, for most people those cards do not "grow" significantly.  

Short of offering them kidney and liver, nothing may work. 

Use your card when it makes sense, build history, be on your best behavior if rebuilding, then after a while, you will be eligible for bigger and better things.

Cap One starter/rebuilder cards serve their purpose, but limit wise, they tend to be agony. 

Just think of them as a stop before final destination, and you will be fine. 

[Anonymous]

I had a QS1. It wasn't a steps card. I just got a preapproval in the mail a few years ago. My credit was struggling so I took it. It started at $1100. Since then, it's been upgraded to Venture One and I've gotten CLIs such that it's limit is now $3400, which was 2 CLIs. One for $2000 in December and one for $300 just a few days ago. Not sure why the measly $300 this time around since I've been spending on it the same as when then bumped me the $2000. What I found from many CLI requests over the years is they don't like when it's anywhere near maxed out even if you pay it off quickly. I try to not let it get higher than 60% or 70% before I make a payment. I put a lot of spend on it and always pay in full or close thereto. I sometimes make multiple payments a month, though now that the CL is higher, I don't need to do that. I am speculating that the small CLI this time around was because I'm probably getting close to the max they're going to be willing to increase this card to. I've been thinking about applying for the regular QS or the Savor. But idk. I have a couple Navy Federal cards now and that FI is amazing. It's just a personal challenge to get one of the big Cap One limits that I've only heard tell of. Incidentally, I also had a Cap One Platinum that I upgraded to the QS1. It started at $500 CL and is up to a $1000 now based on a single $500 CLI in the last few months. I've had the cards for a few years, but I only got serious about managing and tending my credit in about October of last year. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Apparently it's easier to upgrade the platinum card to a QS (that's what I did at 100 days, no AF). I wonder what you'd get if you tried their (no hard pull) prequalify offers...? 

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Right now Cap One is not doing Pre-approvals for their prime products. They are only pre-approving for Secured, Platinum, and QS1.

You can get an early "cli" of the steps ($100), but that counts as part of the steps increase. I did that after statement 3 cut/was paid just recently on my platinum and upgraded it to a QS with no AF, as well.

Since it is a steps cards CLI will be few and far between and not for very much.

I charge it up and pay it off multiple times a week. Apparently Cap One *really* likes spend, as that is a frequent reason for denial for CLIs.

Good luck!

Also, you can only have 2 of their "subprime" products at a time. If you already have a secured and QS1, you cannot get another Platinum, QS1, or secured CC. You'd have to go for a prime QS, Venture, or Savor products.

[Anonymous]

I have the QS1 and like so many others recieved a 100 increase and yet a year because I read here to request.  How can you tell if you are on the steps program or not and second how do you request a switch to another CO card that has better for CLIs.