Do you use cards specifically to get a CLI?

[masscredit]

Do you use your cards with the specific intent of getting a CLI? That's pretty much become a way of life for me. For example, I'll pass the supermarket to goto Walmart so I can do my grocery shopping and use that card. I also plan when I'm paying my bills so certains cards can be used. My credit lines have grown to where I want them to be so it's worked pretty good. Now I have to get used to thinking a little different.

[Anonymous]

---

@masscredit wrote:

Do you use your cards with the specific intent of getting a CLI? That's pretty much become a way of life for me. For example, I'll pass the supermarket to goto Walmart so I can do my grocery shopping and use that card. I also plan when I'm paying my bills so certains cards can be used. My credit lines have grown to where I want them to be so it's worked pretty good. Now I have to get used to thinking a little different.

---

No, but that also means I likely am not maximizing my possibilities.  It's sort of the reason I never tried the SCT or got store cards, I just rotate my cards regardless of spend (although I am trending towards trying to do better when my BCP arrives this week).

[bch238]

Not really sure I understand how you can use cards with intention to get CLI.  Do you mean, just use them more?

Every card has a purpose;.  Dining on the CSP (2X), sometimes on the Prestige (2X); recurring bills on the CSP, though that can be moved to a new card to meet minimum spend, if necessary.  Auto rental on CSP (2X plus primary insurance).  Hotels (except Marriott) and airfare on Prestige (3X).  Marriott hotels on Mariott RP (5X plus the 12X as Silver Elite).  Entertainment (movie theaters, amusement parks, museums, etc) on Prestige (2X).   Groceries on BCP (6X), though sometimes on BOA (3X with Platinum Rewards).  Gas on BOA (4.5X) or with gas card bought at grocery store (6X).  Rotating categories on Freedom (5X) trump usual spend elsewhere.

I do spread my 1X spend around, though.  Larger items where warranty counts on the Platinum.  Probably subconscioulsy I believe that I don't want them thinking I'm abusing them. 

[masscredit]

Yes, use them more. Like the Walmart card in my example. I don't shop at Walmart much. I rather buy my food at the grocery store or Target but I specifically goto Walmart to give that card use so it will be more likely to receive a CLI. The same with my JCP card. I can buy clothes anywhere else but I'll travel 20 minutes to shop at that store and use the card. I use other cards based on their rewards but I focus on some if I want them to grow. 

Another thing is, I can have cash in my pocket but I'll use a card just to give it use and then pay it off before the statement closes most of the time. 

[SouthJamaica]

---

@masscredit wrote:

Do you use your cards with the specific intent of getting a CLI? That's pretty much become a way of life for me. For example, I'll pass the supermarket to goto Walmart so I can do my grocery shopping and use that card. I also plan when I'm paying my bills so certains cards can be used. My credit lines have grown to where I want them to be so it's worked pretty good. Now I have to get used to thinking a little different.

---

Yeah I do the same thing; I think about what the bank is looking for from me Dumb, right?

[takeshi74]

Nope.  It's not usage alone that determines what CLI's one will qualify for.  Primary factors are always one's credit profile and income.  I've had a number of significant CLI''s on cards with little to no usage.  Do not rely on the usage/CLI meme.

[UncleB]

---

@SouthJamaica wrote:

---

@masscredit wrote:

Do you use your cards with the specific intent of getting a CLI? That's pretty much become a way of life for me. For example, I'll pass the supermarket to goto Walmart so I can do my grocery shopping and use that card. I also plan when I'm paying my bills so certains cards can be used. My credit lines have grown to where I want them to be so it's worked pretty good. Now I have to get used to thinking a little different.

---

Yeah I do the same thing; I think about what the bank is looking for from me Dumb, right?

---

Not dumb at all - it works. 

Some folks say this is simply a 'meme' - and just like me they are entitled to their opinion - but I can personally say high usage has been effective at driving higher CLIs, at least for me.  I have also received CLIs with minimal usage, but my most generous CLIs have always been after significant usage - especially with Capital One. 

Of course your overall credit profile is a major factor - that's "Credit-101" - but once that is cared for one of the few things left that we can directly impact is usage.

[Anonymous]

I use the cards that will maximize my return, period.  There are cards that offer more benefits than others and that drives my decision on which card will be used.  In taking that approach, I don't always get the CLI amount on the cards with minimum use, i.e. Capital One for one, but that is okay.  With Cap One, it isn't my income, score, debt to income ratio, or utilization that prevents a 3K to 4K increase, it strictly I don't use them as I did a couple of years ago.  Now I must say the cards that I use frequently, I Do get great CLI

[Anonymous]

---

@masscredit wrote:

Do you use your cards with the specific intent of getting a CLI? That's pretty much become a way of life for me. For example, I'll pass the supermarket to goto Walmart so I can do my grocery shopping and use that card. I also plan when I'm paying my bills so certains cards can be used. My credit lines have grown to where I want them to be so it's worked pretty good. Now I have to get used to thinking a little different.

---

For me, it depends on the card. I have been lucky to obtain CLIs on some of my cards without much use. To maximize rewards, I don't spread around category spend, but I do switch generic spend and monthly bills to meet credit card goals. 

[Anonymous]

---

@masscredit wrote:

Yes, use them more. Like the Walmart card in my example. I don't shop at Walmart much. I rather buy my food at the grocery store or Target but I specifically goto Walmart to give that card use so it will be more likely to receive a CLI. The same with my JCP card. I can buy clothes anywhere else but I'll travel 20 minutes to shop at that store and use the card. I use other cards based on their rewards but I focus on some if I want them to grow. 

Another thing is, I can have cash in my pocket but I'll use a card just to give it use and then pay it off before the statement closes most of the time. 

---

I do the same thing so I can maximize my rewards.