GEMB Declined CLI

[ficonightmare]

I applied for the GEMB PAYPAL MC IN March of 2010. It was my second re-builder card. Was approved for $2,500. Last August they gave me a 1k increase bringing me to 3,500.

Last month, I logged into my account and saw the "request an increase" button for the first  time. Figured why not? My reports are now clean, and FICO scores are good.

Was instantly denied.

Got a letter about a week later stating that my request wad denied due to "insufficinet experience at your current credit limit". That's the part I don't get.

While this isn't my primary CC, I've used it to twice to make larger purchases. First time I charged about 1,800 and paid it off in two months. Then last November, used it again for a 2,300 purchase and again paid it off in two months. Considering what my CL is, I think I've shown "sufficient experience at my current credit limit".

Other than those two purchases, I can probably count how many times in total I've used it. But still, I don't get it. Would they rather I charge 200 every month and take longer to pay it off? 

Either way, it's my lowest limit card with my highest APR. It's also my least favorite because I don't need the PayPal Points.

I feel like I'm stuck with a card that doesn't benefit me at all. But at the same time, I don't want to close it and apply for anything else because I don't want the hit to my AAoA.

I'm wondering if anyone's had success calling them and requesting a CLI? Or should I just sock drawer it and wait for them to close it?

[Anonymous]

"insufficient experience" generally means "number of statements since your last credit limit increase".  Count back to your last statement that showed the $3,500 line. If it is less than 6 statements, that is probably what they meant.  It really has nothing to do with your usage of the card it has to do with time. Some cards require 3 statements, 4, 6, 12, etc.

[jefftca925]

+1   That's GEMB saying "too soon bud" 

[ficonightmare]

It's been six months since my one and only CLI.

I've read here they generally give you one every 4,5 months.

[Anonymous]

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@ficonightmare wrote:

It's been six months since my one and only CLI.

I've read here they generally give you one every 4,5 months.

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I think that varies by GEMB product. For example, some of the co-branded store cards (like Walmart as one ex.) seem to become eligible for a CLI after every 4th statement.

[Tazman81]

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@ficonightmare wrote:

It's been six months since my one and only CLI.

I've read here they generally give you one every 4,5 months.

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With GEMB they are funny.  And they usually count off of STATEMENTS, not months.  So it may have been 6 months, but if you haven't had 6 statement cycles then you get the dreaded denial.  Also like others said, I think they end up with different criteria for different cards.

[ficonightmare]

It was 5 statements for my first CI and 6 statements from then when I asked for the increase.

It's now 7 statements. Logged in, no increase.

So has anyone called in for one?

P.S: I was wrong about my CL. They started me with 2k, then last August raised it to 3k (not 3,500).

[FicoScore626]

Took them about 9 - 10 months to give me my first credit line increase on my JCPenneys card. The second and third ones happened in less time than that.. I think with them you will get a credit line increase, you just can't really predict WHEN.. Even though a person who has perfect payment history during the first six or so statements may be eligible for a credit line increase, I think GEMB will give one whenever they get around to it. In my case it took them about 9 to 10 months to get around to the first one. They've declined EVERY request I've ever made for one.

[Creditaddict]

you can click the luv button monthly... at some point it will give you something...

[haiti222]

I have a slightly different theory. I think that the non-store cards (i.e. Visa/MC/Amex/Discover) cards that GEMB has are subject to a different algorithm. 

My store cards from GE can get CLIs like clockwork based upon the number of statements. Their rejection letters if you try to CLI indicate the specific number of statements needed if you try to CLI too soon.

The non-store cards seem to also be guided by a more conservative policy, especially for people with some negative things in their credit past. GE has gotten more conservative for riskier holders of those cards and is limiting increases without a specific schedule. They did even more slashing in early 2009 when things were the worst, but they have eased up some, but are still not free wheeling like the past.......