How much should I spend to maximize CLI $$$?

[pdxmike]

I would like to increase my credit limits. I haven't been using my cards much, so it's understandable that I'm being declined for increases on the basis of a lack of history using my current limits.

My question, and I'll make this general so it helps other people and not just me, is how much should I spend to make an issuer think "this person could use more credit" without thinking "oh no, this person is in desperate need of new credit?"

What sort of utilization should I aim for that shows I can and do use my limit and pay it responsibly, without worrying the algorithm about overspending? Should I stay under a certain spending-to-income ratio, or does it not matter as long as I'm paying in full? Wouldn't spending near the limit and paying it off show most clearly that I could use a bigger limit, or would that just look like I'm dangerously maxing out my credit cards?

Should I pay before the statement end date in order to post a $0 statement balance, or only boost my spending on one card, or try anything else to reduce issuer anxiety about my spending increases?

[Kforce]

Use the cards in the way that is best for your rewards and spending needs.

Don't waist you time moving spend to get CL increases.

They will come with time, normal spend and paying on time.

High correlation for increases from:

Income going up, time owning the card, payment history, and which issuer the card is from.

Low correlation from:

Spend and other card limits.

I believe that it depends on which creditor the cards are issues buy the most with time and payments as the next most important points

[wasCB14]

Giving a general answer to a general question...don't expect that spending a particular amount on a card will necessarily hasten the arrival of a CLI.

Could it help in some cases? Maybe. But in other cases, what you may just need is time.

It's easy to show a lender that you could use more credit...but that's not the same thing as convincing a lender it wouldn't be a high risk for them to extend more credit.

[Anonymous]

Many times it is just a matter of time,scores and "reasonable" use. Yes income and cranberry do play a part also. 

Join us over in the garden club.    

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Many times it is just a matter of time,scores and "reasonable" use. Yes income and cranberry do play a part also. 

Join us over in the garden club.    

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Is this an autocorrect? Or slang I don't get?

[simplynoir]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Many times it is just a matter of time,scores and "reasonable" use. Yes income and cranberry do play a part also. 

Join us over in the garden club.    

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Is this an autocorrect? Or slang I don't get?

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Garden thread slang that's sort of in-joke.  It means utilization.

[longtimelurker]

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@Kforce wrote:

Use the cards in the way that is best for your rewards and spending needs.

Don't waist you time moving spend to get CL increases.

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And certainly don't waste MONEY by spending more than you would have anyway to try to get a CLI.

[wasCB14]

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@simplynoir wrote:

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Many times it is just a matter of time,scores and "reasonable" use. Yes income and cranberry do play a part also. 

Join us over in the garden club.    

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Is this an autocorrect? Or slang I don't get?

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Garden thread slang that's sort of in-joke.  It means utilization.

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Oh, okay.

I do tend to skip the garden. Too much noise.

[peghede]

make  regularly 25, 30k monthly payments with one lender for 6 or more months will help with cli.

[wasCB14]

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@peghede wrote:

make  regularly 25, 30k monthly payments with one lender for 6 or more months will help with cli.

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Easier to just put it on Cent if your private banker can't help with a CLI on a JPMR...

...if we're suddenly assuming OP has that kind of spend.