How to get best Capital One initial CLI?

[Creditdreamer]

I applied for and received a Platinum with a $500 limit, in the credit steps program. My scores are right around the high 500s, very low 600s.

My goal is to try to get a cli before credit steps, since it seems that is pretty normal if you ask for it. However, I want to know the best way to go about getting the highest possible. It seems like people say Capital one likes heavy usage and big/often payments. So should I charge it up all the way and pay it off as many times as I can in a month? I haven't had my first statement yet. Should I have 9% utilization when my statements cut? Then when should I request the cli? Any other tips or pointers? I'm trying to do everything as perfectly as possible. Thank you!

[Creditdreamer]

Oh and I also have a Capital One secured card with the same limit. What should I do with that one? Use it heavily also? Or use it just a bit and focus most of it on the other card?

[OmarGB9]

Pretty much, yes, just charge it up and pay it down and let the statement cut with a <10% balance. Try for CLI after 2-3 statements. The secured honestly probably won't grow. There have been reports of people getting one CLI, but that's it.

[Creditdreamer]

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@OmarGB9 wrote:
Pretty much, yes, just charge it up and pay it down and let the statement cut with a <10% balance. Try for CLI after 2-3 statements. The secured honestly probably won't grow. There have been reports of people getting one CLI, but that's it.

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The secured I have had for 3 years. But I haven't done much with it unfortunately as far as making sure I did everything well. Job loss etc set me back a bit (though no late payments). I talked to a rep on the phone about the secured card and she said that they don't give CLI and they can't PC it. She told me I'd have to close it and apply for another CapOne card if I wanted a different one. It would be nice to get that $400 back to put it into my Discover it secured that I just was approved for but I don't want to damage my AAoA

[Shooting-For-800]

use as much as possible.  pay as often as possible.  show them your limit is too low.  make sure to pay 90% off BEFORE statement hits.

They will reward you if you keep your credit good and have the income.  

I pay one of my 5 accounts almost every day, at least once a week.

I had $0 CL 18 months ago with Cap One.  Now I have $50k.

[Creditdreamer]

Wow. That's pretty epic limit wise. How did your score improve in that time frame? What about baddies etc.?

[Shooting-For-800]

BK 18 months ago.  

750 score before all went bad.

Better income now.

[sjt]

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@Creditdreamer wrote:

I applied for and received a Platinum with a $500 limit, in the credit steps program. My scores are right around the high 500s, very low 600s.

My goal is to try to get a cli before credit steps, since it seems that is pretty normal if you ask for it. However, I want to know the best way to go about getting the highest possible. It seems like people say Capital one likes heavy usage and big/often payments. So should I charge it up all the way and pay it off as many times as I can in a month? I haven't had my first statement yet. Should I have 9% utilization when my statements cut? Then when should I request the cli? Any other tips or pointers? I'm trying to do everything as perfectly as possible. Thank you!

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Use the heck out the card and make multiple regular payments. After your account is exactly 3 months, hit the LUV button. Cap1 bases their CLI mostly on useage and payment history.

[Creditdreamer]

sjt-3 months from the day I activated it? Or right after the 3rd statement cuts? Though I guess it won't hurt to ask early since it's just a SP.

[delaney1]

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@Creditdreamer wrote:
sjt-3 months from the day I activated it? Or right after the 3rd statement cuts? Though I guess it won't hurt to ask early since it's just a SP.

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I don't have credit steps, but I did request a CLI right after third statement cut with much success.