How to improve CLI approval?

[Anonymous]

Morning, I was recently approved for a Discover more card with a CL of 1200! Thanks to this board for the guidance!!! I have: HSBC $250CL at 0% util Discover More $1200 at 0% util I am new to credit cards and incorrectly thought that it was a good thing to use your card as much as possible and pay the balance off immediately. So, I purchased everything with my HSBC card and paid it off the next day. I ended up having mar card frozen because I used it too much. You could only spend 150% of the card in any given month. So, HSBC rejected my CLI due to "over use activity". So, with that lesson learned, I am at a loss as to how I can better increase my chances of receiving CLI approvals in the future. Door #1: do I only use the cards to a certain util % every month? If so, what percent? Door #2: do I not use my cards at all? Door #3: do I carry a balance every month (I really hope this one doesn't win!)? Other? thanks!

[pizzadude]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Morning, I was recently approved for a Discover more card with a CL of 1200! Thanks to this board for the guidance!!! I have: HSBC $250CL at 0% util Discover More $1200 at 0% util I am new to credit cards and incorrectly thought that it was a good thing to use your card as much as possible and pay the balance off immediately. So, I purchased everything with my HSBC card and paid it off the next day. I ended up having mar card frozen because I used it too much. You could only spend 150% of the card in any given month. So, HSBC rejected my CLI due to "over use activity". So, with that lesson learned, I am at a loss as to how I can better increase my chances of receiving CLI approvals in the future. Door #1: do I only use the cards to a certain util % every month? If so, what percent? Door #2: do I not use my cards at all? Door #3: do I carry a balance every month (I really hope this one doesn't win!)? Other? thanks!

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There's really no answer that works for every creditor ~ I would just focus on using your cards each month and paying in full and on time.   Also focus on getting your credit reports cleaned up if there are any lates or derogatories.    Sometimes getting CLIs has little to do with your card usage ( assuming that you don't have late payments ) but is more based on your credit profile.  

[GST2008]

In my experience, HSBC isn't all that great or regular with their CLIs.  I would focus more on Discover.  It already has a larger limit, and you get the rewards/cash back with it.  Make a purchase or two with the HSBC that you pay off each month, but put the majority of your purchases through on the Discover and take advantage of the rewards you get.  I don't have a Discover card (so I could be wrong) but my understanding is that they grow with you were HSBC, now Capital One, doesn't grow as much and usually has a CL cap.

[Anonymous]

What GST said!!!  I had two HSBC cards, one stayed at $300 for 3 years and when I renewed at the end of two they waived half the annual fee and promised me there was going to be a CLI during the year.  They said the same thing year 3 and I said, bye bye.

Concentrate on Discover and place HSBC in the SD until the AF comes due.  The decide if you really need the card for any reason or not.

[Anonymous]

There really are no guidelines for cli. I know as long as you use your card, pay more than the minimum, pay on time, and inquire about an increase once every six months, you should be okay.

I've followed these rules since I began my credit journey when I was 18 and it has yet to steer me wrong.

Good Luck :-)