Less likely to get a CLI when doing balance transfers?

[masscredit]

I was wondering something tonight.  Would a person be less likely to get a CLI on a card that they use for balance transfers? My thinking is the lender might see that and think the card holder can't afford to pay their other cards so they tramsfer the balances over to that one.  I don't totally believe this but I'm just wondering if it might be a possibility. Or, they might totally welcome BTs. 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt think so. I would think you would be more likely to get a CLI on a card you wouldnt use otherwise. You get a higher line to transfer more and they get 3% of whatever your transfering and maybe interest if you dont pay by the due date.

[taxi818]

I don't think so. My Discover has been a bt machine the last year. and ive gotten several credit limit increases. Im hoping for another tomorrow. as long as you pay on time and more than minimum it should be ok. some lenders like heavy heavy usage on their cards. Discover, Barclays, Capital one to name a few. and BTs don't bother them in the least.

[OmarGB9]

I think it's quite the opposite actually. They'll increase your CL in hopes that you'll continue to use your card while carrying a BT so that they'll get swipe fees as well as interest off of you if you don't PIF for new purchases.

[Anonymous]

Hello Masscredit!

I use my Citibank Simplicity credit card solely for BTs. Transferring balances to it have never kept me from obtaining CLIs. I just got another one in July 7.6k to 20k. Best of luck!!!

[Anonymous]

I was wondering about this, myself. I got my Discover in early July and have used it solely for BTs. I was at about 80% utilization until I paid a 6th of the balance off before the first statement cut. I'll be paying 5x the minimum payment every month so hopefully that'll look good in their eyes.

[UncleB]

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@taxi818 wrote:

I don't think so. My Discover has been a bt machine the last year. and ive gotten several credit limit increases. Im hoping for another tomorrow. as long as you pay on time and more than minimum it should be ok. some lenders like heavy heavy usage on their cards. Discover, Barclays, Capital one to name a few. and BTs don't bother them in the least.

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I'm glad to hear this as well.  I've been paying on a parent's Care Credit account for the last couple of years, and I'm thinking of transferring the $2.9k balance to my Discover card to get it 'knocked out'.  There's no promo left on the Care Credit so getting a year at 0% would be huge.  I was concerned that it would hurt my chance at a CLI, though. 

It's good to hear it likely won't make a difference!

[taxi818]

Yep. Just got another Cli for 500 today on discover. Did a bt 3 days ago. So discover loves the heavy usage. Now it's time to sd it and pay it like installment loan. Each month.

[masscredit]

Thanks for the feedback.  This is good to know! 

[masscredit]

Have been thinking about this some more. I'll use my cards as an example. My Cap1 cards have 0% BT fees. So what I can do is use all of my cards, BT to the Cap1 cards when it's time to pay them off before the statements close then pay the Cap 1 cards down. This will give all of my cards use and show heavier use on Cap1. That might be beneficial.