"The CSR explained to me that they "had to" leave a $500 limit by policy on the donor card and IIRC, they wanted to see no activity for the past 30 days to make sure all charges had cleared. That's odd. I guess that's a valid reason. But it sounds like an IT problem. Other issuers close cards and decline new charges. I once had a card that the CSR warned me if new charges occur after its closed, the card would be automatically re-opened, even months after closing. That was back in 2000. A single charge showed up that I didn't recognize about 6 mo later and I got a paper bill from them and I gave them heck for it. The bank got gobbled up by Barclays in 2005 or 6.
RE: "I am afraid to apply for any new card with an existing lender for fear of a $500 limit lol."
As I remember someone commenting recently on another thread, you are very well-diversified among banks with only one card per bank. Diversity is great but I think most people can have two or three cards with a lender without feeling they are too "locked-in" to one bank. (Have you had AA and account closures before so does that make you concerned?) No, I've had more than one card from the same lender and got small limits (8K, 10K, Citi uPromise. I closed it and didn't transfer to CL to my Citi Platinum Select card, And one with BoA). Not really worrying about $500 CL, but more of smaller limits, like 10K. Looking at your scores and healthy limits, I think you could easily push a few of your other banks for more credit without the dreaded $500 CL award.
You already have very respectable limits of $12K (I don't like this one, will request a CLI after I put a $1,500 charge on it this weekend) to $50K on all your cards (with the exception of your Lowe's store card, which you could probably easily push higher from what I've read about it. Nope, just tried that a few days ago and was denied. I haven't used it much so far, probably the reason. Will get a letter.) The only concern would be if your income is a limiting factor or Debt-to-Income is a limiting factor. (DTI @ 5%) Barring that those are in a healthy position, I think you should consider going for more! At this point in my journey, pushing to the maximum limits I can get with some major banks is actually part of my end-strategy and game. (Hence: Aim_High) Worst case scenario: You learn you are at their maximum limits for your profile and you wasted a hard pull (Got a HP from Citi and a CL denial in January). But the potential rewards of a much higher overall credit line would be worth it, especially if you only have one card per bank already. You probably have room to grow. (I'm going for another CLI with Amex and BoA when enough time has passed with those two recent CLIs, and requesting one with WF in about a week.)
I thought about opening a new card with the same issuer and balancing the CLs, and if it were Chase, really wouldn't care if they kept $500.
@Anonymous wrote:I've had more than one card from the same lender and got small limits (8K, 10K, ... Not really worrying about $500 CL, but more of smaller limits, like 10K.
You already have very respectable limits of $12K (I don't like this one, will request a CLI after I put a $1,500 charge on it this weekend) to $50K on all your cards
(with the exception of your Lowe's store card, which you could probably easily push higher from what I've read about it. Nope, just tried that a few days ago and was denied. I haven't used it much so far, probably the reason.
Sounds like you consider your CLs similar to my goals. I am trying to structure my limits to start at $25K minimum and have multiple over $50K. My two current lowest personal $10K cards (Marriott and Hyatt) are temporary limits; they are both from earlier this year and started at $33K and $30K but I moved limits around with Chase to my core cards (CSR/CFU/CF). I eventually plan to close and consolidate those limits as well. I am using my Capital One Quicksilver again now before I push it to $25K hopefully in a couple of months. And after Apple is aged six months I hope it will grow to $25K minimum since I've used it several times a month since August. (*I discount my $9K limit on Chase Business Cash for the $25K goal since I don't expect such high limits based on my business basis of a small sole proprietorship.)
I'm honestly surprised about your Lowe's card as I never had the impression that heavy use was necessary for CLIs. (I've seen a lot of members with much lower scores and probably income or usage than yours with limits of $35K on that card.)
Yes, Wells Fargo seems to be a pretty conservative lender, not only with approvals but starting CLs. So I'm not surprised that is a "low" card for you. I notice you also don't have a US Bank card and wonder if that was a reason you didn't app to them? (They also typically have strict underwriting and low SLs compared to many other national banks.)
@FinStar wrote:
Interesting DPs. I have roughly ~$200K overall exposure with Chase (pers/biz) across several products and not once did they ever require to leave $500 on any donor card whether it was a discussion with lending, via SM or even the standard c/s #. And I shifted around several products over the years going back to the Bank One/FCNBD days.
Since it's system-driven I don't question the logic since I suppose it's nothing that can be changed if there's some system constraint (whatever that may be). I'm just glad they're pretty flexible even if I had to leave $500 on the table.
Yet, it is interesting to learn that others who have reported that some reallocations require to leave $500 (or greater) unallocated ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It would be interesting to discern the differences in policy. Perhaps the relationship with them vis-a-vis banking products or accounts makes a difference?? (I don't have any bank accounts with them, only credit lines.) The $500 is a pittance to "leave on the table" but a little annoying if the credit line has been idle. Moreover, why are some reallocations kept at $1000 versus others at $500? Maybe how long the accounts had been open or the highest recent statement balances? Still, a much easier way to raise overall limits with them.
@FinStar wrote:
" ... reporting of the closed donor card being $500 screwing up things like the alignment of the planets."
"I get that to some folks may have some peculiar preferences about how things should look, ... but in the grand scheme of things, the sun will rise and set even if my CL was $12,486 😉"
LOL 
You realize you just sent some members into convulsions with the thought of an odd limit.
It was my understanding that you simply needed to leave enough to cover your AF, which cannot exceed 25% of your CL? So worst case scenario, you'd have to leave $380 on the CSP. I don't see why OP would haev needed to leave over $1K.
That said, being able to move $9+K over to another card still seems reasonable. One shouldn't be too greedy with Money that technically isn't theirs? 
@Aim_High wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
" ... reporting of the closed donor card being $500 screwing up things like the alignment of the planets."
"I get that to some folks may have some peculiar preferences about how things should look, ... but in the grand scheme of things, the sun will rise and set even if my CL was $12,486 😉"LOL
If we go that route, I would like to see baseball scores like 6.53 to 4.17.