Should I request a CLI?

[Anonymous]

OP, I agree with gangof4 & MVV.

If you're going to be mortgage shopping soon, don't risk INQs for the sake of getting a credit line increase. More credit line isn't what improves your scores-- less debt does. If your utilization was out of whack (you didn't indicate that it was), paying it down would do you more favors than attempting to dilute the impact with higher limits in the mortgage process. An underwriter might look at that as debt pyramiding, and get nervous.

I'd focus my efforts on maximizing the score as MVV suggested, and waiting until after you close & your loan funds to get whatever you desire in new or increased credit.

[Anonymous]

My utilization was really high this past month (nearly 50%) due to Christmas shopping. I messed around with the calculator included in the Citi identity monitor thing and it said that I could expect to raise my score at least 20 points just by lowering my utilization to under 10% so I'm going to try that and refrain from asking for a CLI. Thanks for the replies. This is why I asked. I thought it might have a negative impact when looking for a mortgage because even if the credit isn't used, the fact that it's available could be looked at negatively.

[ArisGreek]

I want a CLI on my Citi AA World MC but no CL reports since it has a no pre-set spending limit so it's pointless for me.