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To CLI or not / Utilization question

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Anonymous
Not applicable

To CLI or not / Utilization question

So I was wondering if it would be a good idea to CLI my Amex card after 61 days. Currently I have $10,500. The reason I'm asking is because in the future I would like to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom. My income is only around $60,000. So I was wondering if Chase would deny me for having to much credit vs income, since I have other cards too.
 
Also, I was looking at Credit Karma today. I know it's a Fako score. But it seems my score dropped by 20 points for having my utilization below 1%. I only had a balance of $135 report. They calculated it as 0%. So is it a good idea to try to keep it at 1% for a better score?
 
Thank you.
Message 1 of 8
7 REPLIES 7
Revelate
Moderator Emeritus

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question


@Anonymous wrote:
So I was wondering if it would be a good idea to CLI my Amex card after 61 days. Currently I have $10,500. The reason I'm asking is because in the future I would like to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom. My income is only around $60,000. So I was wondering if Chase would deny me for having to much credit vs income, since I have other cards too.
 
Also, I was looking at Credit Karma today. I know it's a Fako score. But it seems my score dropped by 20 points for having my utilization below 1%. I only had a balance of $135 report. They calculated it as 0%. So is it a good idea to try to keep it at 1% for a better score?
 
Thank you.

Generally even with FICO we've found that an aggregate utilization of 0% is not where you want to be.  I don't know where the rounding is on FICO's algorithm but it's worth letting more report if you're trying to maximize that in a given month.  I typically target the 3-5% range which gives me enough cushion if I have an awkard purchase near a statement date when I'm trying to ruthlessly maximize my report.

 

Regarding the CLI; that's actually an very interesting question.  If it were me, and this is just my opinion as it may not really matter, I think I'd wait on the CLI till after I obtained the CSP as your Amex tradeilne is more than sweet enough to have Chase try to entice you away from a marketing perspective with a CSP.  Freedom you can probably qualify for outright without knowing anything else other than that one tradeline.

 

You can always ask for the Amex CLI later after obtaining the Chase cards.

 

Edit: I don't think you'll have much trouble with CSP underwriting looking at your signature line.  You are gold plated credit wise with solid history and good income Smiley Happy.




        
Message 2 of 8
lg8302ch
Senior Contributor

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question

Funny I was asking myself the exact same question and finally decided to go for it but did not expect to get the full 25K requested Smiley Happy  ... I am also on a mission to get CSP in 2014 and in case Chase will have a problem with the  CL I figured I can always lower it again with Amex.  What worries me more is  Discover never allow me a CLI because of the CL  (similar income for me)

Message 3 of 8
09Lexie
Moderator Emerita

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question

@lg8302ch

Discover is an odd bird. There CL and CLI's are all over the place IMO. I just read a thread where they gave an initial CL of $6k with no rev cc history.
Go figure
Message 4 of 8
sccredit
Valued Contributor

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question


@09Lexie wrote:
@lg8302ch

Discover is an odd bird. There CL and CLI's are all over the place IMO. I just read a thread where they gave an initial CL of $6k with no rev cc history.
Go figure

They gave me $10k when my highest limit was $1,800.  

 

OP - Looking at your scores I am not sure it would matter a whole lot.  As far as credit vs. income no one has actually figured out if there is any kind of rule with Chase

Message 5 of 8
lg8302ch
Senior Contributor

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question


@09Lexie wrote:
@lg8302ch

Discover is an odd bird. There CL and CLI's are all over the place IMO. I just read a thread where they gave an initial CL of $6k with no rev cc history.
Go figure

yep.....it almost looks to me  that Discover wants to be highest limit card and if they cannot achieve this they make sure to be lowest ???...very funny patterns we see here..LOL

Message 6 of 8
myjourney
Super Contributor

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question


@lg8302ch wrote:

@09Lexie wrote:
@lg8302ch

Discover is an odd bird. There CL and CLI's are all over the place IMO. I just read a thread where they gave an initial CL of $6k with no rev cc history.
Go figure

yep.....it almost looks to me  that Discover wants to be highest limit card and if they cannot achieve this they make sure to be lowest ???...very funny patterns we see here..LOL


It's my lowest and at the end of 6 months if no auto luv it will be in the bottom SD

Not the top SD the BOTTOM........used for bubble gum and chips twice a year 

Before you app think...
Have you done your research of the CC?
Does it fit your spending?
Do you have a plan for the bonus w/o going into debt?
Can you afford the AF?
Do you know the cards benefits? Is it worth the HP?
Message 7 of 8
Themanwhocan
Senior Contributor

Re: To CLI or not / Utilization question


@myjourney wrote:

@lg8302ch wrote:

@09Lexie wrote:
@lg8302ch

Discover is an odd bird. There CL and CLI's are all over the place IMO. I just read a thread where they gave an initial CL of $6k with no rev cc history.
Go figure

yep.....it almost looks to me  that Discover wants to be highest limit card and if they cannot achieve this they make sure to be lowest ???...very funny patterns we see here..LOL


It's my lowest and at the end of 6 months if no auto luv it will be in the bottom SD

Not the top SD the BOTTOM........used for bubble gum and chips twice a year 


Thats why I stuck it to Discover. Think you can stay my lowest limit card, eh? I got a pair of Barclaycard's now that took THAT crown away from you...





TU-8: 804 EX-8: 805 EQ-8: 788 EX-98: 767 EQ-04: 752    
TU-9 Bankcard: 837 EQ-9: 823 EX-9 Bankcard: 837
Total $443,800
Message 8 of 8
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