How much of your TCL can you realistically expect to use before cards get shutdown/limits lowered?

[Knice86]

I've noticed a lot of members on this site have TCLs that span WAY above their annual income.  Let's say a borrower with a 500k TCL and 100k annual income decided to start maxing out credit cards and maintain minimum payments.  Are there any data points on rough estimates when the lender would flag your utilization against annual reported income?  My guess is just because you have a 500k TCL doesn't mean you can actually use it unless your income exceeds spending.  

[CH-7-Mission-Accomplished]

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@Knice86 wrote:

I've noticed a lot of members on this site have TCLs that span WAY above their annual income.  Let's say a borrower with a 500k TCL and 100k annual income decided to start maxing out credit cards and maintain minimum payments.  Are there any data points on rough estimates when the lender would flag your utilization against annual reported income?  My guess is just because you have a 500k TCL doesn't mean you can actually use it unless your income exceeds spending.  

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You are correct, it really is mostly an illusion.  My income is about $150K now and my total limits are over $450K.   For me it's just been the affirmation of my self-worth after humiliating myself financially and going into bankruptcy at age 50.   

The longest you might be able to try to use your limits would be 30 days, but I would imagine lenders would start sending out mid-cycle updates if all of a sudden you're putting $40K on your $50K card.

[Brian_Earl_Spilner]

It's lender dependant. You don't even have to have limits exceeding income for the AA to kick in. Both Macy's and Care credit balance chased me because I wasn't paying down fast enough. My income exceeds my limits. My utilization had been creeping up after a job change. In Macy's case, I got to about 30% before they dropped the hammer. Care credit did it after a finance offer expired. 

[Horseshoez]

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@CH-7-Mission-Accomplished wrote:

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@Knice86 wrote:

I've noticed a lot of members on this site have TCLs that span WAY above their annual income.  Let's say a borrower with a 500k TCL and 100k annual income decided to start maxing out credit cards and maintain minimum payments.  Are there any data points on rough estimates when the lender would flag your utilization against annual reported income?  My guess is just because you have a 500k TCL doesn't mean you can actually use it unless your income exceeds spending.  

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You are correct, it really is mostly an illusion.  My income is about $150K now and my total limits are over $450K.   For me it's just been the affirmation of my self-worth after humiliating myself financially and going into bankruptcy at age 50.   

The longest you might be able to try to use your limits would be 30 days, but I would imagine lenders would start sending out mid-cycle updates if all of a sudden you're putting $40K on your $50K card.

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Wow, our stories are both similar, and not at all similar.  I declared Chapter 13 when I was just shy of 58; during my bankruptcy I changed careers and have since nearly doubled my income, and since my discharge I've established a fair amount of revolving credit potential.  Where we differ is TCL; mine only amounts to about 15% of my income and quite honestly, I have no need/want/desire to increase my available credit.  That said, I will most likely apply for a United Club card in the next year or so, and, assuming it is approved, will kick my TCL up several percentage points.

[markbeiser]

I just want to have lots of TCL available to fund a really fun bucket list trip if I'm ever diagnosed with a terminal illness and have weeks or a few months to live!🙃
No kids or immediate family to get stuck with the bills.

[Anonymous]

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@markbeiser wrote:

I just want to have lots of TCL available to fund a really fun bucket list trip if I'm ever diagnosed with a terminal illness and have weeks or a few months to live!🙃
No kids or immediate family to get stuck with the bills.

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If you are a true myFicor, you wouldn't be able to enjoy the bucket list trip because of the constant worry about utilization "What is this going to do to my score?"  even if you wouldn't be around to see the next update!