This is what I have done to keep usage very high without coming near my limit or increasing utilization:
Keep in mind card companies make money from the merchant every time you use the card. If you’re not generating income for them from purchases or carrying balances and paying interest, what good are you to them? Card companies exist to make money, not give you credit.
What I have done when I know I’m going request an increase is for 2-3 months I use the card like crazy FOR THINGS I WOULD BUY ANYWAY, and pay that amount back to the card immediately. When I say immediately, I mean if it’s dinner at a restaurant I log onto my card app and pay what the meal was while still at the table. If groceries, I pay it as soon as I get home and have the ice cream in the freezer, etc.
I know this may sound excessive, and that I could just pay it weekly or a few days before the statement is generated every month, but I also know myself, and how many times have we seen “..and I forgot...” used as an excuse on here. We’ve all forgotten at some point.
As for results, I can honestly say I’ve been totally shocked (in a good way) at the amount of increases I’ve gotten when I asked for one.
Hope this helps some.
