Help CLI at ~zero balance

[Anonymous]

While it is clear that a CLI can increase scores due to smaller utilization, I was wondering if there is any influence when the balance is close to $0.
In other words, if util. stays constant, does a change of the CL help?

[haulingthescoreup]

Not for scoring, although there is convincing anecdotal evidence that higher CL's on existing TL's helps get higher CL's on future TL's.

[Anonymous]

CLIs don't help your FICO score except by lowering utilization. And if you're already under 10%...

Nevertheless, I'd go for CLIs. On a manual review, having high CLs looks good. And it does give you some headroom to actually use your credit card for something if the need arises without tanking your utilization.