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How to Increase Your Credit Limit with: Capital One, Citi, Chase and Amex

Jeff Opdyke

A variety of reasons exist for wanting to know how to increase your credit limit.

The most obvious is that your credit card balance is running up against your existing credit limit, and without a credit limit increase you will max out your credit card and not be able to use it until you pay down the balance.

But you might also want to increase your credit limit (even just temporarily) to afford a very expensive item. Many people do this just so they can collect a large batch of travel miles or points with a single purchase … but they know they will immediately repay the card with cash they’ve already set aside for the purchase.

Or, maybe you want to improve your credit score. An increased credit limit will immediately reduce your credit utilization (how much of your total available credit you have already used), and credit utilization is one of the factors that determines credit score, since lower credit utilization typically improves a credit score.

This article will cover

Whatever your reason, here’s what you need to know to increase your credit limit with specific credit card companies.

Capital One Credit Increase

You can request a credit line increase from Capital One at any time, so long as your account has been open for at least three months.

In deciding whether to authorize the increase, Capital One will consider:

So, if you have a poor credit history or a spotty payment history, and if you only pay the minimum each month, you might be turned down. Typically, Capital One will advise of you its decision through a message in your Capital One inbox online (3 to 5 days) or in writing through snail-mail (7 to 10 days).

The request will not impact your credit score, since Capital One relies on data it normally receives each month from credit bureaus, rather than pulling your credit report (which can impact your credit score).

How to Request a Capital One Credit Increase

You have two options to request a credit line increase at Capital One:

1. By phone: 800-955-7070. Choose “More Options” to hear the “credit increase” option.

2. Online: login to your account; click the “Services” tab.

In some instances, Capital One will approve your request immediately. Otherwise, it will let you know of the decision via email or letter.

Choose a New Capital One Card

In some cases, you won’t be eligible for a Capital One credit limit increase because your particular card is at the maximum limit Capital One allows. If so, you’ll need to apply for a new Capital One card. Ones to consider:

Chase Credit Line Increase

Before you request a Chase credit limit increase, you will need:

How to Request a Chase Credit Limit Increase

As with Capital One, you have the same two options:

1. By phone: 888-245-0625

2. Online: Login to your Chase account here for a direct link to request a credit line increase.

Hint: Seeking a Chase credit limit increase because you want to transfer the balance of another credit card to your Chase card can win you points and, possibly, sway the decision in your favor.

Assuming your request is approved, you should expect no more than a 10% to 25% increase – though you might get more if you ask for a specific amount and have a good reason (such as a balance transfer).

Choose a New Chase Card

If you want a new Chase card with a higher limit, here are a few of best high-limit  Chase cards:

Citi Credit Limit Increase

You can request a permanent or temporary credit line increase from Citi, and you have a better chance of approval if you:

How to Request a Citi Credit Limit Increase

1. By Phone: 888-248-4226
2. Online: Login to your account.

Enter your total annual income and monthly housing payment.

Online, you’ll receive instant approval or denial, or possibly sent to a manual review. In a manual review, you will have to:

Citi also offers, on occasion, an automatic credit limit increase. You’re more likely to get one if you:

Choose a New Citi Card

If you want a new Citi card with a higher limit, consider these two:

American Express Credit Line Increase

Before seeking an American Express credit line increase, you will need:

How to Request an American Express Credit Line Increase

1. By phone: 800-528-4800
2. Online: log in to your account.

Choose a New American Express Card

American Express was once known simply for its American Express Green Card, American Express Gold Card and The Platinum Card from American Express charge cards — not a credit card — that you paid off in full each month. Now, Amex cards operate much more like traditional credit cards and come in several interesting options:

Credit Limit Considerations

What is the Highest Credit Card Limit I can Request?

Request the stars and moon. But in most cases the card issuer has parameters it follows based on your account history, your salary and other factors.

If your request is modest – 10% to 25% above your existing limit – you’ll probably be approved, and often immediately. Larger increases will take time and likely require a hard-pull of your credit report.

But if you can make the case why you need a larger limit (balance transfer), then you might have a better shot.

Ultimately, your request for a larger limit might be denied, though you will likely be offered a smaller limit instead.

Can I request an increase on all my credit cards at once?

Sure, you can try.

So long as the requests don’t include “hard pull” inquiries, you’re probably fine. But if you have several cards, and each card issuer pulls your credit report, your credit score could go down, which would have the perverse effect of reducing your likelihood of getting a credit limit increase … or it could impair your financial capacity in other, upcoming transactions like buying or leasing a car, or obtaining a mortgage. Just be aware of that.

The upside: If you successfully lock-in higher limits on several cards, your credit utilization ratio will fall … and your credit score will rise.

You have to decide if requesting a credit line increase on several cards at once is worth the risk.

Or, you can choose another option: Request credit limit increases over several months. Yes, your credit will increase at a slower pace, but you mitigate the potentially negative impact of too many credit inquiries in too-short a period of time.

What if I’m Denied?

Don’t give up! 

One potential strategy:

Not all credit card issuers will agree to this but contact customer service with the request. Depending on the issuer, the transfer might be approved on the phone … or you might have to wait a few days or weeks.

A second option:
If you currently have two cards from the same issuer, request that a portion of your credit line on one card is transferred to another card.

This approach will not reduce your overall credit utilization, and might only be useful if you want to make a larger purchase on a particular card to collect points or miles for a specific purpose.

The Wrap Up

Lots of reasons exist for wanting to request an increased credit limit. And if your history with a particular card issuer is strong, then your chances of approval are pretty good.

If nothing else, use the opportunity to seek a credit card with a higher credit limit, if that’s what you need.

We want know: Do you have tricks you’ve used to obtain a larger credit line?

Let us know in the comments below!