The Master Higher Limits Beget Higher Limits Thread

[BobWang]

Marcus may have copyrighted this, being an attorney and whatnot.

I haven’t pushed the aviator in the family about credit, he seems content.
He has a few USAA lates from when he was deployed to Iraq, so FICOs are in the mid 700s.

I've been gently hinting about GW.

 

Discover gave him a $2,500 limit, so he's been gun-shy.
Anyway, his highest limit is

$18,000 on a NFCU nRewards Visa.

Finally convinced him to app for the Priceline Visa yesterday.
He has NO Barclays cards.
INSTANT approval for

$18,000

So, had him hit up NFCU for an online CLI,

Asked for $50,000, automatic counter-offer

$25,000

In retrospect, maybe I should have had him reverse the order.

Share your stories about having your highest limits matched by a new issuer.

[tjguitar]

I've never had a limit matched. My Navy is at $17,000 - the next highest is Alliant whcih is $15,000 - opened a few years later. Ive had a handful of cards opened in between those two cards, ranging from $5500 (Citi) to $10,500 (Amex)

 

In this case, I already had other Citi cards, but no Amex.

[Karen_]

Never had a limit matched either but Citi approved me with a $11,700 card and some of my cards have been auto increased a good amount because of it.

[chugs102]

My limits have creeped higher but there certainly hasn't been much matching.

 

Despite having a CL of $20K with PSECU and $50K with PenFed, Citi has given me 10K on multiple cards and Barclays gave me only $5K each on 2 cards.

[hrguy]

Since I am post-bk I am still rebuilding. I have my NFCU nRewards Visa Secured @ 1K for info purposes.

 

I got a Barclay Apple Visa @ 2200 instant approval in January.

 

Just last week, I apped for the NFCU cashRewards Visa and they came in at 2500 to top off Barclay I believe.

[Repairerer]

My highest limits are still credit unions, and it seemed completely random that they gave me these limits so I'm not going to focus on them in this reply.

 

Except that: My first American Express card gave me a high limit, which I figured out was the median of my other (major, non-store card) limits + $100. I suspect might have been a lot lower without the credit unions.

 

Citi, Chase and Barclays all seemed to be playing each other for a while. I had 3.9K Citi, applied for Barclays, 3.5K. Applied for Chase, 3K. About this time, Citi increased to 7.8K unasked, then Chase to 7.5K unasked, then Barclays to 6K unasked.

[creditmmax]

6 years post BK and I now have 3 cards with $10,000 or more in CL each. USAA, Citi, and Cap1

 

I never thought it was possible to get 5 digit CLs with a BK still showing on my CR. What is interesting is that once I had my first 5 digit line, I got 2 more at 5 digits within 60 days (1 HP New Acct, 1 Soft Pull CLI on an existing acct). So I totally agree that "Higher Limits Beget Higher Limits"!!!

 

1) On my USAA Amex at $10k - I got the card recently, and I charge $2,500 to $3,500 each month on it and PIF (I have had 3 billing statements so far).

 

2) On my Citi Thankyou Preferred - I have 18 months at 0%, and I balance transferred my wifes $6,000 balance which was at 22% on a card before we were married (her credit is not that good, I'm working to improve it for her). Should I pay this balance xfer off quickly or slowly? What does Citi like to see on their cards, and how much usage, and payments should I make to help stimulate a CLI on this card? I just dont want to pay it off because it has the 0% interest rate for 18 months. (eventhough I have plenty of cash saved to PIF).

How long should I wait to request a CLI for either USAA or Citi? What $ amount do you recommend i ask for? (my only hesitation is that I have opened up a large number of new accounts within the past 3 months, So maybe I should wait 12-24 months). I've B*'d my inqs on TU to 1 and on EQ to 6. If I wait 12-24 months I'll just focus on CLI every 4-5 months with my GECRB cards since they only pull softs. Or do you recommend that I try after 6 months of statements (USAA & Citi will likely do a HP).

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Edited March 23, 2013 by creditmmax

[creditmmax]

My highest limits are still credit unions, and it seemed completely random that they gave me these limits so I'm not going to focus on them in this reply.

 

Except that: My first American Express card gave me a high limit, which I figured out was the median of my other (major, non-store card) limits + $100. I suspect might have been a lot lower without the credit unions.

 

Citi, Chase and Barclays all seemed to be playing each other for a while. I had 3.9K Citi, applied for Barclays, 3.5K. Applied for Chase, 3K. About this time, Citi increased to 7.8K unasked, then Chase to 7.5K unasked, then Barclays to 6K unasked.

 

If you dont mind me asking, how long did it take for Citi, Chase, and Barclays to auto CLI & what were your spending and payment habits like? (were these recent CLIs or was it a few years ago... before the country's financial crisis/housing collapse)

Edited March 23, 2013 by creditmmax

[Repairerer]

 

My highest limits are still credit unions, and it seemed completely random that they gave me these limits so I'm not going to focus on them in this reply.

 

Except that: My first American Express card gave me a high limit, which I figured out was the median of my other (major, non-store card) limits + $100. I suspect might have been a lot lower without the credit unions.

 

Citi, Chase and Barclays all seemed to be playing each other for a while. I had 3.9K Citi, applied for Barclays, 3.5K. Applied for Chase, 3K. About this time, Citi increased to 7.8K unasked, then Chase to 7.5K unasked, then Barclays to 6K unasked.

 

If you dont mind me asking, how long did it take for Citi, Chase, and Barclays to auto CLI & what were your spending and payment habits like? (were these recent CLIs or was it a few years ago... before the country's financial crisis/housing collapse)

It was last year. I had Citi since the year before and it was originally 3K, I asked for a CLI once online and only got 900. When they saw me getting a few more close competitors of theirs, boom, 7.9K. Chase I had four months before they auto increased, Barclays six months.

[Repairerer]

Forgot to address spending and payments you asked about. Payments were PIF always, spending was modest since I don't earn all that much, pretty median income, Citi I did put some travel on since I originally had a HHonors card from them (later product changed to Forward so now it's categories), Chase is Freedom so just categories, and Barclays is the Priceline so it's the catchall card for expenses I can't do anything better on with other cards. Had utility autopays on it for a while.

[creditmmax]

 

 

My highest limits are still credit unions, and it seemed completely random that they gave me these limits so I'm not going to focus on them in this reply.

 

Except that: My first American Express card gave me a high limit, which I figured out was the median of my other (major, non-store card) limits + $100. I suspect might have been a lot lower without the credit unions.

 

Citi, Chase and Barclays all seemed to be playing each other for a while. I had 3.9K Citi, applied for Barclays, 3.5K. Applied for Chase, 3K. About this time, Citi increased to 7.8K unasked, then Chase to 7.5K unasked, then Barclays to 6K unasked.

 

If you dont mind me asking, how long did it take for Citi, Chase, and Barclays to auto CLI & what were your spending and payment habits like? (were these recent CLIs or was it a few years ago... before the country's financial crisis/housing collapse)

It was last year. I had Citi since the year before and it was originally 3K, I asked for a CLI once online and only got 900. When they saw me getting a few more close competitors of theirs, boom, 7.9K. Chase I had four months before they auto increased, Barclays six months.

 

Thanks for the info! This helps me because I dont want to get any more HPs, so I think I might just wait awhile & try to get as many soft CLIs on my other cards in the meantime. I have some GECRB cards that just got CLIs to 7.5k, 7k, and 5k (in 4 months I'm gonna try to double the CLs). Dont know if Citi or Barclays will chase retail store cards, but it's worth a shot

Edited March 23, 2013 by creditmmax

[creditmmax]

Forgot to address spending and payments you asked about. Payments were PIF always, spending was modest since I don't earn all that much, pretty median income, Citi I did put some travel on since I originally had a HHonors card from them (later product changed to Forward so now it's categories), Chase is Freedom so just categories, and Barclays is the Priceline so it's the catchall card for expenses I can't do anything better on with other cards. Had utility autopays on it for a while.

 

Good to know! Thanks

Edited March 23, 2013 by creditmmax

[hrguy]

Call me crazy...lol

 

But since getting my Barclay Apple in Jan and using it for the promo for 12 months 0% interest, I have not used the card since the APR is so high. I guess that does not help my chances for auto CLI @ 6 months?

[creditmmax]

Call me crazy...lol

 

But since getting my Barclay Apple in Jan and using it for the promo for 12 months 0% interest, I have not used the card since the APR is so high. I guess that does not help my chances for auto CLI @ 6 months?

 

From my experience with Barclay, they want to see usage and payments for CLI. I used to get auto CLI's (about every 6-12 months on my AirTran Card), then when I stopped using it, the auto-CLIs suddenly stopped (no CLI for 3 years). I just received my new Priceline Siggy Card & I'm going to use it tons @ 2% rewards and rack up some points for the next 12 months and see what happens. My CL started at 5k, so hopefully I get a double with lots of activity. As long as you have the income and savings I would utilize it and PIF. Even if you carry <10% utilization who cares while it is in the 0% intro rate (there basically lending free money, unless you dont PIF before the end of the intro period).

 

BTW: I have had very good success calling Barclay and getting a 1or 2% reduction in the APR every 6 or 12 months on my older cards. As long as your payment history is good they are willing to work with you on that.

[hrguy]

 

Call me crazy...lol

 

But since getting my Barclay Apple in Jan and using it for the promo for 12 months 0% interest, I have not used the card since the APR is so high. I guess that does not help my chances for auto CLI @ 6 months?

 

From my experience with Barclay, they want to see usage and payments for CLI. I used to get auto CLI's (about every 6-12 months on my AirTran Card), then when I stopped using it, the auto-CLIs suddenly stopped (no CLI for 3 years). I just received my new Priceline Siggy Card & I'm going to use it tons @ 2% rewards and rack up some points for the next 12 months and see what happens. My CL started at 5k, so hopefully I get a double with lots of activity. As long as you have the income and savings I would utilize it and PIF. Even if you carry <10% utilization who cares while it is in the 0% intro rate (there basically lending free money, unless you dont PIF before the end of the intro period).

 

BTW: I have had very good success calling Barclay and getting a 1or 2% reduction in the APR every 6 or 12 months on my older cards. As long as your payment history is good they are willing to work with you on that.

I guess I will use it, I just do not want to mess up with the payments getting applied to the intro balance and getting charged interest on the new charges. I Charged about 1200 on the card, and planned to pay 100 a month since it is interest free for 12 months versus PIF. I do not think they will lower the APR on this card since I think it is set at 22.90 no matter the score since it is a Finance Card. I was going to see if I could PC once I paid the balance off. I would rather the Priceline card since I just wanted this card for the Apple purchase and since it is one of their entry-card products for the credit challenged.

[PotO]

Although I can't even recall an automatic CLI, I do see issuers trying to match or exceed my current limits.

 

It seems that when I apply for new credit and I have one or, at most, two cards showing a modest balance the new card is approved and becomes my highest limit. When no cards are showing a balance or only an e trembly small balance, the new card often has only a $5,000 or $10,000 limit.

 

I'll discount Navy because they'd even give the walking dead a high limit, but both USAA and Chase have played Beat The Limit with me. USAA beat their own card (my first USAA card) and gave me $25k and then Chase turned around and gave me $30k.

 

I do believe that once you start to get in the mid-five digit CLs that it could be more difficult.

[creditmmax]

Although I can't even recall an automatic CLI, I do see issuers trying to match or exceed my current limits.

 

It seems that when I apply for new credit and I have one or, at most, two cards showing a modest balance the new card is approved and becomes my highest limit. When no cards are showing a balance or only an e trembly small balance, the new card often has only a $5,000 or $10,000 limit.

 

I'll discount Navy because they'd even give the walking dead a high limit, but both USAA and Chase have played Beat The Limit with me. USAA beat their own card (my first USAA card) and gave me $25k and then Chase turned around and gave me $30k.

 

I do believe that once you start to get in the mid-five digit CLs that it could be more difficult.

Thanks for the info. When you say 1-2 cards show a modest balance (what utilization of that 1 or 2 card(s) is showing, and what is the overall utilization accross all CLs). Just curious so I can try to match the best possible scenario when applying for a new card in the future.

[patz2009]

Share your stories about having your highest limits matched by a new issuer.

 

Visions FCU had a secured card with me, $2000 in July 2011.

Chase Freedom gave me $3000 in November 2011.

Citi Forward gave me $4000 in March 2012.

American Express Blue Sky matched my $4000 in April 2012.

AmEx CLI'd me to $8300 after 2 months.

Citi Thank You Preferred instantly approved for $5800 in July 2012.

US Bank Cash+ instantly approved $7000 in September 2012.

[PotO]

 

Although I can't even recall an automatic CLI, I do see issuers trying to match or exceed my current limits.

It seems that when I apply for new credit and I have one or, at most, two cards showing a modest balance the new card is approved and becomes my highest limit. When no cards are showing a balance or only an e trembly small balance, the new card often has only a $5,000 or $10,000 limit.

I'll discount Navy because they'd even give the walking dead a high limit, but both USAA and Chase have played Beat The Limit with me. USAA beat their own card (my first USAA card) and gave me $25k and then Chase turned around and gave me $30k.

I do believe that once you start to get in the mid-five digit CLs that it could be more difficult.

Thanks for the info. When you say 1-2 cards show a modest balance (what utilization of that 1 or 2 card(s) is showing, and what is the overall utilization accross all CLs). Just curious so I can try to match the best possible scenario when applying for a new card in the future.

.

 

Normally I only allow one or two cards to report a balance each about $50. That would be less than 1% utilization at most for the card. My highest approval limits have come when I had a card or two each showing about 10 to 15% utilization for the card or roughly $750 for each.

 

I'm not sure how the highest balance that reports has any influence. Most of my cards have been maxed out at one point or another, but never allowed it to report as my current monthly balance.

[WestCoastKid]

Started with a 724 eq fico thanks to secured card of $5k limit, a couple 2 yr accts that I was an AU on with limits ranging $500-1500, along with my target redcard of 200 cl and another starter mc $500 limit. Got everything to <25% uti.

-Applied for an was approved instantly for usaa amex $12k limit, which they are very consistent in giving with such a score. Terrific card that I highly recommend, especially since they link it to a free checking account that lets you very easily to balance transfers and advances with no fees whatsoever AND they are one of the only banks I know that does NOT hold those cash advances against you after several years of making generous use of them.

-At the same time I also applied and was approved for their platinum MC and got 3k limit. after a year or so of seasoning, i got those limits to 15k and 4500 respectively.

Soon after that I applied for BofA Privileges visa signature online which gave me the waiting message. I called them, got thru to an analyst very easily who was happy to review the app right then. She asked if their was a certain limit i was looking for, I said if they matched my then highest of $15k then I'd use my card more. Without even putting me on hold she said "I see no reason not to" and approved me at $15k. My only derog was a 1 yr old paid tax lien of $2k...she made absolutely no mention of it. They pulled ex and my fico was approx 680 (from other cu recent denial letter.)

 

Higher limits DO beget higher limits, and it gives you a LOT more leverage when applying and speaking to the reps.

[epa3865]

So with higher limits begetting higher limits, am I better off trying to get a big CLI first from what I have, then apply for new cards to match or exceed? I have a Chase Freedom at $2500, Cap1 at $1500, Household $1200, Credit One $1100, and some smaller. FICO was below 700, but now is mid-700's with EQ and TU after paying off high utilization, with income $140k+ (need to hold off on EX for now - still working on and FICO about 700 showing an unpaid judgment that was paid a year ago).

 

If I am not eligible for NFCU (even though my Dad was in Navy during Korean conflict), what other CU would be a good one with a chance for a higher credit limit (EQ and TU pullers)? With creditpulls I see Penfed, DCU, others?

 

Other suggestions for higher limit CC's (EQ and TU pullers)? With creditpulls I see Barclay, other Chase cards, Citi, Discover It?

 

My inquiries are 1-2 for TU and EQ, and spouse at 5 for EQ and 3 for TU.

 

Thanks!

[BobWang]

I did these last August, haven't had the energy to do them again.

 

Study the graphs for scores in the 700s, starting from this post:

 

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=499082&do=findComment&comment=4737951

[netwirejohn]

I agree with BobWang on this. I've noticed that the high limit cards are making other cards CLI and initial credit lines a lot higher. For an example I have the USAA Mastercard and my initial line and still is $12k. That is still the highest tradeline in my portfolio but when I applied for Chase Hyatt 6 months later I was approved at $8k inital line. Just beginning of this month applied for my first AMEX directly from AMEX and got a $10k inital limit. Typically most of my cards only had initial lines of $1k - $3k. Of course I was easily able to make those $3k cards to $8k-$10k

[WestCoastKid]

So with higher limits begetting higher limits, am I better off trying to get a big CLI first from what I have, then apply for new cards to match or exceed? I have a Chase Freedom at $2500, Cap1 at $1500, Household $1200, Credit One $1100, and some smaller. FICO was below 700, but now is mid-700's with EQ and TU after paying off high utilization, with income $140k+ (need to hold off on EX for now - still working on and FICO about 700 showing an unpaid judgment that was paid a year ago).

 

If I am not eligible for NFCU (even though my Dad was in Navy during Korean conflict), what other CU would be a good one with a chance for a higher credit limit (EQ and TU pullers)? With creditpulls I see Penfed, DCU, others?

 

Other suggestions for higher limit CC's (EQ and TU pullers)? With creditpulls I see Barclay, other Chase cards, Citi, Discover It?

 

My inquiries are 1-2 for TU and EQ, and spouse at 5 for EQ and 3 for TU.

 

Thanks!

 

EPA3865: USAA Amex is the card you want. Pulls EQ and based on what you've said they should give you a limit of $12k or so.

[epa3865]

The USAA Amex looks good. So, you are all saying apply for new cards, and the lower limit cards I have will match or exceed over time, rather than looking for the CLI first to get higher limits, and then apply for new cards?