You have been considering trying to increase your credit card limit? But you don’t want to go through the hassle of actually doing it. Or maybe you already maxed out your card and are tired of waiting for the approval to go through. Whatever your reasons, there are some things you can do to speed up the process and make it simpler. Here are 7 quick tips to increase credit card limit:
Be organized! If you’re going to be carrying cash or using checkbook funds, have them in a secure place where they won’t be touched or lost. Secure items like your latest monthly bills and your investment portfolio. Don’t leave your home or office to make a payment on your credit card. Check the status of your account every month and make a note of any activity. If you notice any charges that you don’t recognize, call the company immediately.
Keep an eye on your balance. When you get a bill that is for more than you can pay, contact the card companies right away. They will usually be willing to work with you to come up with a payment that is acceptable. If you are paying regularly, some companies might be hesitant to make large payments on your account when you haven’t been paying past the minimum balance for a while.
Increase your limits. You can only have a certain amount of limit on your cards. Call the company you’re currently using to see what their current limit is. There may be other offers out there for cards with higher limits. It’s important to take advantage of these offers, because you never know when you’ll need those funds.
Use your cards. This is a basic tip for increasing your limit. If you have a lot of unused limit that you don’t use, cancel them. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to just cancel these cards and start paying cash for things you might want.
Apply for other cards. If you have multiple credit cards and you don’t use most of them, the company will likely be willing to approve your new request for another card. This means that you’ll still have a limit on your card, even if you don’t use it often.
Pay off the balance. A great tip for increasing your limit is to make sure you pay off your entire card balance. Some people will close their card and then just leave it unpaid until it goes back up again. This will keep your credit card active and will increase your limit at the same time. Make sure you pay off the entire card balance every month or you’ll never increase your limit.
Apply for more credit. Your next step should be to get another credit card from a different bank or financial institution. Don’t apply for an account with the same bank as where you’ve closed your account. Keep in mind that some banks may deny your application if you’ve had trouble with your accounts in the past. Always make sure to check with each bank individually and see what their policies are before you apply.
Use your existing credit cards. If you have a credit card that you haven’t used in a while, call the customer service line and ask them if they can help you transfer your balance. Usually you’ll be able to get approval within 30 days and transfer your balance and limit to a brand new credit card. Be sure to use the new one for all your purchases and you’ll quickly find your debt reduced and your limit raised.
Use your card responsibly. Always make sure you pay your monthly balance on time and you won’t accumulate any new debt. If you follow these tips, you’ll find that your limit will slowly start to go up without you having to resort to high interest rates on new purchases.
Remember, these tips to increase credit card limits aren’t magic. They are just simple tips that can help you manage your credit cards better. By doing this you’ll be able to keep your credit card debt down while at the same time building your credit score. Soon enough you’ll have a good credit score and low debt so you’ll be able to use your credit card for those small things that really matter!
