Request a Credit Limit Increase on AMEX Cards: It’s Easy
By Sun on Feb 26, 2007 in Credit cards, Personal finance
Post viewed 455 times, 1 so far today
I know Citi bank has a very simple procedure for cardholders to request a credit line increase, which can be either an automatic amount or a cardholder specified number, all on one page. However, with Discover card, every time when I happened to speak with them asking for a credit increase, they told me that they had to run a credit check. I don’t want to get a credit check for just a credit limit increase. So I never got any from Discover. On the other hand, it turns out the American Express also allow cardholders to bump up their credit limits online, with five simple steps. I have an AMEX card that I got nearly ten years ago, which is my very first AMEX card with a credit limit of $3,000. Though I don’t use the card as often as before, it is still alive and I’d like to see a higher limit.
Here’s what you can do if you want to have a higher credit limit on your AMEX card as well.
Step 1. Login and start the procedure: Login to your account and select the card (if you have more than one AMEX cards) you want the credit limit increased, then click the “Request a Credit Increase” link at the bottom of Credit Line Summary.
Step 2. Verify card information: Before entering the desired credit limit, you need to verify your ownership of the card. All you need to do at this step is enter the 4-digit number printed on the card (above the card number).
Step 3. Request a credit limit increase: This is the step you need to provide a little extra information: the credit limit you wish you can have and the money you claim you are making every year, and this is different from Citi cards which also ask for employment and bank information.
Step 4. Verify the accuracy of the information and submit request: Before submitting your request, you will get a chance to check the information you just entered. Once you are sure the information is correct, click the Submit Request button.
Step 5. Wait and get result: And you wait for the system to tell you whether your request will be approved or not. But the waiting only lasts several seconds
and you get your new credit limit, which can help you lower the balances to credit limits ratio and, therefore, improve your credit score!
The whole process took only a couple of minutes and at the end, I was approved for two credit line increases on two cards of a total $12,500.
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Jordan Lyall | Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
Excellent walk-through! I just increased my credit limit from $3k to $10k. My credit score thanks you.
The Sun | Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
Hi Jordan: I am glad that the method worked for you. Actually, it’s much easier than I first thought. Maybe you can try to get an increase every 6 months (but not at this magnitude :D). A higher limit is definitely good for credit scores.
Dave | Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
FYI: DO NOT request more than $25000 total credit line. AMEX has been known to force a Financial Review if you hit this threshold, which forced you to send in paycheck stubs, taxes, etc. Check the FW thread here for more info.
Tricia | Feb 26, 2007 | Reply
Just tried it and it worked. More money to play with balance transfers! Yay! Thanks
The Sun | Feb 27, 2007 | Reply
Hi Dave: Thanks for reminding us about the limit. Though I am still far away from that limit, I will keep that in mind. I certainly don’t want to have a credit check just for the credit limit increase.