American Express CID (CVV) Code Guide [2022]

When it comes to finding your security code for your American Express card, things aren’t always so straightforward, especially if you are used to other cards like those from MasterCard and Visa. That’s because American Express does things a little bit differently when it comes to credit card numbers and security codes.

In this article, I’ll break down the difference between an American Express security code and other codes you might find on cards like a Visa or MasterCard.

What is the American Express CID (CVV) code?

The CID (card identification number) is the four digit number located on the front of your American Express card.

Tip: Check out the free app WalletFlo so that you can optimize your credit card spend by seeing the best card to use! You can also track credits, annual fees, and get notifications when you’re eligible for the best cards!

CVV codes overview

CID/CVV codes actually started out in the UK and they were initially an 11 character alpha numeric code. Eventually, the concept was adopted by the UK Association for Payment Clearing Services and they streamlined the code into the three digit code we are familiar with today. MasterCard started to use them in 1997, American Express in 1999, and Visa in 2001.

You might be wondering what exactly is the point of a credit card security code?

These codes can serve a few different purposes.

The main purpose is that these codes confirm with the merchant that you are actually in possession of the card. This is especially important for online purchases where you cannot supply a signature, pin, or any other type of in-person verification.

It’s possible that somebody could take an imprint of your credit card or obtain your credit card number through some other type of means and attempt to fraudulently use your card to purchase something.

If the fraudulent actor is required to supply the security code but they don’t have your card to get the number, then this enhanced security measure can help prevent fraud.

This can work well for a few reasons.

First, your CID is not stored on your EMV chip or magnetic strip. This means that merchants cannot obtain your CID simply by swiping your card, which helps cut down on credit card fraud.

Furthermore, your CID cannot be stored by a merchant when making an online purchase. (This is one reason why you are sometimes required to input your CID when auto populating your credit card account number.)

Since merchants can’t store your security code, in the event of a data breach you don’t have to worry about your security code being taken.

So these numbers can help heighten the security of your account.

Unfortunately, with the prevalence of phishing scams, a lot of fraudsters have been able to obtain CIDs so they are not quite as effective at preventing fraud as they used to be.

Also, not all merchants require CIDs and some fraudsters can simply guess the three or four digit code so these security numbers aren’t full proof.

Where are the credit card security codes located?

The credit card security code on your credit card could be located in a different place depending on the type of credit card that you have.

For American Express cards, as mentioned, the CID is a four digit code found on the front of the card, usually on the right side.

American Express CVV number on card.
American Express CIDs are located on the front of the card.

But for other types of credit card issuers, typically you will find the security code on the back of the credit card where you find other details like the expiration date.

In a lot of cases, the security code will be directly to the right of where you would supply your signature and on some cards the three digit code will actually be inside the signature box/signature panel.

Sometimes the credit card will actually spell out the words “security code” so that you know you are looking at your security code number but in other cases you may simply find a three digit code.

The security digits should not be embossed like your credit card number or name and expiration date. This is to prevent people from obtaining your security code if they are able to take an impression of your card.

Three digit code for American Express cards

One area of confusion that comes in with American Express is what the three digit code on the back of those cards is.

American Express three digit code on  back of card.
An example of the three digit security code on an Amex card.

American Express takes extra steps to secure your credit cards by providing you with the security code on the front which is a four digit code and an additional security code on the back which is a three digit code.

When you are asked to provide your CID/CVV (or main security code) for your card, you will input the four digit number on the front of the card.

But other situations will arise when you need to provide the three digit code on the back of an American Express card. Typically, you will only have to do this when dealing with American Express.

For example, if you are trying to redeem points, American Express may ask you to supply the three digit number on the back of your card.

Different types of security codes

In case you didn’t know, there are a few different types of names for the security codes associated with your credit card.

Here are some of the more well-known security codes that you might encounter:

  • CVV Number (card verification value)
  • CSC (card security code)
  • CAV (card authentication value)
  • CVD (card verification data)
  • CID (card identification number)
  • CVC or CVC2 (card verification code)
  • CVV2 (card verification value code, 2nd generation)

Some payment networks like to use specific types of names. For example, American Express refers to the four digit code as the CID and Discover may do the same.

But other payment networks may go with different types of names. For example, MasterCard will refer to it as the CVC and Visa may refer to it as the CVV.

Just remember that when it comes to American Express, anytime you see something mentioned about a security code related to a purchase, it’s almost always asking you about the four digits on the front of your card.

Final word

If you ever need your security code to confirm a purchase for your American Express card, simply use the four digit number on the front of your Amex card.

But be prepared to use the three digit code on the back of the card if you are ever dealing with American Express as they may use that for an additional security feature.

How to Get A Capital One Credit Line Increase (Tips) [2022]

Capital One has some of the best credit cards out there. The only problem is that sometimes you are not given a credit limit big enough for your spending needs (or desires).

When this happens, all is not lost and you still have an opportunity to request a credit line increase.

But there are certain things you need to know about this process in order to maximize your odds of getting approved, especially when it comes to Capital One. 

In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about getting a Capital One credit line increase, including things like hard pulls/inquiries, phone numbers, and what to do if denied. 

How to request a Capital One credit line increase

You can request a Capital One credit line increase online by going here.

Once you follow that link, click on the link shown below and you will be prompted to sign in to your Capital One account and input the details discussed further below.

After submitting your details, you might receive a decision immediately or your application might go under manual review.

If your application goes under manual review and you’ve signed up for paperless documents, you’ll receive a letter in the Online Document Center (ODC) in three to five days. If you haven’t signed up for paperless documents, you’ll receive a letter via mail within seven to ten days of your request.

Also, note in some cases (usually not common) you might have to send in your information for verification and that can add another seven to ten days to the process.

Tip: Use the app WalletFlo to give you auto-reminders of when to request credit limit increases!

If you want to request a Capital One credit increase via phone then you can call the phone number: 1-800-955-7070. I’m not sure if there’s a backdoor number for credit line increases but that number should do the trick. 

Capital One credit line increase application

After signing into your account, you should see the pop up for entering in your information for a credit line increase request. The pop-up will ask you to input the following details:

  • Total annual income
  • Employment status
  • Occupation
  • Monthly mortgage or rent
  • How much you spend on all of your credit cards each month
  • How much you will spend on your Capital One card in a month
  • Maximum desires line of credit

Keep in mind that in some cases Capital One might request for you to verify the information that you’ve input, so consider that when inputting details like income and rent. 

Income

Income is one of the biggest factors when it comes to credit limit increases. Yet, many people are not aware of how they can include income from other people in order to increase their approval odds. This is known as “accessible income” and you can read more about it here.

Capital One is very transparent about accessible income and here is what they state you can include:

  • Personal income, which is income you have earned, including full-time, part-time, or seasonal jobs, self-employment, interest or dividends, retirement and public assistance.
  • Shared income, which is money from somebody else that is regularly deposited into your individual account or into a joint account that person shares with you. If you are 21 or over, you may also include somebody else’s income that is regularly used to pay your expenses.
  • Optional Income: Alimony, child support or separate maintenance income doesn’t need to be included, unless you want it to be considered.

If you’re applying for a credit line increase for your Spark business credit card, you’ll need to provide your total annual income.

Employment status

You will have the option to choose from the following:

  • Employed: You work full or part time for a company or business you don’t own.
  • Self-Employed: You own a business where you work full-time or part-time.
  • Unemployed: You aren’t currently employed full-time or part-time and don’t own a business, even if you’re collecting unemployment benefits or public assistance.
  • Retired: You no longer work full-time or part-time, but currently have a source of income or are living off of savings or other retirement benefits.
  • Student: You’re enrolled in classes full time (even if you have a full-time job).
  • Other: None of the above apply, or you’re unemployed but do have regular access to income from somebody else.

I don’t have hard data on how these categories affect your odds but obviously choosing something like unemployed, where you may not have an income stream, could raise some red flags to a bank that is trying to lend you credit. So be truthful but also aware of how your chosen options will affect your approval odds.

Occupation

Again, I’m not sure how relevant your occupation truly is to your credit line increase. 

Monthly mortgage or rent

This information is very important to banks because it will tell them more about your monthly financial obligations. If you have a lower income with a high monthly mortgage or rent, then your odds of getting a good credit limit increase will begin to go down.  If you don’t have a monthly mortgage or rent payment, you can enter $0.

Monthly spend

Capital One will ask you to input the estimated monthly spend for all of your credit cards and for the card that you are requesting a credit line increase with.

This is important data for Capital One because they want to see if it will be worth it to grant you a credit line increase based on your estimated spend and how profitable of a customer you will be. 

If your estimated monthly spend is at the same level as your current credit limit, then that will not tell Capital One that you have a crucial need for a credit line increase. However, if your current credit line is only 50% of your proposed spending then that will be a trigger for Capital One that you probably need a credit line increase. 

Maximum desired line

This is where you will enter your maximum desired credit line. So if your current credit limit is $5,000 but you desire a $10,000 dollars credit line, then you will input $10,000. Capital One will approve you for the maximum amount of credit that they can and then you will have an opportunity to choose a lower credit limit if you wish. 

Eligibility

Certain people will not be eligible for a credit line increase with Capital One. 

Three months old

If your account is not at least three months old, chances are you will not be eligible for a credit line increase with Capital One. Many other banks have minimum time requirements and it is often a good rule of thumb to wait six months until after you have been approved for a credit card to request a credit line increase. 

Change in credit limit over last six months

If you have had a credit line increase or decrease in the last six months, you will likely not be eligible for a credit line increase. This includes if you merge/consolidate Capital One credit card accounts, so keep that in mind. 

At the same time, if you were denied for a credit line increase, you don’t have to wait six months. In that case, you might put in a request every 90 days or so. 

Secured credit cards

If you have a secured credit card you may not be eligible for a credit limit increase.

Automatic increases

There is something known as the “Capital One Credit Steps program” that offers you a credit limit increase after you make a certain amount of on-time payments.

Typically, you’ll start off with a very low credit line (maybe of like $300 with a card like the Capital One Platinum Credit Card) and then the credit limit will be automatically increased if you meet the requirements. 

Tips for a Capital One credit limit increase

If you want to increase your odds of being eligible for a Capital One credit line increase, there are certain things that you can try.

Spend big on your card

One of the biggest tips I have is for you to put spend on your credit card. And by spend, I don’t just mean buying a stick of gum every five months.

If you want a credit limit increase, Capital One will want to see that you are using their credit card on a regular basis. So in the months leading up to your request, you should be putting as much spend on your card as you possibly can. 

Pay off a high balance

Another factor that Capital One is going to look at, is how often do you pay off high balance. For example, it will look really good if you constantly run up your credit line up to 80% or 90% and then pay off that entire balance for each month.

This is the best way to show Capital One that you truly need a credit line increase based on your spending and this is something that other banks often look at as well. It might also help give you a little nudge if you set up auto pay to pay off your balance in full.

Merge your credit limits

Some people struggle to get a credit line increases and so what they do is simply combine credit limits. So for example if you had a Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card and a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , you might be able to move the credit over from your Quicksilver over to your Venture card. You find many online reports of people doing this like this person who combined a $6,000 and $10,000 credit limit

Update: Capital One might be restricting merged credit limits now.

How much of an increase to request?

You might be wondering how much of a credit line increase you should request. Should you go big and ask for something like a 200% increase or should you play it more conservatively and go with the request around 25% of your credit limit? 

I typically recommend for people to request an increase of around 25% to 35% of their current credit limit. However, if you have a low credit line such as $1,000 or $2,000 then you might want to go much higher than that. I will say that based on my research and personal experience, Capital One seems to be one of the slower-moving issuers when it comes to credit line increases. 

If you make your request online and want a lower amount, you’ll be able to tell them the amount you would like before accepting the increase. So my advice would be to go higher rather than risk going lower. 

Capital One should NOT conduct a hard pull

Capital One will not conduct a hard pull on your credit report when requesting a credit line increase.

What to do if denied for a credit line increase

If you are not approved for a Capital One credit line increase then there are some steps you might want to take. The first step is to review your denial letter, and see the reasons for why you were denied a credit line increase. In some cases, you can actively work to address these things or simply wait for the necessary amount of time to pass.

Here is some insight into what the different letters might mean.

Your Capital One account is too new

This just means that you need to wait at least three months to request a credit line increase. Typically, you should wait approximately 6 months to make your credit line increase request.

There has recently been a change to the credit line on this account

This means that you have waited less than six months from the time of the last change to your credit line. Again, you must wait at least half a year to make your request.

This Capital One account was recently past due

If you have made a late payment in the last 12 months, chances are you will not get approved for a credit limit increase. Also, this might depend on the severity of your late payment. If you miss a late payment by 30 days you won’t have to wait as long as someone who missed a payment by 60 days.

You can use Capital One Credit Wise to check your credit report to see if you have late payments.

Your average monthly payment has been too low

Capital One may not want to increase your credit limit if you are not going to be able to pay off your balance. If you see this reason and your rejection letter, it just means that you were not paying off enough of your monthly bill. Ideally, you would be running a lot of charges on your card each month and paying them off 100%. If you are only making minimum payments then your odds of getting an increase go down dramatically.

Recent usage of this account’s existing credit line has been too low

As pointed out for, Capital One wants to see that you are using a lot of your credit line. Try to come close to maxing it out each month and paying the entire balance off (ideally before the card reports your balance to your credit report). 

The credit reporting agency has reported a recent credit delinquency

This just means that you messed up somewhere and have a late payment with another creditor on your credit report. Again, if this delinquency came in the last 12 months, you may have difficult issues trying to get a credit line increase. 

Your current credit score is too low. Please see the back of this letter for determining factors.

This is pretty straightforward, it just means that your credit score is too low. You should look into different ways to increase your credit score if this happens. Read more about these rejection reasons here. 

Have a good reason for requesting a higher limit

Although it is not always necessarily required for you to have a legitimate reason for requesting a credit limit increase (especially when doing it online) it won’t ever hurt your odds to have a good reason. A common reason for wanting a higher credit limit is if you have a major purchase coming such as a:

  • Honeymoon
  • Wedding
  • Family vacation, etc. 

This just helps to get the bank added confidence and assurance that this is a planned out move and that you have thought out your request. You could also just tell the bank you’re trying to improve your credit score, since that’s a pretty reasonable reason for wanting more credit. 

Credit line increases with other issuers

You might also be interested in reading about getting credit limit increased with other issuers. 

Final word

Overall, the process for getting a Capital One credit line increase is pretty simple. You first need to make sure that you are putting substantial spend on your card and ideally you would be paying off a high percentage of your credit line in full every month.

Make sure that all of your employment/income information is up-to-date and that you’re including as much income as necessary. And finally, be sure to wait the sufficient amount of time necessary to get an increase.

How to Downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred [2022]

At some point you might consider downgrading, product-changing, or cancelling your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

There are a number of factors that you want to consider before deciding which route to take, however. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how to downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred. (For the full review of the Sapphire Preferred click here.)

How do you downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

You can downgrade or product change your Sapphire Preferred card by calling the number on the back of your credit card or by sending in a secured message.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Downgrade and product change options

With the Sapphire Preferred, you have a number of options to downgrade or product change your card to. But there are also some cards that you cannot switch to.

No co-branded cards

Chase only allows you to product change your Sapphire Preferred to other Chase “house” cards.

This means that you can’t product change a Sapphire Preferred to a co-branded credit card like the Chase Southwest card or the Chase Hyatt card, for example.

downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred
There are a hand full of product change/downgrade possibilities for the Sapphire Preferred.

Downgrade to a no-annual fee Sapphire

You can downgrade the Chase Sapphire Preferred to the no-annual fee version of the Sapphire. This is the one Sapphire card you can’t apply for online or even in-branch and can only get via a downgrade/product change.

This card will still earn 2X on dining and travel but you won’t get the full set of benefits and you’ll be subject to foreign transaction fees.

Also, one of the biggest perks that you lose is the ability to transfer your Ultimate Rewards to travel partners, so keep that in mind.

There should be no minimum time period you have to wait to downgrade your Sapphire Preferred to this card.

However, occasionally reps might tell you that you must wait 12 months to downgrade. If that happens, you may want to call back again and speak with another rep.

Product change to a Freedom card

You can product change (essentially downgrade) your Sapphire Preferred card to the Chase Freedom Flex or the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5X the points on rotating quarterly categories, such as groceries, gas, and dining, while the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5X on all purchases.

These cards also earn 3X on dining and drug stores in addition to earning 5X on the Chase Travel Portal.

Both of the Freedom cards come with no annual fee but you will once again lose your ability to transfer your points to travel partners.

Also, note that you will be required to wait one year to product change the Sapphire Preferred to a Freedom Card.

You can sometimes get around this by first downgrading your Sapphire Preferred to the no annual fee version and then product changing to a Freedom card. (These 12-month restrictions are a result of The Credit CARD Act of 2009 and not specific to Chase.)

Multiple Freedom cards?

It’s worth noting that Chase will allow you to hold multiple Freedom cards (even the same type of Freedom).

So if you already have a Chase Freedom, you could still product change your Sapphire Preferred to the Freedom so that you end up with two Freedom cards in your wallet.

Chase Freedom product change
The Chase Freedom card

Sometimes people receive pushback when trying to do this, however.

If a representative will not allow you to product change because that will leave you with two of the same Freedom cards be sure to hang up and call back again to speak with another representative.

Eventually, you will probably find someone who will do it for you.

Product change to a Slate

You could also try to product change to the Chase Slate, though if you’re trying to earn rewards, that’s probably not a great option since it doesn’t earn Ultimate Rewards.

The main perks of the Slate are its 0% interest and no fee balance transfer perks. If you product change to it, you’ll still receive balance transfer offers but they won’t be as lucrative as the welcome offer with no balance transfer fee.

5/24 Rule

All of the Chase house cards are subject to the 5/24 Rule, so if you have opened up 5 or more accounts in the past 24 months, you won’t be able to get them (subject to some exceptions).

This is why product changing is so important because it’s often the only way to get some of these very valuable credit cards (for those who already hold Chase credit cards).

Upgrade Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve?

You can also upgrade your Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve.

Since the Sapphire Reserve is a Visa Infinite card, Chase might require you to have at least a $10,000 balance to convert.

Also, you’ll usually be required to wait one year before you can upgrade from the Sapphire Preferred to the Sapphire Reserve.

When you should cancel your Sapphire card

Because there are so many options for product changes and downgrades, you rarely need to cancel a Sapphire credit card. However, there is at least one situation when it would make sense.

Chase recently implemented a new rule which does not allow you to receive two Sapphire products at once.

In addition, you must wait 24 months from the time of receiving a bonus on a Sapphire card in order to earn an additional bonus from another Sapphire card.

This means that you will need to cancel your Sapphire card or product change it to a Freedom if you were going to try earn an additional sign-up bonus with another Sapphire card.

Tip: Check out the free app WalletFlo so that you can optimize your credit card spend by seeing the best card to use! You can also track credits, annual fees, and get notifications when you’re eligible for the best cards!

Downgrading Sapphire Preferred FAQ

Can you get the sign-up bonus when product changing?

No, Chase will not allow you to earn the sign-up bonus when you decide to product change a card.

Does Chase pull your credit when product changing?

No, Chase should not pull your credit whenever you product change or downgrade a new credit card, so your credit score should not feel the effect of any hard pull.

Does product changing count as a new account?

No, when you product change, you’ll keep the same card number, account opening date, and your credit limits should remain unchanged.

Thus, changing from a card like the Sapphire Preferred to a Freedom should have no affect on your credit score.

Can you product change the Sapphire Preferred to a business card?

No, Chase will not allow you to product change from a personal credit card to a business credit card (such as the Chase Ink Business Cash).

Will I get the annual fee refunded if I product change?

If you product change your card within 60 days of paying the annual fee, you’ll be refunded 100%. If you product change after 60 days, you’ll receive a prorated refund.

Note that this is different from cancelling a Chase card. If you cancel a Chase card within 30 days of the annual fee hitting you’ll be refunded but if you wait longer than 30 days, you won’t get a prorated refund.

Final word

Downgrading or product changing the Chase Sapphire Preferred can be a smart move depending on your goals. Always think about how these moves will affect your ability to transfer points to travel partners since that’s one of the main perks you can lose.

 

Amex Credit Limit Increase Guide: (How to Request) [2022]

Getting an Amex credit limit increase is pretty straight forward. However, there are a few things you should know like how big of an increase you should request and how long you need to wait before requesting your increase.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about American Express credit limit increase requests.

What is an Amex credit limit increase?

An Amex credit limit increase is an easy (and sometimes instant) way to increase the spending limit on your credit card by increasing the amount of available credit you have access to.

Tip: Use the app WalletFlo to give you auto-reminders of when to request credit limit increases!

Why would you want an increased credit limit?

There are a few reasons why you might want to increase your credit limit.

Increased spend power

An increased credit limit has the obvious benefit of increasing your spending power.

With a higher credit limit, you will obviously be able to make larger purchases and spend more on your card. This is great if you have spending discipline and will not be tempted to spend more than you can pay back.

Increasing your credit score

Getting a credit limit increase is also a great way to decrease your utilization and therefore raise your credit score. Utilization is 30% of your FICO credit score and it is based on how much of your total credit limit that you are using.

So for example if you have a $10,000 total credit limit and you are using $5,000 of that $10,000 limit, then your utilization is 50%. You typically want your utilization to be under 30% although I recommend to keep it under 10%.

By getting a credit limit increase you can decrease the percentage of your credit limit that you are using (i.e., your utilization) and therefore lower your utilization and improve your credit score. This is one of the easiest ways to instantly boost your credit score.

How do you get an Amex credit limit increase?

To request an Amex credit limit increase, log-in to your online account and click on “Account Services.”

Next click on “Increase Your Credit Limit.”

Requesting a credit limit increase online is easy.

You’ll be taken to a screen where you’ll need to enter in details to process your request.

Verify your card

On this screen, first verify that you’re requesting a credit limit for the right Amex card. You’ll see the name of the card and the last five digits of the card in the top left corner of the screen, as well as in the middle of the screen.

Enter your new proposed credit limit

You’ll be able to see your current credit limit for that card and then there will be a field for you to enter in your proposed new credit limit. Note that you are entering the amount for your desired total credit line for that card not the amount of the credit limit increase.

So for example if you have a $5,000 credit limit and you would like it increased to $10,000 then you should enter $10,000 in that field.

Related: What Does Amex’s “Member Since” Date Really Mean? 

Verify your income

You’ll also be asked to verify your annual income. You usually will not be required to submit verifying documents for your income but once you start requesting higher credit limits, the odds of being forced to send in tax documents increase, so keep that in mind. This is especially true if you don’t have a long history with American Express.

(Typically, you may need to start submitting documents when your credit limits approach $25,000 and beyond.)

Also, note that income includes wages, retirement, investments, rental properties, etc. Alimony, child support, or separate maintenance need not be revealed if you do not wish to rely upon it.

If you are 21 years or older you can include all income available to you. This is known as “accessible income” and you can read more about that here. 

When you are finished, click “Continue” at the bottom of the page.

You might be instantly approved for a credit limit increase or you might have to wait to hear back from Amex.

How soon can I increase a credit limit increase?

You can request a credit limit increase once your account has been opened for at least 60 days. There are some reports of people having to wait 90 days now so you might need to wait a little longer if you want to be safe. 

However, if you’ve had a card with American Express for at least six months, you might be able to request a credit limit increase as soon as you’ve been approved for your new card — some have been able to request a credit limit increase within 60 days of opening their cards.

How much of a credit limit increase can I get?

Typically, the maximum you’ll get from a credit limit increase is 3X your current credit limit. You can find many reports online of customers receiving 3X increases on their credit limit (or near 3X increases). So if you have a $5,000 credit limit, the max you will likely be allowed is a $15,000 credit limit (or a $10,000 increase).

Generally speaking, it is better to ask for more than you need because a lot of times banks will meet you in the middle. So if you have a $2,000 credit limit and you would like to be increased to $4,000 then I would probably ask for an increase to a $6,000 credit limit, while being completely prepare to only get an increase to $4,000.

How often can I get credit limit increases?

If you were approved for a credit limit increase you can try to request another increase six months later but note that getting approved for a second credit limit increase is often more difficult the second time around.

If you’ve had a substantial rise in your income then you’ll probably stand a much better chance of having success. So be sure to update your income appropriately when you make your second request.

What Amex cards can I request a credit limit increase for?

Credit limit increases for charge cards

Credit limit increases are for credit cards and not charge cards. In case you are not familiar, American Express has several cards that they issue known as “charge cards.”

These are cards that don’t have a preset spend limit and are intended for you to pay off the entire balance each month.

Examples of American Express charge cards are:

The interesting thing about charge cards is that sometimes American Express grants something called “Pay Over Time.” This is a perk that allows you to carry a balance on a charge card much like you could carry a balance on a credit card.

With Pay Over Time, you get an “effective credit limit” aka a “spend limit” and that spend limit can grow over time. The best way to increase the credit/spend limit for a charge card is to simply gradually increase your spend over time. Eventually, American Express will note your spending habits and recognize that you are in need of a spend limit increase.

You can also pre-pay your purchases on a charge card and that will free up your credit limit for that card. So for example, if you have been limited to $10,000 for your spending limit, you could make a $5,000 payment before you make any purchase and your new effective credit limit would be $15,000.

Credit limit increases for personal and business credit cards

Credit limit increases can be requested for both personal and business credit cards. Here are some popular Amex cards that you might request a credit limit increase for:

  • American Express Cash Magnet Card
  • Amex EveryDay Credit Card from American Express
  • The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
  • Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
  • Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
  • Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
  • Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express
  • SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card from American Express

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Amex Credit Limit Increase FAQ

What is the 7 to 10 day message?

After requesting your credit limit increase, you might receive a 7 to 10 day message. This often means that you will be denied your requested credit limit increase but not always.  

If you’d like to call in to check on the status of your credit limit increase you can call 800-567-1083 or 866-314-0237. They may or may not be able to tell you conclusively about the decision.

What if I’m denied a credit limit increase?

If Amex does not honor your request for a credit limit increase, all of your hope is not lost. You’ll just need to wait 90 days to try the process again.

They should tell you why your request was denied and those reasons will usually be the same type of reasons for denying a normal credit card application (e.g., too many hard inquiries, too high of utilization, etc.). So pay attention to why you were denied and try to adjust those factors before you apply again.

Do you get a hard pull with an Amex credit limit increase?

Amex will perform only a soft-pull on your credit report when you request a credit limit increase.

This is great because a hard pull would result in a temporary drop in your credit score but a soft pull will have no effect on your credit score. Because of this, many people request these credit limit increases without thinking too much about it.

Will Amex automatically increase credit limits?

Yes, Amex, like some other issuers, will automatically increase credit limits from time to time. If you regularly use a lot of your credit limit and then pay off that balance, you might be increasing your odds of getting an auto credit limit increase.

The trick here is to come very close to your credit limit each month and pay off that entire balance. Spending habits like that send a clear message to the bank that you need more credit and that you can responsibly manage your credit by paying off your balance each month.

Is it worth it to request a credit limit increase?

Because Amex will not conduct a hard pull on your credit report, you really have nothing to lose by requesting a credit limit increase.

The only people who have anything to worry about are those people that fabricate their income because Amex could request them to verify that income and that could lead to an interesting situation where credit limits could be lowered.

So it goes without saying, never lie about your income on a credit card application. 

Do other issuers allow you to request credit limit increases?

Yes, many other issuers will allow you to request a credit limit increase and you can read about their policies below:

Barclays
Capital One
Chase
Citibank

Final word

Amex credit limit increases are easy to request and I would recommend people consider getting them in order to increase their spending power and also lower their utilization. Just make sure you’re aware of all of the timing restrictions since there are several of them.

How to Cancel American Express Cards (Avoid These Mistakes!) [2022]

Sometimes you get to a point where you just no longer need a credit card. In those instances, you might be very tempted to proceed with canceling your card. However, before you choose to cancel your card you need to be mindful of some factors.

In this article, I will show you how to cancel your American Express cards, but I will also provide you with some tips and tricks to think about before you pull the trigger on canceling a card. In many cases, you will be better off not canceling a card so you definitely want to check out this article before taking any action.

How to cancel American Express cards

There are different ways that you can cancel your American Express credit cards. I will explain each of these methods below but make sure that you keep reading to get some insight and tips on why you should not cancel your cards in certain instances.

How to cancel via phone

One of the easiest methods to cancel your cards is to simply call the phone number on the back of your card. You can also call the customer service phone number 1(800)528-4800 but you may need to have all of your card details with you. 

Cancel American Express cards online?

You cannot cancel American Express cards online through your account. However, it is possible to cancel your cards via chat.

Cancel American Express cards via chat

Simply log in to your account and then pull up the chat feature which you can find in the bottom right corner of your screen. After a secure connection is established, you can enter in the reason for your chat which in this case would be canceling a card.

Chat feature showing how to cancel

As you type in cancel you should see “cancel a card” automatically populate and once you select that reason, a representative will appear in the chat and will want to inquire about what card you would like to cancel.

Most likely, they will send you some disclosure information that you need to read about the closure of your account and then once you agree to the terms, your card will be closed.

Re-opening a canceled Amex card

In the event that you change your mind and realize that you actually did not want to cancel your American Express card you still may have a way to re-open the card.

If you have canceled the card within the last 30 days, American Express will likely allow you to re-open that card. However, you will most likely have to pay a $25 fee in order to reinstate the card. Worth noting, this reinstatement fee will not apply towards your annual fee.

Losing your Membership Rewards

In order for you to keep your Membership Rewards you will need to have at least one active Membership Rewards earning card. If you fail to keep at least one of these cards open then you will lose everything.

One of the best strategies for doing this is to open up the Amex EveryDay card which has no annual fee but still earns transferable Membership Rewards. This way, you never have to worry about paying an annual fee just to keep your points alive.

This Amex EveryDay card is special because it is one of the only cards that allows you to transfer points out to travel partners while not having to pay an annual fee. 

Preserving your credit score

Whenever you cancel a credit card, there is a chance that you could hurt your credit score in a couple of ways. The most immediate way that you could impact your credit score is via your utilization.

Utilization

Utilization is how much of your overall credit limit that you are currently using. So for example if you had an overall credit limit of $50,000 and you were currently in debt $25,000, then you would have a utilization of 50%. Generally, you want to keep your utilization at at least 30% or below although I recommend to keep it at 5% to 10%. 

When you cancel your card you are removing credit lines and that could increase your utilization and thus hurt your credit score. So you really need to be mindful about what effect that your cancellation will have on your available credit. 

Something that you can do to prevent the damage done by this is to ask American Express if you can transfer credit from one credit card to another. In that case, you can transfer a good portion of that credit line and keep it alive so that you only end up losing a small amount of available credit.

If you are ever canceling an American Express card with a very high credit limit, this is usually a very smart move.

Credit history

Another way that your credit score can be impacted is by lowering the average age of your accounts. Credit history makes up 15% of your FICO score, and the most influential factor of that is the age of your oldest account. This is why you never want to cancel the oldest account that you have.

Currently, FICO allows a canceled account to continue to age for several years even after it is canceled. But after that, it will fall off your credit report entirely. So while your average age of accounts might not be immediately impacted by a cancellation, down the road your credit score will be impacted by it.

So be sure to have a long-term perspective when it comes to canceling credit cards. Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up for trouble down the line.

Payment history

The most important factor in your FICO score is payment history and it makes it 35% of your credit score.

By keeping your card open and making on-time payments every month you are able to continue to build up your payment history. So just keep it in mind that if you cancel your card you no longer will be able to improve this factor with that card. 

If you have late payments currently on your credit report and you don’t have many other cards with good payment history to help “dilute” those late payments, then you should highly consider keeping your card active.

Canceling cards can have a big impact on your credit score.

Avoiding annual fees with retention offers

A huge driver for why people cancel their cards is because they don’t want to pay the annual fee. This is really understandable for cards that have annual fees in the $200-$500 range. But did you know that you can avoid these annual fees sometimes or at least get them effectively cut down?

You can do this by getting something known as a retention offer. These are offers that go out and are usually based on things like your spend in a given year and also your history with American Express.

So let’s say that you have put $50,000 worth of spend on a Platinum Card and you have had that card for a handful of years.

In that case, you could expect to get some kind of offer with the annual fee waived, partially waived, or given an offer of Membership Rewards.

Sometimes you might have to put additional spend on your card to earn the Membership Rewards but other times they will just give them to you outright.

You don’t always have to put a significant amount of spend on the card to get a retention offer, though. But generally the more spend you put on it the better your odds of getting a retention offer. Click here to find data points on past retention offers.

To inquire about a retention offer the easiest way is to just simply call the number on the back of your card and let them know that you were thinking about canceling your card but wanted to see if there are any incentives to prevent you from canceling.

Some people just out right ask for retention offers and you can do that if you feel comfortable doing that but other times you might have more luck going with a more subtle approach. 

A quick phone call could result in a waived annual fee!

Canceling before the annual fee

I highly suggest that you avoid canceling your American Express cards before you have been hit with the annual fee. For example, some people like to cancel American Express cards right after they receive a welcome bonus.

Doing this could really hurt your relationship with American Express.

It could potentially lead to your account being under review which means that your earnings in other cards could be at risk for getting shutdown. Also, you may not be eligible for other bonuses in the future if you partake in this. 

Getting refunded for the annual fee

If you cancel the card within 30 days after the statement containing your annual fee, you can get a full refund. Keep in mind that American Express no longer prorates annual fees if you wait until after 30 days to cancel. They can be very strict about this timeframe so even waiting one day longer could put you at risk for paying that annual fee.

Tip: If you product change outside of the 30 day window you likely will still get a prorated refund. So product changing can be a smart way to save yourself on the annual fee if you have decided to no longer use that card after that 30 day window.

Downgrading

Rather than cancel a card you might simply just want to downgrade the card. This is one of the easiest methods for avoiding an annual fee and it very simple to do.

For example, if you had a card like the Amex EveryDay Preferred and you wanted to avoid the annual fee you could simply downgrade to the Amex EveryDay. 

One issue with changing to a different credit card though is that you could remove yourself from eligibility for the cards welcome bonus. Another thing to note is that you cannot downgrade or product change between personal and small business cards. 

If you would like automated assistance when trying to figure out downgrade options, then I would create a free account with the new credit card tool WalletFlo. Once you input the cards you have, you can see options for upgrading and downgrading and the corresponding annual fees. It’s very handy and easy to use.

Charge cards

American Express is known for its charge cards which are cards that don’t have a set credit line and instead require you to pay them off every month (although you can enroll in programs like Amex Pay Over Time). 

If you have American Express charge cards there are some additional considerations. You should not have to worry about utilization because most credit reports do not factor in charge card credit lines into your utilization. However, your average age of accounts can still be affected in the same way with charge cards. 

Something that you should know about the charge cards is that you cannot convert them into credit cards.

So for example if you had the American Express Gold Card and you wanted to convert that into the Amex EveryDay Card that is not possible. Instead, you will need to downgrade from one charge card to another charge card.

If you are looking to downgrade a charge card then a popular option will be to look at the American Express Green Card — if you were looking to avoid the higher annual fee of the Platinum Card or the Gold Card then this can be a good option.

Upgrading

If you are thinking about closing a card, the last thing you probably want to do is upgrade the card.

But in some cases you can get some very lucrative offers for upgrading your cards with American Express. For example, many people get special offers to upgrade the Hilton Surpass to the Hilton Aspire and they get a great bonus to go along with that. 

Sometimes you can end up coming up with a lot of extra value that will easily offset any annual fee that you would be paying. So don’t forget to entertain the possibility of upgrading if you are on the brink of canceling a card.

Total number of credit cards

Finally, American Express will limit many people to a total of four credit cards although some people are able to get more.

In some cases, you may need to cancel a credit card so that your total number of cards will be under four in order to make yourself eligible for another credit card.

In this case, you would likely want to consider canceling your newest card first so that your oldest card can continue to age.

But in some cases, you may be getting so much value from your newest cards that you don’t want to cancel those. So it often comes down to a balancing act of: how much value are you getting from your cards versus how much value do you think you will get from the age of your account?

Final word

There’s a lot to consider before choosing to cancel American Express cards. Basically you want to make sure that you have considered the following:

  • You are not losing your Membership Rewards
  • Impact on your credit score
  • You have inquired about retention offers
  • You know your product change and downgrade potential
  • You’ve checked about upgrade offers

Chase Reconsideration Line: Tips If Denied (Phone Number) [2022]

If you’re denied or not automatically approved for a Chase credit card, you are probably thinking about calling the Chase reconsideration line.

But before you ever give them a call, read this article!

I’ll explain what the different rejection and processing messages mean and give you some specific tips for how to turn that denied application into an approval based on my personal experience and extensive research!

Interested in finding out the top travel credit cards for this month? Click here to check them out! 

What is the Chase reconsideration line?

The Chase reconsideration line is a special phone line you call that offers you a chance to persuade a Chase representative to overturn a rejection or denied credit card application. The phone number is 1 (800) 453-9719 and the hours of operation are usually:

  • 7am to 10pm EST Monday through Friday
  • 8am to 1pm EST Saturday
  • 9am to 9pm EST on Sunday

You should call this line for all personal credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom, Chase Southwest Premier Card, etc.

But if you’re calling reconsideration for a business credit card like the Chase Ink Preferred or Chase Ink Unlimited then you’ll want to call in to the business reconsideration line.

The Chase business reconsideration line phone number is 1-800-453-9719 and it is usually open 1pm to 10pm Monday through Friday.

See my special tips for business calls further below.

Do I always need to call reconsideration?

You don’t always need to call reconsideration. Depending on the message that you receive after submitting your application, you may or may not need to call reconsideration.

I’ll walk you through some of the messages that you might receive whenever your credit card application is not automatically approved and give you some guidance on what route you should take based on the message you receive.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Chase application messages

Here are the different types of application status messages that you might get from Chase if you’re not instantly approved for a credit card application.

We’ll notify you “within the next 30 days” message

If your Chase credit card application is not auto approved, you will almost certainly get a message via email stating that you will be notified “within the next 30 days” about the decision of your application. It should look something like this.

The Chase 30 day message — not necessarily a bad thing.

This message just means that your credit card application is being processed — it does not mean you will be rejected or even that you have to call in to reconsideration. Basically, your credit card application is still in limbo.

Chase automated status line

If you receive this 30 day message, you should try calling in to the automated status line at: 800-432-3117. 

Note that some times when you call to check on your status they might transfer you to a live human being who will review your application. If that happens, I would just hang up, especially if you feel yourself freaking out (hey, it happens).

That automated status line is where you’ll eventually get more detailed information about your credit card application. Your status could be updated in a matter of hours or it could take a couple of weeks, so try not to drive yourself insane with checking it every minute of every hour.

There are a few different messages you might receive regarding your application status and they can signal that very different outcomes are on their way.

Another 30 day message

If you call in to the automatic status checker and hear that you’ll be notified within 30 days, that just means that your application is still in limbo. I would recommend you keep checking every day or every other day. At this point, you still don’t have to call Chase reconsideration.

Two week message

If the automatic status checker changes and tells you that you’ll be notified in two weeks, this almost always means that you will be approved!

Chase reconsideration line tips
Getting the two week message usually leads to this!

7 to 10 day message

If the automatic status checker changes and tells you that you’ll be notified in 7 to 10 days, this almost always means that you will be denied. At this point, you may want to go ahead and call into Chase reconsideration line at: 1 (800) 453-9719.

You don’t have to call recon at that point, though. Some people still get approved even after receiving the 7 to 10 day message (usually by verifying their ID), so you could wait until you’re officially denied before calling in.

Calling into the Chase reconsideration line

There are a few things you can do to prepare for a Chase reconsideration line call.

If you’re just applying for a personal credit card, this will be easier than if you were calling about a business credit card, but you should still be prepared.

Lowering credit limits (before applying)

This is something you might do before you even apply for a Chase credit card in order to avoid reconsideration. It’s generally recommended for people who have a lot of inquiries because those people will probably not be auto-approved.

What you do is lower your credit limit on a given Chase credit card or even on multiple Chase cards so that you free up some credit line for a new card. This will typically be around $5,000 to $10,000 but could vary depending on your credit limits.

Freeing up credit lines might increase the odds that Chase will auto-approve you since they already approved you in the past for that same amount of credit. This doesn’t always work so you need to consider how lowering your credit lines will affect your utilization.

Check on the Chase credit card application rules

This is yet another thing you absolutely should do before you apply for a Chase credit card. You need to know about all of the different Chase credit card application rules like 5/24, 2/30, 24 month rule, etc. But even if you’ve already applied, it’s a good idea to review them to see where you may have gone wrong. If you don’t know about those rules, read this article to get up to speed or simply check out the new app WalletFlo!

If you discover that you were violating any of those rules like the 2/30 rule, it’s best to wait until you’re no longer violating them to call back in to reconsideration if that’s possible.

Put spend on your other credit cards

Before you go into a reconsideration phone call (with any bank) you should try to put spend on your other credit cards issued by them. It looks really bad in recon when you have a hand full of dormant cards from an issuer.

What to say in a Chase reconsideration phone call

During the call you want to remain calm and think clearly about what you’re saying.

At the end of the day, you’re just talking to a credit analyst in private phone conversation so there’s really no need to be nervous. Many of these analysts can be quite friendly (though they sometimes play hardball in business reconsideration calls).

Verify your details

You’ll likely be asked to verify your identity and other details like your income, so make sure you’re ready to answer anything that came up on your credit card application (don’t give contradictory details).

They might also ask you about how much you plan on spending each month/year on the card and what kind of credit line you want. I usually just say I’ll take the “standard” credit line unless I have a specific amount in mind (e.g., $5,000).

Give a legit reason for wanting the product

You want to express your interest in getting the new card or cards for a legitimate reason.

Generally, this does not mean that you’re “just interested in getting the great sign-up bonus.” Try to dig a little deeper in your interests/motivations.

Here are some examples of legitimate reasons for getting new credit cards:

  • You need the credit card(s) to help segregate your expenses for some reason (e.g., starting multiple businesses)
  • You’re switching or trying to build up a relationship with a certain airline like Southwest or United
  • You don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees or you are attracted to some other benefit (e.g., primary rental car insurance)
  • You prefer one interest rate (APR) over another (especially when dealing with balance transfers)
  • I think it’s even okay to tell them that you’re trying to build up a more robust credit profile and earn some decent rewards while in the process.

Typically, a recon call will involve a bit of back and forth.

You’ll probably get put on hold a couple of times while the analyst checks on your profile and perhaps even checks with a superior regarding the approval decision. Sometimes those superiors will override the decision of the analyst, so wait until the end of the call to get excited about anything.

If you have opened a lot of new accounts in the past few months, you should be ready to try to explain yourself (and hopefully you’re not at “lol/24” and can do that with a straight face).

Shifting credit

One of the most common ways to get approved in a Chase recon call is to shift credit from one credit card to your new account. You can proactively suggest this as a solution or you can wait until the analyst suggests it (though they may not always offer that option to you).

This is the one drawback to lowering your credit limits before you apply. If you lower them too much, you may not have any credit to shift around for your approval.

Note: Chase no longer allows you to shift credit between business and personal credit cards.

What if Chase recon denies me?

If your conversation with the Chase reconsideration line does not go your way then you should try to call back later that day or another day to see if you have any luck with another analyst.

Sometimes another credit analyst will view your application more favorably. But note that these agents can usually see the last time you called in and the notes on that conversation.

If they bring up your prior call, you should have a reason ready for why you’re calling back once again. Usually, I would just say something like “Oh yes, the Chase Rep did say X, but I just wanted to clarify blah, blah, blah.”

At a certain point, you’ll just have to accept defeat if multiple calls don’t work, though.

How long can you wait to call reconsideration?

You can usually wait up to 30 days to call into reconsideration about your application but I do not recommend waiting that long. There are plenty of reports of Chase pulling your credit report again if you wait near that long.

So I would call in as soon as I got a rejection or the 7 to 10 day message.

Other reconsideration lines

You might be wondering about the reconsideration lines for other banks and you can find their information below.

American Express Reconsideration Line

American Express doesn’t have a true reconsideration line but you can still call them up and speak to a credit analyst if your application is not approved or is still pending.

Here are the phone numbers you might try:

  • Current Customers: 866-314-0237
  • New Customers: 877-399-3083

Compare American Express cards here.

Barclays Reconsideration Line

There are multiple numbers you can call for Barclays reconsideration. In my experience, they are pretty accommodating but can be inquiry sensitive and they like to see that you’re actually using their credit cards.

  • Barclays Reconsideration Line: 866-408-4064
  • Card Services: 888-232-0780

You can also check your application status online here.

Capital One Reconsideration Line

Capital One is another issuers that doesn’t have a true reconsideration line but you can still contact their customer service line and inquire about your application status.

Sometimes Capital One will tell you that they won’t review your application until you’ve received a response (email or mailer) from them which can be highly annoying.

  • General Customer Service: 1-800-951-6951

If you want to check on your application status, you can call in to the number below (there’s not currently a way to check it online).

  • Application Status Checker: 800-933-5182

Citibank Reconsideration Line

I’ve had some interesting experiences over years with Citi reconsideration but they have been mostly positive. Here is their number:

  • Inquiries: 800-763-9795

Some people will contact the Citi Executive Review Department at CitiBank Executive Review Department, P.O. Box 6000, Sioux Falls, SD, 57117. I’ve never done this but apparently others have had success. 

You can check your Citi credit card application status by checking it online or calling the number below:

  • Citi Application Status Number: 1-800-695-5171

Discover Reconsideration Line

Discover reconsideration is notoriously difficult since they don’t often overturn decisions but you can give it a got at the following numbers:

  • Application Services Number: 888-676-3695
  • Customer Service: 1-800-Discover

You can also check your application status online.

Final word

Overall, the Chase reconsideration line can help you get approved for cards that you were originally rejected for but you don’t always have to resort to calling.

It’s good to know about when you should call versus when you should just wait it out. You never know what Chase is going to do with your credit card application but it surely helps to know how to navigate through the post-application process.

 

What Does Amex’s “Member Since” Date Really Mean? [2022]

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

In addition to expiration dates, some credit or debit cards may display how long you have been a member with their banking establishment. One of the most well known banks that shows you this date is American Express which states it as “Member Since.” But what exactly does this date mean and how is it determined? The process might surprise you.

In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about your Member Since date.

What does “Member Since” mean for Amex cards?

The American Express Member Since date may indicate the year that you first became an American Express customer or the year that you opened up a specific American Express card account. I will explain the differences between these dates below so keep reading for more!

Note that there is also a Member Since American Express program just in case you were looking for that.

This is said to beA destination for Amex Card Members where we’ll be curating an exciting, ongoing collection of what’s happening in the worlds of art, design, entertainment, dining, travel, and more.It’s essentially a blog with articles that highlight some interesting locations like Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

How is the Member Since date determined?

There is a lot of confusion about the Member Since date because it has been determined in different ways and also has been used in different ways for credit reporting. I’ll try to clear up some of the confusion below.

The Member Since date may be determined in the following ways.

Year you first opened an account with American Express

Many times the Member Since date will be based on the year that you first opened an account with American Express. So if you first opened a Green Card in 2012 and then opened up a Platinum Card in 2019, it’s possible (and likely) that your Member Since date will display as 2012 on your Platinum Card.

So in that case the Member Since date is an indication of how long you have been an American Express customer and not necessarily a cardholder of a particular card. You could chalk it up to marketing but that is just how American Express does it.

Related: American Express CID (CVV) Code Guide 

Year you open the account

When you initially apply for an American Express card and get approved, that card may be sent out to you with the current year as the Member Since date. So using the same example as above, your Platinum Card could also say Member Since 2019.

However, if you had American Express cards in the past then your Member Since date may be updated when your card is re-issued.

For example, if you had the Green Card in 2010 but closed it in 2012 and then applied for the Platinum Card in 2019, your Platinum Card may initially show Member Since 2019. However, if you were to request a new Platinum Card, it is possible that your Member Since date would change to your first year with American Express which in this case would be 2010.

Presumably this is just caused by systems that need to be updated after your account is opened.

Related: Amex Membership Rewards Expiration Policy Guide

Authorized users

If you are added as an authorized user, then your Member Since date could be determined based on when you were added as an authorized user on a specific card. So if you were added as an authorized user in 2014, then your Member Since date would be 2014.

Related: How to Set Authorized User Spending Limits on Amex Cards

But your Member Since date could also be based on the first year that you were ever an authorized user/customer with any American Express card. So let’s say you were added as an authorized user to a Green Card in 2014 but you were previously added as an authorized user to a Platinum Card in 2010. It is possible that your Green Card would show that you have been a member since 2010.

Also, in my personal experience, the Member Since year is based on when you were added as an authorized user and not when the primary card holder’s account was open.

However, that might not always be the case. I know some people who have Member Since dates that pre-date their own birth and they received their Member Since date based on when their primary card members a.k.a. their parents opened up their accounts.

I think this may have to do with the fact that American Express used to backdate accounts.

In the past, American Express would backdate the account history to when you first opened up a card with them.

That is, they would use the date of your earliest opened account and choose the month that you opened up the account and then report that to your personal credit report. So for example if you had an account opened up from 2010 and then opened up a new account in October 2014, that new account would report back to October 2010 as the open date.

Again, this was not just what showed up as your Member Since date, this is what actually reported to your credit report.

Don’t ask me how this was legal or allowed but that is just how things were done. This offered people a great way to boost their credit score since they could get approved for more American Express cards and therefore increase their average age of accounts.

But this is no longer the case (they stopped doing this back in 2015).

Related: American Express Product Change Guide (Upgrades and Downgrades)

American express platinum member since on card

Does this date show up on my credit report?

Your Member Since date will not necessarily reflect what is on your personal credit report.

This is very important to realize because it could lead you to make bad credit decisions.

For example, if you see that your Member Since state is 10 years older than the account actually reported to your credit report, you might be tempted to keep that card open in order to preserve the average age of your accounts since that can affect your credit score.

In that case, you might end up paying for an expensive annual fee that you don’t need to pay for each year or perhaps just holding onto a card that you don’t need to hang onto any longer.

So my advice would be to just avoid what date is displayed on your credit card for the most part. If you are going to make any type of decision regarding closing or opening up credit card accounts, make sure that you use the date on your credit report.

Final word

The Member Since date on your American Express cards is essentially a badge of honor used to remind you of your loyalty to the brand since you first became a customer. In many cases it has nothing to do with the age of your account and so you should refer to your personal credit report if you are curious about the age of your account.

9 Tips for Getting a Chase Credit Line Increase [2021]

One of the best perks of Chase credit cards is that you can often get a credit line increase for your credit cards. It’s generally a pretty straight-forward process but there are a few things that you should know so you don’t mess up your credit score and so that you increase your odds of getting the best Chase credit line increase possible. Here are some tips I’ve learned from my own personal experience. 

1. How to request a credit line increase with Chase

First you need to know how to request a credit line increase with Chase.

  • You can do it over the phone by calling: 888-245-0625.
  • You can also do it online here

Before you call in or make your request you should read the tips below so you’ll know what to expect. 

Tip: Use the app WalletFlo to give you auto-reminders of when to request credit limit increases!

2. Have a good reason for requesting a higher limit

Lenders are primarily concerned with how responsible their customers are going to be with their credit lines.

Hate it or love it, your credit score is considered a strong indicator of how responsible you are but sometimes you also need to explain why you need more credit.

It looks really bad if you call up asking for a higher limit and then don’t have a reason for that request.

So I suggest that you have a pitch ready to go for why you need that credit limit increase.

A very legitimate reason for desiring a credit limit increase is if you have major expenses coming up.

Major expenses include: weddings, honeymoons, major vacations, etc.

It will probably help your cause even further if you can convey an estimate for these expenses and how your proposed credit limit will allow you to cover those charges.

And as always, you should have a plan to pay off those charges whenever they post so that you don’t incur any interest.

3. Chase will conduct a hard pull

If you request a credit line increase from Chase, they will perform a hard pull on your credit. (Click here to try to find out which bureau they might pull from: Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian).

This means that you will suffer a temporary drop in your credit score, usually ranging from 3 to 5 points.

The good news is that the dip in your credit score will only be short-term and the hard pull will eventually fall of your credit report completely!

This also means that your most recent credit report will be used to determine your eligibility for an increase. If you recently hurt your credit score, you may want to wait a while before you request a credit increase.

If you’re trying to quickly rebuild your credit score, check out my article on how to quickly increase your credit score. Sometimes you might be surprised how quickly you can get your credit score back into shape!

There is a way for credit limit increases to happen even with a soft pull to your credit score which you can read about further below!

Photo of chase bank credit cards.
Credit line increases with Chase will affect your credit score.

4. Ask for a reasonable credit line increase

Most credit card companies don’t like to drastically shoot up your credit lines overnight.

The reason is simple: they want to avoid risk and an easy way to do that is to gradually extend you more credit over a long period of time. As they see that you can responsibly manage that credit, they will feel better about extending your more and more credit.

So when you ask for your credit increase from Chase, be sure to be reasonable. 

Don’t ask for your $5,000 credit line to be increased to $25,000. Instead, ask for something in the range of a 50% to 100% increase. That’s typically a safe window for a credit limit increase but it’s possible to get increases much higher, especially if your current credit limit is on the low side and you have an extended credit history with Chase.

If you’re a bit timid to throw out a specific number, then you can always request the “standard increase amount” and leave it open for interpretation. You can also try out this calculator here.

5. Consider shifting credit lines

Chase allows you freely transfer your credit limits between credit cards (subject to some restrictions).

So sometimes you might just want to apply for a new credit card and then transfer over the credit line from one of the credit cards. 

For example, I had a family friend who needed about $10,000 worth of credit but only had one card with Chase — a Chase Freedom card with a $5,000 limit.

I told her she’d be better off applying for another Freedom and transferring credit over to one card.

Well, she applied for the Freedom Unlimited and was approved for $5,000. She then waited a couple of days and then transferred over $4,000 to her Freedom card, ending up with one $9,000 credit line and one $1,000 credit line.

This worked out perfectly for her.

I highly doubt she would have been given an increase that high. And the best part is that she got more out of the hard pull.

Chase has some pretty specific rules you should know before you apply for their credit cards — you can find out more about those here or you can just get the free app WalletFlo to help you automate all your credit card eligibility. 

On a related note you could also request room for making a balance transfer, another legitimate reason for needing a boost in your credit limit.

6. Minimum waiting period

Like many banks, Chase will often require you to wait about six months before they will consider increasing your credit limit. 

This six month time period may not be a hard and fast rule but it’s what you can expect to wait. This waiting period is extremely important because it’s not just about waiting six months.

During this time you need to prove to Chase that you’re a trustworthy and low risk customer. You need to make sure to do the following:

Pay your bills on time

One of the worst things that you could possibly do is miss a credit card payment or have a late payment. You’re going to fall out of the good graces with Chase if that happens.

Not only will your odds of getting a credit limit increase greatly decrease, but more importantly your credit score will take a hit since payment history makes up 35% of your FICO credit score. So be sure to make your payments on time.

Maintain proper utilization

I recommend keeping your utilization for your credit cards between 5% and 10% but definitely no higher than 30%.

If you are using more than 30% of your credit line, there’s a good chance that Chase is not going to give you a higher credit limit. That’s because you’re sending them signals that you might have trouble managing your credit which is never a good thing.

This also means that only paying your minimum amount due is not a good idea if you want a credit line increase.

So keep that utilization close to 10% and you’ll be fine.

To learn more about how to manage your credit score with good utilization click here

Update your income

Make sure that you are using your most recent income.

Although your income does not directly affect your credit score, it is often used for determinations like credit limit increases. In fact, if you recently received an increase in your income, be sure to bring this up because that’s definitely a legitimate reason for needing a higher credit limit.

7. Reiterate your loyalty

When you make your request for the credit line increase, it’s a good idea to be your own advocate.

Take this time to reiterate how loyal of a customer that you have been if you’ve previously held a Chase credit card or even a Chase checking or Chase savings account. If you’re a Chase Private Client, that’s a great time to bring that up.

You might even want to mention that you want to increase your spend on your Chase cards because you’re trying to build up a more loyal relationship to whatever co-branded credit card you might be requesting an increase for.

For example, you might tell them something like, “I’ve recently switched loyalty programs to Southwest and want to maximize my spending for Southwest’s loyalty program. However, my credit limit for my Southwest card is very low and I wanted to increase that limit.”

Brand loyalty can help your case sometimes.

8. Wait for the credit increase to happen (on its own)

Chase will automatically increase your credit limits in many cases.

In fact, Chase has done this for me on several occasions.

It usually takes Chase several months for them to do this but I noticed that it happened when I regularly used my credit cards and put significant spend on them. I didn’t have to come super close to maxing out the card each billing cycle but I did often spend more than 50% of my credit line.

I think that Chase picked up on that and noticed that I was paying off my balance in full each month and so they decided to extend more credit to me.

If you are doing this make sure that you keep your credit card utilization down. This might require you to make multiple payments to your card each month, which is okay.

You just want to avoid your credit card closing with a huge balance on it because that’s going to tank your credit score.

Another common reason auto-increases happen is that you’ve improved your credit score dramatically. If you currently have relatively low credit lines with Chase but you just improved your credit score over the past few months, there’s a good chance you’ll be in-line for a credit line increase very soon.

9. Soft-pull Chase credit line increase!?

If Chase automatically increases your credit line as described just above, this will not result in a hard pull! 

This is usually the only way to increase your credit line with Chase without incurring a hard pull on your credit score which is fantastic.

Credit line increases with other issuers

You might also be interested in reading about getting credit limit increased with other issuers. 

Final word

Chase credit line increases are easy to request and you stand a good chance of getting one if you’ve established a solid relationship with Chase over a span of at least 6 months. But you need to be aware of all of the factors like how your credit score will be affected and alternative paths for getting more credit.

Barclays Credit Card Application Status: (How to Check, Reconsideration) [2021]

Are you trying to check your Barclays credit card application status?

Well, you’re in luck as Barclays makes it easy to check your status with a simple application status checker.

In this article, I will show you how to check your Barclays credit card application status online or over the phone. Then I will give you some handy reconsideration tips that have worked for me when Barclays has denied me.

Interested in finding out the top travel credit cards for this month? Click here to check them out! 

How to check your Barclays credit card application status

You can check your application status by accessing Barclay’s application status checker or by calling Barclays customer support. I prefer checking online as it’s less cumbersome than calling.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Check your Barclays credit card application status online

The type of credit card you are applying for will determine which application status checker you can choose to check your Barclays credit card application status. 

  • For personal Barclay credit cards: click here 
  • For business Barclay credit cards: click here

You won’t need an application number, but you will need the following to check the status:

  • Last name
  • Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)
  • ZIP code
  • E-mail address

(Remember, it must match the information you gave during the application process.)

After filling the blanks with your information, you’ll be able to view the status of your credit card application.

You will only see the most recent credit card application status dating up to 90 days from the application submission. It’s not like Amex application status checker which allows you to look at all past applications.

You will see three messages when checking the status of your Barclays credit card.

  • Denied
  • Reviewing (pending)
  • Approved

Application status: “denied”

If your status says that you’re denied, then you’ll probably want to call the reconsideration line phone number found below. 

Reasons for your denial will usually be related to the number of inquiries, the number of new accounts, debt-to-income ratio, or not following the Barclays credit card rules.

Application status: “reviewing” or “pending”

If your application is being reviewed, then you may just need to wait a few days because Barclays is processing your app. Sometimes calling into the reconsideration line will expedite this but other times you must simply wait it out.

An application being reviewed will usually be because someone has to review your credit report and determine if you are too risky or not profitable.

Application status: “approved”

Congratulations, you have been approved! You won’t need to do anything else besides waiting up to 10 business days for your credit card to arrive at the billing address.

Check your Barclays credit card application status by phone

You can check your Barclays credit card application status via phone by calling the following numbers:

  • +1-877-523-0478
  • +1-888-232-0780

Stay on the line until you can say or select the option to “check on an application.” Make sure you have your information ready.

If you need, they can also direct you to a credit analyst for reconsideration.

What Barclays credit cards can I check my application status for?

You should be able to check your status for any Barclay personal or business credit card including:

  • AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
  • Diamond Resorts World Mastercard®
  • Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card
  • Carnival® World Mastercard®
  • Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®
  • AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
  • Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card
  • JetBlue Plus Card
  • Barnes & Noble Mastercard®
  • Hawaiian Airlines® Business Mastercard®
  • FRONTIER Airlines World Mastercard®
  • Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
  • JetBlue Business Card
  • JetBlue Card
  • NFL Extra Points Credit Card
  • Priceline Rewards™ Visa® Card
  • Princess Cruises Rewards Visa® Card
  • RCI® Elite Rewards® Mastercard®
  • Uber Visa Card
  • Upromise® Mastercard®
  • Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card

How long does approval take?

If your credit card approval is not instant, it could take up to 10 business days to process the application manually.

If you suspect things are lingering too long then check with the reconsideration line number below.

On another note, Barclays is known to make applications go into review. Don’t worry too much if your application is being reviewed as it’s common with people that have high or low credit scores.

How long does it take to receive a Barclays credit card?

Barclays claims you will receive your credit card within 10 business days of your application being approved. At the time of approval, Barclays will also quote the number of days it will take for you to receive your card, usually up to 10 business days. 

In my experience, it usually took no longer than seven business days to receive my new Barclays credit card. Barclays will expedite cards for a fee.

Can I check for credit limit increase approval?

Barclays doesn’t have a tool to check the status for your credit line increase online. 

So, the only way for you to check is to call Barclays and talk to a credit analyst. They will give you the status and might request more information from you or perhaps give you reasons why you were denied a credit line increase.

You can call a Barclays credit analyst for personal cards with this phone number:

  • +1-866-408-4064

For business cards:

  • +1-866-710-2688

Barclays credit card rules

Barclays has a few rules for new applicants restricting credit card sign-ups. These rules aren’t exclusive to Barclays as other bank issuers will also have rules.

No limit to the number of cards

Barclays doesn’t have a limit to the number of Barclays credit cards you hold. That means you can hold as many cards you want with Barclays, but only if you get approved. Still, it might be a good idea to keep it to a reasonable number. 

90 days for minimum spend

You have 90 days from when you applied for your Barclays card to meet your minimum spend. Therefore, you start counting the 90 days once you applied for the card, not when you received it.

Barclays doesn’t have any hard rules

Surprisingly, Barclays doesn’t have many hard rules across all their cards. While some claim they have rules regarding the number of cards you can apply within 24 months (6/24), Barclays doesn’t put anything in writing and doesn’t always enforce these rules. 

Some soft rules like waiting 6 months to apply for a new Barclays credit card are true for some people. Yet, there are data points out there showing how it’s not the same for every person.

Barclays actually focuses on the credit report more than anything else. So, if your score is not above 700, you will have a harder time getting a Barclays credit card approved.

Barclays credit card reconsideration line

If you’re not approved, or even having an application under review, you will want to call up a Barclays credit analyst. They will be able to review your application and give you feedback or request more information from you and perhaps get you approved for a credit card. 

Barclays reconsideration phone number and hours for personal cards

The phone number for personal card applications is:

  • +1-866-408-4064

You can also try:

  • +1-800-308-6008

And the operating hours:

  • 8am to 12am EST (midnight) seven days a week

Barclays reconsideration phone number and hours for business cards

The phone number for personal card applications is:

  • +1-866-710-2688

And the operating hours:

  • 8am to 8pm EST seven days a week

What to say in a reconsideration call

Handling a reconsideration call isn’t very difficult, but there are a few things you should consider.

The first is that you need to have a good reason for why you’re seeking a card.

Here are some excellent reasons for seeking new credit cards:

  • You need the credit card(s) to help segregate your expenses for some purpose (e.g., starting multiple businesses)
  • You’re switching or trying to build up a relationship with a specific airline like American Airlines (only works if you’re getting that particular co-branded card)
  • You don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees, or you are attracted to some other benefit (e.g., primary rental car insurance)
  • You prefer one interest rate (APR) over another (especially when dealing with balance transfers)
  • Prefer pin and chip over sign and chip
  • You want to utilize the benefits and gain awards by using the card for everyday spend (everyday spend shows profitability towards Barclays)

Generally, it’s not a good idea to tell the phone reps that you’re just going after a card because you think it has a “great sign-up bonus.” That will make you look like an unprofitable customer, or even worse, a “gamer” which any bank has come to despise.

Don’t be nervous when calling Barclays. The credit analysts have the power to change your application denial to an approval. Plus, if you are calm and cool and not trying to game the agent, they will be more willing to help you out.

Barclays credit pulls

Barclays is known to pull from the TransUnion credit bureau.

This is great as TransUnion is pulled from the least compared to the other credit bureaus, so you can give your credit report a rest in many cases. 

If you got denied by Barclays, you would still have a hard pull on your credit report. Hard pulls will stay on your credit report for two years but should lose their effect for FICO scores after one year. 

Barclays referrals

While Barclays doesn’t have an official refer-a-friend program like Amex, it does sometimes target current cardholders giving targeted cardholders referrals to hand out.

Unfortunately, the targeted referrals from Barclays aren’t frequent and come in waves lasting a limited amount of time. So, if you can take advantage of referring someone to get some kickback, you should do it and call yourself lucky.

Final word

Don’t be worried if your application is pending as Barclays is known to take their time to review applications. If you did end up getting denied, call that retention line as those credit analysts do have the power to approve you.

I hope you found this article helpful. Remember we aren’t Barclays, so we cannot guarantee anything, but if you have any questions, drop them down in the comments below.

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Discover Credit Line Increase (Tips & Data Points) [2021]

Requesting a credit line increase from Discover is a pretty easy task. The hard part is predicting what the outcome of your request will be, though. 

In this article, I’ll break down how to request a Discover credit line increase and also provide you with some data points I found showing you how much of an increase you can expect and what type of credit score you may want to have before applying for an increase.

How to request a Discover credit line increase

You can request a Discover credit line increase in four easy steps:

  • Step one: Log-in to your Discover account
  • Step two: Click on the “manage” tab on the top menu (on the right)
  • Step three: Click on “credit line increase”
  • Step four: Update your income and other details

You can also call 800-347-2683 and request a credit line increase although I would recommend doing it online.

Tip: Use the app WalletFlo to give you auto-reminders of when to request credit limit increases!

Log into your Discover account

Click on the manage tab

Once you are logged into your account, just click on the “Manage” tab that is found on the top menu bar. 

Click on “credit line increase”

Under “Credit Options,” you will see the “Credit Line Increase” button. Click that to proceed.

Discover credit line increase menu option
You can get to the Discover credit line increase request page in two clicks.

Update your income and other details

You will now be on the main credit line application page and you just need to fill in the details which I explained below.

Discover credit line increase application 

The credit line application form will ask you to fill out the following information:

  • Total Annual Gross Income
  • Employer Name
  • Monthly Housing/Rent Payment
Screenshot of credit line increase application
Here’s the information you need to supply for your credit line increase application.

Total Annual Gross Income

Your total annual gross income includes “current or reasonably expected salary, wages, bonus pay, tips, commissions, internships, living expenses, scholarships or grants, and income from investments.”

So add up all of your income streams and that will be your annual gross income.

Something to be aware of is that if you are 21 years or older, you can include income that you have “reasonable access” to. This is known as “accessible income” and you can read more about it here.

Your income is really important when it comes to establishing credit lines so be sure to update it if you ever have an increase because that will increase your odds of getting a credit line increase. 

Related: Does Income Affect Your Credit Score?

Employer Name

This field is straightforward. Simply enter in the name of your employer. If you do not have an employer or would prefer not to answer just enter “other.” 

Why does Discover ask for this?

Some people think it’s because it deters people from lying about their income since they are providing a way for Discover to potentially verify their income.

But when it comes to banks verifying your income for credit, that is an extremely rare event and I don’t think you need to worry about dealing with that. Plus, if you are telling the truth you have nothing to worry about.

Monthly Housing/Rent Payment

Your monthly mortgage or rent payment is extremely relevant to getting approved for a credit line increase. That’s because this payment cuts down on your discretionary income which is super relevant when it comes to determining your ability to pay off your bills. 

Hard pull or soft pull?

Discover is one of the issuers that sometimes performs a soft pull while other times it performs a hard pull on your credit.

The application form states:

After reviewing your application, we may need to pull a credit bureau report, which may affect your credit score. In these cases, we will proceed with the application only with your consent.

This means that your credit line increase could result in a hard pull which could bring down your credit score.

Often if you are approved for the credit line increase amount you initially request that will be a soft pull. But sometimes Discover will not accept your request and instead will offer you a counter offer for an increase. Sometimes when you process this request it can result in a hard pull. 

How bad would a hard pull affect your credit?

Typically, a hard pull will only bring down your score around 3 to 5 points but it could bring your score down much more if you have a less established credit profile or have recently applied for a lot of credit. 

Eventually, after a few months, your credit score should come back up and if you were approved for a credit line increase, it will probably jump higher than where it was before.

Related: Credit Pulls Database Guide: Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax?

Can you be instantly approved for a credit line increase?

Many people will be instantly approved for a credit line increase with Discover.

But on other occasions your request might go to a manual review process.

In that case, you might see a message like, “”We’re reviewing your request and will let you know in 2 days.” It’s not clear what that means for your approval odds but many people have been approved for credit line increases after receiving the message.

What cards can I get a credit line increase for?

You should not be limited with respect to the type of card you can get a credit line increase for. Here’s some of the popular Discover cards that you might increase a credit line for:

  • Discover it Secured 
  • Discover it Cash Back
  • Discover it Student Cash Back
  • Discover it Student Gas & Restaurants
  • Discover it Balance Transfer
  • Discover it Miles
  • Discover it Chrome 

How much of a credit line increase to request?

How much of a credit increase you should request depends a lot on your starting limit.

If your starting credit line is $10,000, then requesting a 100% increase could be too aggressive. However, if your credit limit is $500 then requesting a 100% increase could make a lot of sense.

Discover is tricky because the process is a true black box and outcomes are unpredictable. I’ve seen reports of people getting several thousand dollars in increases while many others are limited to only $500 increases.

My one bit of advice would be to start off small and be patient. I think requesting a 25% increase is generally a conservative approach.

Here are some self-reported examples for Discover credit line increases. Below, I’ve listed the amount of the increase and if enough information was given, the percentage that the credit line increased.

Automatic credit line increases

Like many other banks, Discover will sometimes grant you an automatic credit line increase.

For example, here’s someone who got an automatic increase from $1,800 to $2,200.

It’s very hard to predict when an automatic credit line increase will happen so your best bet is to use your card often and never miss a payment and just cross your fingers.

Tips for a Discover credit limit increase

If you want to increase your odds of being eligible for a Discover credit line increase, there are certain things that you can try.

Spend big on your card

A lot of banks don’t like to extend credit to people who don’t use their cards. That’s because they are unprofitable customers. It costs them money to keep your accounts alive and active and if you are never using your card, you are not generating revenue for them in the form of interest fees or interchange fees.

Discover seems to be one of those banks that puts extra value on using their cards. So try to use your card a few times a month at least in the months leading up to your credit line increase request.

You may also consider cycling your credit limit. Sometimes if you spend close to your credit limit and then pay off that amount multiple times a month, that can be an indicator to your bank that you need more access to credit.

Pay off a high balance

You want your utilization to be in check before you apply for a credit line increase.

If Discover sees that you have a maxed out credit card or multiple maxed out credit cards they will feel less good about extending you additional credit because you may just max out that line and become a credit risk.

So make sure that you your balance is paid down and in some cases this may require you to pay off your entire balance before your statement closes. That will prevent your outstanding balances from appearing very high and could improve your credit score tremendously.

Credit line increases with other issuers 

You might also be interested in reading about getting credit limit increases with other issuers. 

Discover credit line increase (FAQ)

How often can I request a credit line increase with Discover?

It’s often advisable to wait 3 to 6 months between credit line increases although some people have had success when waiting shorter amounts of time.

Does discover do a hard or soft pull for credit line increases?

If Discover accepts your initial request for a credit line increase it will likely be a soft pull. But if it is not approved, your later request could result in a hard pull.

What credit scores are needed for a Discover credit line increase?

Data points suggest that having a credit score in the mid to upper 600s can be good enough for a credit line increase.

Here are some self-reported data points.

696 Experian, 717 TransUnion, 717 Equifax (Denied)
695 (Approved)
708 Equifax FICO 8 and 689 Experian FICO 8 (Approved)
Equifax 671 Fico 8, TransUnion 684 Fico 8, Experian 696 Fico 8 (Approved)

Final word

Overall, discover is pretty unpredictable when it comes to credit line increases. There are a lot of conflicting data points out there and the amounts for increases can be sporadic. I would just focus on using your Discover card as much as possible and trying more than once if you were not successful. 

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