Upping My Credit Card Limit

[chrissa1]

I have been successfully building my credit score up for the six years since my husband died, and the fallout that came from it.

I have one credit card which I've kept in perfect order all this time, and I have heard that it's a good thing if the card company ups your credit limit, after a while. It shows they trust you.

I recently bought a new IPad on my card as my old one was becoming very slow and had to be always on charge.

My question is, do I pay the whole amount off by the due date? (I can afford to do this) or, should I pay, say, £200 this month and £200 next month?

Which payment schedule is more likely to make them offer me a rise in my credit limit?

Thanks.

[dannyk13]

Can you not ask them to up your limit?

[scooping]

Option A or Option B would both be good and potentially enhance your credit limit. If I could afford so to do would pay the most soonest.

[ummmm]

I don't think it matters as long as you don't miss a payment.

[albaqwerty]

Have you been using your c/c during the previous few years?
If this is the first time in a while, then paying it off might be better (would be cheaper too)

(long time no see Chrissa xx)

[chrissa1]

I received a letter from them about two months ago asking me to apply to "up" it, but I've heard nothing back from them since then, dannyk.

[ummmm]

How long have you had this CC?

[Jackdaw33]

Did you apply?

[albaqwerty]

phone them, Chrissa and tell them you have thought about their invitation to apply to 'up' it .

[chrissa1]

Hi alba, nice to see you too.

I've always used it over the years to fill my car up and paid it all off every month. I know that it would be cheaper, i.e., no credit charges, but thought maybe if they would up the limit because they could see more profit for themselves, this way and therefore want to entice me into using it more. Fat chance!!!!

[chrissa1]

I did, apply jackdaw but, heard nothing back.

[chrissa1]

I've had it for about 4 years, ummm.

[ummmm]

Obviously we don't know what your income is but credit cards are based on that.

[chrissa1]

I wouldn't have thought the c/c know what my income is. I don't remember telling them when it was offered to me.

[ummmm]

My OH applied for his first CC earlier this year. He was asked his income, his employers details, how many dependents he has, if he owned his own home, how long for...etc etc.

[andy-hughes]

It's always best to pay off your balance - it avoids interest charges.

You should be able to request an increase over the phone - the number is on the back of your card.

[DocHH]

chrissa1,
For sure the best thing to do, assuming you can afford it is to pay it off the balance completely each month. In the past I have found that if I spent close to my credit limit and paid off the whole amount each month the CC company automatically increased the credit limit. My main credit cards are not linked to my Bank account, so they have no idea of how much my nett income is each month. All they are interested in is if I settle my outstanding balance. I am not advertising, but my Credit Cards are with MBNA.

[gingejbee]

I used to have an MBNA credit card which I paid off fully each month...and every three months they automatically upped the limit - ridiculously high imo.

[jno]

they don't just collect their money from people who incur charges, they get their profits by charging retailers as well. What they don't want is the hassle of chasing people who don't pay.

Personally I always pay every month, by direct debit (I once missed a postal payment in December because it got caught up in the Christmas rush). I've not had trouble on the couple of occasions I've asked for a higher limit.

[chrissa1]

Thank you, gingejbee. You've answered my question. I'll pay off the whole amount.
Thanks everyone for their input.