Editorial Note: We earn a commission on partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect the opinions or ratings of our editors.
Credit card limits represent the total amount cardholders can spend with a credit card before having to make payments to free up available credit. A credit limit can be low, like $300, or as high as $30,000, or even in six figures. Raising a credit limit gives cardholders the ability to make larger purchases and can strengthen credit by impacting usage. You can ask Discover to increase your credit limit by calling the number on the back of your card or through your online account. Increases can also happen automatically with responsible credit card use.
Find the best credit cards for 2022
No credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We have selected the best credit cards so as to be the most useful for the greatest number of readers.
Before increasing your credit limit
Before asking Discover for a raise, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. A credit limit increase should not be considered permission to spend more, and certainly not permission to spend more. Spending more than you bring in is a slippery slope because when you can’t pay in full each month, you risk escalating interest charges.
That said, receiving a higher credit limit on your Discover credit card can be a positive experience, as long as you spend responsibly and make your payments on time.
Benefits of increasing your credit limit
Let’s look at the benefits of having a higher credit limit:
- Reduce your credit utilization rate. Credit usage has a huge impact on credit score, accounting for 30% of a FICO score. A higher credit limit means less usage if your expenses stay the same. The lower your usage, the better your credit rating will be.
- Have more funds for a major purchase. A higher credit limit means more leeway for big purchases, like appliances or an exciting vacation. Make sure you can pay for the purchase in the same billing cycle you made to avoid interest charges.
- Improve the solvency of premium financial products and low rates in the future. Improving your relationship with Discover could increase your chances of getting approved for a premium credit card from other issuers or getting lower interest rates on a big loan or mortgage down the road. When lending large sums of money, lenders like to see a responsible borrowing history.
Disadvantages of increasing your credit limit
Increasing a credit card limit has its risks. Let’s review the disadvantages of getting a higher credit limit:
- The temptation to spend more than you can afford. Having more credit available sometimes creates the illusion that money is available to be spent without consequence.
- Higher risk of credit card debt. Spending more than you can afford can lead to missed payments, rolling balances, and costly interest charges. This can lead to extremely difficult credit card debt to pay off, as well as a damaged credit rating.
- Potential for difficult credit applications. Credit card issuers sometimes perform a thorough credit check to determine if a cardholder is eligible for a credit limit increase. Too many rigorous credit checks in a short time can lower your credit score. Ask Discover if they will do a hard draw on your credit before asking for a raise.
How to Increase Your Discovery Credit Limit
Once you’ve decided to inquire about a higher credit limit, contact Discover directly by calling the number on the back of your credit card. Cardholders can also log into their online accounts and select “Card Services” then “Line of Credit Increase” to apply.
You will need to enter your annual income and monthly housing payment. Discover notes that over 95% of people who apply for a credit limit increase online get an instant decision.
It is wise to wait at least six months after opening a new account before requesting a credit limit increase. When you first opened a Discover credit card, the issuer likely used your financial information, including data such as current annual income and monthly rent, to estimate how much borrowing power you are entitled to. . This estimate takes into account your credit limit. Unless your details change drastically, there’s no point asking for a higher limit sooner.
Issuers are likely to consider the following when deciding whether or not to increase a credit limit:
- Payment history
- Credit utilization rate
- Revenue
- Monthly expenses
- Employment history
- Length of credit history
- Recent credit applications
Discover may automatically increase your credit limit if your account is in good standing or if you report an increase in your earnings. Cardholders may see a pop-up message when they go online, prompting them to report employment status changes. Be sure to report any increases you receive if you’re hoping for a credit limit increase (if not, you can ignore the prompts).
Discover the student cards
Discover student credit cardholders should wait at least one year before requesting a credit limit increase. Also, make sure your account is in good standing. This means making regular monthly payments on time and maintaining a low balance. If you have extra income after a year, now might be a great time to ask for a raise.
After graduation, contact Discover and ask if they can upgrade the account status from “student” to “graduate”. This could automatically qualify the cardholder for a higher credit limit, especially if you landed a job with a stable income after graduation.
How long does a credit limit increase last?
Discover doesn’t specify how long a credit limit increase might take in any case, but notes on the online form that more than 95% of account holders who request an increase online get an instant decision.
Typically, card issuers can pass an increase in just a few minutes. However, it can take up to 30 days if the card issuer needs more time to complete a credit check or review.
If a request is denied, cardholders should receive a letter in the mail from the card issuer with the specific reasons why the request was denied.
What to do if your credit limit increase is declined
Don’t panic if your request for a credit limit increase is denied. Discover should tell the cardholder why the application was declined, which means you’ll know what to do to improve your chances of getting a credit limit increase in the future.
Some common reasons for a declined credit limit increase request can be infrequent card use, missed payments, or a low credit score. Cardholders can improve their chances of success by using the card regularly, always paying on time, and maintaining a low usage rate. Also, be sure to report any revenue increases to Discover as soon as they occur.
Contact Discover directly if you have specific questions regarding your opt-out.
Find the best credit cards for 2022
No credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We have selected the best credit cards so as to be the most useful for the greatest number of readers.
Conclusion
A higher credit card limit should have a positive impact on a cardholder’s account position and credit score, as long as spending stays the same. It is imperative to always pay on time and to maintain a utilization rate below 30% of your credit limit, even after an increase. If managed correctly, having a credit card with a higher limit can help your credit score increase and you’ll be more likely to qualify for lower interest rates on future loans or mortgages, as well as more premium credit cards in the future.
