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You can get a Discover credit line increase either automatically or through a formal request. You can give them a call or message them through your mobile app or online account to ask for a credit line increase. Your chances are best if you haven’t reached or exceeded your current credit limit, have a good credit history, and regularly make timely payments on your Discover credit card. Who hasn’t wanted a credit limit increase at one time or another? Perhaps you want to make a major purchase so you need a higher credit limit. Or maybe you just want to increase your overall credit limits in order to lower your credit utilization ratio. That’s a solid way to improve your credit score and make you more attractive to other lenders. Whatever your reasons for wanting a Discover credit limit increase, there are a number of ways to make your request more compelling. Let’s take a look at Discover credit cards, how they work, and the best ways to get approval for a credit limit increase request. Discover first launched the Discover Card one year after its founding by Sears in 1986. They then went on to introduce the Discover Platinum Card in 1998 before introducing the first “keychain” credit card in 2002. After growing exponentially in both the U.S. and overseas, Discover became the first credit card company to compete with Visa and Mastercard directly in 2006. Despite the myths that many merchants don’t accept Discover cards, 99% of retailers in the U.S. now accept this form of payment. How to apply for a Discover card credit line increaseIn some cases, you don’t have to do anything to get a credit line increase with Discover. Depending on your creditworthiness and account history with Discover, you may be eligible for an increased credit limit automatically. If you haven’t received an automatic credit limit increase yet, you have three options to formally request one. Pick up the phone and callEven in this day and age, some people just prefer to talk to an actual human being, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Call a Discover card representative at 1-800-347-2683 and request a credit limit increase request. From your mobile app
From your online account
A Discover card representative will consider your request for a credit limit increase by checking your available credit and payment history with them. They will also look at other credit details, such as how much additional debt you have and what your current credit score is. How to get approved for a Discover credit line increase requestCustomers should be aware that when requesting a credit limit increase, Discover will need to check their credit again, which may result in a hard inquiry. In many ways, getting approved for credit line increases is similar to how you originally applied for the card, plus some additional general eligibility requirements and guidelines.
What to do if your Discover credit line increase is deniedIt’s possible that you’ve done everything right — kept your credit score in good shape, managed your Discover card and other accounts responsibly — but your request for a higher credit limit is still denied. In that case, you might turn to another credit card company to see about a credit line increase on a different card. Or, you might want to apply for an entirely new card altogether. If the reason you were asking for the higher credit line was to make a big purchase, you might want to look into a card with a 0% introductory rate. That way, you could have a year or two to pay it off without owing any interest. Repair your credit scoreAlternatively, if you suspect that your request was denied due to credit score problems, this would be a good time to reassess your financial situation and make some changes that will turn that score in a more positive direction. Scouring your credit reports for errors, paying down your debts, and keeping all of your accounts in good order are solid ways to achieve this goal. You might also consider hiring a credit repair company to help you. Pro TipIf you haven’t used your Discover card much lately and you want to request a credit limit, you might consider harnessing that buying power to show some activity on your account first. Your limit increase request will probably be looked on more favorably if you regularly use the card. Discover card securityDiscover provides multiple security features that protect cardholders from fraudulent activity and simple mistakes. One of the most helpful security features is Discover’s “Freeze it” feature. If you notice your card is missing, normally you would need to cancel the card and wait for a new one in the mail. But because of the freezing feature, you can just pause the account and if the card turns up, you can just turn it back on. Minimum requirements to get a Discover cardBefore you apply for a Discover credit card, make sure you meet the requirements below.
Discover card applicants also need to have a good or better credit score, a solid credit history, and sufficient income to gain approval. These requirements are similar to most credit card applications. If you prefer to use a different credit card than a Discover card, take a look at some of your options below. FAQsDoes Discover increase your credit limit automatically?Depending on your spending habits, account activity, and creditworthiness, Discover may automatically increase your credit limit. How often does Discover increase your credit line limit?Discover usually reviews eligible credit card accounts every six months to decide whether a credit line increase is appropriate for the cardholder. However, even with that in mind, there’s no guarantee that Discover will increase your credit limit every six months. What is the highest credit limit Discover gives?As of 2022, Discover does not have a maximum credit line increase. This means you can keep asking for a credit line increase, but you aren’t guaranteed to receive one. Each time you request a credit line increase, Discover reviews your credit history. Does a credit line increase affect credit score Discover?Your Discover credit limit increase will likely decrease your credit score temporarily, as the representatives reviewing your application must perform a hard inquiry on your credit report. However, this decrease is only temporary. That being said, a credit line increase may still affect your credit score if you mismanage your account. For example, if you miss or make late payments, it will negatively affect your credit score and you wouldn’t be eligible for a credit line increase. Also, it should be noted that you can’t actually go over your credit limit — if you attempt it, your credit card transaction will be denied. What is the average credit limit on a Discover it® card?Most Discover it® cardholders receive an initial credit limit of $3,000, but this limit will depend on your individual credit score and application. Applicants with exceptional credit and appropriate income can receive a credit line between $10,000 and $20,000, though this is rare for most cardholders. Is it good to request a credit line increase?Requesting a credit limit increase can be fine to do, especially if you need a higher credit limit for a major purchase. A larger credit line will also lower your credit utilization ratio, at least initially, which can provide a boost to your credit score. However, it’s important to understand the potential downsides that come with a higher credit limit. For instance, you may feel you can spend more money than you can reasonably pay back, which may hurt your credit score. Key Takeaways
Does asking for a credit increase on Discover hurt score?A Discover credit limit increase request might involve a hard credit inquiry, which could drop your credit score by a few points, but Discover will only proceed with that part of the application after receiving your consent.
Is Discover credit limit increase a soft pull?Discover's automatic credit limit increases usually result in a soft pull. But, if you request an increase the issuer might ask for your permission to do a hard pull.
Can I ask Discover to raise my credit limit?If you want to increase the credit limit on your Discover Card, you can call the number on the back of your card and talk to a real person from our 100% U.S.-based customer service. You can also log into your online account or use the Discover Mobile app to request a credit limit increase.
How many times does discover increase credit limit?Discover will automatically increase the credit limit for eligible credit card accounts based on periodic account reviews that typically begin six months after an account is opened. Automatic credit limit increases are done at Discover's discretion, and there's no guarantee when one will occur.
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