7 Tips To Increase Your Chase Credit Limit (And What To Do if You’re Denied)

Need a credit limit increase on your Chase credit card, but not sure how to get it? You’re in the right place.

There are a couple of ways to get a credit limit increase, and a few essential things to remember during the process. But don’t let an increased limit go to your head — it’s critical to use your credit wisely and not just for a shopping spree.

1. Consider Why You Want an Increase

Why do you want a credit limit increase? Maybe you’re planning on making a large purchase that you would like to put on your card and pay off. If so, be sure to tell Chase when requesting your increase.

Planning on maxing out your new limit with purchases that you really can’t afford without credit? In that instance, your chances of getting a credit increase are slim (and you should consider re-examining how you use credit).

Using credit wisely is critical, especially when you’re collecting miles and points. You should pay your bill in full every month so that interest charges don’t offset your rewards. If this is difficult for you, you’re probably not ready a credit limit increase.

Bottom Line: No matter what your credit limit or credit score is, you should pay your bills on time and in full each month.

2. Know Your Current Credit Limit

It’s good to know what your current credit limit is before you request a credit limit increase. You can find your credit limit in your online Chase.com account. Once you log on to your account, click on the credit card you would like to check located on the left-hand side of your screen.

You will see your credit card information in the main section of the page once you select your credit card. Look for your current balance and available credit. These 2 numbers combined will give you your total credit limit for that card.

• Current Balance: This is the amount charged since your last statement (but might not include your most recent, pending transactions).
• Available Credit: This is the remaining amount of credit you have left on your card. Your available credit will update shortly after you make a payment.

3. Best Practices for Getting an Increase

If you are generally a creditworthy customer, you have a good chance of getting your desired credit limit increase, as long as it’s reasonable. Here are a few things the bank will be looking at:

• Have you been a customer for at least 6 months?
• Do you pay off your bill in full and on time every month?
• Are you using a reasonable amount of your current credit limit, or is it maxed out? (Your credit utilization, meaning the percentage of credit you have that you are using, should be under 30%).

If you are a brand-new customer or habitually have late or partial payments, your chances of getting a credit limit increase are slim.

Bottom Line: Your account should be at least 6 months old and in good standing to request a credit limit increase.

4. Apply for a New Chase Credit Card

The easiest way to increase your Chase credit limit is to open a new credit card. Chase has some of the best points-earning cards available, so as long as you are under “5/24” (5 or fewer new cards in the previous 24 months), opening a new card is a great way to increase your overall credit limit with Chase.

Once you open your new card, you can often transfer some of the credit from the new card to another card if you would prefer your new credit to be on a different card.

Here are some of the best card choices from Chase that can offer high credit limits:

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a solid choice offering many benefits. If you’re approved for this card, the reported minimum credit limit you can receive is $5,000. The average credit limit on this card is $10,000, and about 10% of cardholders report a credit limit that exceeds $20,000.

POPULAR FIRST CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
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Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is a great card to keep in your wallet long-term because it has no annual fee. It offers a great way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. The minimum credit limit available for this card is $500.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Up to $300 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 1.5% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee
• Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
• Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
• Ability to pool points

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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5. Call Chase Directly

If you are in the market for a credit limit increase, you will probably need to contact Chase and ask for it directly. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you pick up the phone.

• Be ready to tell them why you should qualify for a credit limit increase. Factors like being a long-term customer, paying your bill on time, or a recent income increase are all good to mention when making your request.
• Know what you want. If your current credit limit is $1,000, don’t ask for a $10,000 limit! You are more likely to get the increase you’re looking for if it is a reasonable amount. A good rule of thumb is to ask for a 10% to 25% increase.
• Offer to move credit. If you already have a large amount of credit from Chase, you can often move credit around from one card to another to get an increase on a specific card. If you are opening a new account, offering to take credit from one card to put towards the new one can help get you approved.
• Be polite. This one is simple, but it still counts. The person on the other end of the line is just doing their job, so it’s never a good idea to be rude if you don’t get what you want.

Bottom Line: Each time you request a credit limit increase, the bank will do a hard pull on your credit report, which could result in a small (but temporary) drop in your credit score.

6. Ask for a Balance Transfer

Balance transfers offer a good way to persuade Chase to increase your credit limit. A balance transfer means you’re moving the balance from one credit card to another. It’s usually done to simplify and consolidate debt and to lower your interest rate.

Banks love balance transfers because they typically charge a transfer fee and will eventually get to collect interest on any balance that you don’t pay off in full by the time the 0% interest period is over.

Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card

Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Slate Edge℠ Credit Card

The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option for those looking to build their credit.

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Chase revamped the Chase Slate Edge℠ in 2021. It’s a no-annual-fee card designed for those looking to build their credit or those who need a low-interest APR card for a large purchase or balance transfer.

While the Chase Slate Edge card does not offer the opportunity to earn any rewards, it is a great option for those who are just beginning their credit journey, and the card still offers lucrative benefits that any cardholder would find value in.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• Lower your interest rate by 2% each year
• Raise your credit limit when you pay on time
• Access to Chase Credit Journey to monitor your credit
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Auto rental collision damage waiver

Cons

• Does not earn any credit card rewards

Card Highlights

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees:

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• No Annual Fee Cards

More Reads

• Chase Launches New No-fee Chase Slate Edge Credit Card
• Which Chase Credit Card Is Best for Building Credit?

The Chase Slate Edge card is a great option if you need to build or improve your credit score. With no annual fee and an intro APR offer, this card can be a valuable tool for many cardholders.

7. Wait for the Increase To Occur Naturally

Chase, like most other banks, will automatically increase your credit if you are using your card responsibly and paying your balance in full and on time. These automatic bumps generally happen every 6 to 12 months. If you’re patient, you might get a credit limit increase without doing anything!

Be aware that even if you’re doing everything right, the automatic increase might not happen. In that case, you’ll need to contact Chase to request an increase.

Hot Tip: Readers may also want to note that we have a separate article dedicated to increasing your American Express credit limit. 

What You Should Do if Your Request Is Denied

Your request for a higher credit limit was denied — now what?

The first thing to do is call Chase back and ask again. Make your case for why a higher credit limit should be extended (for a large purchase, balance transfer, or higher income), and your request may be approved.

If Chase still denies your request, it’s time to look at your credit score and how you use the credit you have.

Know Your Credit Score

It’s a good idea to know how to monitor your credit score (and hopefully watch it grow). There are lots of places to check your credit score, and many are free. It’s a good idea to do this periodically to make sure everything is correct and up to date.

Here are a few websites to help you understand your credit score and the factors that go into it. Many of these sites allow you to check your score for free.

There are 3 main credit bureaus in the U.S.:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

Each one of these sites charges to see your credit report. However, there are ways to get it for free. Every year, all consumers in the U.S. are entitled to receive 1 free credit report from each of the 3 main credit bureaus. To get your free reports, check out annualcreditreport.com.

You can also get your credit report and score for free from these sites:

• Chase Credit Journey
• Credit Karma
• Credit Sesame

Chase Credit Journey

Chase offers a tool to see your credit score directly from your Chase account.

Log in to your Chase account to get started with Credit Journey. Simply enter your information and your enrollment is complete.

Hot Tip: Checking your credit score on Credit Journey does not result in a hard pull, and it does not impact your score.

From here, you will be able to view your current credit score and some basics including late payments and the number of accounts opened.

Scroll to the bottom to use the score simulator. This tool allows you to view how certain actions might affect your credit score. You can adjust several parameters with this tool including:

• Adding a balance transfer
• Adding a credit card
• Adding a loan
• Adding a public record: foreclosure, child support, or wage garnishment
• Adding credit inquiries
• Allowing one or more accounts to be delinquent
• Canceling your oldest credit card
• Eliminating all card balances
• Having an account go to collections
• Maintaining on-time payments to all accounts
• Raising or lowering the balances on your cards
• Raising the credit limit on a card

This is a fun and informative way to see how certain actions (both good and bad) can affect your score.

How To Raise Your Credit Score

Raising your credit score is a smart way to set yourself up for a credit limit increase and develop good credit habits.

Boosting your score is simple — it just takes a little discipline. Follow these basic rules to see your number increase:

• Pay your bills on time each month (including rent, phone, and utilities)
• Pay your bills in full each month
• Pay off any outstanding credit card debt you may have
• Don’t close your oldest accounts
• Don’t open too many new credit cards in a short amount of time

If your credit score isn’t great, check out these Chase credit cards for building credit.

Final Thoughts

There are many legitimate reasons to request a credit limit increase. If you’ve been a Chase customer for at least 6 months and have shown that you can use your credit responsibly, you’re likely to receive an increased credit limit.

However, if you tend to only pay minimum balances or make late payments, you are unlikely to get an increase. If that’s the case, work on cleaning up your credit first, then go after the credit limit increase you need.