Credit Card Limit

What is a Credit Card Limit?

The term credit card limit refers to the maximum amount that can be borrowed on a credit card at any given time. This limit is decided by the credit card issuing authority and differs for each person according to their credit scores. It is communicated at the time of issuance and remains the same until the bank deems a change is necessary.

It is essential to be aware of your credit card limit to ensure your expenses don’t overshoot. Borrowing more on the card than your card limit can have a negative impact on your credit score. A reduced credit score hampers your creditworthiness and your chances of securing a loan at favourable terms in the future.

How to Increase Credit Card Limit?

If you are a dependable user who spends wisely and pays the bills on time, the bank will reach out to you to increase your CC limit. However, if you need more funds, you can initiate the process. You can visit the bank or raise a request through net banking to increase your credit card limit. If you are wondering how to improve your credit card limit, here is a list of things you can do.

• Submit Income Increase Proof

In case your income has increased, you can offer your latest payslips to the bank as proof and request to increase your credit card limit.

• Clear Your Dues

Try to be regular with your payments to help increase your credit score so that the bank considers you for a credit card limit increase.

• Bank Loyalty

You can also opt to hold on to a credit card for a longer duration so that the bank reaches out to you to increase the maximum limit of the credit card

• Reduce Fixed Debts

Work towards reducing your debts, such as personal loan EMIs, home loan EMIs, etc., as this would create a positive impression on the bank.

• Keep Credit Utilisation Low

You must ensure that your credit utilisation ratio, i.e., the amount borrowed against the credit available, is low as it improves your credit score. Try to maintain a credit utilisation ratio of 30%

• Apply for a Credit Card

You can apply for a new credit card with a higher credit limit and use one or both cards for transactions.

Factors Considered by Banks in Deciding Your Maximum Credit Card Limit

• Annual Income

A higher income indicates a better repayment capability. If your income is in the higher bracket, the chances are more that the bank would offer you a higher credit limit. On the other hand, the total credit limit would be low for a low-income person.

• Age

Your spending capacity increases as you age and gain responsibilities. As a result, you may be eligible for a higher maximum credit card limit.

• Current Debt Amount

The amount of money you borrowed in the past but are yet to repay has a negative impact on your credit score. As a result, if you have availed of excess credit in the past but have been unable to repay, the bank would reduce your credit limit.

• Employment Status

If you have been employed in your current organisation for a significant time, it indicates that you have a stable job and regular pay. As a result, the bank may consider your application for a higher credit limit. An unstable job and no fixed pay cheques can negatively affect the maximum credit limit.

• Credit Score

Your chances of getting approved for a maximum credit card limit increase if you have a high credit score since this reflects good repayment behaviour.

• Credit History

If there is no credit history and credit score to your name, and you have applied for your first credit card, the bank might consider giving you a card with a low credit limit as it is unaware of the risk involved. Similarly, if you have a good credit score and a stellar credit history, the bank may be comfortable offering you a card with a higher credit limit.

How to Check the Maximum Limit on Your Card?

To check the limit of your credit card, you can opt for any of the following means:

1. Check Credit Card Limit Through Net Banking

If registered with the bank’s net banking service, you can check your credit card limit by following a few easy steps.

• Step 1: Visit the bank’s net banking portal

• Step 2: Use your credentials and log in to your account

• Step 3: Go to the credit card section

• Step 4: Select the credit card for which you want to check the limit

• Step 5: Click on the 'View account summary' option

• Step 6: Your credit card limit will be mentioned in the credit card account summary.

2. Checking Credit Limit Through SMS

You can also check the limit of your credit card by sending an SMS to your bank, using the keyword in the approved format, from your registered mobile number. You will get an instant reply from the bank with details regarding your credit card limit.

 3. Checking Credit Card Limit Through Customer Care

A credit card limit check can also be done in real-time by calling the concerned bank's credit card helpline number and placing a request with a customer care executive. After verification, the executive will communicate your credit card limit to you.

Advantages of Increasing Credit Limit of Your Credit Card

Banks and Financial institutions usually issue cards with a maximum limit but in times of an emergency or an unexpected expense situation, you may find yourself in a tight spot. In such a case, you need not consider applying for a new card but instead increasing the credit limit of your existing card can really come in handy. Some of the benefits of taking this step are:

1. No Hassle of Managing Multiple Cards

By choosing to enhance the credit card limit on a single card, you do not have to handle multiple cards at the same time. It can be quite a daunting task to remember passwords, PINS, and payment cycles of each card, and remember to make timely payments for each card. Instead, increasing the credit card limit on one card can help you plan, monitor, and control your expenditure seamlessly.

2. Credit Score

Increasing credit card limits while managing the same level of expenses reduces credit usage. Low credit utilisation is often considered a feature of a dependable debtor and is assessed higher in credit scores. Hence, by enhancing your credit card limit, you can also benefit from a better credit score.

3.Loans

A good payment history can be quite beneficial when you need to prove your creditworthiness or apply for a loan. It is more convenient to have one card where you can make enhancements as needed, thus giving greater confidence to potential lenders, and allowing you to receive more funds.

4. Emergencies

Unlike loans or other forms of advances, a credit card is an instant payment option that one can consider when in an emergency situation or critical financial emergency. Thus, enhancing the limit on one single card can really come in handy in such times.

5. Better Rewards

The benefits of enhancing the credit limit can be endless but one that is quite lucrative is enjoying more advantages and rewards on the credit card. If you don't split your costs between multiple cards, you can end up with higher rewards, cashbacks, extended warranties, and vouchers on big-ticket expenditures.