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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: SOPA Images/Getty Images June 02, 2021 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Nicole Dieker has been a full-time freelance writer since 2012—and a personal finance enthusiast since 2004, when she graduated from college and, looking for financial guidance, found a battered copy of Your Money or Your Life at the public library. In addition to writing for Bankrate, her work has appeared on CreditCards.com, Vox, Lifehacker, Popular Science, The Penny Hoarder, The Simple Dollar and NBC News. Dieker spent five years as writer and editor for The Billfold, a personal finance blog where people had honest conversations about money. Dieker also teaches writing, freelancing and publishing classes and works one-on-one with authors as a developmental editor and copyeditor. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
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Bank of America does not explicitly state its eligibility guidelines regarding . That said, there are a few common factors that lenders look for when deciding whether to increase your credit limit. These include: Responsible credit use: Do you make your credit card payments on time? Do you pay off your balances regularly, or are you close to ? If you want a lender to increase your credit limit, you need to prove that you can handle the credit you already have. Length of account ownership: Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to wait at least six months after opening a credit card before requesting a credit line increase. The longer you’ve been using your credit account responsibly, the more likely you’ll qualify for a Bank of America credit line increase. Increased income: If your income has recently gone up, any major credit card issuer might be more willing to bump up your credit limit as well. This is why it’s important to let your credit card issuers know every time you get a raise or a new job. In most cases, you’ll be able to easily update your income information through your online account management page. What to do before you ask for a credit limit increase
Before you contact Bank of America to request a credit limit increase, ask yourself the following three questions: What is your current credit limit
First and foremost, you should know what your current credit limit is. You can usually find your Bank of America credit limit by checking your monthly credit card statement or logging into your online account. Once you find this information, take the time to compare your credit limit to your —or the amount of credit you have leftover after you subtract your credit card balances. If you have very little available credit left, your chances at a Bank of America credit line increase are much slimmer. With that in mind, consider paying your balances down before asking for a larger credit line. How much credit do you want
In some cases, credit card issuers determine how much of a credit increase to offer you. In other cases, you’ll be asked how much credit you want, so try to have an answer ready. Don’t make your credit limit increase request too large; if you have a with a $5,000 credit limit, for example, it’s better to ask for an increase to $6,000 than it is to ask for your credit limit to be bumped all the way up to $10,000. What is your credit score
It’s a good idea to before requesting a credit limit increase from Bank of America, and this is especially true if you aren’t sure whether or not you have . If your credit score is lower than you’d like it to be, take the time to before making a credit limit increase request. Doing so might make the difference between whether or not your request is accepted. How to request a higher credit limit with Bank of America
There are two ways to request a higher credit limit with Bank of America—online or over the phone. If you have an online account with Bank of America, log in to your account and select “Request a Credit Line Increase.” This option should be located under the “Card Details” section of your account summary. If you don’t see the option to request a credit line increase, you might not be eligible for one at this time. You can also call the number on the back of your Bank of America credit card and ask for a higher credit limit. Be prepared to provide income information and the reason why you are requesting additional credit. In some cases, you might be able to get a higher credit limit with Bank of America without having to ask. Like many other credit card issuers, Bank of America regularly issues automatic credit limit increases to its most creditworthy cardholders. If you are eligible for an automatic increase, you may receive a notification via email or through your online account management page. What to do if Bank of America denies your request
If you are ultimately denied a Bank of America credit line increase, here are some options to help you get the additional credit you need: Wait six months, then make another request: If you plan to request another credit limit increase with Bank of America, wait at least six months (and consider using that time to ). Request a credit limit increase with a different card issuer: Some lenders are more strict about issuing credit limit increases than others. If Bank of America does not grant your credit limit increase request, you might be able to increase your credit limit through another credit card issuer. (If you have a , for example, here’s .) Apply for a new credit card: Sometimes the best way to increase your overall credit limit is by applying for a new credit card. Whether you apply for a top or a card that offers , a new credit card can increase the amount of credit available to you (and, if used responsibly, help boost your credit score). If your credit isn’t that great, consider applying for a . Consider a balance transfer credit card: If your Bank of America credit card balance is so high that you’re worried about , you might want to apply for a balance transfer card. The offer a 0 percent introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 to 18 months, which can help you pay down your outstanding credit card balances without the burden of added interest. What to consider when requesting a higher credit limit
Before you request a Bank of America credit card limit increase, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of this move: The request could lower your credit score: Lenders often perform a before deciding whether to approve a credit limit increase request. Each hard pull on your credit has the potential to lower your credit score by a few points, so if your credit score is currently hovering on the border of good and fair credit, you might want to avoid any unnecessary credit inquiries. A higher credit limit could improve your credit score: Even though a credit limit increase request might lower your credit score, if used responsibly. Thirty percent of your FICO credit score comes from your , which compares your available credit to your current debt. If you increase your credit limit without increasing your debt, your credit score could go up. A Bank of America credit line increase could tempt you into new debt: Don’t let your new credit turn into debt you can’t pay off. If you want to increase your credit limit in order to make more purchases on your credit card, make sure you have a plan to pay off those purchases as quickly as possible—otherwise, you could find yourself in serious . The bottom line
If you want more available credit for any reason, you can request a Bank of America credit line increase through your online account or by calling the number on the back of your credit card. Increasing your credit limit can help you build credit and might boost your credit score, but don’t forget that your new available credit could quickly turn into new debt. If Bank of America grants your credit line increase request, make sure to use your increased credit limit responsibly. If your credit limit increase request is denied, wait at least six months before making another credit line increase request with Bank of America. SHARE: Nicole Dieker has been a full-time freelance writer since 2012—and a personal finance enthusiast since 2004, when she graduated from college and, looking for financial guidance, found a battered copy of Your Money or Your Life at the public library. In addition to writing for Bankrate, her work has appeared on CreditCards.com, Vox, Lifehacker, Popular Science, The Penny Hoarder, The Simple Dollar and NBC News. Dieker spent five years as writer and editor for The Billfold, a personal finance blog where people had honest conversations about money. Dieker also teaches writing, freelancing and publishing classes and works one-on-one with authors as a developmental editor and copyeditor. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Related Articles