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Approval for a credit card with a high limit can help you buy more things and maybe even improve your credit score. But what exactly is a “high limit,” and how high is the highest limit you can really get when you apply for a new card? Let’s look at what makes up your credit limit and how to get the highest limit that works for you.
What is Considered a High Credit Limit?
There’s no definitive threshold for what makes a credit limit “high” but generally cards with limits above $10000 would fall into that category. Premium travel cards aimed at frequent travelers often have minimum limits in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
For an everyday consumer just looking to maximize rewards, a limit between $5,000 to $20,000 is still excellent and can provide ample purchasing power and credit line to keep utilization low. Credit cards with limits above $20,000 are less common and would be considered exceptionally high for most cardholders.
As a point of reference, the average credit limit across all credit cards is around $5,000. So anything above that mark starts entering high limit territory.
What is the Highest Credit Card Limit You Can Get?
The highest credit card limits can reach into six figures, generally between $100,000 and $150,000. However, limits that high are very rare and reserved for only the most creditworthy applicants.
Some premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum are known to approve limits upwards of $100,000 for selected applicants. The highest limit I’ve personally seen reported is $150,000 for the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
But a credit limit of $10,000 to $5,000 is more realistic for most people, even those with great credit and a lot of money. Anything above $50,000 would be an exceptionally high limit. To get the coveted six-figure credit lines, you probably need a perfect FICO score of over 800, a personal income of over $500,000, and a credit history that has never been bad.
How Credit Card Companies Determine Your Limit
When you apply for a new card, the issuer will review your credit report, income, and other financial information to make a limit determination. Here are some of the key factors they consider:
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Credit scores – This gives the best snapshot of your overall credit health. FICO scores above 700 have the best chance for higher limits.
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Income: Lenders want to know that you can pay the extra amount. If your reported personal or household income is more than $100,000, you can expect higher limits.
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Debt-to-income ratio – Measures your current debts against income. It is best for the ratio to be below 30%, which leaves room for a higher limit.
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Credit history length – A longer history with established accounts demonstrates reliability and lower risk.
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Types of credit – A healthy mix of credit types (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc) improves limit potential.
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Inquiries and new accounts – Too many recent inquiries and new accounts can raise red flags on risk, potentially lowering limits.
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Relationship with issuer – Current cardholders may get higher limit approvals, especially if in good standing.
Tips for Getting the Highest Possible Credit Limit
If your goal is to get approved for the highest limit within your reach, keep these tips in mind:
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Have excellent credit -Aim for FICO scores above 750 to boost chances. Pay all bills on time and keep balances low.
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Lower credit utilization – Keep balances below 10% of limits on existing cards when applying for maximum effect.
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Increase income – Higher incomes equate to higher limits. Provide updated documentation if income has risen recently.
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Have long credit history – Allow accounts to age and build history over many years.
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Hold accounts with issuer – Apply with issuers where you already have a card in good standing.
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Meet high annual income requirements – For elite cards, issuers may require annual income above $200,000.
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Ask for expedited handling – This can help get app in front of an underwriter rather than relying on automatic system.
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Call reconsideration line if denied – Discuss denial reasons and provide updated financial details for possible approval.
Alternatives if You Can’t Get a High Limit
Even following the best practices, some consumers may have trouble getting approved for really high limits due to credit challenges or low incomes. Here are some alternatives in those cases:
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Apply for lower limit cards first to establish positive history with issuer.
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Request periodic limit increases on existing cards as you build credit over time.
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Be authorized user on spouse or partner’s account to benefit from higher limits.
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Explore alternative funding options like personal loans or lines of credit.
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Improve credit and income fundamentals before reapplying in future.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of High Credit Limits
While high credit limits have some potential benefits, they also come with risks to weigh carefully:
Pros
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Increased available credit and purchasing power
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Ability to finance large purchases or life events
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Lower credit utilization resulting in credit score boost
Cons
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More available credit could encourage overspending
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Higher potential debts and interest charges
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Hitting the limit can severely damage credit scores
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Becoming an attractive target for fraudsters
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Difficulty getting limit decreases if no longer needed
The bottom line is high credit limits can be powerful financial tools but also require fiscal discipline. Make sure you carefully consider whether an ultra-high limit aligns with your spending habits and budget before pursuing approvals.
Final Thoughts on Maxing Out Your Credit Limit
Achieving elite credit card limits above $50,000 or $100,000 is likely out of reach for many consumers. But with responsible financial management, you can request periodic limit increases with issuers over time to maximize your purchasing power. Just be sure to use the higher limits wisely and not take on more debt than you can readily afford.
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
28.99 – 30.99% Variable Reward Details
- 1. 5%Up to 1. 5 percent cash back on eligible purchases after making monthly payments on time in 2012
- 1%1% cash back on eligible purchases right away.
- This is one of the easiest credit cards to get because you don’t need a credit history.
- This card offers rewards, rare for credit-building cards.
Cons
- Its incentive-based rewards system needs 12 monthly payments on time before you can get the most money out of it.
- People with no credit history or bad credit may not be able to get its highest credit limit.
- Its ongoing APR range is relatively high at 28. 99 – 30. 99% Variable.
Best for small business owners
17.49% – 57.49% variable Reward Details
- 1.5%1.5% unlimited cashback with no annual fee
- There are no fees for this business card to be used abroad or once a year.
- You won’t impact your personal credit score with an application.
Cons
- This card does not offer a welcome offer.
- The low end of the card’s ongoing APR is less than the average credit card interest rate right now, but the high end is very high (17). 49% – 57. 49% variable APR, based on your creditworthiness).
Remove a card to add another to compare Error Icon
Remove a card to add another to compare
Decide if you want to earn rewards, as well as what type of rewards
If you want to get rewards with a credit card, you should choose what kind of rewards you want before you start. Compare cards based on the type of rewards they offer to find the one that matches your spending and redeeming strategies.
5 Steps to get MASSIVE CREDIT Limit Increases (FAST)
FAQ
What is the highest credit card limit?
Charge cards, like the American Express Platinum and Black cards, usually have the highest credit card limits. Some users have reported limits of $100,000 or more. Some traditional credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, can also offer high limits, with some users reporting limits up to $100,000.
How to get a $30,000 credit card limit?
To get a credit limit this high, you typically need an excellent credit score, a high income, and little to no existing debt.
Is $20000 a high credit limit?
Yes, $20,000 is a high credit card limit. Generally, a high credit card limit is considered to be $5,000 or more, and you will likely need good or excellent credit, along with a solid income, to get a limit of $20,000 or higher.
Can you get a $50,000 credit limit?
Issuers may give you a credit line of $30,000 to $50,000 if you have good credit, a high income, and don’t use your credit much, among other things. Apr 23, 2025.