How to Get a Discover Credit Line Increase (2024 Update)
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Summary:
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.
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Discover credit cards
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 increase
In 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 call
Even 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
- Open the Discover app
- Tap “Services”
- Select “Credit limit increase”
- Type a message requesting a credit limit increase, including your total annual gross income, then tap send
From your online account
- Visit Discover.com and login to your account
- Scroll down and tap “Manage”
- Select “Credit limit increase”
- Type a message requesting a credit line increase with your annual salary, then hit send
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 request
Customers 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.
- Timing. Discover claims there are three ideal times to ask for a credit limit increase. These “ideal times” include when your credit score is strong, your income increases, or when you regularly make timely credit card payments.
- Card balances. You should be in good standing with your Discover card account, meaning, not over your credit limit and have no late payments. This should also be the case with your other credit card accounts. Additionally, you want to show a low credit utilization ratio (30% or less is ideal).
- Credit reports. Having the same or better credit scores than when you applied for your original Discover card is helpful. No credit card company wants to see that you can’t manage your debt, and if a credit check reveals that your score has plummeted, you won’t be eligible for a credit increase.
- Discover card usage. In addition to your account being in good standing, your request for an increased limit will likely be looked on more favorably if you use the spending power of your Discover card on a regular basis. The card issuer doesn’t want to see a card balance that’s dangerously close to your current credit limit, nor do they want to see almost no activity either.
- Be conservative. Don’t try and shoot for the stars when asking for a credit line increase. If your current credit limit is $5,000 and you ask for a $5,000 increase, your chances of being denied are high. A more conservative approach is best. If you ask for a 20% limit increase of $1,000, your approval odds improve drastically.
What to do if your Discover credit line increase is denied
It’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 score
Alternatively, 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 Tip
If 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 security
Discover 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 card
Before you apply for a Discover credit card, make sure you meet the requirements below.
- Be 18 years or older, depending on where you live.
- Have a stable and independent income to pay back your credit card debt.
- Maintain a reasonable credit utilization ratio.
- Provide personal information, including your Social Security number, current employment status, employer, and your annual income.
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.
FAQs
Does 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.
Does Discover offer a checking account?
Yes, Discover Financial Services offers checking accounts. Discover Bank, a subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, provides online banking services, including checking accounts. Customers can open a Discover checking account, which offers features such as no monthly maintenance fees, access to over 60,000 ATMs nationwide, and rewards for debit card purchases. Discover also provides mobile banking and online bill payment services for their checking account customers.
Key Takeaways
- A few taps on your mobile app or online account is all you need to do to request a Discover credit limit increase.
- Discover will review your credit details and payment history before approving a Discover limit increase.
- There may be a hard pull of your credit report to approve a higher credit line, which could temporarily shave a few points off your credit score.
- Despite your best efforts, a credit line increase is not guaranteed, so you might need to explore other options.
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