Denied credit limit increase

em_z

Just wondering if anyone could advise or offer any insight? I've had a Halifax clarity card for about 3 years. My limit is £3350. I only really use it for spending abroad, so I would say I use it over about 4 weeks a year. Occasionally I make a big purchase using it eg last year used it for a new mattress etc. I always pay off the balance in full.

I'm planning a 3-4 week trip to Australia in December, so in March applied (online) to increase my credit limit. I want to use it for all my spends including hotel, car hire etc. I've never requested an increase so was surprised when I got an instant response declining me. Just a bit curious as to why this is the case and would I get a better response if I phoned to speak to someone?

Lou24

Phone them
They prob increase it if you phone them and ask to increase it

moshoodo1

Yeah just phone them and talk to a human, an underwriter may be able to do a manual review of you account and authorise your increase

chanz4

Or use it and pay it off as you spend.

The_Boss

I was declined twice by them (first after a year, then second time 9 months after that). I have my lowest credit limit with them, even after the increase it is less than I have on other cards that I subsequently (and recently) applied for. Perhaps they are just less generous with this card or due to their criteria being stricter than other lenders.

Gels

I phoned to inform them of my travel plans in March and at the end of the call CS person asked if I would be interested in speaking to someone about any further borrowing requirements I may have as I had run my accounts well with them. I said no, but would be interested in a CL increase on the card. She put me through to someone else who asked what increase I wanted. I said an extra £900 and within about 15 seconds she said yes, that's been accepted, it is available immediately. Sure enough upon checking online the increase had been applied.

Not sure if it was a day when they were touting for extra business as I've not encountered that before.

em_z

Thanks all. Will give them a ring.

a4a

It all depends on what your total creditworthiness is. I have one and was recently offered an increase which i declined.

I don't think its anything to do with the card issuer but more to do with everything else on your file.

Have you checked your credit files recently?

fozmcfc

I would say, that it's probably because you hardly use the card and rarely go near the limit, that any computer decision would assume, you don't really need a limit increase.

My longest credit card agreement by many years, is with Natwest, who I bank with also, but it's my lowest and has seen one increase in 12 years or so of having it.

I assume, the limit and increase are as they are, because, I hardly ever use the card and when I do, it's usually for no more than 5% of the credit limit.

Other cards I've had over the past 5 years, have had increases in quick time, when I have used them for money and balance transfers or 0% purchase offers and have utilised 75% or more of the limit.

planteria

i have found Halifax to be very careful with limits, and are the only provider that i have had who have chopped limits over time.