Natwest credit card increase - tricky!

Dines87

Hello mse forum, was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience please for my sanity..

I recently requested an increase to my natwest credit limit from £3,100 to 6k so that I can put bigger purchases on it. I've been with natwest for over 20 years. I'm a boring and stable customer- never used an overdraft, not missed a card payment in 20 years and I've put thousands of pounds of salary through their books. I'm lucky - I worked hard and payed off the mortgage early which has probably affected my credit score, but I don't care as I don't need it. I only wanted an increase for convenience, purchase protection and rewards.

Before they would give me a temporary increase (only temporary mind) I had to provide evidence of 85k worth of savings... 

They did give me an increase but only for a few months and after I sent them an email saying if they don't, I was reliant on my husband putting bigger purchases on his barclaycard.. I didn't get a response, but I did get the increase!

Is this a thing even? Seems very disproportionate..

...................

eskbanker

Dines87 said:

I'm a boring and stable customer- never used an overdraft, not missed a card payment in 20 years and I've put thousands of pounds of salary through their books.

People often seem to cite that as if it's some sort of achievement, but 'not breaching your contract' really isn't something to be particularly proud of!

Dines87 said:

They did give me an increase but only for a few months and after I sent them an email saying if they don't, I was reliant on my husband putting bigger purchases on his barclaycard.. I didn't get a response, but I did get the increase!

The fact that this happened after that email doesn't mean that it happened because of the email of course - not sure that threatening to borrow money from another bank is really the most compelling argument in the world....

Have to agree that being expected to prove a significant level of savings would seem unusual though, not least because savings aren't normally factored into underwriting decisions, which are more normally concerned with income.

WillPS

Dines87 said:

Hello mse forum, was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience please for my sanity..

I recently requested an increase to my natwest credit limit from £3,100 to 6k so that I can put bigger purchases on it. I've been with natwest for over 20 years. I'm a boring and stable customer- never used an overdraft, not missed a card payment in 20 years and I've put thousands of pounds of salary through their books. I'm lucky - I worked hard and payed off the mortgage early which has probably affected my credit score, but I don't care as I don't need it. I only wanted an increase for convenience, purchase protection and rewards.

Before they would give me a temporary increase (only temporary mind) I had to provide evidence of 85k worth of savings... 

They did give me an increase but only for a few months and after I sent them an email saying if they don't, I was reliant on my husband putting bigger purchases on his barclaycard.. I didn't get a response, but I did get the increase!

Is this a thing even? Seems very disproportionate..

...................

You're asking for an extended credit facility from them. They can ask for whatever documentation they want, you don't have to comply, but if you don't then you won't get what you want.

Nobody has a right to credit.

Jami74

Dines87 said:

 I worked hard

...................

I haven't had a similar experience.

Are you still working? Or having regular pension payments? I think they usually take income into account.

Also, if you pay interest on your credit card that can affect their generosity with credit limits.