Two Ways to Request an American Express Credit Limit Increase

Sometimes a credit card issuer automatically increases a cardholder’s credit limit, but the cardholder can also request an increase in the line of credit. A raise is usually requested to make a major purchase or improve a credit rating. If you need an increase in your American Express® Line of Credit, here are two ways to request it.

How to determine your American Express credit limit and account balance

Before requesting a line of credit increase, you need to know your current credit limit and account balance. If you are already using most of your available credit, you may be denied.

To determine your current American Express credit limit, check a recent statement or log in to your American Express online account. You can also view your current balance online.

If you do not have an online account set up for your American Express® Card, you can create a login on the American Express website. You will need your American Express card number and four-digit card ID to create an online account. To create an online account:

1. Click on the “Login” button in the upper right corner of the site.
2. Click “Create a new online account” from the login screen.
3. Enter your 15-digit card and four-digit ID numbers, then click “Confirm”.
4. Follow the instructions to complete your account setup.

How to Apply for an American Express Line of Credit Increase

You have two options for requesting an American Express credit limit increase: online or by phone.

To request a line of credit increase over the phone, call the number on the back of your American Express card to speak to an account representative.

You can also log in to your American Express online account to request a credit limit increase. Once logged in, click on “Increase line of credit”, then follow the instructions to complete the application.

Does American Express automatically increase my credit limit?

American Express automatically increases the credit limit of certain cardholders and uses several factors to determine eligibility. To increase your chances of receiving a raise, keep your account in good standing, maintain a good to excellent credit rating, and keep your income and employment information up to date in your American Express online account profile.

How often can I request a credit increase from my American Express?

As long as your account has been open for at least 60 days, you can request a line of credit increase as often as you like, but this does not mean you will be granted it. If you have had a line of credit increase in the past six months, your income has not increased significantly, or your account status or credit score is not good, you may not be eligible.

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While you can easily apply for an American Express Line of Credit Increase online or over the phone, American Express may decline it for a number of reasons. This could be a history of late payments, a low credit score, a raise in the past six months, or asking for too much of a raise.

If you want to apply for a line of credit increase to improve your credit score, be aware that American Express may conduct an in-depth investigation of your credit report, which may negatively affect your score. A credit limit increase can also hurt your credit score if you are using a high percentage of your newly available credit.

Information is accurate as of July 11, 2022.

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Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, criticisms, ratings, or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or otherwise endorsed by American Express.