Template to Request a Credit Limit Increase

What a credit limit increase is and why you might ask for one

Your credit limit is the most you can borrow on a credit card or similar account at any one time. Providers sometimes raise limits after reviewing your account, but you can also ask for an increase yourself.

People usually ask because they have a larger expense coming up, or because their income has increased or their regular costs have fallen. Using a smaller proportion of your available credit can help some lenders' assessments, but a higher limit will not necessarily improve your chances of getting credit.

Before making a significant credit limit increase, lenders must assess your creditworthiness, including whether the extra borrowing would be affordable. The checks depend on your circumstances and the size of the proposed increase. They may look at your income, outgoings, other debts and how you have managed the account.

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Before you apply

Before applying, check your provider's requirements, your credit reports and your budget.

• Eligibility: some providers will not consider a request until a set period has passed since you opened the account or received a previous increase. There is no universal waiting period, so check your provider's rules.
• Your account history: requests are more likely to be approved if you have paid on time and stayed within your limit.
• Your credit reports: you can get a free statutory credit report from each of Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You do not need to pay for a subscription. Their records may differ, so check all three and correct any mistakes before applying.
• The type of search: a soft search is not visible to other lenders. A hard search is, and several in a short period may affect future applications. If you want to avoid a hard search, ask your provider how it handles requests before you submit one, because making the request may start its normal application process.
• The cost: a bigger limit gives you access to more borrowing; it does not increase your balance unless you use it. If you do use it, you will pay interest on any balance you do not clear, plus any fees. For a planned purchase, check the interest rate and any promotional terms, including when they end.
• How to apply: many providers let you request an increase in their app or online banking, which can be quicker. A letter or secure message gives you a record and lets you explain your circumstances. Send documents and account details only through the provider's approved secure route. Never send full card numbers or security codes by ordinary email.

If you are already struggling with repayments, more credit is unlikely to help. For free debt advice, contact StepChange or Citizens Advice. MoneyHelper can also help you find a free debt adviser.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Template letter to request a credit limit increase

Change the details in square brackets and remove anything that does not apply to you.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your postcode]
[Your phone number and email]

[Date]

[Provider name]
[Provider address]

Account reference: [the reference your provider asks you to use]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Request for a credit limit increase

I am writing to ask you to consider increasing the credit limit on my account from £[current amount] to £[requested amount].

I have held this account since [month and year] and have [made my repayments on time / kept within my limit]. [My [gross/net] annual income is now £[amount] / My regular costs have fallen: brief explanation.]

I am requesting the increase because [brief reason].

I can provide further information to support my request, including evidence of my income, through your approved secure channel.

Please confirm your decision in writing. If you cannot offer the full amount, please let me know whether a smaller increase is possible.

Yours faithfully,

[Signature]
[Printed name]

Follow your provider's instructions on whether to give gross or net income, and whether it wants personal or household figures. Payslips are one form of evidence. If you work for yourself or receive a pension or benefits, you may need to provide different documents.

What happens next

Response times vary. Some providers decide within minutes online, while written requests can take longer. If the provider has not replied within its stated response time, contact it.

If you are approved, check the new limit and confirm that your interest rate and terms have not changed. You can ask your provider to lower your credit card limit, although a reduction does not cancel any existing balance or your obligation to repay it. You can also reject an increase your provider proposes and ask it not to raise your limit automatically in future.

If you are turned down, you can ask why. The provider may not give full details, but if the decision was based on information from a credit reference agency, you can ask which agency it used and check your report with it. Check when your provider will consider another request, and address any reasons for refusal before applying again.

If you believe your request was handled unfairly, use your provider's complaints process first. If you are not satisfied with its final response, or it has not resolved your complaint within eight weeks, you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You normally need to do this within six months of the final response. The Ombudsman considers whether the lender acted fairly; a complaint does not guarantee that you will get the increase. See the FCA's guidance on credit cards and the Financial Ombudsman Service's guide to complaining.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Open Letter Generator lets you create a public statement to a person or organisation. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →