Looking to get a Wells Fargo credit limit increase? Let’s find out how it's done!
First off, to apply for a credit limit increase with Wells Fargo, the process can be as simple as simply calling the designated number on your credit card. However, the likelihood of obtaining an increase will vary depending on a variety of factors.
Therefore, to maximize your chances of being approved, it is recommended that you take the necessary steps to prepare before you do the request.
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A Wells Fargo credit limit increase is obviously a boon. You can use it for a purchase, or to increase your spending power, and potentially improve your credit score.
Your credit utilization rate is one of the measures of your creditworthiness. When you get an increase in your card's credit limit you increase your credit availability. That reduces the percentage of credit you are using, so it lowers your credit utilization rate.
This, along with a few other things you need to be aware of, can raise your credit score. We will review all this later in this post.
Let’s look at how to apply for your credit limit increase with the best possible chance of approval, as well as what to do if you get denied.
When you apply, know what your credit profile says about you and what your credit score is. A lot of people still apply blindly! At minimum, sign up with CreditKarma for free to have a look at your credit history.
Pro-tip: CreditKarma uses the Vantage credit scoring system, which can reflect a lower credit score than the FICO system. But either one works for a quick look.
Wells Fargo will likely run a credit check on you known as a “hard pull”, as well as a review of any existing Wells Fargo accounts and financial information.
If approved, a Wells Fargo credit limit increase is your authorization to borrow additional funds from your card. In addition, this bodes well for future actions on your credit if you manage it responsibly.
If your credit limit increase application is denied, your next action depends on how confident you feel about your credit.
You can call the Wells Fargo reconsideration line right after you learn that you’ve been denied.
The purpose of that option is to review the decision in case you have additional information that should be considered, or if you detected an error that you think caused the denial. The decision can be overturned on the spot.
If the denial stands - or even if it does not – you are bound to receive an explanation letter by law. This will be your opportunity to realize what needs to be improved on your credit file for future applications.
If you have a CreditKarma account, their software will guide you through all aspects of your credit status, so you know exactly what to fix. It’s great for your all-around credit monitoring.
A Wells Fargo credit limit increase can occur without you expressly requesting one. Typically, automatic credit limit increases can happen once every six months to a year.
Wells Fargo does not specify how often a cardholder’s credit limit can be increased but, this is only possible if the cardholder has opened a credit account for 6 months or more, and the account is in good standing.
So, you need to pay every bill on time. If you can, also keep your monthly balances low, that is your credit utilization ratio at 30% - the lower the better.
Simply put, if you have a $1000 limit, try to keep your end of monthly cycle balance lower than $300, if not paid in full.
Keeping your financial information up to date can also help to automatically increase your credit limit. On their online banking site, credit issuers often ask for your current income information.
If you meet certain criteria, you could be in the next round of automatic credit increases. This will involve a soft-pull, that is a credit check that will not negatively impact your credit score.
Whether you are applying for a credit card or credit limit increase, prepare yourself for a hard-pull.
This is a credit check that will temporarily lower your credit score, but don’t worry; your score usually recovers quickly if you keep making payments on time. It’s only a problem if you have a reason to need your highest score urgently.
There is more than one way to increase your available credit through Wells Fargo:
You can request a Wells Fargo
credit limit increase on your existing card by calling 800-642-4720.
Have your card information
ready and be prepared to answer any questions the customer service
representative may have.
Applying for a new credit card will not only help you increase your total available credit, but you can also explore cards with:
Pro tip: If your credit status allows, you can accumulate multiple cards to raise your total available credit. Don’t forget that multiple inquiries can have a negative impact on your credit score, even if this is usually short-lived. Getting more cards progressively is ideal.
By entering your personal info into this page: web.secure.wellsfargo.credit.com, you can easily check if you are prequalified for one of the Wells Fargo credit card offers with no impact to your credit score whatsoever.
Wells Fargo favors applicants with proof of steady income and credit scores 670 and above. They do not limit the number of cards that you can hold with them as long as you qualify and do not go over the maximum credit availability determined by them.
Responsible credit use goes a long way in enabling future approvals when you apply for credit, with Wells Fargo or any lender.