What is a good starter credit card limit?
If you have a fair credit score between 580 and 669, you may be able to qualify for credit cards that have limits up to $500, $700 or more. As an example, the Credit One Bank Wander® Card for fair credit offers credit limits that start at $500. Good credit.
Joyce Brown, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst
The usual credit limit for a first credit card is $100 to $500, on average, depending on which card you get. The credit limit could be as low as $100 for store credit cards or up to $500 if your first credit card is issued by a bank or credit union.
a $1,500 credit limit is good if you have fair, limited or bad credit, as cards in those categories have low minimum limits.
If you're just starting out, a good credit limit for your first card might be around $1,000. If you have built up a solid credit history, a steady income and a good credit score, your credit limit may increase to $5,000 or $10,000 or more — plenty of credit to ensure you can purchase big ticket items.
The Credit Limit for a Credit Card should not be more than twice the monthly income of an individual. Conversely, the issuing entity can set the limit based on the credit score and repayment history.
The best credit card with a $5,000 limit for bad credit is Bank of America® Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card. You can make a deposit from $200 up to $5,000 on the Bank of America Travel Secured Card, making your credit limit equal to that amount. The card also offers 1.5 point per $1 spent and has a $0 annual fee.
If you're issued a credit card with a low credit limit, it could be for a number of reasons, including: Poor credit history. High balances with other credit cards. Low income.
If you have a credit score below 580, you'll probably have to start with a secured credit card that requires collateral. In this case, you'll likely have a starting limit of around $200, though you may be able to put down more collateral to secure a higher limit.
To figure out your DTI, simply divide your total monthly debt by your gross monthly income—the lower your percentage, the better. Many lenders prefer a DTI below 36%. A lower DTI paired with solid income could unlock a higher credit limit.
That's because card issuers have to consider your credit history and your ability to pay back purchases you charge to the card. This probably goes without saying, but having a strong, reliable income can help you qualify for a higher credit limit — even on a first credit card.
What is a realistic credit limit?
What is considered a “normal” credit limit among most Americans? The average American had access to $30,233 in credit across all of their credit cards in 2021, according to Experian. But the average credit card balance was $5,221 — well below the average credit limit.
In 2022, Generation Z (ages 18-25) averaged a total credit limit of $11,290 across all credit accounts, far lowest among the five generations presented. Baby Boomers top the list with a $40,318 total credit limit on average.
What is the Capital One Quicksilver credit limit? The Capital One Quicksilver credit limit depends on your income, creditworthiness and payment history, which are evaluated once you apply for the card. According to anecdotal reports, the card's credit limit can be as low as $750 and as high as $10,000.
Pay your balance every month
Paying the balance in full has great benefits. If you wait to pay the balance or only make the minimum payment it accrues interest. If you let this continue it can potentially get out of hand and lead to debt. Missing a payment can not only accrue interest but hurt your credit score.
So, for a healthy credit score, try to use no more than 25% of your credit limit each month. You can do this by spending less on your card, or getting a higher limit.
The HDFC Regalia credit card stands out not only for its rewards and benefits but also for its substantial credit limit, which can reach up to 5 lakh. Despite its slightly higher annual fee, cardholders receive 2500 reward points upon payment, each valued at 50 paise, effectively offsetting a portion of the expense.
Bottom line. If you have a credit card balance, it's typically best to pay it off in full if you can. Carrying a balance can lead to expensive interest charges and growing debt.
Keeping a zero balance is a sign that you're being responsible with the credit extended to you. As long as you keep utilization low and continue on-time payments with a zero balance, there's a good chance you'll see your credit score rise, as well.
Card name | Best for | Bankrate score |
---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Travel | 4.8/5 |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Everyday purchases | 5.0/5 |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | No credit history | 5.0/5 |
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card | Small-business owners | 3.5/5 |
One of the easiest high limit credit cards to get is the Citi Double Cash® Card. This card offers a minimum credit limit of $500 and cardholders report getting a starting credit limit as high as $11,500. The Citi Double Cash Card has a $0 annual fee and requires at least fair credit for approval.
What credit limit can I get with a 750 credit score?
VantageScore 3.0 credit score range | Average credit card limit |
---|---|
300–640 | $3,481.02 |
640–700 | $4,735.10 |
700–750 | $5,968.01 |
750+ | $8,954.33 |
The usual credit limit for a first credit card is $100 to $500, on average, depending on which card you get. The credit limit could be as low as $100 for store credit cards or up to $500 if your first credit card is issued by a bank or credit union.
What is the 5/24 rule? Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.
The average credit limit on credit cards in the U.S. was $29,855 as of the end of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023. That's a 6.8% increase from Q3 2022, when the average credit limit was $27,955.
Lenders want to be sure you don't spend more than you can pay back. One rule of thumb for building a strong credit history is to spend no more than 30 percent of your credit limit.