Asking the bank to raise your credit limit is perfectly fine—unless your only intention is to splurge on things you can’t afford.
A credit card limit increase boosts your spending power, which is extremely helpful in preparing for the unexpected, like a financial emergency. It helps you cover your needs without having to worry about maxing out your card.
You can also meet your family’s growing needs. When you add supplementary credit cards to your account, you share just one credit line with all cards under your name.
Start by learning how to increase your credit card limit below.
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Credit limit refers to the maximum amount of credit a financial institution extends to a client.
There are two ways to get a higher credit card limit in the Philippines. Either wait for the bank to raise your credit limit automatically or apply for a credit limit increase through the bank’s customer service representative.
If you choose the second option, prepare to submit income documents to prove that you have sufficient income to pay for a higher monthly credit card bill.
Here’s how to request for a credit card limit increase per bank in the Philippines.
To request a credit limit increase on your UnionBank credit card, call the Customer Service Hotline at (+632) 8841-8600 or email customer.service@unionbankph.com.
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Eligible card: UnionBank credit cards
Promo period: Until August 31, 2024
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This Moneymax UnionBank welcome gift promo runs until August 31, 2024 only.
Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-199168 Series of 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
Note: The promo is exclusive to carded applicants who do not have an existing principal credit card issued by UnionBank and/or Citi.
Metrobank accommodates requests for a temporary or permanent credit limit increase through Facebook Messenger. [1] Just visit the official Metrobank Card Facebook page and send a message.
You can also talk to a live customer service representative on how to request a credit limit increase with Metrobank via the Metrobank Contact Center at (+632) 88-700-700 or the domestic toll-free number at 1-800-1888-5775.
Alternatively, email your Metrobank credit limit increase request to customercare@metrobank.com.ph.
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Promo period: Until August 31, 2024
How do you get a Metrobank credit card welcome gift? Simple! Just apply and get approved for any eligible card through the Moneymax website.
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Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-199163 Series of 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
Note: Applicant must be an existing credit cardholder in good standing for at least nine months.
HSBC cardholders can request either an increase or a decrease in their credit limit. Call HSBC Customer Service at (+632) 8858-0000 or (+632 )7976-8000. Your application is subject to the bank's credit approval.
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Promo period: Until August 31, 2024
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Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-199186 Series of 2024. Terms and conditions apply.
You can apply for a higher credit limit only if your Security Bank credit card has been active for at least 12 months. To request a Security Bank credit limit increase, call the hotline at (02) 8887-9188 or go to the Security Bank website and click Credit Limit Increase. [2]
You'll be required to submit at least one of the following income documents:
These documents will be the basis, among several others, of Security Bank's decision on whether to give you a higher credit limit.
Does BPI automatically increase your credit limit? Yes, BPI will notify you of your BPI credit card limit increase via SMS, which usually takes effect immediately.
If you don’t get an automatic increase, call BPI to increase your credit limit via its 24-hour contact center at (+632) 889-10000.
You’ll be asked to submit income documents such as income tax return (ITR) or payslips, which BPI will use to evaluate your creditworthiness for a higher credit card limit.
The processing time for your BPI credit limit increase request will vary, but it usually takes a few weeks. You can always call the hotline or send an email to check on the status of your request.
AUB credit cardholders may request a higher credit limit, subject to the bank’s approval. Call the AUB Customer Service Contact Center at (+632) 8282-8888. You may also course your request through email via creditcards@aub.com.ph.
Increasing your Maybank credit card limit is just a phone call away. Here's how to contact Maybank for this purpose:
Applications for Maybank credit card limit increase are subject to credit evaluation.
PNB allows its cardholders to request a PNB credit limit increase via email. Here’s how:
Contact the RCBC Bankard Customer Service hotline at (+632) 8888-1888 or send an email to email@service.rcbcbankard.com for your RCBC credit limit increase.
Looking for cards that offer high credit limits? Consider options in the Platinum or World tiers. Check out such cards below:
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard ®
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Raise your odds of getting the bank's approval to increase your credit card limit. Here are a few tips to help you out.
Typically, banks review their clients’ credit card accounts every six to 12 months. Making a request for a credit limit increase when you’ve been a customer for less than six months can be a red flag.
However, you can always bargain for a higher credit limit than your current one if you apply for a new credit card from a different issuer. Most credit card companies base your credit limit on your existing card. Before activating your new card, you can call the issuer and request to increase the limit.
Any credit card limit increase application goes through the bank's evaluation process. Factors such as your credit score, income, and employment status are considered before making a decision.
Also, the bank sees you as creditworthy if you've been a good client for at least six to 12 months. It means you've been paying your credit card bills on time and spending within your credit limit.
If you meet all those eligibility requirements and submit complete supporting documents, you can get approved for a higher credit limit.
Rather than making an appeal to emotion (like telling the bank representative about the difficult financial situation you're in), focus on the logic of your request.
Offer sensible reasons why you should get a credit limit increase. You can even write a pitch and have it ready when you contact the bank's customer service staff. Here are some examples:
Be prudent when requesting a credit card limit increase. You can ask for a 10% to 25% increase—anything higher than that can be seen as a red flag.
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Be prepared for things that might happen once the banks grant your request.
A higher credit limit lowers your utilization ratio, which is good for your credit score. The ideal credit utilization ratio is 30% of your credit limit.
If your credit limit is ₱100,000, you should carry a maximum of ₱30,000 balance. If you always use more than 30% of your credit limit, credit card issuers will get the impression that you’re overspending.
Sometimes, the credit card issuer will grant your request by upgrading your credit card to accommodate the credit limit increase. If this is the case, the terms and conditions of the credit card may change, too.
If you get upgraded to higher-tier cards, this can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your lifestyle. For instance, you might get upgraded to a credit card for travel, which may not suit your lifestyle because you spend more on groceries. Negotiate for the right credit card to enjoy the right perks and rewards.
However, if you retain your card with an increased credit limit, you still enjoy your current card’s benefits.
After a credit card limit increase, you may receive more product offers from different banks and lenders. Why? Because with an improved credit score, lenders now consider you a low-risk borrower.
With a higher credit limit, you can purchase more items that are usually more affordable when bought in bulk. You can also take advantage of items on sale essential for your household.
Moreover, those who use their credit cards for business can also buy from more merchants and take advantage of the opportunity to negotiate.
If you find it challenging to manage multiple credit cards, you can cancel other cards with low credit limits. It will cut your spending and save time and effort spent tracking expenses charged to these cards.
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There’s nothing wrong with requesting a credit limit increase. If you have the self-control to use your credit limit wisely, you deserve better purchasing power to pursue your financial goals.
Banks usually check your credit card usage. You should always keep your card active. Aside from this, banks also check the following:
Depending on the bank and your credit standing, the credit limit increase may take effect immediately or within three to 10 banking days after making the request.
A bank-initiated credit card limit increase usually happens if you’re a long-time credit card owner and a responsible cardholder.
Yes, you can request a temporary credit limit increase if you'll use your card when traveling abroad. Again, this is subject to evaluation.
If you need a higher credit limit but don’t want to make another request, you can also apply for a higher-tier card.
For example, if you have a basic credit card with a ₱50,000 credit limit and want a ₱100,000 credit limit, you can apply for a platinum credit card or other credit cards with a higher credit limit.
No, credit card fees and other charges remain the same if you retain your current credit card.
You can also request it or have the credit card issuer initiate the downgrade. Most credit cardholders who rarely use their cards or whose cards have been dormant for a year usually get lowered credit limits.
Learning how to increase your credit limit is easy, but requesting one can be challenging. The most difficult part is getting the bank’s approval. As always, the key to increasing your credit limit is to use your card responsibly and show consistency in your payments.
Once you’ve developed a good relationship with your credit card issuer and proven your worth as a borrower, the journey to a higher credit card limit will be easier. By then, you can maximize all the perks of a credit card, including the chance to achieve your financial goals and address emergencies.
If your request is rejected, you can get a new credit card with a higher credit limit instead. Compare cards at Moneymax to find one that suits your needs best before you start your credit card application in the Philippines.
Sources:
Venus has almost 20 years of combined experience in content marketing, SEO, corporate communications, and public relations. Most of her career was spent creating informative articles on personal finance and digital marketing. She also invests in stocks, mutual funds, VUL, and Pag-IBIG MP2. Venus graduated cum laude with a Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman. A hardcore Hallyu Tita, she loves bingeing Korean shows on Netflix while bonding with her cats. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.
