What is the most common credit card limit?
When averaging credit limit data across generations from Experian®, the average credit limit in America is $28,929.80. Your credit card limit depends on your credit score, age, income, and other factors. Credit card limits can range anywhere from $300 to more than $100,000.
Yes, $20,000 is a high credit card limit. Generally, a high credit card limit is considered to be $5,000 or more, and you will likely need good or excellent credit, along with a solid income, to get a limit of $20,000 or higher.
According to a recent report by Experian, the 2022 average credit limit for Americans across all credit cards was $28,930. However, individual credit card limits can be as low as $200 depending on the consumer's age, employment status and credit history.
But if you need to transfer $11,000 of credit card debt, that "good" limit isn't quite good enough. This is a problem common to many people with small business credit cards. A $15,000 credit limit is objectively good. But you might think a $15,000 credit limit is bad if your company needs to charge $25,000 every month.
Yes, $25,000 is a high credit card limit.
| 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 |
To get a $20K credit limit, it's essential to have a good to excellent credit score and a substantial income (about $150,000), according to WalletHub's insights on how your credit limit is determined.
To get approved for high-limit credit cards, you'll most likely need to have good or excellent credit and a steady income to support a higher credit limit. Picking the right card is important, too. You may be able to find the minimum starting credit limits listed in some cards' terms and conditions.
Generation Z (18-25): $11,290
Generally, the average credit limit goes up with age. Baby boomers have the highest overall credit limits, and Gen Zers have the lowest. That's expected. Credit issuers typically start new credit card users with low limits, then bump these up as users prove themselves trustworthy.
Average credit limits
Because many consumers apply for store cards as their first credit card, your first credit limit is generally going to be on the low end. Though Equifax notes these retail cards averaging between $2,000 to $2,500, credit limits can be much less than that — in some cases below $1,000.
What should my credit limit be based on income?
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.
| Age Group | Good Credit Limit |
|---|---|
| Gen Z (18-24) | $9,000 |
| Millennials (24-39) | $22,000 |
| Gen X (40-55) | $34,000 |
| Baby Boomers (56-74) | $39,000 |
The highest credit card limit you can get is over $100,000 according to reports from credit card holders. But like most credit cards in general, even the highest-limit credit cards will only list minimum spending limits in their terms. The best high limit credit cards offer spending limits of $10,000 or more.
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards card provides the best of both worlds for someone with a 650 credit score. Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Plus—because it reports to all three major credit bureaus—you'll have the opportunity to improve your credit score with good payment history.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
- Citi Prestige® Card (not available to new applicants)
| Lender | Scholaroo rating |
|---|---|
| Petal 1 Rise Credit Card Best for no security deposit Visit website | 4.5/5 |
| Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Best for choosing your own card design Visit website | 4.2/5 |
| Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® Best for an instant decision Visit website | 4.2/5 |
A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive. Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes as either a Signature or Platinum Visa based on creditworthiness. The Signature version has a minimum credit limit of $5,000, while the Platinum version has a minimum credit limit of $500.
How do credit card companies decide your limit?
Credit card companies determine an applicant's credit limit through a process called underwriting, which varies from company to company but generally includes taking into account your financial factors, such as your credit score, history of credit card payments, and income level.
The credit-based limit
This means that factors such as payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix and recent inquiries will impact your new card limit. Issuers will likely also consider things like your household income, employment and monthly expenses.
- Review Your Credit Report. ...
- Pay Your Bills on Time. ...
- Ask for Late Payment Forgiveness. ...
- Keep Credit Card Balances Low. ...
- Keep Old Credit Cards Active. ...
- Become an Authorized User. ...
- Consider a Credit Builder Loan. ...
- Take Out a Secured Credit Card.
The Bank of America card that gives the highest credit limit is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, which has a reported maximum limit of $95,000. Your individual limit will be determined based on your credit history, income, outstanding debts, and other factors.
The average credit limit for members who have matched with similar cards is $13,202, with $5,000 being the most common. The Platinum Card® from American Express does not have a traditional credit limit and was compared to similar premium cards.
