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High limit credit cards are the sirens of the credit card world. You can charge big expenses and often earn big rewards, but it's a two-way street: you can also get lured into big credit card debt. If you play your cards right (pun intended), credit cards with higher limits can help build your credit score by keeping your overall balances low in relation to your credit limit. Take a look at our picks of the best credit cards with high limits below to get started.
The Ascent's picks for the best high limit credit cards:
- Travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Cash rewards: Discover it® Cash Back
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back and no annual fee: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Students and diverse cash back program: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Bonus category cash back: Chase Freedom
- Small businesses: Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
- VIP travel: Citi Prestige® Card
- Building credit: U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card
Great for: Travel rewards
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- Up to $100,000. This card is considered by many travelers as a must have, due to its sign-up bonus, versatility, and premium travel rewards.
Rewards
2x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases. 25% more points for travel booked through Chase's portal.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A, N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A, N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
- 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
Great for: Cash rewards
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- Up to $15,000. Highly-qualified applicants have reported approved limits of up to $15,000.
Rewards
Cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 14 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 14 months
Ongoing APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Welcome Bonus
Dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned the first year
Highlights
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back in any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- #1 Most Trusted Credit Card according to Investor’s Business Daily.
- No annual fee.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Great for: Unlimited 1.5% cash back and no annual fee
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- Up to $24,000. This card's versatility makes it a leading cash-back credit card that includes unlimited cash rewards, a 0% intro APR offer, and no annual fee.
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5% cash back, 5% cash back on travel through Chase
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: N/A, N/A
Ongoing APR
14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Welcome Bonus
$200 after spending $500 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
Great for: Travel rewards
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- $10,000 minimum. A top travel card issued as a Visa Infinite card, which includes the best Visa perks
Rewards
3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
16.99%-23.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. From 6/1/20 through 6/30/21, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Earn 3x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services
Great for: Students and diverse cash back program
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- $500 minimum. Student cardholders in online forums have reported securing limits as high as $3,500 for Discover's student cards.
Rewards
5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months
Ongoing APR
12.99% - 21.99% Variable APR
Welcome Bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
Highlights
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Good Grades Rewards: $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
- Earn rewards while building your credit history that can help you after graduation. And, get your free Credit Scorecard that includes your FICO® Credit Score and important details that help make up your score.
- No annual fee. No late fee on first late payment. No APR change for paying late.
- Refer-a-Friend: Once you become a Discover it® Student cardmember, you can earn a statement credit each time you refer a friend and they’re approved. Over half a million students got Discover Cards from their friends' recommendations.
- Freeze It® on/off switch for your account that prevents new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers in seconds.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 12.99% - 21.99% applies.
Great for: Bonus category cash back
Chase Freedom
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
Credit limit -- Up to $24,000. The presence of a robust cash rewards program, a long 0% intro APR offer, and no annual fee make this a compelling pick, regardless of approved credit limit.
Rewards
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, 1% on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Ongoing APR
1499% - 23.74%, variable
Welcome Bonus
$200 after spending $500 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.
- No annual fee
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
The information related to Chase Freedom has been collected by The Ascent and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Great for: Small businesses
Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
What We Like About The Card
Credit limit -- $5,000 minimum. Some cardholders have reported approved credit limits up to $34,000.
Rewards
3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories, 1 point per $1 on all else. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 20.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
100,000 points after spending $15,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,250 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- No foreign transaction fees
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- $95 Annual Fee
The information related to Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card has been collected by The Ascent and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Great for: VIP travel
Citi Prestige® Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- Up to $30,000 starting credit limit. Other cardholders have reported limits as high as $45,000.
Rewards
5x points for air travel and restaurants, 3x points for hotels and cruises, 1x point on all else
Annual Fee
$495
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
16.99% - 23.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
- 5X ThankYou Points on air travel and restaurants
- 3X ThankYou Points on hotels and cruise lines
- 1X ThankYou points on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Complimentary 4th night on hotel stays booked through ThankYou.com., up to twice per year
- Unlimited access to 400+ airport lounges
- $100 global entry fee credit
- Chip technology
- 24/7 concierge
- Lost baggage coverage
Citi Prestige® Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Great for: Building credit
U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.
Bottom Line
Credit limit -- Up to $5,000. This cards high secured credit limit is the standout feature that could justify the small annual fee for the right cardholder.
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
25.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Highlights
- Credit limit ranges from $300-$5,000 based on deposit.
- The deposit is put in an FDIC-insured savings account that earns interest and won't be touched as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
- Car rental insurance available at no additional cost if you charge the car rental on your card and decline rental company's collision damage waiver option.
- Free TransUnion® Credit Score.
- You are not responsible for unauthorized transactions if your U.S. Bank Secured Visa Card is ever lost or stolen.
What is a high limit credit card?
High limit credit cards are credit cards with above-average spending limits. For example, a card with a limit of $10,000 or above could generally be included on a list of high limit credit cards. Credit cards with high limits can allow you to make large purchases, such as furniture, without running out of room on your card. Also, if you have high limit credit cards that you rarely use, these can boost your credit score by improving your credit utilization ratio.
Note that there's no single definition for high limit credit cards. "High" is a relative term. Credit cards aren't broken down into official categories based on which come with high limits. In the second quarter of 2019, the average credit card limit was $7,754 per card -- which is why we suggest $10,000 or above as a possible benchmark for high credit limit credit cards. But one person's idea of high limit credit cards might seem average to someone else.
What is the highest credit card limit?
It's not uncommon to hear of people getting credit cards with higher limits, such as $20,000 or more, on a single card. Some high limit credit cards may offer as much as $50,000. High limit credit cards tend to be those geared toward people with excellent credit and high incomes.
Credit card companies generally decide your credit limit by looking at your credit score and your income more than the type of card you're applying for. For this reason, the biggest factor in getting a high limit on your credit card is you.
There isn't any one card that's known as the highest credit limit credit card. But if you're wondering whether a card will meet your needs, check the documentation with the application. Some high limit credit cards publish the minimum credit line you may be approved for in the fine print.
Which credit cards offer the highest credit limit?
Here are some of the best high limit credit cards:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: We've heard unofficial reports of people getting credit cards with large limits for this card -- as high as $50,000. Along with a slew of other perks common to premium high limit cards, you can earn rewards to redeem for travel, cash, gifts, and more.
- Discover it® Student Cash Back: Student credit cards aren't generally high limit credit cards. But if you're approved for this card, it comes with a minimum credit line of at least $500.
- U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card: Secured credit cards also aren't usually cards with high limits. However, this high limit credit card comes with a credit limit of $300 up to $5,000. The only catch is you'll need to put down a matching deposit to get access to that credit line.
How high should my credit limit be?
As a rough rule of thumb, aim for having a total credit limit -- across all of your credit cards -- of about five times your normal monthly expenses. Using this number as a starting point will help you minimize negative impacts to your credit score if you use your high limit credit cards responsibly, paying it off each month.
Your credit utilization -- i.e., what percent of your total credit line you're using -- is the single biggest factor in your credit score. If you use too much of your credit line, your credit score can drop. Experts have figured out that keeping your total balances below 20% to 30% of total available credit will help you avoid damaging your credit score. Translated into real-world terms, the formula means that if you were to charge a full month's expenses to high limit credit cards, then pay it off in full at the end of the month, your credit utilization ratio would still remain under the 20% threshold.
TIP
Want a higher credit limit?
Most credit card issuers are happy to increase your credit limit if you've had your card open for several months or years. This is especially true if your income or your credit score has risen, and if you've been making on-time payments. Simply call your credit card issuer or log into your online account to request a credit limit increase.
How to pick the best high limit credit card
Here are some tips for deciding between the best high limit credit cards:
- Is the annual fee worth it? The highest limit credit cards often come with steep annual fees. It could be worth it, especially if you earn enough rewards to offset the fee.
- Is my credit score high enough? Credit cards with large limits often require excellent credit.
- Are the rewards worth it? You'll want to make sure you can put any rewards you earn to use. Find out exactly how the rewards program works for each of the high limit credit cards you're considering.
- What's the minimum credit line? Sometimes, high limit credit cards will have a line in the fine print about a "minimum credit line" you may qualify for. If your income or credit score isn't very high, you may fall closer to this credit limit if you are approved for the card.
You can increase your credit line even further by applying for multiple high limit credit cards. But be careful: Applying for too many high limit credit cards at one time can be a big red flag to lenders, and can harm your credit score. A better approach is to space your credit card applications out over time. Apply for high limit cards as you actually need them in order to minimize the hit to your credit score.
Is a high limit credit card right for you?
High limit credit cards are best for people who aren't tempted to overspend, and who can commit to paying off their card each month. Similarly, if you want to make a large one-time purchase with a high limit 0% APR credit card and pay it off before interest is due, that's another wise decision. Don't let the lure of credit cards with large limits tempt you into debt.
The most important thing to consider is why you're looking at high limit credit cards. If you just want to spend a lot of money, chances are it's not a good idea. Cards with high credit limits can trap you in more debt than normal credit cards.
Best high limit credit cards compared
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Travel rewards |
|
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Cash rewards |
|
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Unlimited 1.5% cash back and no annual fee |
|
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Travel rewards |
|
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Students and diverse cash back program |
|
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Bonus category cash back |
|
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Small businesses |
|
|
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: VIP travel |
|
|
U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card 
|
Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Building credit |
FAQs
-
While there isn't any standard definition about what high-limit credit cards actually are, most people take it to mean a card with a credit limit of $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
-
A good rule of thumb is to have a credit limit of at least five times your normal monthly expenses across all of your cards. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month, aim for a total credit line of $5,000.
-
If you've had your credit card open for several months and you've made all your payments on time, most card issuers will approve you for a credit line increase. You can contact your card issuer to request a credit line increase.
About the Author
Lindsay VanSomeren has been working as a personal finance writer and expert since 2015. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, Credit Karma, LendingTree, Northwestern Mutual, and The Balance, among other publications. She is passionate about making personal finance accessible to everyone by delivering straight talk about financial products. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. The Motley Fool has a Disclosure Policy. The Author and/or The Motley Fool may have an interest in companies mentioned.
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