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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 for the best high limit credit cards below to get started.
Great for: Bonus cash back and no annual fee
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$500 minimum with user reports of up to $24,000. This card's versatility makes it a leading cash-back credit card that includes robust rewards, a 0% intro APR offer, and no annual fee.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Deserves to be top of wallet for many cardholders due to some of the highest cash back rates for essentials, a big sign-up bonus, and no annual fee. Read Full Review
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Travel
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $58,000. Unlimited miles, easy miles redemptions, and a nice sign-up bonus make this a top travel card to consider.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
16.24% - 24.24% Variable
Rewards
2x miles
Annual Fee
$95
Unlimited 2X miles, TSA Pre✓® credits, and a big sign-up bonus make this credit card one of the best travel companions. Read Full Review
Great for: Unlimited cash back program
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$500 minimum with user reports of up to $24,000. Few offers can match the well-rounded feature set of this cards rewards program, sign-up bonus, and 0% intro APR offer.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
This card includes a lineup of features that makes it a great option for one-card-wallet simplicity. The unlimited cash back makes it easy to earn rewards. The sign-up bonus and long 0% intro APR offer are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Great for: Travel rewards
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $50,000. This card is considered by many travelers as a must have, due to its sign-up bonus, versatility, and premium travel rewards.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 23.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
With a big sign-up bonus, the sky’s the limit for this top-rated travel rewards card. Plus, the premium points program for travel and dining make it a no brainer for travel enthusiasts everywhere. Read Full Review
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Great for: Small business card with a 0% intro APR
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$3,000 minimum. While its rewards program and sign-up bonus shouldn't be overlooked, the real standout perk for this card is its 0% intro APR offer.
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
13.99% - 19.99% Variable
Rewards
1.5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
This business card offers a great one-two punch with a lucrative sign-up bonus plus cash back. Read Full Review
U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card
Great for: Building credit
Credit limit
$300 minimum ($5,000 maximum). This cards high secured credit limit is the standout feature that could justify the small annual fee for the right cardholder.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
23.99%, variable
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
With a large credit line range for a secured card, this is a great choice. It also comes with rental car insurance and free access to your credit score.
Great for: Premium travel rewards
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
The sign-up bonus, premium rewards for travel & dining, and wide array of valuable travel credits make this a compelling offer that will offset the cost of the annual fee for many. The array of limited time offers make it even more compelling. Read Full Review
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Great for: Small businesses
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $34,000. The big sign-up bonus is the clear draw. Not to be overshadowed, the card has one of the leading reward programs in the business card category.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
16.74% - 21.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
With a huge sign up bonus and massive on going rewards rate of 3x points per $1 on business essentials this card is a home run for businesses that spend a lot and want to maximize their rewards. Read Full Review
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Great for: Limited credit history
On Petal's Secure Website.
On Petal's Secure Website.
Credit limit
$300 minimum ($10,000 maximum). This card includes a nice rewards program, and has no annual fee, but its standout feature is that potential approval isn't entirely determined by your credit score.
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
13.74%-27.74% Variable
Annual Fee
USD
People with no or limited credit histories will be hard pressed to beat it. The rewards program and lack of fees are clear standouts in the category. Read Full Review
Card | Credit Limit Details |
---|---|
Chase Freedom Flex℠ | $500 minimum with user reports of up to $24,000 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $500 minimum with user reports of up to $24,000 |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | $5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $58,000 |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $50,000 |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $10,000 minimum |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | $5,000 minimum with user reports of up to $34,000 |
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | $3,000 minimum |
U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card | $300 minimum ($5,000 maximum) |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | $300 minimum ($10,000 maximum) |
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.
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.
Here are some of the best high limit credit cards:
Related: Check out The Ascent's guide to the best metal credit cards.
Some consumers with a high net worth need much more spending power than average. While high limit credit cards can work, there are also more exclusive credit cards designed specifically for those who spend large amounts of money.
Credit cards for high net worth individuals typically don't have a public application. They're likely to be invite-only, and you need to meet certain criteria to get an invite. Here are a few examples of this type of card.
The American Express Centurion Card is likely the most well-known exclusive card. Often called simply the "Black Card," it has been mentioned in TV shows, books, and rap songs.
Here's what we know about the American Express Centurion Card:
The J.P. Morgan Reserve Card is a Chase credit card for select clients. It's made from palladium and brass, and it was originally called the J.P. Morgan Palladium Card.
Here are the key details on this credit card:
The Citi Chairman American Express Card was designed for high net worth clients of Citi Private Bank.
Details are scarce on this card, but here's what we've found about it:
The Dubai First Royale Card is the ultimate in opulence. The card has a white diamond in the center, and its edges are coated with gold.
This is what we know about the Dubai First Royale Card:
The Coutts Silk Card is known as the most exclusive card in England. It's also said to be the card of choice for the British royal family.
Here's more information on the Coutts Silk Card:
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.
RELATED: Check out The Ascent's guide to the Visa concierge service. You'll love the perks they offer.
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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.
Here are some tips for deciding between the best high limit credit cards:
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.
Check out the video below to learn more on how to choose the best high limit card.
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% intro 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.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Bonus cash back and no annual fee |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Travel |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Unlimited cash back program |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Travel rewards |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Small business card with a 0% intro APR |
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U.S. Bank Secured Visa® Card
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Building credit |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Premium travel rewards |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Small businesses |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Limited credit history |
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.
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