How to Request for a Credit Card Limit Increase Per Bank

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. 

How to Increase Your Credit Card Limit in the Philippines

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.

💳 How to Increase UnionBank Credit Limit 

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.

💳 How to Increase Metrobank Credit Limit

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.

💳 How to Increase HSBC Credit Limit

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.

💳 How to Increase Security Bank Credit Limit

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:

• Latest three-month payslip
• Certificate of Employment
• Latest ITR

These documents will be the basis, among several others, of Security Bank's decision on whether to give you a higher credit limit.

💳 How to Increase BPI 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. 

💳 How to Increase AUB Credit Limit

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.

Read more: Credit Card Fraud in the Philippines: Safety Tips to Always Keep in Mind

💳 How to Increase Maybank Credit Limit

Increasing your Maybank credit card limit is just a phone call away. Here's how to contact Maybank for this purpose:

• 24/7 Maybank customer service hotline - (+632) 8588-3888
• PLDT Domestic Toll-Free Hotline - 1-800-10-588-3888

Applications for Maybank credit card limit increase are subject to credit evaluation.

💳 How to Increase PNB Credit Limit

PNB allows its cardholders to request a PNB credit limit increase via email. Here’s how:

1. Download the PNB Cardholder Request Form.^[3]
2. Fill out the form. Put a checkmark next to Please increase my credit limit/s to and indicate your desired credit limit amount in Philippine pesos or US dollars. 
3. Sign at the bottom of the request form.
4. Email the accomplished form together with these latest income documents to pnbcreditcards@pnb.com.ph:
   • One-month payslip
   • ITR
   • Two-month billing statements of a non-PNB credit card

💳 How to Increase RCBC Credit Limit

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:

Credit Card	Key Features
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend Up to 50% off on premium dining offers eCommerce purchase protection up to US$200 Free 310,000 reward points if you apply until October 31, 2023 and meet the minimum spend of ₱70,000 No annual fees if you apply until October 31, 2023 and meet an annual spend of ₱400,000
Metrobank World Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 spend 2x reward points for international purchases Up to 50% off on luxury dining deals Free 300,000 reward points if you apply until October 31, 2023 and meet the minimum spend of ₱90,000  No annual fees if you apply until October 31, 2023 and meet an annual spend of ₱600,000
Security Bank Platinum Mastercard	Dual currency billing Two complimentary lounge access annually in more than 1,000 lounges in 500 airports worldwide Unlimited access to the Sky View Lounge (NAIA T3) Up to US$200 coverage with Mastercard E-Commerce Purchase Protection  Free travel insurance
Security Bank World Mastercard	Free travel insurance coverage up to ₱10 million Membership to more than 1,000 lounges in over 500 airports worldwide Dining, spa, and retail offers from select exclusive airport merchants
BPI Platinum Rewards Card	2 BPI Points for every spend on foreign transactions abroad or online worth ₱20 Low forex conversion rate of just 1.85% Up to ₱10 million in travel insurance coverage 0% interest on airline installment all year round Free airport lounge access with spend requirement

4 Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Higher Credit Limit

Raise your odds of getting the bank's approval to increase your credit card limit. Here are a few tips to help you out.

👉 Don't Ask Too Soon

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.

👉 Make Sure You're Creditworthy

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.

👉 Explain Why You Deserve a Credit Card Limit Increase

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:

• You've been a loyal customer for a long time.
• You've never missed a credit card payment.
• You always pay your credit card bill in full and on time.
• You’ve never maxed out your card and always spend less than 30% of your current credit limit.
• Your income has increased recently.

Related reading: Avoid Maxing Out Your Credit Card with These Tips

👉 Don’t Ask for Too Much

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.

What Happens After Getting a Credit Card Limit Increase?

Be prepared for things that might happen once the banks grant your request. 

📌 Your Credit Utilization Will Be Low 

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. 

📌 Your Credit Card Might Get Upgraded

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.

📌 Lenders Might Offer Loans at Lower Interest Rates 

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. 

Read more: 6 Strategies to Manage and Quickly Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

📌 You Can Enjoy More Perks

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.

📌 You Might Want to Close Other Credit Cards

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.

How to Increase Credit Card Limit: FAQs

1. Is it bad to request a higher credit limit?

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. 

2. What do banks consider when deciding to increase credit limits?

Banks usually check your credit card usage. You should always keep your card active. Aside from this, banks also check the following: 

• Payment history - Are you paying your balances on time and in full?
• Current accounts - How many loans and savings accounts do you have that are in active or good standing?
• Income - Is your income enough to cover a higher credit?
• Debt - How much do you currently owe banks and lenders?
• Account history - How long have you been an account holder of the issuing bank?

3. How long does it take to increase the credit limit?

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. 

4. Why did I get an automatic credit limit increase? 

A bank-initiated credit card limit increase usually happens if you’re a long-time credit card owner and a responsible cardholder. 

5. Can I request a temporary credit card limit increase?

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. 

6. Do fees increase along with the increased credit limit on my card? 

No, credit card fees and other charges remain the same if you retain your current credit card. 

7. How do I decrease the credit limit on my 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.

Final Thoughts

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:

• ^[1] Metrobank Card on Facebook Messenger
• ^[2] Security Bank Credit Limit Increase
• ^[3] PNB Cardholder Request Form