If you’ve been using your Bank of America credit card responsibly, you may be eligible to request a credit limit increase. A higher credit limit can provide more spending flexibility and may even help improve your credit utilization ratio when managed wisely.
This guide walks you through the process of requesting a credit limit increase in the Bank of America app, explains what information you’ll need, and covers what happens after you submit your request.
Open Your Credit Card Account
Start by logging into the Bank of America mobile app.
From the main account screen, scroll past your banking accounts until you reach the Credit Cards section. If you have multiple cards, select the one for which you want to request a credit limit increase.
Once you’re viewing the card details, scroll down until you find the Credit Line section. Here you’ll see:
- Available credit
- Current balance
- Total credit line
Below this information, tap Credit Card Line Increase to begin the request.
Read the Authorization Carefully
Before completing the request form, Bank of America will display an authorization explaining that it may review your credit report, employment history, and other financial information.
It’s important to read this disclosure carefully because your credit limit increase request could involve either a soft pull or, in some cases, a hard inquiry.
Soft Pull vs. Hard Pull
A soft pull allows Bank of America to review your credit without affecting your credit score. This type of review is not recorded as a formal credit inquiry.
A hard pull, however, appears on your credit report and can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Hard inquiries typically remain on your credit report for up to two years.
Fortunately, most app-based requests for a credit limit increase are processed with a soft pull. However, Bank of America reserves the right to perform a hard inquiry in certain situations, such as when requesting a significantly larger increase or when additional review is required.
Request a Reasonable Credit Limit Increase
One of the best ways to improve your chances of approval is to ask for a realistic increase rather than an excessive one.
For example, if your current credit limit is $5,000, requesting around $7,500, which represents a 50% increase, is generally considered more reasonable than asking for $15,000.
Also, pay attention to any additional warning screens before submitting your request. If Bank of America plans to perform a hard inquiry, it will generally notify you beforehand, giving you the opportunity to cancel the request if you prefer.
Complete the Request Form
After choosing your requested credit line, you’ll need to provide several financial details.
The form typically asks for:
- Your occupation
- Total gross annual income
- Income frequency
- Source of income
- Monthly housing payment
- Housing payment type (rent or mortgage)
When entering your income, include your earnings before taxes. Depending on your situation, you may also be able to include accessible household income, such as a spouse’s income, if it is available for paying bills.
Be sure all information is accurate, as Bank of America may request verification before approving your application.
How Bank of America May Reallocate Credit Lines
If you have multiple Bank of America credit cards, it’s worth knowing that the bank may choose to move available credit from one card to another instead of increasing your overall credit exposure.
This means your selected card could receive a higher limit even though your combined credit across all Bank of America accounts stays the same.
Once you’ve reviewed everything, scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Submit.
What Happens After You Submit
Many requests receive an instant decision directly within the app.
Possible outcomes include:
- Approved for the requested amount
- Approved for a smaller increase
- Denied
If additional review is necessary, the process may take anywhere from a few minutes to 7 to 10 business days. You’ll receive the decision through your Bank of America communication center and, in many cases, by mail as well.
If approved, your new credit limit typically becomes available immediately.
What to Do If Your Request Is Denied
If your request isn’t approved, don’t be discouraged.
Bank of America is required to provide a notice explaining the reason for the denial. This information can help you identify areas to improve before submitting another application.
Rather than requesting another credit limit increase immediately, it’s generally a good idea to wait at least six months. During that time, focus on improving the factors mentioned in the decision letter, such as increasing income, reducing debt, or maintaining a strong payment history.
Final Thoughts
Requesting a credit limit increase through the Bank of America app is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes. Before submitting your request, make sure you understand the authorization, request a reasonable increase, and carefully review all of the information you provide.
In many cases, you’ll receive an immediate decision, and if approved, you’ll enjoy a higher credit limit without needing to apply for a new credit card.
