What is a credit card spending limit — and what to know

Core Insights - The article discusses the significance of credit card spending limits, how they are determined, and their impact on credit scores and spending behavior [1][9]. Group 1: Credit Card Spending Limits - A credit card spending limit is the maximum amount that can be charged to a credit card, which includes purchases and balance transfers [1]. - Credit limits can vary significantly, with beginner cards having limits as low as $300 to $500, while premium cards can exceed $15,000 to $20,000. The average credit card limit in the U.S. is $29,855 as of 2023 [2]. Group 2: Determination of Credit Limits - Credit limits are assigned based on the applicant's credit history and income, with higher income and longer credit history generally leading to higher limits [3]. - Other factors, such as the total amount of credit across all accounts with an issuer, can also influence the assigned credit limit [4]. Group 3: Increasing Credit Limits - Credit limits can be increased by requesting a higher limit from the issuer, especially if the applicant's credit score or income has improved [6]. - Automatic credit limit increases may occur after a certain period, such as six months with specific cards [7]. Group 4: Flexible Spending Limits - Some credit cards, particularly those issued by American Express, offer no preset spending limits, allowing for more flexible spending options based on the cardholder's payment and credit history [8]. Group 5: Impact on Credit Scores - Credit limits significantly affect credit scores through the credit utilization ratio, which is the ratio of used credit to available credit. Maintaining a low utilization ratio is crucial for a good credit score [9][10]. - A high credit limit can provide flexibility in spending without negatively impacting the credit utilization ratio [11]. Group 6: Consequences of Exceeding Limits - Exceeding a credit limit can lead to denied transactions or over-limit fees, depending on the issuer's policies and whether the cardholder has opted in for over-limit transactions [12][13]. - High balances can increase credit utilization, potentially harming credit scores and leading to long-term debt due to high interest rates [14].