Best High-Limit Credit Cards for May 2024 (2024)

Handing over your credit card without worrying about hitting your credit limit may sound glamorous -- but not keeping track of your spending is risky, regardless of your credit limit.

Rather, the perks of having a high-limit credit card are more subtle. A higher credit limit can help boost your credit score by lowering your credit utilization. If you’re looking to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance with a 0% introductory APR card, a high-limit credit card can provide more flexibility. You’ll often find higher credit limits on premium rewards or travel cards, which provide a host of valuable benefits in their own right.

But a high-limit card also opens the door to a tremendous amount of risk, particularly if it entices you to spend outside your budget. Carrying a balance on a higher limit card can cost you much more in interest if you’re unable to pay off your balance in full each month. And higher limit cards can be harder to qualify for, since they’re generally reserved for those with good to excellent credit. Whether you’re considering requesting a credit line increase on an existing card or you’re interested in applying for a new high-limit credit card, here are some of our top recommendations, and advice on how to best use these cards.

How does a bigger credit line help boost my credit score?

High-limit credit cards can help you boost your credit score by reducing your overall credit utilization ratio, or how much of your available credit you’re using. Keeping your credit utilization ratio under 30% is a good goal.

For example, let’s say you’re considering two credit cards: Card A and Card B. Card A offers a $3,000 credit limit, while the high-limit Card B offers a $10,000 credit limit. Then suppose you unexpectedly have to put a $1,200 charge on your card.

A $1,200 charge on Card A bumps your credit utilization ratio for that card to 40% -- above the ideal 30% or less. But, a $1,200 charge on Card B would only use 12% of your credit limit, helping you avoid a hit to your credit score as you navigate any short-term volatility in your budget.

With either card, paying this amount off in full before the due date is ideal; otherwise interest charges will kick in.

Who should get a high-limit credit card?

As long as a higher credit limit doesn’t tempt you to overspend, it’s generally more beneficial to get a card with a higher credit limit vs. one with a lower limit.

Higher limit cards can be especially helpful if you’re actively building or rebuilding your credit. Given the same amount of monthly spending, a higher credit limit will result in a lower credit utilization ratio, which could potentially boost your credit score.

A high credit limit card can also be useful if you plan on using a 0% introductory APR card to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance. Keep in mind that the more you charge or transfer to your card, the more you’ll have to pay monthly to wipe out the balance before the introductory APR period ends.

But if you’re worried you’ll be tempted to spend outside your budget, it’s best to steer clear of a higher limit card. Instead, it may be better to start off with a lower credit line. You can also ask your issuer to downgrade your credit card.

How to get the most from your high-limit credit card

The most important thing to remember is that a higher credit limit does not mean you can or should spend more than you can afford. Your credit limit is the maximum amount the bank is willing to lend you -- not what you can actually afford to spend each month.

This limit is carefully calculated to maximize the bank’s profits, not necessarily your financial health. How much you should charge to your credit card should be determined by your budget and bank account balance rather than your credit limit.

Having a higher credit limit likely won’t affect your day-to-day spending or how you use your card. As with any credit card, you should pay your bills on time and in full every month to avoid interest charges and fees.

Although you tend to find higher credit limits on premium rewards or travel credit cards, the credit limit should not be the main factor you look for when choosing a credit card. Instead, see if the rewards categories match your spending habits, whether the welcome bonus provides good value and the card offers additional benefits or perks that fit your needs.

How to choose the best high-limit credit card

The best way to choose the right high-limit credit card depends on how you intend to use it.

If you’re looking for a card that offers good rewards and benefits while also having a high credit limit, look for cards with reward categories that match your spending habits, a competitive welcome bonus and additional benefits or perks that fit your lifestyle and needs.

If you’re looking for a balance transfer card or 0% introductory APR card to finance an upcoming purchase, the length and terms of the introductory APR offer will likely matter more than the credit limit. And sinceyour credit limit is determined by personal factors like your income and credit score, you typically won’t know what credit limit you’ll get until you’re approved for the card.

On the other hand, if you’re specifically looking for a high-limit credit card to reduce your credit utilization ratio and improve your credit, check out the best credit cards for fair credit and the best secured credit cards. For secured cards in particular, most issuers will tell you upfront the minimum and maximum deposit you can put down. Because your security deposit typically determines your credit limit, that can give you an idea of the maximum credit limit you can get with a particular card.

How to apply for a high-limit credit card

To apply for a high-limit credit card, follow these steps:

1. Choose the right card for you. Whether you want rewards, a 0% introductory APR offer or a card to help you build your credit, you should look carefully at a card’s features, benefits and fees to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs. You can also check out CNET’s recommendations for the best credit cards and our reviews of specific cards to get expert advice and guidance.
2. Click one of the application links above. Once you’ve picked the card you want to apply for, you can click one of the links above to access the official application page for that card.
3. Fill out the application. You’ll need to provide some personal information such as your name and birth date, Social Security number, income and address. You’ll also need to consent to a hard credit check, which will let the credit card issuer pull your credit score and credit report from the credit bureaus. Hard credit checks typically will lower your credit score -- temporarily -- by a few points.
4. Wait for a decision from the issuer. Each issuer has its own timeline for processing applications, but you’ll generally receive notice of your application being either approved or denied instantly.
5. If approved, start using your new credit card responsibly. Set up autopay so you never forget to pay a bill, and remember to only charge what you can pay off at the end of the month.

FAQs

More of the best credit cards

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Our methodology

CNET reviews credit cardsby exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, clickhere.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, clickhere.

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