Credit card limits FAQ

Question 1

How do I request a change in my credit limit?

Answer

If you have an eligible USAA credit card and want to increase or decrease your credit limit:

On usaa.com:

Log on and choose your credit card account.
Select “Change Credit Limit.”
Follow the prompts to request a credit limit increase or decrease.

On the USAA Mobile App:

Log on and choose your credit card account.
Select “My Account & Card.”
Under Manage My Card, select “View more card management.”
Select “Manage credit card limits.”
Follow the prompts to request a credit limit increase or decrease.

If you want to change your limit on more than one credit card, you can follow these steps for each one. But if there is a pending credit limit increase on one card, you won't be able to request a credit limit increase on any other card until the first request is complete. Please note, credit limit increases and decreases are not available for Secured Credit Cards. Credit limit increases are not available for Classic Credit Cards.

Question 2

What factors do you look at to determine if I can increase my credit card limit?

Answer

Generally, some of the factors we consider are account performance, credit bureau information, income before taxes and current debt or obligations.

Question 3

Will you pull a credit report every time I request a credit limit increase?

Answer

Yes. Your credit report will be used to determine if you qualify for a credit limit increase on your USAA credit card. Each increase request results in a hard inquiry. That means a credit report is pulled on the cardholder and joint cardholder.

Question 4

What happens if I have a credit freeze or credit lock on my credit report?

Answer

If you or a secondary accountholder have a credit freeze or credit lock, it needs to be removed so we can run a credit check. To do this, you can make a request online through the Experian, Equifax and TransUnion websites. Or you can also call or mail in your request to each credit bureau.

Question 5

Can I request a specific limit on my card?

Answer

When you request a credit limit decrease, you can specify what limit you’d like, down to the minimum available for that specific card type but not less than the current outstanding balance. For a credit limit increase, you cannot request a specific amount. Please note, credit limit increases and decreases are not available for Secured Credit Cards. Credit limit increases are not available for Classic Credit Cards.

Question 6

When will I know what my new credit limit is?

Answer

In most cases, you’ll have a decision at the end of the application process. If approved, you'll see your new credit limit displayed when you access your credit card account summary online or in our mobile app. If we’re unable to approve your request, you'll receive a letter explaining the decision.

Question 7

When can I adjust my credit limit again?

Answer

For eligible USAA credit cards, you can request a credit limit increase once the account has been open for 180 days, or 180 days after the last credit limit increase. You can request a decrease to your credit limit at any time. Please note, credit limit increases and decreases are not available for Secured Credit Cards. Credit limit increases are not available for Classic Credit Cards.

Question 8

Why are you asking for my income information?

Answer

Providing the most up-to-date income information can help us consider you for a future credit limit increase. Updating your income is optional but it’s required before you can be considered for a higher credit limit.

Question 9

Will you automatically increase my credit card’s credit limit?

Answer

Possibly. However, an automatic credit card credit limit increase is not guaranteed. We periodically review eligible credit card accounts and may increase the credit limit based on income and other qualifying criteria.

Question 10

If I update my income, will you check my credit?

Answer

At the time we consider you for an automatic credit limit increase, the credit inquiry is considered a soft inquiry and will not affect your credit score.