Thursday, 18 September 2014
How to Get a Credit Limit Increase on a Credit Card
Credit limit increases are beneficial to you in more ways than one. Not only do you have more available credit to work with, but raises in your credit limit can also improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio. Follow these steps to get a credit limit increase.
Pay your bill on time for at least 6 months. Of course, you should always pay your credit card bills on time, as late payments could result in credit limit (and credit score) decreases. Six months is simply the minimum amount of time you will have to make timely payments on your account before creditors will even consider raising your credit card limit.
Lower your credit utilization. Your credit utilization is pretty much how much money you have on your credit card compared to your overall limit. For example, if you have $4,900 worth of debt on a card that has a $5,000 limit, your credit utilization is extremely high.
Figure out which credit card you'll ask for a limit increase on. Why, aside from the obvious reason? Asking some credit card companies for a limit increase can cause the credit issuer to check your credit score, known in the business as a "hard pull.A hard pull can cause your credit score to go down, only about five or 10 points.
Gather supporting documentation. In some cases, it may be necessary to prove that you are worthy of a credit limit increase, even if you have paid your bill on time for 6 or more months. You can just ask for an increase in your credit line and hope for a favorable response, or you may want to better your chances by compiling information that supports your ability to commit to higher credit card payments before you implore about changes in your credit card limit.
If your request fails, consider sneaking through the back door. If your request for an increase doesn't work out as planned, consider this sneaky little trick if you absolutely need the increase. Apply for a different, second card from the same company. Next, re-allocate the credit limit to your old card.
Pay your bill on time for at least 6 months. Of course, you should always pay your credit card bills on time, as late payments could result in credit limit (and credit score) decreases. Six months is simply the minimum amount of time you will have to make timely payments on your account before creditors will even consider raising your credit card limit.
Lower your credit utilization. Your credit utilization is pretty much how much money you have on your credit card compared to your overall limit. For example, if you have $4,900 worth of debt on a card that has a $5,000 limit, your credit utilization is extremely high.
Figure out which credit card you'll ask for a limit increase on. Why, aside from the obvious reason? Asking some credit card companies for a limit increase can cause the credit issuer to check your credit score, known in the business as a "hard pull.A hard pull can cause your credit score to go down, only about five or 10 points.
Gather supporting documentation. In some cases, it may be necessary to prove that you are worthy of a credit limit increase, even if you have paid your bill on time for 6 or more months. You can just ask for an increase in your credit line and hope for a favorable response, or you may want to better your chances by compiling information that supports your ability to commit to higher credit card payments before you implore about changes in your credit card limit.
If your request fails, consider sneaking through the back door. If your request for an increase doesn't work out as planned, consider this sneaky little trick if you absolutely need the increase. Apply for a different, second card from the same company. Next, re-allocate the credit limit to your old card.
Thursday, 13 March 2014
iOS 8 Screenshots Leaked with Healthbook,TextEdit Apps
A pair of screenshots reportedly sourced from Apple's unannounced iOS 8 were posted to a Weibo account today. One of the images reveals several new apps, including the previously-rumored Healthbook and mobile versions of Preview and TextEdit — two apps that have been staples of OS X for years.
Earlier today (before the leaked screenshots appeared), 9to5Mac claimed that these apps aren't full-blown mobile versions of their Mac counterparts; instead, they're intended to help users view Preview and TextEdit files stored in iCloud. The new apps are "being considered for release later in the year," according to the report. The icons appear far from finished, since they're literally the Mac icons for Preview and TextEdit thrown onto solid white and black backgrounds. As a result, they look wildly out of place next to other icons that adhere to Apple's iOS 7 design language. But if the screenshots are genuine, Apple likely won't be pleased. The company is still months away from unveiling iOS 8 in any official capacity and has rarely (if ever) faced leaks this early in the development cycle.
APPLE REPORTEDLY BRINGING PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS TO MAPS IN IOS 8
Throughout the week, the typically well-sourced 9to5Mac has been revealing tidbits about Apple's forthcoming mobile operating system. The most interesting of those disclosures came on Tuesday, when the site reported that Apple will once again include public transit directions in Maps when iOS 8 launches later this year. The company has steadily improved the accuracy of its own Maps app ever since its notoriously rocky launch, but support for mass transit remains a glaring omission. Apple has acquired a number of companies that specialize in public transit over the last few years, and it appears users will finally see the payoff with iOS 8.
As for today's screenshots, 9to5Mac claims to have independently confirmed their legitimacy with its own sources. But we're not completely sold, since any registered iOS developer could theoretically whip something like this up without much effort. We're also still several months out from hearing anything official on iOS 8 — or the new iPhones that will showcase the OS — so plenty could change before then. Hopefully those Preview and TextEdit icons are on the list.
Earlier today (before the leaked screenshots appeared), 9to5Mac claimed that these apps aren't full-blown mobile versions of their Mac counterparts; instead, they're intended to help users view Preview and TextEdit files stored in iCloud. The new apps are "being considered for release later in the year," according to the report. The icons appear far from finished, since they're literally the Mac icons for Preview and TextEdit thrown onto solid white and black backgrounds. As a result, they look wildly out of place next to other icons that adhere to Apple's iOS 7 design language. But if the screenshots are genuine, Apple likely won't be pleased. The company is still months away from unveiling iOS 8 in any official capacity and has rarely (if ever) faced leaks this early in the development cycle.
APPLE REPORTEDLY BRINGING PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS TO MAPS IN IOS 8
Throughout the week, the typically well-sourced 9to5Mac has been revealing tidbits about Apple's forthcoming mobile operating system. The most interesting of those disclosures came on Tuesday, when the site reported that Apple will once again include public transit directions in Maps when iOS 8 launches later this year. The company has steadily improved the accuracy of its own Maps app ever since its notoriously rocky launch, but support for mass transit remains a glaring omission. Apple has acquired a number of companies that specialize in public transit over the last few years, and it appears users will finally see the payoff with iOS 8.
As for today's screenshots, 9to5Mac claims to have independently confirmed their legitimacy with its own sources. But we're not completely sold, since any registered iOS developer could theoretically whip something like this up without much effort. We're also still several months out from hearing anything official on iOS 8 — or the new iPhones that will showcase the OS — so plenty could change before then. Hopefully those Preview and TextEdit icons are on the list.
