Our guide to cards with high spending limits
Having a high limit credit card might sound appealing. But how can you get one in the UK and how do they work?
What is a high limit credit card?
A high limit credit card in the UK is one that gives you a large credit limit - allowing you to spend more or, in other words, build up a bigger balance than you might on a typical credit card.
That said, what defines a high limit depends on the individual and their credit-worthiness. Credit card issuers take a view on each application they receive and review the potential customer’s financial situation, including their affordability and credit rating before issuing a credit limit.
While the credit limit will always come down to the individual, you will see premium credit cards advertised – often referred to as platinum or gold cards. These come with the understanding that if you’re accepted you can expect to receive a high limit.
In terms of total amounts, a premium card in the UK could have a credit limit worth tens of thousands of pounds, for example.
How do high limit credit cards work?
High limit credit cards work in the same way as credit limits on regular credit cards – they’ll just work out more expensive if you fail to clear them fully.
You’ll be given a credit limit and can spend up to that amount on your balance. You’ll have a minimum monthly payment amount to repay each month or face a charge, and to avoid interest on the balance you must clear it in full.
It’s often a good idea to set up a direct debit from a current account to clear a high limit credit card on time.
Am I eligible for a high limit credit card?
Whether or not you’ll be eligible for a high credit limit credit card will depend on a range of factors and your personal financial situation. Here are some things to consider:
Consistent credit history. It helps if you’ve already shown you can borrow responsibly and keep up with repayments
Financial situation. Any existing credit commitments and credit limits elsewhere will be considered
Minimum annual income. You will likely have to prove you have the income to pay off a high credit limit. This varies but is likely to be at least £50,000 per year
Loyalty. You may need to hold another financial product with the card issuer. Some high limit credit cards only come by invitation, for example, when you are already a customer
Age. You’ll usually need to be aged 21 or older and a resident in the UK
How can I increase the credit limit that I will be offered?
There are a number of things you can do to increase the chance you’ll be offered a bigger credit limit. These including things such as...
Using your existing credit card responsibly and then apply for an increase to your credit limit.
Earn more. The more income you have, the more your affordability rises and issuers will be confident you have the means to pay off a high balance.
Keeping yourcredit utilisationlow. By using 30% or less of your available credit it shows your finances are not stretched and you can handle credit.
Improve your credit score. Our guide can help with the steps you should take to improve your credit rating.
What perks can I get with a premium credit card?
While you might have to pay a fee for a premium credit card, there may be perks that make it worthwhile, including:
Travel insurance
Breakdown cover
Air miles and frequent flyer points
Exclusive access to airport lounges
Concierge or personal assistance service
Additional flights for companions
Advanced tickets for sell-out events
Reservations at top restaurants
What costs and fees are associated with a high limit credit card?
Premium credit card users who have cards with a high credit limit are likely to be charged an annual fee for using the card. These can be in the hundreds of pounds so it’s worth checking you’ll use the card’s benefits before you apply.
Interest rates (the APR) may also be high if the balance is not cleared every month. This can be amplified because having a high limit allows the possibility to have a much higher balance and accrue much more in total interest.
You could also face late payment fees if you cannot or forget to cover the minimum monthly repayment.
What are the pros and cons of high limit credit cards?
Here are some pros and cons to weigh up when thinking about a high credit limit credit card:
Advantages
Gives you a higher limit, allowing you to make more expensive one-off purchases or spend higher frequent amounts
Allows flexibility with your spending because you have credit to use at any given time and don’t have to worry about breaching a credit limit
You’ll get numerous perks that are tailored for high net worth individuals who travel frequently
Disadvantages
High limit credit cards often come with a high annual fee
Interest rates tend to be high and incentives such as 0% on purchases can be rarer
The credit limit may not be as high as hoped for once your financial situation is assessed
Can you get a credit card with no credit limit?
There is no such thing as a credit card with no credit limit in the UK. However, occasionally cards may be issued with no specified spending capacity.
There will still be a limit unique to the individual that’s based on factors such as creditworthiness, income, and how long you have had an account. But the credit limit could fluctuate as you demonstrate continued or increased creditworthiness.
Is a high limit credit card right for me?
There are benefits to having a high limit credit card, but it depends on your personal financial situation and your lifestyle as to whether it’s the right choice.
If you need the flexibility of being able to make large purchases on credit and you’re confident the perks of the card outweigh the fee, then they could be right for you.
However, you should also weigh it up against your financial habits and be confident you will repay the balance in full every month because these types of cards can be become expensive (with high rates of interest) should you carry a balance long term.
Our expert says...
“A credit card with a high limit can allow for some serious spending and shows that the provider in question has faith that you’ll pay off the balance.
"However, these credit cards often come with higher annual fees, so weigh up whether the advantages of having a higher spending limit is really worth it.”
Compare credit cards with MoneySuperMarket
Finding the right credit card for you is easy with MoneySuperMarket. Just let us know a few details about your finances and we’ll search our range of leading providers and top card deals to find the most suitable credit cards for you.
The ‘soft search’ we use means it won’t affect your credit rating in any way. But we can show you your chances of being accepted for different card deals and any credit cards that you might be pre-approved for so you can apply in confidence.
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. We never take a fee from customers for this service. Instead we are usually paid a fee by the lenders, but the size of that payment doesn’t affect how we show products to customers.