Bad Credit? Here’s How to Double Your Line

Credit Limit Increases for Subprime Borrowers

Most credit card issuers monitor accounts for limit increases periodically. Generally, the better your credit score, the better your odds of getting additional credit access. This, in return, usually means that people with lower credit scores miss out on all the credit limit increase opportunities – but that’s not the case.

Merrick Bank is one issuer looking to buck that trend. The bank offers cards that Double Your Line® after meeting some basic requirements. Here’s how the Double Your Line® program works:

Merrick Bank’s Double Your Line® Feature: How Does It Work?

The Double Your Line feature from Merrick Bank makes the cards the ideal platform for building credit. The Merrick Bank Double Your Line program works like this:

• Open an eligible Merrick Bank credit card account
• Use the card to make purchases
• Make at least your minimum monthly payment for the first six months
• Pay on time every month
• Gain access to double your credit line

If you meet these basic requirements, you can expect to double your credit line by month seven of account ownership. Even better, the initial credit jump may be just the start of your credit journey with Merrick. The bank regularly reviews accounts for credit line increases. If your account qualifies, the credit line may be increased.

Of the options, the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Card is perhaps the most exciting. The Double Your Line feature provides increased access to credit without the need for additional deposits. Your credit line of $200 will double to $400 automatically if you make at least your minimum payment on time each month for the first seven months your account is open. This is an especially great feature for those with the secured card, as it provides more available credit and helps bridge the gap between a secured credit card and an unsecured one.

Are There Other Credit Cards That Double Your Limit?

Merrick Bank is the best-known issuer that provides an automatic doubling of your credit limit – but they aren’t the only ones in on the act. Other sub and near-prime lenders also offer this feature, including Celtic Bank and Continental Finance:

Fit Mastercard

The FIT Platinum Mastercard is another subprime credit card with a credit doubling feature. New accounts with Fit enjoy an initial credit limit of $400. Using your Fit credit card to make purchases is doubly rewarding. Not only do you build credit with on-time payments, but your credit line can double in just six months. Simply use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Then, after making at least your minimum payments on time each month for the first six months and your $400 credit limit doubles to $800!

Surge & Reflex Mastercard

The Surge Platinum Mastercard and Reflex Platinum Mastercard are two popular credit cards issued by Celtic Bank for fair credit. Both credit cards are aimed at credit building, with an initial credit line of between $300 and $1,000. Those credit lines are on-par with other bad credit credit cards and is a great platform for boosting your flagging credit score. After all, getting a credit limit increase is a milestone achievement when trying to build your credit. With Surge and Reflex Mastercard, your initial credit limit will double. Simply make the first six monthly minimum payments on time and $300 to $1,000 becomes $600 to $2,000 – wow!

Related Article: Easiest Credit Cards to Get with Bad Credit