Why Is Available Credit on a Credit Card Important?

Your available credit is the difference between your credit card’s limit and its current balance. Monitoring your available credit and understanding its importance is crucial for responsible credit card management. Here’s why:

It Determines How Much You Can Spend

Your available credit tells you how much of your credit limit you have left, impacting your spending ability. Generally, once you reach your credit limit, new transactions will be declined until you pay down your balance.

It Can Help or Hurt Your Credit Scores

While available credit doesn’t directly affect your credit score, your credit utilization ratio does. This ratio is the percentage of your credit limit that you’re using. A lower utilization rate is better for your credit scores, meaning more available credit is beneficial.

It Might Affect Your Creditworthiness

Creditors and credit scoring models may consider trends in your credit card balances and payment habits. High credit card balances can increase your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), potentially affecting your ability to qualify for new credit, including home or auto loans.

How to Increase Your Available Credit

Increasing your available credit can be achieved by paying down your current balance, managing your balance throughout the month, and increasing your card’s credit limit. Here are some strategies:

Pay Down Credit Card Debt

Reducing your credit card balances can free up available credit and improve your credit scores. Consider these methods:

• Debt snowball strategy: Focus on paying off the card with the lowest balance first.
• Debt avalanche strategy: Pay off the card with the highest APR first to save on interest charges.
• Debt consolidation loan: Use a new loan to pay off credit card balances, potentially at a lower interest rate.
• Balance transfer credit card: Transfer balances to a new card with an introductory 0% APR offer.

Manage Your Balance Throughout the Month

Credit card companies often report your balance at the end of each billing cycle. Managing your available credit can result in a lower balance on your credit report. You can do this by:

• Using your credit card less often or for smaller purchases
• Making an early payment before the end of your billing cycle
• Paying your credit card bill weekly or biweekly instead of monthly

Increase Your Credit Limit

Increasing your credit limit can give you more available credit. You can try:

• Asking for a credit limit increase
• Updating your income information with your credit card issuer
• Transferring credit limits between cards from the same issuer

Ways Your Credit Card Can Help You Build Credit

Credit cards can help you build credit and improve your credit scores in several ways:

• On-time payments contribute to a positive payment history.
• A low utilization rate can improve your credit scores.
• Keeping a card open without paying fees or interest can increase the length of your credit history.
• An active credit card account adds to your credit mix.

While you don’t need a credit card to have good credit, they offer valuable benefits and protections, making them a safer payment option than debit cards.

Contact O1ne Mortgage for Your Mortgage Needs

At O1ne Mortgage, we understand the importance of managing your credit effectively. Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or refinance your current mortgage, our team of experts is here to help. Call us today at 213-732-3074 for personalized mortgage services that meet your needs.