Here are some ways to increase your chances in credit increases-without the fluff

Almost anyone who's ever handled a credit card has wondered how to improve credit limits. Maybe an emergency has come up-travel to visit a sick relative or a car repair you didn't expect. Or maybe you have a low credit limit and would like to be able to ask friends or business associates out to dinner without having to worry about bumping up against your credit line.

There are several things you can do to make yourself attractive enough financially speaking that credit card companies are willing to increase your credit line. This article offers a few ideas.

First, while it's a fiscally sound plan to pay off your credit cards each month, doing so doesn't make you look particularly attractive to credit card companies who want you to pay interest. Therefore, make it a point to carry a small balance on your credit cards from time to time. You don't have to do it every month, and you don't have to carry a huge balance. When carrying a balance, it's important to stay in control-don't charge more than you can afford to pay off in the name of trying to get a higher credit limit.

Second, use your cards regularly. Again, control is the key. Don't run up huge balances that you can't afford to pay, but do use your cards as frequently as you can afford to. Using a card regularly shows loyalty to the credit card company. When they see you using their card, they'll often be willing to increase your credit limit to encourage you to use the card even more.

A third tip for how to improve credit limits is to show some brand loyalty. Many consumers hop from one credit card to another, always trying to chase down the best introductory rates or the best sign-up deal. This behavior, however, doesn't impress creditors who want to be sure you will stick with them over time. Therefore, it's better to find a good long term deal on one or two cards and stick with them than it is to find several short term deals and open and close a lot of cards over a relatively brief period of time.

Finally, when you do carry a balance on a card, always try to make more than the minimum monthly payment due on the card, and always pay on time. Making only the minimum payment, or making late payments, may lead creditors to believe that you're in financial trouble and can scarcely handle the credit you have. The last thing they're going to want to do is give you more credit.

If you practice good financial habits, chances are excellent that your creditors will choose to increase your credit limit without any prompting at all from you. If this doesn't happen, however, feel free to call your credit card company and request an increase. Point out that you've been a customer with them for a long time and have a history of on time payments. Then request that they increase your credit limit. Most companies will do so without hesitation. If your credit card company declines your request, find out why. Perhaps they are under the impression that you are earning less money than you are, or your credit report may contain inaccurate information.

Learning how to improve credit limits is easy. Just remember that you have to show your credit card company that you are a mature, reliable, and responsible borrower.