I would appreciate any constructive suggestions for updating the OP in light of the emerging credit crunch, or for recent data points that might shed light on how creditors are handling increase tactics differently than in the past. TIA.

Does anyone know how often Chase allows you to apply for a CLI? I spoke to two CSR's and neither of them knew. I ask because I opened a new Chase card last August. I applied for and received a CLI in October. I waited until January and applied for another CLI but was denied because I "just received a credit line increase", according to the letter they sent me. The letter did not say how often I could be granted a new CLI, and it also did not say if I have to wait from my last CLI, or my last application for a CLI, before applying for another.

Does anyone know?

DaveHanson said:I would appreciate any constructive suggestions for updating the OP in light of the emerging credit crunch, or for recent data points that might shed light on how creditors are handling increase tactics differently than in the past. TIA.

Regarding AU accounts.

It is well known that FICO is planning to phase out this benefit over the next year or so because of abuses (people "selling" authorized status on good accounts to boost strangers' credit scores- called Piggybacking)

This has upset companies like Am3x who make a lot of money providing additional cards (sub accounts) to parents who want to help establish their kids' credit. In response, Am3x has made a shift in the date they assign to additional card holder's individual accounts.

To clarify: Dad has an Am3x account since 1987. He adds Junior as an additional card holder. Junior applies for his Own Individual Am3x Card.

Am3x gives Junior "since 1987" status on his own card (and reports it that way to CRAs)

There is no way to predict if this will last. If your parents have long established Am3x accounts you may want to ask them to add you now.