How to temporarily increase your credit limit?


We occasionally read on the milesopedia Facebook group that members run up against their credit limit when they want to undertake certain projects. One example is home improvements. Some will successfully ask lending institutions, by phone or even online, to increase this limit. This is the ideal way to proceed. Be aware, however, that this request may lower your credit score.
However, in case of refusal, there are other ways to increase the credit limit on your credit card. But continue to be good payers and refrain from paying interest on monthly statements. Otherwise, this would not be worth the effort.
This is called artificially increasing your credit limit.

When the amount on your credit account is greater than what is owed, you make the financial institution owe you money rather than the other way around. Your balance becomes negative and you will see it preceded by a minus sign or put in brackets. This is especially true for returns and cancellations.
In the example shown on my HSBC World Elite® Mastercard®, two flight cancellations with Air Canada caused my credit limit to increase.


on Scotiabank's website
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.
Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.
These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:
* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:
$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;
$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;
$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;
$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.
In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.
Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.
Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.
Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.
Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.
Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.
Savings at Shell
Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:
Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.
Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)
Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.
To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.
The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.
The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.
The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.
Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.
All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.
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You want to change your appliances? Need more credit when you travel without asking for a cash advance? Or you want to take advantage of the latest iPhone during an Aeroplan X5 promotion but your new American Express Cobalt™ Card only came with a $1,000 credit limit (which is rare, but can happen)?
Artificially increasing your credit could be the solution in the short term and on an ad hoc basis.

For example, you make home improvements and charge your purchases to the SimplyCash™ Preferred from American Express to earn 2% cash back on all purchases (and 10% for the first 4 months).
A credit limit of $5,000 or $10,000 may not be enough during a billing cycle. By prepaying your credit card, you artificially increase your limit!
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express is the only credit card in Canada that offers 2% cash back on all purchases. In addition, you can get:
With this welcome offer, you can get 10% cash back on all your purchases (up to $2,000) during the first 3 months, for a total of up to $200. Plus, receive a $50 credit on your account after making a purchase in the 13th month.
The SimplyCash® Preferred Card from American Express is particularly popular with those who have significant purchases to make: renovations, furniture or appliance purchases, as it offers 2% at all merchants.
This Card stands out for the numerous insurances offered: car rental theft and damage, $100,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (outside the province or country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delay and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Buyer’s Assurance.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and up-to-date product information, click the « Apply Now » link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
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The easiest strategy to do. You pay more than your statement shows and by targeting the excess amount you need.
For example, your statement shows $1,000 due. You have purchased $300 worth of goods following the issuance of the statement and have $200 worth of expenses pending. So you need $500 more credit than usual. So you deposit $1000 + $300 + $200 + $500 for a total of $2000. You are then ready to purchase the desired item.
This strategy is used by those who are careful to stay below the 30% utilization ratio of their available credit in order to have a good credit score. Remember: the information reported to Transunion and Equifax credit bureaus is not necessarily synchronized with your credit card billing statement! You may be surprised to find that the balance on your credit report is much higher than what appears on your credit card statement.
To avoid getting caught, prepay your credit card before or right after a major purchase.
You have pleaded your case with the bank officer who has agreed to refund your annual fee. It’s a small amount, but you’ll see it as a negative on your statement, which will temporarily inflate your credit limit.

You have paid for hotel nights or refundable flights that you have cancelled.
You will therefore receive negative refunds but the credit limit will only be increased if the transactions do not appear on the same statement. Otherwise they will be absorbed by ongoing expenses.
For those with annual cash back credit cards, purchases below the cash back amount will result in a negative balance for the month.
In all cases, you use your negative balance to continue making purchases without affecting your credit limit.
Unlike conventional credit cards, the payment card has no credit limit. Therefore, it does not require the use of artificial credit limit increase strategies. American Express offers several payment cards:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee$199 | Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months Up to 70,000 points After $30,000 in 12 months | ||
| Annual fee$250 | Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months Up to 60,000 points After $12,000 in 12 months | ||
| Annual fee$799 | Welcome offerAfter $15,000 in 3 months Up to 120,000 points After $15,000 in 3 months | ||
| Annual fee$799 | Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months Up to 100,000 points After $10,000 in 3 months | ||
| Annual fee$120 | Welcome offerAfter $7,500 in 6 months Up to 45,000 points After $7,500 in 6 months |
You can simulate what American Express is prepared to grant you via the“Check purchasing power” function on the website.

But the payment card must be paid in full at the end of the month. This in itself should not bother the point hunters, since they pay their debts monthly anyway.
One of the best American Express payment cards is the American Express® Gold Rewards Card. With this card, you can earn 2 points per dollar on everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, pharmacy or travel.
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of
You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).
For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :
With this Card, you get many benefits like:
You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:
And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.
Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or controlling the accuracy of the information published on this website. For full and up-to-date product information, click on the Apply now link. Terms and conditions apply.
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Finally, prepaid cards can also be a good way to increase your ability to pay, especially since some of them offer a 0.5% discount on purchases.
The KOHO Mastercard Prepaid Card is one of them and allows you to deposit up to $20,000. Plus, it’s reloadable. Read all about the KOHO Mastercard prepaid card.
on KOHO's website
Special Offer:
The features of the KOHO Prepaid Mastercard with the Essential Plan are as follows:
Only users who have successfully opened a new KOHO account and made their first KOHO card purchase within 30 days of signing up are eligible for the offer and can claim the one-time $20 bonus in their KOHO account. This offer is non-transferable and may only be used once per person. Offer does not apply to other KOHO offers or promotions. KOHO may, at its sole discretion, suspend, terminate or change the terms and requirements of the offer.
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At some point, we may all need more credit than our current limits allow. A face-to-face, telephone or even online consultation with our banking institution is the first solution to turn to.
There are also strategies we can use on an ad hoc basis that involve artificially increasing the credit limit. Next are payment and pre-paid cards.
So there are many ways to be able to pay for our projects! As long as you don’t go into debt by paying off your credit cards every month.
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The American Express Cobalt® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.
American Express Cobalt® Card welcome offer
The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer valued at $255.
Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.
You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.
You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:
American Express Cobalt® Card benefits
Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.
The 5X categories and where they apply
The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers three kinds of merchants:
The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.
With the American Express Cobalt® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:
| Category | Points per dollar |
| Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.) | 5 |
| Home food delivery | 5 |
| Restaurants and bars | 5 |
| Convenience stores | 1 |
| Streaming services | 3 |
| Service station | 2 |
| Transport | 2 |
| Travel | 1 |
| Other | 1 |
That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.
You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.
American Express Cobalt® Card insurance coverage
The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.
Travel insurance
Rental car insurance
Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.
Mobile device insurance
Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.
American Express Cobalt® Card fees
Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
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on BMO's website
The BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card is one of the best Visa Infinite rewards credit cards in Canada. Its welcome offer lets you earn up to 70,000 BMO Rewards points, for a total value of up to $1,150*.
It also includes a monthly statement credit for streaming services, an annual $50 lifestyle credit, and no annual fee for the first year (a $120 value)*.
With the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card, you also get:
*Terms and conditions apply
BMO is not responsible for updating the content of this site. For the most up-to-date information, please click on the Online Application link.
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