Does a Discover Credit Line Increase Hard Pull?

A credit line increase provides cardholders with access to additional borrowing power on their existing credit card. Consumers often seek these increases to manage larger expenses, enhance purchasing capabilities, or improve their credit profile. A higher credit limit can offer greater financial flexibility.

Types of Credit Inquiries

Credit inquiries are records of when a party requests to view an individual’s credit report, and they come in two main forms: hard inquiries and soft inquiries. A hard inquiry, also known as a hard pull or hard credit check, typically occurs when a consumer applies for new credit, such as a credit card, mortgage, or loan. Creditors conduct these to assess creditworthiness before making a lending decision, and a hard inquiry can temporarily lower a credit score by a few points. Hard inquiries remain on a credit report for up to two years, though their impact on a credit score generally lessens after 12 months.

In contrast, a soft inquiry, or soft pull, does not affect one’s credit score. These inquiries often occur when a person checks their own credit report, or when a lender or other entity reviews a credit file for pre-approval offers, background checks, or account monitoring. Soft inquiries are typically not visible to other lenders and do not indicate an individual is actively seeking new credit.

Discover’s Credit Line Increase Process

When a Discover cardmember requests a credit line increase, Discover typically conducts a soft inquiry. This means a customer-initiated request for a higher credit limit generally will not result in a hard pull on the cardholder’s credit report, avoiding a potential temporary impact on their credit score.

However, exceptions exist. Discover may determine a hard inquiry is necessary to evaluate a request more thoroughly. If a hard inquiry is required, Discover will seek the cardmember’s explicit consent. Discover may also grant automatic credit limit increases to cardholders who demonstrate responsible account management; these are always performed without a hard inquiry.

What Influences a Discover Credit Line Increase

Discover evaluates several factors when considering a credit line increase request:

Consistent payment history on the Discover card and other credit accounts, demonstrating responsible management.
Current credit utilization ratio, where a lower utilization often signals responsible credit use.
Income and debt-to-income ratio, which indicate a cardholder’s capacity to handle additional credit.
Length of credit history with Discover.
Overall credit score, providing insights into financial stability and credit management habits.
Employment consistency, suggesting a stable income source for repayment.

Requesting a Credit Line Increase from Discover

Discover provides several methods for cardmembers to request a credit line increase. Cardholders can initiate a request through their online account portal by navigating to the “Services” section and selecting “Credit Line Increase” under “Credit Options.” The Discover mobile application offers a similar pathway, allowing users to submit their request from their smartphone.

Alternatively, cardmembers can contact Discover’s customer service by phone, using the number on the back of their credit card. During the request, cardmembers may be asked to provide updated financial information, such as current annual gross income and monthly housing payment. Many online requests receive an instant decision, though some may require a brief review.