Credit limit

Using a high proportion of your limit can look risky to lenders and may lower your credit scoreHow Credit Scores Work in the UKHow UK credit scores work: what the credit reference agencies record, what affects your score, why scores differ between agencies and what lenders actually see.Read more →. Keeping balances well below the limit is generally better.

Exceeding the limit can result in fees or a declined transaction. A lender may raise or lower your limit based on your behaviour and circumstances.

You can check your credit reportsCredit reportA credit report is a record of your borrowing and repayment history, held by credit reference agencies and used by lenders to assess you.Read more → for free, and you should never need to pay for a credit score or report.