I think their policy on credit limits is different when you send an application through the mail. This allows them to verify everything before they send you a card. But I was told that at the rate credit card fraud is going (i.e. people opening up instant credit accounts in others names) they safe guard that by opening at $100 for that day. We found this out because he tried to buy me a jacket (the day he opened the account) for $200 and it did not go through. The sales associate then called and that's when we found out the information. Then the authorization dept. would not override the $100 limit to let him make his first purchase of $200! I don't know what the story was with my friend opening up an instant credit account and then Macy's telling her that she had to charge and pay $500 worth of stuff (so buy $100, pay off, buy $100, pay off, etc.) until they would consider raising the limit. This is because I think this was the first? or second card that she had. Her credit was relatively new. This all happened at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. Now I don't know if this is the policy for all Macy's or just the one by my house. I was told (my best friend works there) that Macy's has been hit HARD in regards to loss prevention and credit card fraud. Oh, and just to show...that same best friend just became a victim of identity theft. Someone got a hold of her information and opened up instant credit accounts all over the place. It's a big mess. They did an account look up on her Macy's card (using a lost ID?) and got her account number and charged $1700 worth of stuff...mostly gift certificates which are virtually untraceable.