Hey, I just wanted to share the news about this card..I got a letter tonight stating an increase in my Target Guest Card (because of my "excellent payment history" it says, don't laugh, I guess 3 months of good payment is considered "excellent" to Target). Went from $200 to $500 since opening in December. Husband got an increase, too (we applied for the card on the same day)! I didn't ask for an increase and I have only used the card to get credit established. I highly recommend applying for the Guest Card. I am 13 months out of BK. Have this card and Household Bank unsecured with $500 credit limit. It's a start.
They did the same for me. I don't have the info in front of me, but I think it was $200 to start, then another $300 at 3 or 4 months. They bumped it to $700 after about 9 months or so, and just last month added another $100. I've had the card since June of 2002, I think. I charged up to the limit when I first used the card, for the 10% off coupon. Then we just use(d) it for basic household goods monthly, (toilet paper/detergent/diapers/etc, about $100 to $150, if I can keep my wife from buying movies). I have only carried a balance twice, both times when I missed a payment by mistake. The first time they refunded the interest, and they have never charged a late fee.
Target usually gives the first CLI in 2-3 months (I kept hearing 2, so I was disappointed when mine came after the third month. It probably depends on when you opened the account, and when your billing statement was set up for.) Personally, it doesn't appear that anything other than making the regular payments is considered. I made higher than the min, and multiple payments a month when possible, and my sister made the min payments, and both got the first CLI at the same time. I also tried to use the card at least a little bit a month, and my sister didn't; so usage doesn't seem to affect it either. So basically if you use the card, enough that you'll be able to show the first 2-3 monthly payment history, you should see a CLI.
Took me a year to go from $200 to $300. That's only after I requested it and they said they couldn't give me any more than $100 increase. All this on a perfect credit report and 10 other credit cards with more than 24 month perfect history. I tried everything: paid the stupid thing off every month, paid minimum, paid half. Never went over the limit. I heard all kinds of good things about the guest card. Have yet to experience it. Now I just use one of my good Platinum cards to get stuff there. At least I get cash back or GM points that way. Over $30k in total credit available and Target wants to give me another $100?
