
Merrick Bank offers a credit limit increase for its Double Your Line customers, allowing them to increase their credit limit by up to 50%.
To be eligible for a credit limit increase, you must have a good payment history and meet certain creditworthiness requirements.
A credit limit increase can be a great way to improve your credit utilization ratio and potentially earn more rewards points.
You can request a credit limit increase online or by calling the number on the back of your card.
Key Features
Double Your Line from Merrick Bank offers a convenient way to manage your credit. You can double your credit line by making your minimum payment on time each month for the first 7 months your account is open.
Your payment history is reported to all three major credit-reporting agencies, which is a great way to establish a positive credit history.
One of the benefits of using Double Your Line is that you'll get your FICO Credit Score for free each month, giving you valuable insights into your credit health.
This feature can be especially helpful if you're new to credit or trying to improve your credit score.
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Pros and Cons
Merrick Bank's double your line credit card has some great benefits that make it worth considering. Zero fraud liability is a big plus, giving you peace of mind when making transactions.
Merrick Bank reports activity to major credit bureaus, which is essential for building a positive credit history. This can help you establish or improve your credit score over time.
Automatically doubling your credit line in your first year with on-time payments is a unique feature that can save you money on interest and fees. This is a great incentive to make regular payments and maintain a good credit history.
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What Score Do You Need?
You can get approved for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Card with a credit score as low as 300. This makes it a great option for people with bad credit.
The credit score requirements are lenient, but approval is not guaranteed. Your application can still be rejected if you have a pending bankruptcy on your credit report.
The card is designed for people with bad credit, so you'll have a shot at getting approved even if your credit is not in good standing.
Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of the Merrick Bank credit card are worth considering.
The card has zero fraud liability, which is a huge plus. This means you're protected in case someone tries to make unauthorized purchases with your card.
One of the standout features is that Merrick Bank reports your activity to major credit bureaus. This can help you build credit over time.
You can double your credit line with no additional deposit after seven months of on-time payments. This can be a game-changer for people looking to improve their credit score.
Here are some key pros to keep in mind:
- Zero fraud liability
- Merrick Bank reports activity to major credit bureaus
- Double your credit line with no additional deposit after seven months of on-time payments
The card also automatically doubles your credit line in your first year when you make on-time payments. This is a great incentive to stay on top of your payments.
The annual fee for this card is reasonable, ranging between $0 and $72. This is a small price to pay for the benefits you'll receive.
Application and Requirements
To get pre-approved for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard, you first need to fill out the pre-approval application page, which involves a soft inquiry with no impact on your credit score.
You'll need to provide basic information and your social security number for the soft inquiry, and if you're pre-approved, you can then proceed to fill out the full application form.
The requirements for getting approved for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard include a credit score of more than 620, a debt payment to income ratio of less than 40%, and a credit utilization ratio of less than 40%.
Here are the specific requirements in a list:
- Credit score needed - more than 620
- Debt Payment to Income Ratio - Less than 40%
- Credit Utilization Ratio - less than 40%
- Not more than 2 hard inquiries during the last 6 months
- No more than 10 new tradelines during last 24 months
- On-time payments for at least a year
- No delinquent revolving trade line - ie all charge off, collections should be settled
- No tax liens
Requirements
To be eligible for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard, you'll need to meet certain requirements. The credit score needed is more than 620.
To get approved, you'll also need to have a debt payment to income ratio of less than 40%. This means that you shouldn't be spending more than 40% of your income on debt payments.
Another factor is your credit utilization ratio, which should be less than 40%. This is the percentage of your available credit that you're using.
You can't have more than 2 hard inquiries on your credit report in the last 6 months. This means that you shouldn't be applying for too many credit cards or loans in a short period of time.
Additionally, you can't have more than 10 new tradelines in the last 24 months. A tradeline is a credit account, so this means that you shouldn't be opening too many new credit accounts in a short period of time.
To be approved, you'll also need to have made on-time payments for at least a year. This shows that you're responsible with your finances and can be trusted with a credit card.
You can't have any delinquent revolving trade lines, which means that you can't have any outstanding debts that are past due. All charge-offs and collections should be settled.
Finally, you can't have any tax liens. This means that you shouldn't have any outstanding tax debts that are being collected by the government.
Consider reading: What to Do If You Can't Pay Credit Cards
Here are the requirements in a concise list:
- Credit score needed - more than 620
- Debt Payment to Income Ratio - Less than 40%
- Credit Utilization Ratio - less than 40%
- Not more than 2 hard inquiries during the last 6 months
- No more than 10 new tradelines during last 24 months
- On-time payments for at least a year
- CANNOT have delinquent revolving trade line - ie all charge off, collections should be settled
- No tax liens
Obtaining a Pin
You can get a PIN for your Merrick Bank Double Your Line card after receiving it, as it will be mailed to the address on file in about 5 business days.
The PIN will be automatically mailed to you, so you won't need to make a request for it.
If you didn't receive a PIN for your card, or if you lost it, you can call customer support at (800) 204-5936 and ask for one.
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Fees and Charges
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line Mastercard has a few fees to be aware of. The card charges a variable purchase APR of 29.95%, which is quite high.
If you can't pay off your balance in full each month, you'll be charged interest on your outstanding balance. The APR is high enough that interest charges could add up quickly.
There's also a one-time account set-up fee of up to $75, which is charged upfront. This fee isn't refundable, so be sure to factor it into your overall costs.
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The card has a confusing fee structure, and it's unclear exactly how much you'll be charged for the set-up fee. Merrick may subtract the cost of the set-up fee from your total credit line before you even begin using the card.
Here's a breakdown of the fees to be aware of:
- One-time account set-up fee: up to $75
- Variable purchase APR: 29.95%
It's worth noting that the card's annual fee is $0, but you might see different annual fees on Credit Karma. Be sure to review your account carefully to understand all the fees associated with the card.
Take a look at this: American Express Credit Card Fees
Benefits and Advantages
With Merrick Bank's Double Your Line card, you'll enjoy a range of benefits that make managing your finances easier.
You'll get no-extra-charge access to your FICO credit score when it's provided to the bank.
Online banking is also a breeze, allowing you to click to pay bills online at your convenience.
Zero liability protection means you're not responsible for unauthorized purchases.
This card offers you a sense of security and control over your finances.
Comparison and Review
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Credit Card has a 2.4 WalletHub rating, which is based on its ability to help rebuild damaged credit. It has a regular APR of 22.7% (Variable) and no rewards rate.
The card's fees are relatively high, with a $36 first-year annual fee and a monthly fee of $3 after the first year. You'll also need to make a minimum deposit of $200 to open the account.
Compared to other secured credit cards, the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Credit Card has lower fees than the Reflex Mastercard from Continental Finance, but higher fees than the Discover it Secured Credit Card.
Here's a comparison of the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Credit Card with two popular alternatives:
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Credit Card has a lower WalletHub rating than the Discover it Secured Credit Card, but a higher rating than the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. However, the Discover it Secured Credit Card has a higher rewards rate, offering 1-2% cash back, while the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5-5% cash back.
The card's regular APR is higher than both the Discover it Secured Credit Card and the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, with a variable APR of 22.7%.
For more insights, see: Capital Allocation Line vs Capital Market Line
Limit and Increase
You can get a credit limit increase for your Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Card by adding more money to the security deposit, which you can do by mailing a cashier's check or a money order to the address listed.
Keep in mind that this method requires a written request and can take 10-14 calendar days to take effect. Unfortunately, you can't add more money online or over the phone.
Alternatively, if you make at least the minimum payment for 7 months after the account opening, your $200 initial credit limit will be doubled, and your account will be regularly reviewed for credit line increases without needing an additional deposit.
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Limit Increase Request
To request a credit limit increase for your Merrick Bank Double-Your-Line card, you'll need to add more money to the security deposit by mailing a cashier's check or a money order to the bank.
You can send your request to Merrick Bank at P.O. Box 1442, Draper, UT 84020-1442. Unfortunately, you can't do this online or over the phone.
Keep in mind that the credit limit increase will take effect in 10-14 calendar days after the bank receives your check.
Alternatively, if you make at least the minimum payment for 7 months after the account opening, your credit limit will be automatically doubled to $400.
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Limit Increases Compared to Guarantee
Merrick Bank's credit limit increase policy is worth considering, especially when compared to other cards that guarantee credit limit increases. The Mission Lane Visa, for instance, has a lower maximum annual fee of $59 compared to Merrick Bank's $72.
After 7 months of on-time payments with the Mission Lane Visa, your credit limit will be increased, and many users have reported their initial credit lines doubling. This is a significant benefit for those looking to build credit and increase their purchasing power.
The Reflex Mastercard from Continental Finance also offers a credit limit increase after 6 months of on-time payments, but its starting credit limit is between $300 and $1,000, which is lower than Merrick Bank's initial credit lines.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Merrick Bank really double your credit limit?
Yes, Merrick Bank doubles your credit line after 7 on-time payments, but it's not a guaranteed increase and is subject to review. To qualify, make timely payments for 7 months and stay on track for potential future credit line increases.
What is the highest credit limit for Merrick Bank?
The highest credit limit for Merrick Bank cards is $3,000. This limit may vary based on individual creditworthiness and other factors.
How to make a payment to Merrick Bank?
To make a payment to Merrick Bank, you can pay online, over the phone, or by mail with a check, cashier's check, or money order. Send mail payments to Merrick Bank, P.O. Box 660702, Dallas, TX 75266-0702.
Can you have a 2 Merrick Bank credit card?
Yes, you can have multiple Merrick Bank credit cards, with no limit on the number of accounts. However, applying for too many cards in a short time can negatively impact your credit score
Sources
- https://wallethub.com/d/merrick-bank-double-your-line-secured-card-3367c
- https://www.cardratings.com/credit-card/merrick-bank-double-your-line-secured-visa-card.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/merrick-bank-double-your-line-secured-visa-credit-card/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/insights/merrick-bank-double-your-line-mastercard-credit-card
- https://www.askmrcreditcard.com/merrick-bank/double-your-line/
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