Mark exhaled. The increase didn't just mean he could afford the TV; it meant he could take advantage of the offer without maxing out his card and hurting his credit utilization ratio.
As the blue-shirted associate began wheeling the massive box toward the checkout, Mark felt that specific rush of a plan coming together. He’d play the long game: pay it off in chunks, keep his credit healthy, and finally watch the big game in 4K.
Mark knew the drill. He pulled up the portal on his phone. He hesitated over the "Request Credit Limit Increase" button. He’d been diligent, paying his balance in full every month and keeping his credit score in the "Excellent" range.