How to Stop Going Over Your Credit Limit (Chase)

Chase card customers have an option that will keep them from going over their credit limit and running into trouble.

If you go over your limit, Chase can cover the charge for you as a "courtesy" feature - for a fee. These fees can be $39, even if you only go over your credit limit by a few dollars.

To avoid these fees, you can request that they turn off the courtesy feature. Simply call Chase and ask for an over-the-limit block.

If you do so, you won't be able to fudge on your credit limit anymore - but you should really try not to do that anyway, right? Instead of covering the charge, your card will be denied. You'll have to find another way to pay or decide to do without.

The over-the-limit block is not 100% guaranteed. For more details, read a few examples and possible pitfalls at the CreditMattersBlog. [via Consumerist]