>2. call your credit card companies and request an increase.
>your goal should be to have the maximum amount - even if you
>never plan to use it.

Only do this if it will be a SOFT PULL or if you really want/need the additional credit. Calling up multiple credit card companies for credit line increases ("CLI") could result in multiple hard inquiries on your report, and it may not be worth it, especially if you plan on making a large purchase soon.

In my past experience, cards issued by Citi, Synchrony, Capital One, Discover and AmEx* don't result in a hard pull when I request a CLI. Chase Bank does, and that's why I haven't requested an increase with them in four years. Sometimes Barclays does, too.

The MyFico message boards are a good place for investigating this type of stuff.

*I have too many cards. ;-)