Card Usage

[Anonymous]

If i use all my credit cards and PIF before the statement cuts except leave a small balance on 1 card, does FICO know this and/or does it matter for my score?

Also is utilization always rounded up?

(I.e. 6.45% would be considered 7%?)

I ask this because in order for me to get 1-9% on my cards per month i have to charge about $100 a month which covers all the stuff i would need to pay for anyways like bills and stuff. so if i can get my utilization at 1.25% then it would be considered 2%?

Thanks.

[Creditaddict]

I believe util is broken down to brackets 1-9, 10-19, etc. so it does not matter where you are as long as it's under 9.

[Anonymous]

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JDizzle wrote:

If i use all my credit cards and PIF before the statement cuts except leave a small balance on 1 card, does FICO know this and/or does it matter for my score?

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FICO will not know this, and it will not affect your score.  FICO only knows the reported balance in a given month.  What you stated is exactly the best way to handle your cards for maximum FICO purposes.

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JDizzle wrote:

Also is utilization always rounded up?

(I.e. 6.45% would be considered 7%?)

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In my experience, utilization is rounded up.  Others have reported different experiences.

Essentially, however, there is no difference between 1% and 9% for most people.  Allow a balance to report of greater than $0 and 9% or less and you should be good.

[Anonymous]

Great! thanks for your help; i'm just going to repeat this system month after month and let my history build positivly.