* I didn't see that this thread got duplicated. I'm moving my reply on the dupe thread here, and then I'll delete the other. *
Which bank/ company issues your card? Almost all of them report on the date that the statement posts, and they report the amount on that statement. Some always post on the exact same date each month, and others wander around a few days either way.
You can check your previous statements to find your usual statement date.
HSBC updates on the last business day of the month, and my understanding is that they report the balance on that day, although maybe it's the amount from the statement, but reported at the end of the month.
American Express reports the previous month's balance, but I keep reading different info about whether they actually report on the statement date or at the end of the month.
(As usual I need a rescue on the HSBC and AmEx stuff!)
Anyway, for the normal cards, if you pay your balance off about 5 days before the next statement is due, and then check again a day or two before it posts, you should have $0 reporting.
Do let one card report a tiny balance or so. Members have reported a 10-20 point drop if there are no CC's reporting a balance, although I got a score increase with TU when this (all $0's) accidentally happened once.
* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007