Do you SD or Use Your New Cards?

[BarryNTexas]

I'm curious as to how you handle newly issued credit cards.  Do you sock drawer them or do you immediately take it out for a shake down cruise?

I like to run it through at least one purchase and then PIF.  However, I'm not sure if there is an advantage to that or just sticking in the safe.

Share how you handle a new card.

[NRB525]

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@BarryNTexas wrote:

I'm curious as to how you handle newly issued credit cards.  Do you sock drawer them or do you immediately take it out for a shake down cruise?

I like to run it through at least one purchase and then PIF.  However, I'm not sure if there is an advantage to that or just sticking in the safe.

Share how you handle a new card.

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If it was off of a BT offer, then those have to be just paid down, no swipes for a while.

If I get DC, it is getting heavy usage (the operative term is IF I get DC)

[JSS3]

I get cards now that I need; specifically for their 0% APR period, BT, and potentially higher limit than the last card. Being that I need them, I wish to use them immediately, but before I do, I always find out the due date and closing date so I can manipulate my stats. So my answer is immediately after finding out that new card's cycle.

[takeshi74]

I apply for cards that I have a purpose for so they get used.  The only cards that I SD are cards that aren't as useful to me anymore but may still serve a purpose such as utilization padding.

[Anonymous]

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@JSS3 wrote:

I get cards now that I need; specifically for their 0% APR period, BT, and potentially higher limit than the last card. Being that I need them, I wish to use them immediately, but before I do, I always find out the due date and closing date so I can manipulate my stats. So my answer is immediately after finding out that new card's cycle.

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Follow JSS3 so I can establish a performance track record. It seems the first few months are often a start for CLI's at 2,3,4,6 and 12 months. Want to provide the card issuer a reason to look favorably upon my new account. After that the card(s) may get sd'd. Truth, I don't open accounts just to have them so often I closed many out of date cards (rewards wise). Took hits to the credit scores but the drops were minor and very short lived. The one danger on card closing is the potential loss of a card (good standing) at the ten year mark which can effect oldest account standing (made the mistake of having an old car loan deleted and it really hit my score).

[chalupaman]

I always try to use new cards I get in some way. If they don't serve any good use for me months down the line, I either SD or close them out completely like I did with my Wal-Mart and Amex Green cards recently.

[MissMoni223]

Typically, I like to use a new card, even if it's just for a small purchase. That way I'll know what the closing date and statement due date is up front.

[Ghoshida]

The only new card I sock-drawered was the Chase Slate.

Wrong app; but the card served its purpose for 5 months and then got closed and limits moved around.

I use all my other new cards with immediate effect.

[eddie84]

I use mine right away and usually keep using it for awhile since they approved it, I ought to show them some love. 

[skigirl916]

All of my cards have served a purpose, primarily awards, so I've had to use them significantly in order to meet the spending requirement for the sign-up bonus.