How are you guys showing activity on less frequently used cards?

[HeilFico]

Hey guys, have a few questions regarding keeping accounts active. I'm trying to figure out the easiest way to obtain this. I have quite a few cards now and simply setting up bill pay on bills isn't going to cut it. I have five cards right now that haven't shown activity in two months. I want to charge the least amount possible this week just to keep them going. Anyone have any creative methods out there? I don't want to go to the supermarket and buy 5 packs of gum separately, LOL.

Appreciate the input!

[zerobacan]

Buy anything then return it

[enharu]

Buy something cheap online with it? Amazon does not have a minimum spend requirement for free shipping if you have prime.

[longtimelurker]

Or, consider if it is worth the effort.   If you are not using the cards, maybe you don't need to keep them open.

[mongstradamus]

I usually goto buy an smoothie or Starbucks once an month and be done with it lol 

[FinStar]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

Or, consider if it is worth the effort.   If you are not using the cards, maybe you don't need to keep them open.

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+1

[DaveSignal]

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@FinStar wrote:

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@longtimelurker wrote:

Or, consider if it is worth the effort.   If you are not using the cards, maybe you don't need to keep them open.

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+1

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+1 again.  I have closed all of my cards that I don't have use for.  I enjoy being so organized, having a real and specific purpose for every open credit line. 

[Feisarr]

-2
Keep all (without annual fees) of them open and build your average age of accounts. This way your credit will not be as impacted when you add a new account later on. The side benefit is that it adds to your overall credit limit and benefits your utilization.

Call the card companies and set them all to have the same due date. Make a minor charge on unused cards every three months, set a calendar reminder. Alternatively, just shuffle your cards and choose one at random when you're making a charge less than ten dollars. At that point, your rewards won't really make a difference anyway, and you guarantee more natural-seeming usage.

[longtimelurker]

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@Feisarr wrote:
-2
Keep all (without annual fees) of them open and build your average age of accounts. This way your credit will not be as impacted when you add a new account later on. The side benefit is that it adds to your overall credit limit and benefits your utilization.

Call the card companies and set them all to have the same due date. Make a minor charge on unused cards every three months, set a calendar reminder. Alternatively, just shuffle your cards and choose one at random when you're making a charge less than ten dollars. At that point, your rewards won't really make a difference anyway, and you guarantee more natural-seeming usage.

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Doesn't this strike you as (at least for some if not for you) too much hassle for little gain?   AAoA isn't impacted by card closing for 10 years or so, and most people's credit will be in a different place.   Utilization is easy to control for most, and if not, focus on paying down balances rather than keeping cards active.

[CreditScholar]

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@DaveSignal wrote:

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@FinStar wrote:

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@longtimelurker wrote:

Or, consider if it is worth the effort.   If you are not using the cards, maybe you don't need to keep them open.

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+1

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+1 again.  I have closed all of my cards that I don't have use for.  I enjoy being so organized, having a real and specific purpose for every open credit line. 

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+3. Way too much effort, and closed accounts still report for 10 years. Every lender has a different threshold with regards to how much inactivity will result in AA.

I haven't charged anything on my BofA card in over 2 years, and they haven't touched me. I'd hate to go through so much hassle for so little benefit, especially for lenders who aren't as quick to AA/CLD you for lack of activity.