Lately people think that credit card companies can't see your actual card usage if you PIF before the statement cuts, but this isn't true at least on 2 of the 3 Credit Reports. Below is an insert from my EQ report, see it shows the actual payment for the month, even though the balance shows $0. So the card company knows that I either paid in full the balance or the balance from the previous month.
If the lender wants to see more details and to know for sure about my payment habits he can take a look at my EX report. The interesting details shown below. Where the lenders can see account balance, Payment date, minimum payment and actual payment. As you can see in Feb, I started with a zero balance and paid $26, so my total spend for the month was $26, PIF , in march the card wasn't used at all, started with no balance, and made no payments, in April I let a $59 balance report, but total spend was $226 for the month. On a card with a $200 limit.
To sum it up, if lenders are really interested they can see how much your total spend for the month, your total payments for the month, whether or not you let balances report for the last few months.
I agree with emptypockets. I have no problems with that. I want them to see, that I use the cards and pay them off. PIF before statement is only a matter of the utilization and a better score in my eyes.
