jandy1 wrote:
I'm asking because I'm a little unsure about util. I've got a C1 that's at close to 90%, and a amex that's at 33%. I can pay of the Amex before it updates in a few days, or I can pay off most of the C1, but it won't update for almost a month. What's my best bet here? Does the score calculate total util or util on individual cards? I've heard mixed stories.
FICO looks at both total and individual utilization.
The 90% on Cap1 is hurting you. You should pay that card down first if FICO is your priority.
Paying the Amex off before it reports in a few days won't help you that quickly, because Amex reports a month behind, anyway. The new balance on the Cap1 will show on your reports sooner than the new balance on the Amex will, even if you do manage to pay it off before it reports for this cycle, because of Amex's one-month-behind reporting.
