Utilization Question

BBforever · ‎01-12-2014

My GF asked me a question that I really didn't know the answer to, so I'll ask you all (the experts):

She has about 5 credit cards:

Chase Slate - $20,000 CL (12% UTL)

Macy's - $5,000 (9% UTL)

Lowes - $3,000 (0% UTL)

Sears - $5,000 (0% UTL)

JCP - $5,000 (0% UTL)

The items that show 0% utilization are literally zero utilization, meaning she hasn't used those cards In about 1-2 years.

My question is, will/could this lack of activity on these cards hurt her FICO score? She normally just uses her Slate card and Macy card throughout the year. she keeps her Slate and Macy around 8-12% utilization throughout the year.

Gunnar419 · ‎01-12-2014

The simple non-use by itself doesn't hurt, but if one or more of the card issuers cancels a card for being inactive too long, that would push up her overall utilization, which would hurt her score. She should make small purchases on those inactive cards every few months to ensure that doesn't happen.

OneDay_750 · ‎01-12-2014

+1

CURRENT SCORES: EQ: 628 (12/14/14); TU: 628 (12/10/14); EX: 636 (12/13/14)--All myFICO
STARTING myFICO EQ SCORE:: 507 (11/2013); GOAL SCORE: 700--(All CRAs); GARDENING SINCE: 10/5/14
NFCU cashRewards Signature Visa: $5K CL @ 16.65%

NFCU cashRewards Signature Visa: $5K CL @ 16.65%

USAA Secured Platinum MC: $1K CL @ 9.90%

CapOne Platinum MC: $551 CL, $51 Secured, @ 22.9%

Scupra · ‎01-13-2014

@Gunnar419 wrote:
The simple non-use by itself doesn't hurt, but if one or more of the card issuers cancels a card for being inactive too long, that would push up her overall utilization, which would hurt her score. She should make small purchases on those inactive cards every few months to ensure that doesn't happen.

plus a million!