At what reduced utilization will there be an improvement in scores?

[Anonymous]

Right now the biggest drag on both scores is nearly maxed out cards. I can't pay them off immediately, but am doing the best I can to reduce the balances. At what point will there be some positive effect? 80%? 50%? Does it have to be on each card, or overall? (One account that shows as revolving credit is actually an unsecured installment loan, but when I questioned the CU about the reporting, they insisted it was correct because it's a "line of credit".)

[cobra19]

You should see something positive at 49%, 29%, 19%, and 9%. I also think you see something postive between 1-3%. Others here may disagree on the 1-3% thing.

[niecey89]

from my understanding you would need to be 7-9%.

[Junejer]

Deemac, I agree with Cobra mostly. I saw nothing at 19% or from 5% to 1%. But, Cobra's scores are in the stratosphere, so his changes may be more sensitive. The highest my EQ got was 790, when I was doing the experimenting.

[Anonymous]

thanks, I was pretty sure getting below 50% would have an effect.... was just hoping maybe I'd get something for below 80%.

[Junejer]

Sorry.

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deemac wrote:
thanks, I was pretty sure getting below 50% would have an effect.... was just hoping maybe I'd get something for below 80%.

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[marty56]

For my profile, 1% - 9% was the same.  I lost points for 0%.