Trying to figure out the ideal utilization

[Anonymous]

After 83% Utilization 2 months ago I finally was able to lower my utilization considerably and even get a new card with $10K limit

I PIFed all cards but one - and understand that I should leave one card with a low utilization, I currently have one card that will report in a few days and left it at 9% ($525 out of $6000).

Should I go lower?

Cards:	Opened	Current Balance	Limit	UTI
Amex (Costco)	Mar 11	$0	$5,000	0%	Waiting for report to update currently reporting $2.2K
BOAM Visa 1	Apr 04	$525	$6,000	9%	Will close on 6/26, currenty reporting $3.7K
BOAM Visa 2	Aug 01	$0	$5,200	0%
BOAM (AAA)	May 2006	$0	$500	0%
Comenity (BJs)	Jan 12	$0	$1,230	0%
USalliance CU (LOC)	Apr 14	$0	$12,000	0%
Metro CU	Jun 15	$0	$10,000	0%	Brand New, Not reporting yet
		$525	$39,930	1%

Note: Signaure updated to current scores, I'm still waiting for some of the balances to report, so by the end of this month I hope to see a higher score.

[jamie123]

The optimum percentage depends on each individual person's file. Even then, it could change over time. As long as you have one card reporting less than 10% the difference in points is minor. Perhaps 2 to 3 points at most.

[tufa4311]

You're doing exactly what you should be - One card reporting less than 10%. Just don't forget, after the card reports pay it off in full so as not to incur any interest.

One other thing, I see you have two cards with much lower credit limits - if those cards will allow a CLI WITHOUT a hard inquiry I would request it, again, only if they will not do a hard inquiry and only of you have not requested a CLI from them within the last 6 months.

[NRB525]

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@Anonymous wrote:

After 83% Utilization 2 months ago I finally was able to lower my utilization considerably and even get a new card with $10K limit

I PIFed all cards but one - and understand that I should leave one card with a low utilization, I currently have one card that will report in a few days and left it at 9% ($525 out of $6000).

Should I go lower?

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No.

Congratulations on getting the baddies to be aged off or removed, and good work on getting the utilization down. I'd say if you are anywhere below 20% total utilization of your entire CL you will probably be doing fine. 10% might see a slight improvement in score.

And I doubt keeping just one card reporting is going to make much difference. In other words, if you have three or four cards active and reporting something, there's likely not much of a points penalty at all. Every one of my cards reports a balance every month.