topic Re: Keeping CC active in Credit Cards

Keeping CC active

ineedcreditbad — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:03:52 GMT

Hi All,

I received a letter from Barclays last month stating that if I didn’t use my card within 30 days, they would close my account. Fortunately, I noticed it in time and made a charge to keep it active.

Would it be better to make a small charge every month to keep the card active, or should I just let the bank close the account since I rarely use the Barclays card anyway?

Thanks

Re: Keeping CC active

NoMoreE46 — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:11:19 GMT

Most advise to keep it active if no AF.

Which card is it?

How many cards do you have now?

@ineedcreditbad wrote:
Hi All,

I received a letter from Barclays last month stating that if I didn’t use my card within 30 days, they would close my account. Fortunately, I noticed it in time and made a charge to keep it active.

Would it be better to make a small charge every month to keep the card active, or should I just let the bank close the account since I rarely use the Barclays card anyway?

Thanks

Re: Keeping CC active

ineedcreditbad — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:25:29 GMT

Just a regular Barclays card.

Currently have 11 CC with 3-4% of utilization per month.

Re: Keeping CC active

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 18:05:52 GMT

@NoMoreE46 wrote:
Most advise to keep it active if no AF.

But a sizeable group (including me) say don't (necessarily bother).

But to OP question, I certainly wouldn't use it every month. Either once every 6 months/1 year, or wait till Barclays send you another warning letter.

I've had 3 over the years. First two I did the spend, but last time I just closed the card myself (and a Barclays deposit account). Just not worth the hassle

Re: Keeping CC active

CreditMagic7 — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 18:28:26 GMT

The age old adage applies with Barclays. Buy them a stick of chewing gum every month.

Make it your Dentine or Wrigley's gum card.

Re: Keeping CC active

Kforce — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 19:10:53 GMT

As @Anonymous posted to keep alive most cards only requires a couple of dollars every 6 months.

If your profile age is good, have > 5 cards, pay in full, and have savings where the additional

CL is not needed.

I would close the card.

Re: Keeping CC active

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:32:16 GMT

@ineedcreditbad wrote:
Hi All,

I received a letter from Barclays last month stating that if I didn’t use my card within 30 days, they would close my account. Fortunately, I noticed it in time and made a charge to keep it active.

Would it be better to make a small charge every month to keep the card active, or should I just let the bank close the account since I rarely use the Barclays card anyway?

Thanks

Surely you have a small recurring charge you can schedule to that card? If you want to keep that card, that's what I would do. If you don't care one way or the other then let them cancel it.

Re: Keeping CC active

NoMoreE46 — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 02:28:49 GMT

@ineedcreditbad wrote:
Just a regular Barclays card.

Currently have 11 CC with 3-4% of utilization per month.

Looks like you won't miss it or really need this card.

Fyi- credit line increases requests with Barclays are SP now.

Re: Keeping CC active

salt_water_swimming — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:46:19 GMT

@ineedcreditbad wrote:
Just a regular Barclays card.

Currently have 11 CC with 3-4% of utilization per month.

Sounds pretty useless dude. Let it die. At some point, the risk of your account being compromised and you not noticing is higher than the value of a card with no meaningful benefits/rewards.

Re: Keeping CC active

ineedcreditbad — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:30:48 GMT

Agreed, my only concern is a drop in my FICO score if the card is closed by the issuer and if that might have a snowball effect on the other cards that I use on a regular basis.