topic Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed? in Credit Cards

Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:10:43 GMT

Im little curious about what is the shortest time someone has had an inactive card being closed. I'm sure HSBC is going to get this one, but i still would like to see.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Jazzzy — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:18:03 GMT

Mine actually took longer than I expected. I opened Old Navy in Dec. of 2006, and Old Navy closed it in January of 2009. So, basically 2 years. I don't think I had used it since my original purchase.

The card you're talking about...are you wanting it to be closed? If not, just use it for a tiny amount. If you do want it closed, why don't you close it yourself so that you don't get the tag "closed by credit grantor"? I know that statement doesn't affect FICO scoring, but I certainly wish I had closed my unused accounts myself.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:53:40 GMT

@LynetteM wrote:
Mine actually took longer than I expected. I opened Old Navy in Dec. of 2006, and Old Navy closed it in January of 2009. So, basically 2 years. I don't think I had used it since my original purchase.

The card you're talking about...are you wanting it to be closed? If not, just use it for a tiny amount. If you do want it closed, why don't you close it yourself so that you don't get the tag "closed by credit grantor"? I know that statement doesn't affect FICO scoring, but I certainly wish I had closed my unused accounts myself.

No, I'm not trying to close an account, but keep it open. I know just use it every now and then, but I'm just curious to see how long certain cards can stay open. I guess this thread should be mostly concerning store cards. I mean i dont want to walk in best buy every month just to put a coke on it if I dont have to, instead maybe every three months or so. The only card I know is that KAY will close after 2 years of no use, was told this by a rep, which makes since because there is really anything cheap they sell besides jewelry cleaner which is what I purchase once a year from them unless i plan on getting g/f something.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:13:30 GMT

Store cards usually can go much longer inactive than a major card.

Major cards generally need some use every 2-3 months. While you may go longer, you are taking a chance going longer on the major. Store cards usually are okay with use 1-2x per year (watch for the after sales and closeouts).

The other factor for use is that CC's (majors) tend to track patterns and habits. So when you little use or never use, you kind of put yourself in a situation that if/when you decide to start using it, you may find it triggers some type of review, AA, etc.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

DI — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:21:24 GMT

I went months and years at a time without using my Capital One and Target card. They both my oldest card and is still open. Since the credit market is a little shaky now, I now make regular charges to prohibit closure of the accounts.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:05:07 GMT

Anyone had there HSBC Best Buy card dropped?

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

bakalao2k — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:07:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Anyone had there HSBC Best Buy card dropped?

No, but my HSBC Saks card dropped after being inactive for six months.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:25:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Anyone had there HSBC Best Buy card dropped?

There are many reports of people having their BB account closed for disuse including one that was quite recently posted here. Don't mess around with HSBC. They do not like disuse!

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:15:10 GMT

I have heard rumors that HSbc shut cards after 3 months

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

MidnightVoice — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:21:15 GMT

I had one that would be closed if I did not use it once a year.

And the real CCs I want to keep open I used every month (either routine bills or charitable donations). That keeps them ticking over and I know how much will be spent every month

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:52:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have heard rumors that HSbc shut cards after 3 months

It's not a rumor. It has happened time and again to people who let their HSBC cards lie unused. (This may not be as big a problem with the store cards as it is with the bank cards. I still would not mess with them - they have a hair trigger.)

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:18:57 GMT

I've never had a card closed due to activity, but I can tell you the longest I went with an inactive card not being closed. JCPenney, 9.5 years.

You can probably get away with 6 months on most store cards, although I'd say try every 3 months just to be safe.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:12:30 GMT

HA!! YEP!! Me. They just dropped me from the RZ MC after three months of no activity. Oh well.m Life goes on.

Re: Shortest Time for Inactive Credit Card being closed?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:38:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
HA!! YEP!! Me. They just dropped me from the RZ MC after three months of no activity. Oh well.m Life goes on.

Wow, 3 months. I think that a CC company should give you at least 6 months of no activity before you get dropped.