topic Re: Balances Reporting in Credit Cards

Balances Reporting

elvigy — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:17:45 GMT

So last night I applied for the final card that I wanted-the Barclaycard Arrival World MC and was instantly approved online. Yay!

But it leads me to a question. Up until now, I have been paying before the statement cuts on my other cards in my sig (except the Slate which is only being used to pay off a balance from an old card). I did that so the cards would report a zero balance to EQ, EX and TU thus making my score the best it could be for when I applied for the Arrival.

But now that I have the last card I want for a while, I don't want to micromanage like that anymore. I've set all cards up to PIF on the due date so I won't be carrying a balance month to month. However all cards will end up reporting a balance to the agencies since I'll be using them for their respective benefits. Is having all 4 cards report a balance all of a sudden going to be cause for any AA from Amex or Barclay? I don't want Amex or Barclaycard to freak out when my balances all go from 0 to a few hundred dollars on all cards.

Re: Balances Reporting

parakleet — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:23:30 GMT

You'll be fine. Maybe it would be a problem if it looked like you were constantly maxed out due to low CL but even then, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Congrats and enjoy your cards.

Re: Balances Reporting

09Lexie — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:23:39 GMT

I doubt that a few hundred dollars would cause an AA from Barclays.

Re: Balances Reporting

elvigy — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 20:27:34 GMT

Cool, thanks! I figured I was being a worrier but if there was a chance of aa, I'd have micromanaged for a couple more months.

Re: Balances Reporting

lhcole77 — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:33:59 GMT

@elvigy wrote:
Cool, thanks! I figured I was being a worrier but if there was a chance of aa, I'd have micromanaged for a couple more months.

I recently got AMEX and Barclays. I carried small balances on all my cards a couple months. No negative results (except for missing out on some FICO points).

I now am just carrying balances on 2 of 5 (Simplicity for 0% APR for 18 mos and Arrival for 0% APR for 12 mos).

I even contacted Citi and let them know how stoked I am with the 18 mos 0% APR and that I plan to carry a balance on it for a while. They said "Great! Just make sure to pay monthly on time and you will be fine!"

Edit: typo