topic Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI in Understanding FICO® Scoring

Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Antredd — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:36:17 GMT

I recently charged 22k on my visa with a 35k credit limit. That brought my uti up to 62%. I rarely do this. But, as a result, I saw my Experian and Equifax scores drop 14 and 10 points respectively. My Transunion wasn't affected. I am thinking that my Visa card isn't being reported on TransUnion.

My scores were at an exceptional Equifax 820, TransUnion 827, and Experian 787. I have 20 credits with a balance only on 1 card, and that card remains below 10% uti. Also, my excellent mix of installment loans and 20 credit cards have kept my scores slighly below or above 800.

This was the first time I charged 22K on my VISA Card since having it, and the datapoint proves that even though I have approximately $350k in available credit, keeping my uti below 10% on only 1 credit card, my score dipped.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 04:48:49 GMT

The FICO algorithm looks at both overall (aggregate) utilization and individual card utilization. Your aggregate utilization may have stayed below 10%, but you crossed two individual card utilization threshold points at 29.5% and 49.5% en route to 62% utilization on that single card. That explains the point losses realized. It's also worth noting that raw dollars of debt exclusive of utilization percentages are also looked at by the algorithm. At $22k of revolving debt, you've definitely crossed multiple threshold points with respect to that metric as well, although most from my experience on a clean/thick/mature file constitute a low single-digit number of FICO points.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Thomas_Thumb — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:13:12 GMT

There is also a potential aggregate utilization threshold around 5%. A number of posters have observed a score change in that region. Whether or not it is of significance may be profile dependent.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

FICOdawg — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:00:47 GMT

@Antredd wrote:
I recently charged 22k on my visa with a 35k credit limit. That brought my uti up to 62%. I rarely do this. But, as a result, I saw my Experian and Equifax scores drop 14 and 10 points respectively. My Transunion wasn't affected. I am thinking that my Visa card isn't being reported on TransUnion.

My scores were at an exceptional Equifax 820, TransUnion 827, and Experian 787. I have 20 credits with a balance only on 1 card, and that card remains below 10% uti. Also, my excellent mix of installment loans and 20 credit cards have kept my scores slighly below or above 800.

This was the first time I charged 22K on my VISA Card since having it, and the datapoint proves that even though I have approximately $350k in available credit, keeping my uti below 10% on only 1 credit card, my score dipped.

I'm suprised it wasn't more. Once you start getting north of 50% the utilization penalty bites you hard.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:07:28 GMT

@FICOdawg wrote:
I'm suprised it wasn't more. Once you start getting north of 50% the utilization penalty bites you hard.

Their utilization reference was regarding an indivdual card, not aggregate. Aggregate utilization is King when it comes to revolving utilization, so if no threshold point is crossed there (none was) typically impact from a single card isn't all too significant.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

FICOdawg — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 07:54:22 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
@FICOdawg wrote:
I'm suprised it wasn't more. Once you start getting north of 50% the utilization penalty bites you hard.
Their utilization reference was regarding an indivdual card, not aggregate. Aggregate utilization is King when it comes to revolving utilization, so if no threshold point is crossed there (none was) typically impact from a single card isn't all too significant.

You don't need explain posts brother I can read. The topic of agg vs individual utilization is probably in 100s of threads on this forum.

There is a point range of impact and those tables are easily searchable. Both metrics matter.
I always wonder if someone has many cards and a large CL, at what point do card companies get triggered with a large purchase and balance chase.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:14:09 GMT

@FICOdawg wrote:
You don't need explain posts brother I can read. The topic of agg vs individual utilization is probably in 100s of threads on this forum.

No need to get combative. You're correct that there are tons of threads on the subject, so for you to suggest that 50%+ on a single card "bites you hard" when aggregate utilization doesn't cross any thresholds is wrong. So, if you do understand that, then you probably didn't realize that a single card was being referenced and thought it was 62% aggregate utilization. If you misread it, no big deal; you don't have to respond with a nasty tone.

Yes, aggregate and individual card utilization both matter. But, it's well documented that aggregate utilization matters significantly more (3X+ more) which is why your comment to which I replied didn't make much sense.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

FICOdawg — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:49:14 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
@FICOdawg wrote:
You don't need explain posts brother I can read. The topic of agg vs individual utilization is probably in 100s of threads on this forum.

No need to get combative. You're correct that there are tons of threads on the subject, so for you to suggest that 50%+ on a single card "bites you hard" when aggregate utilization doesn't cross any thresholds is wrong. So, if you do understand that, then you probably didn't realize that a single card was being referenced and thought it was 62% aggregate utilization. If you misread it, no big deal; you don't have to respond with a nasty tone.

Yes, aggregate and individual card utilization both matter. But, it's well documented that aggregate utilization matters significantly more (3X+ more) which is why your comment to which I replied didn't make much sense.

Omg my man. Give it a rest. You want to argue everything.

You are making making up details and arguing things I've never even care to discuss. You do it repeatedly. This will be the last post of yours I'll ever reply to. 🫡

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:29:45 GMT

That's probably for the best, as you clearly don't like being corrected.

It's happening again, @SRT4kid93...

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

SRT4kid93 — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:39:04 GMT

@FICOdawg @BrutalBodyShots

I have missed most of this conversation I have to go back and read all the comments. But I can say definitively that,

Single card utilization hurts your score about 3-5x LESS than aggregate.

aggregate (or total combined utilization) is what you really want to be worried about.

I have come fairly close to maxing out single cards and only saw about a 5-7 point reduction. However, if I were to max out my aggregate utilization, we would be talking about 70-90 ish points.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

FICOdawg — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:39:32 GMT

@SRT4kid93 wrote:
@FICOdawg
I have missed most of this conversation I have to go back and read all the comments. But I can say definitively that,

Single card utilization hurts your score about 3-5x LESS than aggregate.

aggregate (or total combined utilization) is what you really want to be worried about.

I have come fairly close to maxing out single cards and only saw about a 5-7 point reduction. However, if I were to max out my aggregate utilization, we would be talking about 70-90 ish points.

Show me where I posted specific cut points in this thread? That's right, I didn't. I made a generic comment. Then, a certain poster used a straw man argument to twist my comment and make all kinds of specific inferences. The freight train of logical fallacies keeps on rolling. I don't even read that persons posts, I scroll on by.

I will save you some time, you can find the actual ranges of impact of utilisation (agg and individual). right from FICO as well from Experian. Without digging, I think I may have even linked them in 2024 on the forum. I know it's hard to believe but ya know, not everyone is country bumpkin and some are even educated and can read and can/have research FICO topics all on their own.... Crazy, huh?

The entire reason I even joined myFICO was my score tanked after my solar loan and mortgage got paid off and I had high CC utilisation. I was looking for a boat loan and needed to get my score up to avoid high interest rates.

You can find many posts of my sharing of utilisation with Thomas as I relatively quickly paid down my cards and I had empirical data points and then I took my annual bonus and wiped out my debt thankfully. I know it may be shocking but maybe, just maybe, others also have some understanding of the FICO game.

Did you notice I never asked for how much impact there is by utilisation type? If I wanted or needed that info I could have easily asked. You got baited into this topic by the poster who shall not be named. It's called trolling. In the future, if I need a question answered from the forum, I'll ask all by myself. I don't need a certain FICO crusader to lecture and rescue me on every post 🙄

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

BrutalBodyShots — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 03:38:03 GMT

@SRT4kid93 wrote:

Single card utilization hurts your score about 3-5x LESS than aggregate.

Exactly, @SRT4kid93. Yet, FICOdawg led off with this incorrect statement back early in the thread when OP was talking about a single card moving to 62% utilization with aggregate utilization not crossing any thresholds:

"I'm suprised it wasn't more. Once you start getting north of 50% the utilization penalty bites you hard."

So, either they were incorrect in thinking the discussion was about aggregate utilization when it wasn't (otherwise they wouldn't be "surprised" it wasn't more) or they don't understand that aggregate is the driving force when it comes to scoring, not individual card utilization. Since they are so adament in making sure everyone knows they understand how utilization works, it must mean they misunderstood what OP was talking about in the first place. Rather than argue (their standard protocol) they could have just said "Oh I see, OP was talking about individual card utilization not aggregate... so my statement that >50% biting you hard doesn't apply since this discussion is about a single card." No such luck though, of course.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Antredd — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 01:50:59 GMT

That's an excellent question. Now you got me thinking.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Antredd — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 01:56:05 GMT

I thought getting hit that many points when I went over the 30 and 50% threshold on one card seemed too harsh of a point drop. I just paid down the card below 50%, no point rebound as of today.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

FICOdawg — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 10:30:23 GMT

@Antredd wrote:
I thought getting hit that many points when I went over the 30 and 50% threshold on one card seemed too harsh of a point drop. I just paid down the card below 50%, no point rebound as of today.

Racking up 22k on a credit card is going to get a ding. This is why they put in dollar thresholds so people who get high CL don't slip under the radar. If this is not a normal amount of spend and a spike shows up you can see why trending of data helps lenders detect changes in spending.

When I paid off my cards, it wasn't until I paid off the last card in one big chunk did I finally see my scores jump.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Varsity_Lu — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 11:42:27 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
@SRT4kid93 wrote:

Single card utilization hurts your score about 3-5x LESS than aggregate.

Exactly, @SRT4kid93. Yet, FICOdawg led off with this incorrect statement back early in the thread when OP was talking about a single card moving to 62% utilization with aggregate utilization not crossing any thresholds:

"I'm suprised it wasn't more. Once you start getting north of 50% the utilization penalty bites you hard."

So, either they were incorrect in thinking the discussion was about aggregate utilization when it wasn't (otherwise they wouldn't be "surprised" it wasn't more) or they don't understand that aggregate is the driving force when it comes to scoring, not individual card utilization. Since they are so adament in making sure everyone knows they understand how utilization works, it must mean they misunderstood what OP was talking about in the first place. Rather than argue (their standard protocol) they could have just said "Oh I see, OP was talking about individual card utilization not aggregate... so my statement that >50% biting you hard doesn't apply since this discussion is about a single card." No such luck though, of course.

Please give me a Yes or No answer. No multi-paragraph explanation. Just yes or no:

Is there a 49% individual card utilization threshold that triggers a larger point loss? Yes or no?

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

SRT4kid93 — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:24:20 GMT

@Varsity_Lu

It really depends, but for the most part Yes, crossing over 50% will hurt your score more than crossing over 30% would

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Varsity_Lu — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:20:07 GMT

@SRT4kid93 wrote:
@Varsity_Lu

It really depends, but for the most part Yes, crossing over 50% will hurt your score more than crossing over 30% would

No, it doesn't depend. The answer is Yes. And I didn't ask about crossing 2 thresholds, just one, so your extra statement about crossing 30% is completely irrelevant.

Here's my point: @FICOdawg's passing comment that sparked this dumpster fire was completely correct and accurate. He wasn't wrong.

And yet here we are: arguing about things he didn't say.

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

Jnbmom — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 19:30:08 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
@SRT4kid93 wrote:
@Varsity_Lu

It really depends, but for the most part Yes, crossing over 50% will hurt your score more than crossing over 30% would
No, it doesn't depend. The answer is Yes. And I didn't ask about crossing 2 thresholds, just one, so your extra statement about crossing 30% is completely irrelevant.

Here's my point: @FICOdawg's passing comment that sparked this dumpster fire was completely correct and accurate. He wasn't wrong.

And yet here we are: arguing about things he didn't say.

@Varsity_Lu I agree this post has gone south , but nothing new here with the responders 😞

Re: Point Drop Datapoint for 62% UTI

SRT4kid93 — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:46:51 GMT

@Varsity_Lu

It does depend. Not only does it depend how many points you will lose.

but I have gone over 50% without losing a single point.

I also didn't say anything about crossing over 2 thresholds at once. I was comparing the point loss from the 30% to the point loss from the 50% threshold. It was a comparison, I said nothing about passing both at the same time.

now if we are talking about aggregate utilization you will probably lose points every time if you go over 50%. But single card utilization has far less signal strength. I have also gone from 2% to 90% individual utilization and only lost 4 points. And that crosses over multiple thresholds

it also depends on which model we are talking about, FICO 9 for example budges far less than FICO 8 for utilization changes (at least in my experience)

so yes it depends in many ways