Amex and first major large purchase billing question

[zerbherb]

Do i let my purchase of around 4500 $ drop on the bill to show i have the money and am responsibleand pay it right when the statement cuts, or do it before the statement cuts and then my balance is is sigiificantly smaller like around 200$.

[Anonymous]

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@zerbherb wrote:

Do i let my purchase of around 4500 $ drop on the bill to show i have the money and am responsibleand pay it right when the statement cuts, or do it before the statement cuts and then my balance is is sigiificantly smaller like around 200$.

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Utilization only matters if you are going to be applying for new credit while it is on your report. By the next month your utilization will be reset to whatever it is at that time and your score will change accordingly. So if you need a higher score now then pay before the statement, otherwise just let it post. Your report has no memory of past utilization so once the next update to your report comes it'll all be in the past anyway.

[Anonymous]

I am of a mind that paying it off before statement cut, if you can, is best.

The CRAs have a "high balance" field that shows whoever's looking at your report the highest balance you had during the month. Same effect, absolutely no utilization ding.