@Aim_High I remember those days fondly. The carbon copy machines in particular... never realized that credit card usage stats were that different but it makes perfect sense. Back in the late 80's (graduated HS in 86) I only had 3 cards and that was it. All of this outlier stuff only started once I was hanging around here 😉
@FinStar wrote:Regardless of what views may exist on a financial institution's perception of 'courtesy', most consumers do not carry the number of cards that are showcased by the members posting on this specific thread. We all know the average number of credit cards (retail or otherwise) that folks carry outside of this sphere. And, while some financial institutions may go above and beyond to remind customers of 'using' their card whether it's due to any upcoming promotions or lack of activity, it's still not the financial institution's obligation to do so. I mean, having 10+ CCs is one's choice not a financial institution to manage or tag reminders for having that many CCs and forgetting to use one periodically. Moreover, it's not spelled out in the CCA that periodic reminders are part of an accountholders contract or any account maintenance.
It's absolutely not their obligation or responsibility! @Anonymous just said he didn't care if his cards closed without being advised and asked about other member's preferences about being given a heads-up. As for me, I prefer the courtesy of a heads up. 
While the number of cards may be a consideration for some of our members or situations, it didn't apply in my examples. For most of my credit history, I've had no more than about 4 to 8 total credit cards open at any one time including all major network and store cards. (I've added a lot of credit since coming to My Fico in 2019.) I was referring to store cards opened (and closed by lender) a long time ago before checking account status online was even an option. Except for special financing of a couple of larger purchases, I got rid of most retail/store cards well over a decade ago due to several cases of cards being closed. So I wasn't having trouble keeping up with the number of cards (or remembering to use them) as much as they were cards I was "invited" to apply for in-store which I probably never needed in the first place! At that time, I had less understanding of how quickly lenders would close cards if not used within a certain period of time. I learned my lesson not to apply on-a-whim for any new credit and that I'm better off sticking with major network cards that are more versatile. These were usually department store or specialty stores where I only occassionally shopped, not weekly or monthly.
Oddly enough, there were stores where I had cards that were closed even after I had shopped there, but just didn't think to add their cards back to my wallet to "put spend on them" instead of using my normal everyday cards. So it wasn't even always that I wasn't frequenting the store as much as I just didn't carry the card. I think a lot of consumers with only a few cards could find themselves in this situation, so a heads-up would be an appreciated gesture.
@Remedios wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
@Remedios wrote:It's great when issuer let's you know, but do you guys really believe it's their responsibility to tell you to use something you asked for?
I agree it's not their responsibility to remind me to use the card ...
...My experience is more about retail/store cards which seem to be closed more quickly ...
Well...don't you think if issuing retail cards is your only revenue source, you'd want to issue them to those who will use them while under impression consumer applied because they frequent "their" store?
When Comenity still allowed shopping card trick, people applied for Childrens Place card. No kids, no intention of buying for friends/relatives, but hey...it's credit line.
Or, *Approved for Banana Republic, what do they sell"
For a lot of members here, they are just utilization padding, nothing else.
Then, there are stores like Lowe's. While some got their card for initial discount/promo financing, are we really supposed to believe they needed nothing else over the past year. It's not like they only sell lumber 🤷♀️
While this may not be the case for you, one of the primary reasons I asked is...People are mad that cards got closed for non-use. Yet, they seldom forget to ask for increases then wonder why Synchrony closed accounts..
Big lenders who have a chunky credit card portfolios tend to have other, more lucrative departments (DDAs, investments, mortgages, auto loans, PLs etc) so they might be a tad bit slower at use it or lose it.
Same goes for CUs, their focus is rarely on CCs, so some tolerate longer periods of inactivity.
Those who solely depend on CC revenue don't have that option. They can make a silly choice to waste time on reminders or pick a new batch of applicants who will use their cards.
I get a nudge from FNBO after 60 days "hey you haven't used your card, look at all the benefits" which is a polite way of telling me to take it out of wallet.
Then at around 120 days, they nip with "we noticed you haven't used your card in OVER 120 days..." Umm, wonder what they mean by that
Besides, one thing I've learned is that if you constantly have to remind someone to do something, there is a pretty darn good chance it isn't forgetfulness, it's unwillingness.
Good discussion, and I'll reply also not to be snarky but just to add my own perspective. And again, I totally agree that the ultimate responsibility of choosing to open a new credit account and to remember to use it is up to the consumer.
Yes, if I was a retailer, I would prefer to issue credit to consumers who frequent my store, but this touches on one of the flaws of retail lending. Advertising at point-of-sale and sales clerks who are incentivized to take applications (or even threatened for NOT taking enough applications) aren't really good tactics for finding faithful and reliable customers. So a lot of consumers apply for cards on-a-whim for the discount while they may only infrequently shop at that store. For example, I opened (and had closed) multiple cards at one department store where I used to shop maybe two or three times per year on average until I tired of the process. (I didn't always use their card when I shopped.)
I won't defend those who acquire tons of retail credit just for utilization padding with no intent or need to use it. That's a risky game with lots to gain or lose. Play at your own risk. I prefer to add any utilization padding to accounts I value and will actually use.
That's a good observation on the different business models of lenders who do or do not specialize in retail lending, so I understand not wanting to bankroll unused credit lines. But, IMO, having a bank who is backing my store cards suddenly and without notice close accounts of my customers would not make me a happy client of that bank. It's building a negative customer experience for the retailer.
And then there is the issue of whether you're still shopping at that store but simply not using their card because you choose not to carry it daily or forget to pull it out. I've often not carried store cards unless I planned to use them. A simple reminder might go a long way to encourage further usage on some of those occassional shoppers.
Yes, my major bank card lenders have normally been much slower to close a card and seem more likely to advise me in-advance if there is a pending closure. And I have cards with lenders where I have deposit accounts where I haven't swiped their card in literally years without closure or discussion of it!
So yes, I suppose I found I was unwilling ... to keep applying for new cards even to save a few bucks ...and to carry a card that I only used periocially. My major bank cards don't have these complications, especially since they can be used other places.
@805orbust wrote:@Aim_High I remember those days fondly. The carbon copy machines in particular... never realized that credit card usage stats were that different but it makes perfect sense. Back in the late 80's (graduated HS in 86) I only had 3 cards and that was it. All of this outlier stuff only started once I was hanging around here 😉
Ah yes, those were the days! Lol 
I'm a decade or so older than you, my friend, so I remember these well. DW-1 and I had about five to no more than ten cards between us for about 20 years. A few might have been added for some BTs eventually more than for regular usage. My number of cards topped out at 21 on My Fico in the past three years and I doubt I'll ever go that high again. Some are being opened but I'm also closing or consolidating lines. There are times I've thought about the appeal of simplifying down to three to five cards again. And this thread about usused credit lines being unexpectedly closed is one of several reasons why I think erring towards simplicity is a better plan.
@Aim_High wrote:
@805orbust wrote:@Aim_High I remember those days fondly. The carbon copy machines in particular... never realized that credit card usage stats were that different but it makes perfect sense. Back in the late 80's (graduated HS in 86) I only had 3 cards and that was it. All of this outlier stuff only started once I was hanging around here 😉
Ah yes, those were the days! Lol
I'm a decade or so older than you, my friend, so I remember these well. DW-1 and I had about five to no more than ten cards between us for about 20 years. A few might have been added for some BTs eventually more than for regular usage. My number of cards topped out at 21 on My Fico in the past three years and I doubt I'll ever go that high again. Some are being opened but I'm also closing or consolidating lines. There are times I've thought about the appeal of simplifying down to three to five cards again. And this thread about usused credit lines being unexpectedly closed is one of several reasons why I think erring towards simplicity is a better plan.
Ha! Love it! My Dad owned his own business basically setting up merchants with the capability to accept credit cards. My Dad used to call the manual carbon machine shown above, a "knuckle buster". I remember our closet had stacks of them. I watched the technology change from knuckle busters when I was a young kid in the 80's to wireless mobile card readers as an adult which was just about the time when my Dad decided to retire. I think he was having a hard time keeping up with the moving technology!
]
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
@ptatohed wrote:Ha! Love it! My Dad owned his own business basically setting up merchants with the capability to accept credit cards. My Dad used to call the manual carbon machine shown above, a "knuckle buster". I remember our closet had stacks of them. I watched the technology change from knuckle busters when I was a young kid in the 80's to wireless mobile card readers as an adult which was just about the time when my Dad decided to retire. I think he was having a hard time keeping up with the moving technology!
Just remember, kids/grandkids are going to be amazed at the idea that people had physical credit cards (a.k.a. the checks of the 2000s). Of course, they won't be posting their wonderment on anything as old-fashioned as a forum on the web "Can you say BBoard with dial-up grandad?"
Card rewards were non-existent until the 1980's and many consumers didn't even have a credit card. (According to the Federal Reserve, only 43% of American families had a major network bank credit card in 1983.) If consumers had a major network bank card, for most of us it was just one or two cards, plus maybe a gas or department store card.
Now that you mention it, I carried credit cards for most gas stations - Texaco, Sunoco, Gulf - and they were run through those carbon machines. At some point, Visa and Mastercharge (as it was called then) took the wind out of that sail and I just let the gas cards close along with most retail store cards.
The big change for me was when Sears launched Discover with this new-fangled cash back feature. I swapped my Sears card for a Discover and kept it for over thirty years.
@SeaProbe wrote:Card rewards were non-existent until the 1980's and many consumers didn't even have a credit card. (According to the Federal Reserve, only 43% of American families had a major network bank credit card in 1983.) If consumers had a major network bank card, for most of us it was just one or two cards, plus maybe a gas or department store card.
Now that you mention it, I carried credit cards for most gas stations - Texaco, Sunoco, Gulf - and they were run through those carbon machines. At some point, Visa and Mastercharge (as it was called then) took the wind out of that sail and I just let the gas cards close along with most retail store cards.
The big change for me was when Sears launched Discover with this new-fangled cash back feature. I swapped my Sears card for a Discover and kept it for over thirty years.
This mirrors my experience as well. My first credit card was for a gas station. It was convenient to not have to carry enough cash in my wallet at the moment that I decided to stop for gas. I got a couple department store cards for the same reason. Most things were paid by cash or check in those days. My first rewards card (IIRC it was 1/4% cash back for the first $1500 in spend) was also a Discovercard which I acquired by applying inside a Sears store.
@Aim_High agreed wholeheartedly. I also, am looking to simplify... tryna figure out what exactly that looks like. 😉