@Aim_High wrote:since sometimes I would pull one out to go use it and find out it was closed at the checkout register.
^ This.
It's never happened to me, but it did happen to a close friend while I was with him.
Friend was mortified, and cashier happily offered to have him apply for a new account... My friend said things that he probably should not have said to the poor cashier (it wasn't the cashiers fault...), but we left that day without making a purchase.
@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?
If one doesn't care enough to use a card every so often or even check account for fraud, why it's someone else's responsibility to babysit your account?
Legit question, not a snark. I'm genuinely curious as to how this line of thinking develops.
I agree it's not their responsibility to remind me to use the card. However, at the same time, I see a credit approval as establishing a business relationship and contract between myself and the lender. It would just be common courtesy to notify the other party about changes to that contract, if nothing else after-the-fact when the account was closed. But in advance would be nice unless there is an abrogation of the contract by the consumer, such as failure to pay.
Notifying-in-advance shows that the lender cares about maintaining the relationship, appreciates the satisfactory past business, and respects the consumer's time (and invested credit inquiries and new account FICO penalties) when they initiated the relationship by applying for credit. Not notifying in advance (and then inviting the customer to just reapply! as happened above to @tcbofade's friend) seems disrespectful to me of the consumer's credit report and time.
My experience is more about retail/store cards which seem to be closed more quickly. It's easy to forget exactly how long it's been since some cards were used, and many consumers don't know cards will be closed if not used often. Moreover, there is no standard on how long cards will stay open if not used. Of course, it also doesn't help that some of these cards get opened in the spur of the moment applications in-store to save on a purchase. So they aren't exactly a premeditated decision in the first place. This is why I recommend that the usefulness of a retail/store card be very carefully considered before applying.
For the fraud aspect, some of my experience with these is more from the days when online/app access wasn't universally available on credit accounts, snail mail statements were how accounts were monitored (no action on consumers part except opening mail!), and credit card fraud was much less prevalent. 
@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?
If one doesn't care enough to use a card every so often or even check account for fraud, why it's someone else's responsibility to babysit your account?
Legit question, not a snark. I'm genuinely curious as to how this line of thinking develops.
I agree it's not their responsibility to remind me to use the card. However, at the same time, I see a credit approval as establishing a business relationship and contract between myself and the lender. It would just be common courtesy to notify the other party about changes to that contract, if nothing else after-the-fact when the account was closed. But in advance would be nice unless there is an abrogation of the contract by the consumer, such as failure to pay.
Notifying-in-advance shows that the lender cares about maintaining the relationship, appreciates the satisfactory past business, and respects the consumer's time (and invested credit inquiries and new account FICO penalties) when they initiated the relationship by applying for credit. Not notifying in advance (and then inviting the customer to just reapply! as happened above to @tcbofade's friend) seems disrespectful to me of the consumer's credit report and time.
My experience is more about retail/store cards which seem to be closed more quickly. It's easy to forget exactly how long it's been since some cards were used, and many consumers don't know cards will be closed if not used often. Moreover, there is no standard on how long cards will stay open if not used. Of course, it also doesn't help that some of these cards get opened in the spur of the moment applications in-store to save on a purchase. So they aren't exactly a premeditated decision in the first place. This is why I recommend that the usefulness of a retail/store card be very carefully considered before applying.
For the fraud aspect, some of my experience with these is more from the days when online/app access wasn't universally available on credit accounts, snail mail statements were how accounts were monitored (no action on consumers part except opening mail!), and credit card fraud was much less prevalent.
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.
@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?
If one doesn't care enough to use a card every so often or even check account for fraud, why it's someone else's responsibility to babysit your account?
Legit question, not a snark. I'm genuinely curious as to how this line of thinking develops.
I agree it's not their responsibility to remind me to use the card. However, at the same time, I see a credit approval as establishing a business relationship and contract between myself and the lender. It would just be common courtesy to notify the other party about changes to that contract, if nothing else after-the-fact when the account was closed. But in advance would be nice unless there is an abrogation of the contract by the consumer, such as failure to pay.
Notifying-in-advance shows that the lender cares about maintaining the relationship, appreciates the satisfactory past business, and respects the consumer's time (and invested credit inquiries and new account FICO penalties) when they initiated the relationship by applying for credit. Not notifying in advance (and then inviting the customer to just reapply! as happened above to @tcbofade's friend) seems disrespectful to me of the consumer's credit report and time.
My experience is more about retail/store cards which seem to be closed more quickly. It's easy to forget exactly how long it's been since some cards were used, and many consumers don't know cards will be closed if not used often. Moreover, there is no standard on how long cards will stay open if not used. Of course, it also doesn't help that some of these cards get opened in the spur of the moment applications in-store to save on a purchase. So they aren't exactly a premeditated decision in the first place. This is why I recommend that the usefulness of a retail/store card be very carefully considered before applying.
For the fraud aspect, some of my experience with these is more from the days when online/app access wasn't universally available on credit accounts, snail mail statements were how accounts were monitored (no action on consumers part except opening mail!), and credit card fraud was much less prevalent.
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.
I was just about to apply for the Victoria's Secret MC cuz your neighbor recommended it -- you know that whole gifting thing 💀
I'll be upset if they close it for my forgetfulness to use it.