I've had cards that I've applied for and received, but didn't use immediately because I was working on another SUB. Otherwise, they usually get used immediately. I have all my 'dream' cards so I have no reason to apply for any additional cards that doesn't have a SUB.
That being said, even with SUBs I have forgotten about cards occasionally. For example, my wife was approved for the Delta Platinum in April. I activated both cards (I'm the authorized user). Card totally slipped my mind. Caught it the very last day that I could get the SUB in July. Ran $3k in charges through it that day. Did the same for the Platinum for the $10k spend for 100,000 MR points. Forgot about the card until March 1st. With my fingers crossed that they actually go by days (Feburary had 28 days), I put the last $5k in spend through it that day. Got the bonus two days later.
Even if the cards didn't have a SUB, if a card lender doesn't like my spend patterns, they can get out of my wallet 
I don't want my spend to be controlled by higher powers lol!
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:I used it for a small Amazon purchase a few days after I applied and was instantly approved. That way, I don't appear desperate, I'm not running up a large balance with a bank I had no history with previously, and it also tests to ensure everything works as expected.
I don't think the worry about appearing desperate makes much sense. The bank wants to see usage so it can earn the swipe fee, and they are as always free to decline charges they are unhappy with. But certainly using it soon for checking it works fine makes sense.
Re small charges vs large, depends on context. In my good old days of MS, I always put the "standard" charge of just over $2K as my first charge. You want to a) make sure that the issuer doesn't have a problem ASAP and b) establish a normal pattern straight away. If you slowly ramp up and they get concerned when the amounts get big, you then have a long history for them to review and determine, in retrospect, that they don't like those early charges either.
Naturally, none of this applies to anyone reading....!
You bring up a good point. If you barely use a card then 2 years later drop a charge for 50% utilization, I would imagine that would raise flags. Same with PIF and then all of a sudden doing the minimum payments. I could see how large purchases at the beginning and mixing up PIF with carrying a balance every once in a while would help your history with a bank.
@Anonymous wrote:Wow, I had no idea people would worry how much they put on a new card because they were afraid to spook the issuer. I could see being worried about putting more on there than you can afford to PIF....
When you have a clean profile and lots of credit, you probably don't have to worry about anything happening. But, if your profile is dirty and you're rebuilding, you have a little more to be concerned with. I have definitely seen and experienced plenty of AAs in my lifetime in regards to too much, too soon on a credit card, so a more steady approach is more comfortable for me.
@wasCB14 wrote:I would never go out of my way to wait a particular length of time to use a new card. If I have a good occasion to use something, I use it.
I can't imagine applying for a card without one of two motivations:
-Getting a bonus or travel perk
-Using it for some special situation (a large transaction, PIN, some protection benefit)
To me, the idea of getting a card and not using it merely because it's a new account makes little sense. If I'm waiting to use it, I can't imagine what my reason for getting it would have been.
I would typically agree with you, but with one exception:
A card with rotating categories.
I recently applied for Discover IT due to the upcoming quarter of wholesale clubs & (somewhat) Amazon. If they do a repeat of 2 quarters per year, I can plan ahead on purchases I would have made throughout the year anyways.
The credit card has been in my night stand for a month now, awaiting Oct 1st.
I double check the statement closing date then use the card.
Sometimes that means I don’t use the card until after it reports.
Sometimes that means I don’t use the card until after it reports.
Immediately.
I got the card for a reason, makes sense to go use it for that.
Lenders don't seem to care anyway, you're more than expected to go use the card and clearly they want you to.
