How long to safely sock drawer cards?

[Anonymous]

I have a couple secured cards and a couple unsecured cards.  

Secured:

US Bank,

Capital Bank

Unsecured:

Credit one

2 capital one Quicksilvers

The Capital one cards are the only cards I use anymore and after I hit my first CLI I plan on putting them away and not using them unless for rainy day.  

How long can one place cards in a "sock drawer" and not use them before you run the risk of the company canceling your cards due to inactivity?  Should I rotate each month a small purchase on a card to keep them in a 5 month rotation?  That will keep a small UT on my cards every month too.

[RonM21]

I think this is a YMMV type answer, but from what I read on here it seems that if you go 6 months without use that may be pushing it with some companies.

[Anonymous]

So as long as I do a 5 month rotation I will be good.  As long as I make sure I keep the same rotation.  Maybe I should make a spreadsheet or mark my calendar.  Thank You

[elim]

When I use a SD'd card after 3 months I get a FICO alert when my statement cuts "dormant card was used" (which may mean nothing). For that reason, I try to not let a valuable card sit for three months. Store cards and the likes... ehh, I use them when I need them and may sit longer.

Here's a good sheet...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zG3BGlfgYkfEXeVLIklvS1SpwKrax99s1g1af9Mao_8/edit#gid=8210833...

Just add a "last used" column

[Anonymous]

I keep a rotating charge on my cards and pay in full for most of them to keep them current. I have several zero interest cards and let those carry a balance for now. I put all my household bills through my cards for the benefits (rewards) so it is easy to have one charge on each.

[Anonymous]

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@elim wrote:

When I use a SD'd card after 3 months I get a FICO alert when my statement cuts "dormant card was used" (which may mean nothing). For that reason, I try to not let a valuable card sit for three months. Store cards and the likes... ehh, I use them when I need them and may sit longer.

Here's a good sheet...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zG3BGlfgYkfEXeVLIklvS1SpwKrax99s1g1af9Mao_8/edit#gid=8210833...

Just add a "last used" column

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Excellent spreadsheet! Thanks for sharing!

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:

How long can one place cards in a "sock drawer" and not use them before you run the risk of the company canceling your cards due to inactivity?

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Creditors vary.  You need to confirm the policy each of your creditors has on closure due to inactivty and then ensure that you meet the minimum activity requirement for each of your creditors.

[SouthJamaica]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have a couple secured cards and a couple unsecured cards.  

Secured:

US Bank,

Capital Bank

Unsecured:

Credit one

2 capital one Quicksilvers

The Capital one cards are the only cards I use anymore and after I hit my first CLI I plan on putting them away and not using them unless for rainy day.  

How long can one place cards in a "sock drawer" and not use them before you run the risk of the company canceling your cards due to inactivity?  Should I rotate each month a small purchase on a card to keep them in a 5 month rotation?  That will keep a small UT on my cards every month too.

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To be absolutely "safe" from account being closed, one use every 3 months.

[Anonymous]

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@elim wrote:

When I use a SD'd card after 3 months I get a FICO alert when my statement cuts "dormant card was used" (which may mean nothing). For that reason, I try to not let a valuable card sit for three months. Store cards and the likes... ehh, I use them when I need them and may sit longer.

Here's a good sheet...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zG3BGlfgYkfEXeVLIklvS1SpwKrax99s1g1af9Mao_8/edit#gid=8210833...

Just add a "last used" column

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Awesome Spreadsheet...This one makes mines look like beginner Excel lol Thanks for the link..the only thing I didn't track is the last used date..Love the graphs and charts

[Mattopotamus]

I have some that have been in there for years.  I typically get a notification in the mail when my card is about to expire that if I do not use it they will close the account.  I use the card 1 time, get a new card with a new expiration date, and then return it to the sock drawer.

Store cards seem to never close from inactivity.  I have an HHgregg card that has not been used in 3-4 years and they have not closed it.  Chase, Discover, and citi have sent me mail like I mentioned above.