How often do you/should you use each card?

Anonymous · ‎07-11-2014

We've got the cards listed in my sig + a 20k NFCU on the way. I'd like to transfer all the balances (total of maybe 6k) over to NFCU in order to have one payment, but I am afraid if I leave my cards too long, they will be closed out. How often should I be using each one? Or do I have to? Some of them haven't been used in 6+ months and I really have no reason to touch them but don't want to mess up our utilization.

Anonymous · ‎07-11-2014

I wish there were a clear cut answer to this but I haven't found one. I have a card through Newegg.com that I use only once a year and I have never had my limit reduced or threatened to close my account and I PIF everytime. One thing I do know, and found out the hard way while trying to raise my FICO, is make sure to PIF 'after' the closing date so your bill will cycle. If it were me I'd throw $5 on em every once in while to make sure they stay open.

Creditaddict · ‎07-11-2014

Home Depot will send you notice if you are in danger of it closing.

Target, I really don't think they do close but once a year should keep you open

Victoria Sec. every 6 months

barclay 3-4 months

furniture store - i wouldn't worry about it

all your other cards every 3 or so months is a good rule if they have no balance just to keep them reporting active on your credit reports.

core · ‎07-11-2014

@Creditaddict wrote:
Victoria Sec. every 6 months

If they're closing accounts that soon, it must be a very new policy. My VS card went unused for 19 months between 2011 and 2013. And no, I was never a big spender with them. A single $10-20 purchase every 3-6 months when I thought about it is what I was doing before 2011 when I stopped bothering.

GlocksAndCredit · ‎07-11-2014

@Creditaddict wrote:
Home Depot will send you notice if you are in danger of it closing.
Target, I really don't think they do close but once a year should keep you open
Victoria Sec. every 6 months
barclay 3-4 months
furniture store - i wouldn't worry about it
all your other cards every 3 or so months is a good rule if they have no balance just to keep them reporting active on your credit reports.

Target will close your card after 13 months. I work for them.

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Anonymous · ‎07-12-2014

^^ good to know! I guess I will put a sticker on each card with a date about 4-6 months (or 12 in Targets case) after last use so I know to use it by then.

My Vicky's card will have no problem as long as they give me 6 months. I will do 3-400 about twice a year.