How often should I use an SD'd card to keep it open?

[Anonymous]

My first CC was a PNC card that PNC relentlessly offered after taking over my mortgage in 2006, it sat in my wallet without a single charge (went through one renewal) until 2012 when I called and closed it, didn't get my second card until I joined Costco in 2014, obviously didn't know, or didn't want to know, about credit back then.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely highly advise you to use all of your cards at least every six months, but reccomend using each every 3 - 4 mos to be safe.

I myself had a personal experience with syncrony bank in which they sent me a letter informing me that if I do not make a purchase with my
Care Credit card by a certain date, that they would close my account.

This card has a $14,000 limit.
And I surely would not want to lose that card !
This card was approaching its 6 mos life span when I received the letter.
* Some banks may not send you a warning.
I was fortunate!

Needless to say, my toy miniature schnauzer needed to visit the vet for some routine vaccinations.
Paid with the Care Credit card and so now I'm back on track !

[Anonymous]

I feel that companies who send you letters like that in short periods of time are practicing unethical behavior. They're using scare tactics to get you to use your card for THEIR benefit.

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
I feel that companies who send you letters like that in short periods of time are practicing unethical behavior. They're using scare tactics to get you to use your card for THEIR benefit.

---

So its your opinion that banks/lenders should allow you to tie up a portion of their capital for an indefinite period of time while there are other customers who could use that same capital and provide some profit for the bank?

[expatCanuck]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
I feel that companies who send you letters like that in short periods of time are practicing unethical behavior. They're using scare tactics to get you to use your card for THEIR benefit.

---

That's one way of thinking.  But it could be embarrassing if an issuer closed your account without advising you and you subsequently tried to use it.  On a date, say.  Or on a business occasion.  I'd prefer the warning, self-serving or not.

[AverageJoesCredit]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
My first CC was a PNC card that PNC relentlessly offered after taking over my mortgage in 2006, it sat in my wallet without a single charge (went through one renewal) until 2012 when I called and closed it, didn't get my second card until I joined Costco in 2014, obviously didn't know, or didn't want to know, about credit back then.

---

Wow....2012 2014, you really are ...old...man

[601flyguy]

With overstock, just send them $1 payment every few months to show usage. That works for me. I've had the card 2 years and have never used it.

[JustBPatient]

OP, you said you use Americard once in a while...  Why not combine the two cards for ease of operation?  Or maybe PC to Cash rewards card.  Just a couple of options.

[Anonymous]

My BCE statement has cut at $0 10 of the last 12 months... so I guess that's one swipe every 6 months or so. This has been the case for a while, and not a peep from Amex.

[marmaladepie]

A bit of a side question.
I understand the usage part, but what about letting that small purchase report a balance? Is it bad to pay the small balance before it reports? Even if I am using it every 2-3 months, the balances are still 0 to the bureaus so it appears to be in active.