How to keep CC issuers happy?

[tiger67]

I’m trying to figure out how to keep all of my card issuers happy. This is proving to be a challenge, since I consistently spend only 1,500 /m, with the occasional 3k-4k project a few times per year. Given this and the issuers below, what is the best course of action to avoid AA and build larger CLs? Which of these creditors are the most sensitive to spending habits?

I have the following accounts:

AmEx Green

AmEx Blue $2000

BoA Signature $7,500

Discover More $15,000

Alliant Plat Rewards $10,000

Addison Avenue Plat Rewards $10,000

PenFed Plat Cash Rewards $10,000

Chase Rewards $5,000

Capital One Plat Rewards $4,000

Plus 5 Store cards that I’m not concerned about. Using them once or twice a year seems to keep them satisfied. Current FICOs around 725, 1%util. Thanks.

[DI]

Wow you have a lot of cards!!  Below is how I keep each of my creditors happy.

Currently I'm using all credit cards for a specific purpose:

AMEX:  Gym Dues

BOA :  Rental Insurance

Cap 1:  Amazon MP3 orders

Citi:  Misc.

Discover: Cash Over if needed

GM MC:  Auto Insurance

Kroger 123:  Gas and Grocery

Pen Fed:  Cell Phone Bill

Sears:  New Tires when needed

State Farm Visa: Dining Out

Target Visa : Cable/Internet Bill

[DI]

Also remember to charge up to the amount you will pay off in full.   Banks are raising rates like its no tomorrow. 

[tiger67]

DI, you’re not far behind. I recently added 6 in that list (the AmExs were redated to 1988) and fired 3 others (considering firing 2 more). I only allow 200-300 to report each month and then pay the day the statement cuts. I have become very averse to carrying any debt other than my mortgage.

What I’m wondering is which of the following scenarios would be best:

1) Giving each card roughly equal love monthly.

2) Giving each a little love monthly, and one a lot of love rotating the favorite monthly.

Would making large charges every few months, #2, avoid cld due to only using a little of my available cl monthly, #1? Also, considering the creditors in my list, which are the most “needy” and which could be ignored a little? Thanks.

[DI]

Base your decision on the total amount of credit available on the card.   For example: for a $400 charge you would charge that to your $10k card, and for a $50 charge you would charge that  to your  $1k card. 

[smallfry]

Tiger I see you have 9 credit cards. I was in a very similar position myself. Since all my accounts were opened around the same time it was no problem for me to close all but 4 cards. Use the cards you really want to keep. Good luck.

[haulingthescoreup]

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tiger67 wrote:

I have the following accounts:

AmEx Green

AmEx Blue $2000

BoA Signature $7,500

Discover More $15,000

Alliant Plat Rewards $10,000

Addison Avenue Plat Rewards $10,000

PenFed Plat Cash Rewards $10,000

Chase Rewards $5,000

Capital One Plat Rewards $4,000

Plus 5 Store cards that I’m not concerned about. Using them once or twice a year seems to keep them satisfied. Current FICOs around 725, 1%util. Thanks.

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Of this list, I wouldn't worry about the CU cards, Discover, or AmEx Green. BofA, Chase, Cap One, and the Blue might need to see some monthly action. You might look for recurring charges that you can put on them.

Otherwise, as smallfry suggested, you might try some pruning if it's getting to be a headache. Or just let them prune for you, lol.

[smallfry]

I am concerned that even some of the credit unions might start slashing credit limits if there is insufficient usage down the road.

[Anonymous]

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@haulingthescoreup wrote:
Of this list, I wouldn't worry about the CU cards, Discover, or AmEx Green. BofA, Chase, Cap One, and the Blue might need to see some monthly action. You might look for recurring charges that you can put on them.

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This sounds pretty good to me. +1

[haulingthescoreup]

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smallfry wrote:
I am concerned that even some of the credit unions might start slashing credit limits if there is insufficient usage down the road.

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I agree, but I don't know that we need to use them monthly. I would never just park a card and hope that it would survive, that's for sure.