@jamevfan wrote:I have the QS1 with a 500CL on the way and it is my first reward card(1.5% back) but it does have an annual fee of 39 dollars, i want to maximize the use of this card in a positive way. I hear the more frequent and the bigger amounts lead to larger CLI faster...is this true and if so I have a plan to pay monthly bills totaling 400 on the card and didnt know how long to leave that balance on so they can see the activity before I PIF for the month?? can i use it to paya large bill and pay it off immedialtey or do i need to let it stay for a few weeks before the bill cuts? just trying to get how some of you make it work to get the most out if your cards without high utilization reporting regularly???
I want to eventually upgrade this card to the QS without the APR
In my (admittedly limited) experience, it doesn't matter how long it's on there, just so long as it is. I used to pay so often (when my CL was lower) but now, I just make sure to pay it before the statement cuts. Seems to be working out for me so far. 
The credit card company sees it as soon as you spend it, so I think you're good.
@jamevfan wrote:I have the QS1 with a 500CL on the way and it is my first reward card(1.5% back) but it does have an annual fee of 39 dollars, i want to maximize the use of this card in a positive way. I hear the more frequent and the bigger amounts lead to larger CLI faster...is this true and if so I have a plan to pay monthly bills totaling 400 on the card and didnt know how long to leave that balance on so they can see the activity before I PIF for the month?? can i use it to paya large bill and pay it off immedialtey or do i need to let it stay for a few weeks before the bill cuts? just trying to get how some of you make it work to get the most out if your cards without high utilization reporting regularly???
I want to eventually upgrade this card to the QS without the APR
The best way to maximize its use to get Capital One to give you a CLI is to keep on using it and paying it down to zero and using it again. Capital One will see the activity even if you pay it off the day it posts. And they will most likely reward you with auto-CLI's.
If you also want to maximize your FICO scores then I would need to know how many other cards you have, and the limits and balances, to advise you exactly, but the short answer to that is the balance reporting on the statement should be either (a) zero or (b) from 1-9%.
@jamevfan wrote:@SouthJamaica I only have the Capital one secured with a 200CL and showing a 35 dollar balance today, I also have the new QS1 card 500CL thats still on its way here with 0 balance and my fingerhut advanatage card with a 1300CL showing a balance of 104.96.
by balance I mean the amount used on the card not the balance thats left...hope i am clear
OK you've got 3 cards, that's perfect.
Always pay off your Fingerhut and and secured card far enough in advance of the statement date so that they will be at zero balance when the statement hits. Use each card for a small purchase at least once every 3 months just to keep it open.
Use your QS1 card over and over again paying it down to zero over and over again, even in the same monthly cycle. What I do with Cap One is I go to the site and just pay off whatever the posted balance is as frequently as I can. That will make them happy in terms of CLI's.
Now, for scoring, be sure to pay it down to 9% or less (e.g. $45 balance when the limit is $500) in advance of the statement date so that the statement will report 9% or less.
This can be tricky because if you try to pay online they won't take a payment for pending payments if there's no posted balance. So if you have pending payments as you approach the statement date you may need to push a payment from your bank account.
@jamevfan wrote:i would prefer to charge my card and immediatley pay it off it this will not hurt me, I hate leaving large balances on the card...
That's perfect. It will help you, not hurt you.
