Keeping Cards Active...

[KeithW]

I have 24 credit cards now, but many are with the same companies. I have 5 Cap One cards and another 7 with Synchrony. Over the past year I have been paying them off, but now I am wondering how often I need to use these paid off cards. I certainly don't want them to close, but also don't want to use them too frequently since it is a pain to have to use and pay them all off too frequently. So how often do I need to use them all to keep them active and is spending $10 enough or do I need to spend a certain amount when I use them?

[wasCB14]

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@KeithW wrote:

I have 24 credit cards now, but many are with the same companies. I have 5 Cap One cards and another 7 with Synchrony. Over the past year I have been paying them off, but now I am wondering how often I need to use these paid off cards. I certainly don't want them to close, but also don't want to use them too frequently since it is a pain to have to use and pay them all off too frequently. So how often do I need to use them all to keep them active and is spending $10 enough or do I need to spend a certain amount when I use them?

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Frequency varies by issuer. Not sure about those two particular lenders. Citi is about two years. Barclays can be quick...sometimes 6-9 months. Amex and Chase cards sometimes stay open for years without activity.

What does your profile look like, that you're so against the idea of closing a few?

*And any spend seems to count as activity. Low spend may result in a CLD, though.

[blindambition]

Each lender has their own limits on dormant accounts. I swipe cards at least once every 90 days. Something as little as a pack of gum should do it.

[Loquat]

If you have an Amazon account you can also do small reloads every 3 months or so for a dollar and that is enough to creative activity.

However that may not be enough activity for some lenders to keep them from doing a CLD.

For store cards, I usually will do a small egift card purchase every 3-4 months for $5 bucks and then use them whenever I decide to make a purchase at that particular retailer.

[MrT_521]

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@Loquat wrote:
If you have an Amazon account you can also do small reloads every 3 months or so for a dollar and that is enough to creative activity.

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This is what I do. In fact, just yesterday I loaded $1 each from 4 of our (me and P2) sock drawer cards to Amazon. I try to do it at least once every 3 - 6 months.

[KeithW]

Thanks. I may close some in the future, but until I pay off the rest of my CC debt, they help with my overall utilization which is currently at 26%.

[Yankee2]

I understand in your situation regarding cc utilization, but over the years I've never regetted closing a card I don't use.

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if anyone can give me ssome advice. 
I want to keep my CCs active without spending too much. How often do I need to use a credit card & pay it down to ensure the account isn't closed? I've heard once a year, twice a year, etc..

I'm also wondering if the "since" part is since the last charge on the card or since last activity. For example, say I charged 100.00 on a card 6 months ago but took 3 months to pay that down. Would the last activity creditors are looking for in order to keep the card active be from the date of the last time I used the card, or the last time payment was made? 

I have 3 store cards I haven't charged anything to since June of 2020. 
Thanks in advance. 

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

These days I would use the card at least once every 6 months, every 3 months or so wouldn't be a bad idea.

Last payment made on your card would be considered activity. This is information I've learned on here.

I use my cards daily/weekly so I don't direct experience with the situation.

Just passing on what I've learned.

[blindambition]

There's no definitive answer, and lenders vary. Some have not made purchases for years, and suffer no closure. NOT recommended.

I place at least one small purchase every 3 months. A good rule is a purchase every 3-6 months, and doesn't need to be large purchase. A small recurring subscription is a good use of a card not swiped much.