Nonactivated cards

[writerstale]

When you have a credit card approved. Let's say a CAP One card with a cli of $500, but you do not activate the card. Does that affect your FICO? If so, how do you get a non activated credit card to not affect your FICO?

[JaeJae12]

You, can't once you are approved for a card you already took a inquiry on you credit report so that will be a few point drop, then when the account report to you credit report that can lower your scores abit too.

[SunriseEarth]

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@writerstale wrote:

When you have a credit card approved. Let's say a CAP One card with a cli of $500, but you do not activate the card. Does that affect your FICO? If so, how do you get a non activated credit card to not affect your FICO?

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The TL will still report.  Non-activation won't stop that.   But it might get the account closed for inactivity.  I'd recommended activating the card and then just SDing it, if you don't want to use the account, so long as the account isn't costing you money to keep open.  

[writerstale]

What do you mean by SD'ing it?

[Genkeim]

SD = Sockdrawer. If your not going to use a card just stash it somewhere secure and forget about it. 

[writerstale]

Sockdrawer the card for a certain length of time?

[Genkeim]

If there's no annual fee on the card and you don't want it/aren't planning on using it, then just let it sit til it eventually gets closed for inactivity.You can always try for CLI (Credit line increases) from time to time to grow the limit if that's the concern.

[writerstale]

If you don't mind me asking what does the annual fee have to do with anything? This is not my area of expertise, but making the effort to learn. Greatly appreciative of all the replies!

[Genkeim]

If you're paying an annual fee and not using the card then you're just throwing money away. 

[writerstale]

That makes sense. Thank you!