Opening a card and not using it?

[Open123]

---

@Revelate wrote:

Having a card and *never* using it doesn't make much sense to me other than the <3 situation mentioned earlier (and even then I find it massively suspect), might as well close it in that case... but simply charging a pack of bubblegum once every few months is more than sufficient to keep the tradeline active.  That falls under my personal definition of non-use: I never "sock-drawer."

---

Right, it isn't exactly hard to use a card.  Cup of coffee, pack of gum, or a $1.00 amzn e-giftcard.  

[Repo-ed]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Some people actually do need a credit card for emergency situations when they don't have enough cash to cover something.

Not all of us have access to lots of cash like most of you on this forum.

---

Then those people need to search other forums and books to increase their finanical literacy; so that they can learn how to live below their means, and not rely on debt to make ends meet - ever.

[red259]

---

@Repo-ed wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Some people actually do need a credit card for emergency situations when they don't have enough cash to cover something.

Not all of us have access to lots of cash like most of you on this forum.

---

Then those people need to search other forums and books to increase their finanical literacy; so that they can learn how to live below their means, and not rely on debt to make ends meet - ever.

---

People have financial emergencies occur that are unexpected and its not because they are financially irresponsible. Medical issues can develop where insurance companies refuse to cover treatment, people can lose jobs suddenly, self employed people may have invoices billed out, but run in to short term cash flow issues when they do not receive prompt payment. While viewing credit cards as a potential long term loan is a bad idea it is reasonable to have credit cards for emergency spending when assets can not be suddenly liquidated. 

[Laugh]

I say go for it.

It'll add another trade line to your arsenal and that will help improve your AAOA.

The only real problem I can think of is when you apply for a 3rd card. If you get a 7-10 days message or denial, you'll probably have to recon. In that instance, the analyst will manually comb through your report. That 2nd card will give the analyst a reason to possibly deny you.

"How come you never used said card?" would probably be the first question you'll hear from the analyst.

"So why do you need a 3rd card if you don't use the said card?" will probably be the second inquiry from the analyst.

[red259]

---

@Laugh wrote:
I say go for it.

It'll add another trade line to your arsenal and that will help improve your AAOA.

The only real problem I can think of is when you apply for a 3rd card. If you get a 7-10 days message or denial, you'll probably have to recon. In that instance, the analyst will manually comb through your report. That 2nd card will give the analyst a reason to possibly deny you.

"How come you never used said card?" would probably be the first question you'll hear from the analyst.

"So why do you need a 3rd card if you don't use the said card?" will probably be the second inquiry from the analyst.

---

This can be answered in a number of reasonable ways.  Its not the same thing has applying for a CLI on a card that you never use.  

[Laugh]

Haha I guess so. Although this begs the question "Why give an analyst a reason to question you?"

In all honesty, everyone is looking to future-proof their arsenal. That's why they insist on not wasting a hard inquiry.

OP, credit cards are tools for us to benefit. Don't give too much thought to them. Look for a rewards card and find out the best way to maximize the rewards through normal spending. Try not to pay interest on any balances. Don't live above your means and you'll be set for life. This is how I see credit cards.

[unc0mm0n1]

---

@Repo-ed wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Some people actually do need a credit card for emergency situations when they don't have enough cash to cover something.

Not all of us have access to lots of cash like most of you on this forum.

---

Then those people need to search other forums and books to increase their finanical literacy; so that they can learn how to live below their means, and not rely on debt to make ends meet - ever.

---

What? Are you serious? I was going to write a long post on how stupid this post is but it's not worth it. 

[myjourney]

---

@unc0mm0n1 wrote:

---

@Repo-ed wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Some people actually do need a credit card for emergency situations when they don't have enough cash to cover something.

Not all of us have access to lots of cash like most of you on this forum.

---

Then those people need to search other forums and books to increase their finanical literacy; so that they can learn how to live below their means, and not rely on debt to make ends meet - ever.

---

What? Are you serious? I was going to write a long post on how stupid this post is but it's not worth it. 

---

MJ

[Open123]

---

Laugh wroteP, credit cards are tools for us to benefit. 

---

+1

Credit is a means to an end, not an end in of itself.  

Having the options to make purchases at a low rate with multiple options is the value of having "good" credit.  If you prefer to finance a purchase, you have the option to be approved for a low rate or 0 promo account.  If you prefer to earn rewards, you have the option to find the best rewards card with the best initial bonus.  If you prefer perks, you can find the card with the best benefits.  Or, a combination thereof, such as the Freedom with 20K sign up bonus and 15 month 0% promo.

Good credit makes available to you all the options to purchase in a way that is best for you.  

[enharu]

There's pros and cons and this is a highly subjective manner. As such, there's not really a right nor wrong.

Everyone's financial situation is (very) different. While the ideal situation is to obviously have a good amount of cash flow for any sort of emergencies, not everyone can do this, especially with this economy.

Credit cards (and other loans) are a nice way to help weather through an emergency, but in a way they are also somewhat limited and are just a temporary fix, not a cure-it-all solution. Then again, what some people need may just be a temporary fix, while waiting for say a check from the insurance company, or whatever. Everyone has different issues of very different severities, after all.

In the unfortunate event that the issue starts dragging out long term, then credit cards obviously are not going help much latter on, and may start becoming a problem itself. However, when you are in that big of a **bleep** hole, falling behind on your credit card payments probably is one of the least of your concerns.

As much as one can try to prepare against any kind of emergency or bad situation, something worse than expected can always go wrong. That being said, it's also as equally important to save up, rather than to depend entirely on credit.

A tad off topic, but spending beyond / below ones means is a separate issue. If one is spending beyond his means, there are probably bigger issues for him to worry about, and that's just his own undoing.

As to whether OP should open cards now just to prepare for emergencies, that's up to him. He could simply just buy some gum or whatever, like open said, and that will keep the account open. Alternatively, he could also apply for card(s) when the emergency arises, though sometimes it may take a while for the card to arrive. In my opinion, opening 1 or 2 cards to prepare for an emergency is perfectly normal.