What exactly is an Amex PIF?

[aftermath]

I have an Amex Delta Gold. There have been many threads stating that a CLI is more likely to happen if you PIF this card every month. When you say PIF, do you mean paying the amount shown on your statement? Or do you mean paying it before the statement arrives?

[Anonymous]

PIF your statement balance

Only PIF prior to statement cutting if you need a FICO boost/fine tuning or are obsessive.

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aftermath wrote:
I have an Amex Delta Gold. There have been many threads stating that a CLI is more likely to happen if you PIF this card every month. When you say PIF, do you mean paying the amount shown on your statement? Or do you mean paying it before the statement arrives?

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[Anonymous]

Means paying the entire balance not just the minimum amount due.

[aftermath]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Means paying the entire balance not just the minimum amount due.

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silly rabbit... i know what PIF means, I just wanted to know if everyone pays the total balance on the statement, or prior.

[Anonymous]

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@aftermath wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Means paying the entire balance not just the minimum amount due.

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silly rabbit... i know what PIF means, I just wanted to know if everyone pays the total balance on the statement, or prior.

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I charge a lot, and PIF prior to statement cutting.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@aftermath wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Means paying the entire balance not just the minimum amount due.

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silly rabbit... i know what PIF means, I just wanted to know if everyone pays the total balance on the statement, or prior.

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I charge a lot, and PIF prior to statement cutting.

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Me too.

But since I use it for all double-miles eligible purchases, I always end up with a small balance reporting.  Can't avoid the gas and groceries for a few days just because the statement date is coming up.

Oh, and actually, I typically PIF about 3 times a month.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@aftermath wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Means paying the entire balance not just the minimum amount due.

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silly rabbit... i know what PIF means, I just wanted to know if everyone pays the total balance on the statement, or prior.

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I charge a lot, and PIF prior to statement cutting.

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Me too.

But since I use it for all double-miles eligible purchases, I always end up with a small balance reporting. Can't avoid the gas and groceries for a few days just because the statement date is coming up.

Oh, and actually, I typically PIF about 3 times a month.

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I agree. I PIF every Friday. It helps keep me from racking up to much, haha.

[haulingthescoreup]

Getting back to what I think aftermath is asking:

Credit card companies don't care a flip whether you PIF before or after the statement drops. They're not making or losing money on this, other than some negligible amount of interest from your paying 5 days early, I suppose.

PIF'ing before the statement is only to reduce your util for scoring purposes, or because you've become compulsive, as Timothy said. (Hmmm, Timothy, how did you know that about me? )

As long as they get their money on time without them having to clear their throats at you, then they're happy.

[Anonymous]

a charge card has to be PIF to be kept in good standing, if you paying before the statement you aren't using your grace period, and IF the  CRA has it cooded correctly it doesn't count for revovling util. so then the only reason to pay before cut date, is if you want 1 less account reporting a balance to combat "To many acconts with balances"

[Anonymous]

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rbbyrbsn wrote:

a charge card has to be PIF to be kept in good standing, if you paying before the statement you aren't using your grace period, and IF the  CRA has it cooded correctly it doesn't count for revovling util. so then the only reason to pay before cut date, is if you want 1 less account reporting a balance to combat "To many acconts with balances"

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Amex Delta Gold is a credit card.  It will be counted in utilization, so PIFfing before the statement helps control that.  Yes, you give up your grace period that way.  It really just comes down to which is more important to you: being able to float a balance for 25 to 55 days, or controlling the balance reported to the CRAs.