Which card(s) to use to increase score?

[Anonymous]

I have one secured Wells Fargo card ($0/$500), one unsecured Capital One card ($0/$800), and I am authorized user on a bunch of other cards (spouse $3,500/$22,500).

We are working to get utilization down to under 10% on only one card, and $0 on the others.

This should be accomplished very soon, but it comes to mind that it might be better for my score if I were to let a balance report on one of MY two cards.  Both of my cards have been showing a zero balance (they are used, but always paid in full before statement date).  

So my question is, will it help my score to let one of my cards report a small balance?  Or will having a balance on 2 cards even if both are below 10% hurt my score?  

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I've noticed that my scores go up when only one card reports a util of 4-10%

[vanillabean]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So my question is, will it help my score to let one of my cards report a small balance?

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Yes.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.  I do have a balance on one of the authorized user cards that we are working to pay down - but you are saying I should also have a balance on a second card that belongs to me?  Just want to make sure it won't hurt me to have 2 cards reporting a balance. 

[Anonymous]

Highest limit ones unless you employ the zero sum game of balance chasing yourself after every purchase posts.