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To show usage and not have the limits slashed, do you have any small charges like for example netflix? If you do, just have it set up automatically so that, the small charge goes to it monthly to keep it active.
Or you can just use the card once every six months to keep it active.
@Junejer wrote:
I have all that set up now. I just am concerned about only using a small fraction of the CL and end up getting slashed like some here have seen with AmEx. Barclays was my previous daily driver card, but SW will now be. Barclays is going to go from several thousand per month used to a few bucks. I always PIF each month, but I do like the idea of having the CL in case I need the fire power.
There isn't a definitive way to prevent that from happening thus, credit line not getting slashed as these lenders are very unpredictable. Based on what you have posted, you seem like a good customer and they might just let your credit line be unless something changes in your credit report.
Don't over think it. If you are truly worried, maybe every three months charge something big to the cards....
If you don't use a card (enough), why would you be worried about the credit limit getting slashed? If you spend $5 per month on a card with $30000 limit, you don't need that $30000 limit. The obsession on this list with high credit limits is bordering on ridiculous. Use your cards in whatever way is useful to you and let the lenders figure out what credit limit they want to give you. More than likely all your worries are unsubstantiated.
@Junejer ...WHOA!! Just out of the blue one of our M.E.'s posts??? Love it!!! How have you been?
ok, back to you questions. For me, I rotate 95% of my monthly spend amoungst my higher limit cards, so every few months they see alot, the other months not so much, but I do use them all every month.
@bz386 wrote:If you don't use a card (enough), why would you be worried about the credit limit getting slashed? If you spend $5 per month on a card with $30000 limit, you don't need that $30000 limit. The obsession on this list with high credit limits is bordering on ridiculous. Use your cards in whatever way is useful to you and let the lenders figure out what credit limit they want to give you. More than likely all your worries are unsubstantiated.
I have several relatively large credit lines that are only used occasionally, but on those occasions they are needed. Wanting to make sure those credit lines are there when I need them to be isn't ridiculous at all.
Some lenders are more sensitive than others, so the OP's question is valid and his concerns are warranted.
No need to worry about it too much.
I am one of those people you mentioned (150K+ total CL) and don't spend much (monthly total CC payment typically less than 2k ).
Only thing I try to do is to make sure that I put something (might be $5) on each every year.
No issuer (amex, chase, citi, or discover) has lowered my CL yet. Their risk control dept seems to be more worried about people who might not pay them back than people don't spend enough. Would be interesting to hear if anyone have stories of certain issuer CLD stating a reason of 'little usage'.
Also, as already mentioned above, the impact of a CLD seems (to me as well to be) very minimal anyways, because:
0. It is unlikely for you to need the CL if the issuer find 'load factor' alone justifies CLD.
1. It is also unlikely for all banks to CLD you in sync simply due to this reason.
2. Most cards nowadays (visa signature, infinite, and of course any charge card) are NPSL and will allow once in a while big charges (higher than the stated CL if one is stated) to go through (sometimes even without human override) provided you've been using credit responsibly and the spending pattern is considered reasonable (i.e. something like charging $30000 at a supermarket is not)