7%, 9%, 11% utilization "thresholds"...in need of insight

[Anonymous]

Howdy all,

I got my Transunion up to 729 in March, and I think it's because I had reduced my overall utilization to 9%. For the April report, however, I was back up to 11% and my TU score went down to 715. Nothing else "bad" happened that month, and in fact a late payment from 2002 fell off. Still saw the 14-point though.

My questions:

1. Is it true that you commonly see score movement at particular thresholds of utilization? (I've seen 7%, 9%, 11%, 20%, etc referenced on the forums.)
2. Is is probable that the 14-point drop on my TU report was due to my 2% increase in utilization?
3. Once I get at or under 7% utilization and keep it there, will my score likely improve month-to-month? Or will it go down with ANY increase in utilization, even if it's 2% to 4%, or 5% to 6%?

I'm pretty sure keeping my utilization in check is the best way for me to improve my score for now. However, I can't keep on paying it down...eventually it'll get to 0. That leads to my final question:

4.  Will my score likely go up, down, or remain the same if I'm reporting 0% utilization most of the time? I've heard that's actually bad. But what if I use my card and always PIF? Is that the optimal way to go?

I'd appreciate any insight to the questions above. Thanks!

[smallfry]

For some low utilization people the ranges are 0% 1% 4% 9%. It depends on your file and there are dings further up the scale probably somewhere in the range of 10% bumps over 9%. Over 85% is the death zone I think.

[PayingTheBills]

As I understand it, you should see increases at 49% or less, 29% or less, and 9% or less.

FICO "High Achievers" average about 6-7% utilization.

90% or higher is considered maxed.