Credit Score Dropped 46 Points. Should I use savings to pay off card?

[smile90000]

I charged a large ticket item on my citibank card with the intention of paying it off over time as it has 0% interest til January 2018 (over a year from now)

My zero balance went to 90% utilizaiton. 

My credit score dropped SIGNIFICANLTY

Experian 792 to 746

Equifax 794 to 750

Transunion 713 to 689

I can use my savings to pay it off but I REALLY don't want to. Will my score improve if I drop utilizaiton below 70%, or must I go below 30% to see any gain? 

I might need the score to take out a car loan in five months

Thanks!

[SouthJamaica]

---

@smile90000 wrote:

I charged a large ticket item on my citibank card with the intention of paying it off over time as it has 0% interest til January 2018 (over a year from now)

My zero balance went to 90% utilizaiton. 

My credit score dropped SIGNIFICANLTY

Experian 792 to 746

Equifax 794 to 750

Transunion 713 to 689

I can use my savings to pay it off but I REALLY don't want to. Will my score improve if I drop utilizaiton below 70%, or must I go below 30% to see any gain? 

I might need the score to take out a car loan in five months

Thanks!

---

Utilization score drops rebound in 1 cycle so you could wait a few months.

[RonM21]

Even when you gradually drop the utilization percentage, the score will also respond, depending on how much you drop it. I'd stay away from your saving if you can help it.