@Anonymous wrote:
They don't offer such products. I don't really want to move to another card, because they folks give exceptional
customer service, and if I close the account, my AAoA would suffer, and thus my scores.
Now, I don't meant to beat a dead horse, but as far as you know, does an account that regularly shows a $0 balance get calculated in the score or not. By regularly, I mean every month continuously for a period of several months. We both know the card is getting used, so no danger of closure from non-use, but because of the way it is paid, and when it reports to the CB's, it always shows a zero balance.
Hi...I am by no means an expert, but from what I've seen, many FICO high-scoring folks manage their accounts with zero balances showing each month (except for one small balance on one card).
In fact, cardholders get dinged for letting too many cards show balances. Also, I just had a card show a $12 balance after not showing a balance since May, and we lost FICO points for letting it show a balance.
Even if an account is showing a zero balance, the balance of zero is reported to the credit bureau, and the date of last activity changes. I think as long as that last activity keeps updating and the account shows as open, it is being counted.
I do have one very old card, however...a Valero gas card apparently...that I don't ever remember having and didn't know about until I pulled my credit reports. My reports don't show that I ever used it. This account is not counted as an open credit line on EQ and EX...but it is still live on TU. That card could be a case such as you are talking about. It was opened in 2000 and reported until Nov. 2008. I believe from this example that it is no longer being counted as part of utilization on EQ and EX any longer because it is showing no changing date of last activity. It is, however, still being counted in my AAoA.
On the subject of new credit...if I were you, I wouldn't be afraid to apply for another card because you're afraid of hurting your AAoA. At some point, in order to grow your credit history, you need new accounts. That's why they always say that credit scoring happens somewhat in a zig zag pattern. Sometimes you have to take a baby step backwards (in AAoA) in order to take a giant step forwards. As you get more credit, your AAoA won't move much with a new account. It's a minor ding for what could be a major factor in helping your FICO.
