There's no difference.
The green check mark means you met the minimum requirement for that month: You weren't late with any required payment, and if a payment was required you paid at least the required minimum payment.
A zero balance usually means you didn't have a payment due, but see threads in the credit card forum about the nuances of using credits or cash back and those not applying as "minimum payment".
Be 30 days late with at least the minimum payment and the green check mark becomes a nasty red dragon that drops your score. I exaggerate, however once a late appears, it takes a long time to get rid of it.
@tropolis wrote:I had a Boscov store card that I used once in 3 years.
It was closed in 2019 I assume because of inactivity.
Just to be clear, are you inquiring about trying to do AZEO with a card that is now closed, but still reporting a positive payment history with the bureaus each month?
It reported a green check on time each month. Just by having that credit available at 0 reporting back on time each month, how does that read back? Does that come back as a positive, a neutral? Do they know I'm not using the card?
I ask because I've read on here with the AZEO method the goal is to pay the statement before it reports back to the bureaus a balance, so it reports a 0 balance each month, except one card keeping a balance below 10 percent.
What's the difference between doing that and having a card you never use reporting a 0 balance on time remark each month unless I'm missing something? Thanks.
I was just confused on how it was all worded as to your overall goal. If the card is closed, even if there are still the little green check marks reporting each month, the bureaus still know it is a closed account. It will not work to be used as a part of the AZEO method if that is what you were asking.
