When I got my monthly 3B pull yesterday I noticed that "High Credit Usage" showed up as a reason code on my EQ9 for the first time. I'm currently at 2/5 cards reporting (15%, 13%, 8.7% aggregate) and it's fairly similar to last month at 14%, 16%, 8.8% agr). The total dollar value increased slightly, but due to a small CLI the aggregate is a touch lower. I'm wondering if this reason code was there before and just far enough down the list to not be seen (it's at the bottom now) or if there's something else I'm missing? Just want to satisfy my curiosity on this.
@Zoostation1 wrote:When I got my monthly 3B pull yesterday I noticed that "High Credit Usage" showed up as a reason code on my EQ9 for the first time. I'm currently at 2/5 cards reporting (15%, 13%, 8.7% aggregate) and it's fairly similar to last month at 14%, 16%, 8.8% agr). The total dollar value increased slightly, but due to a small CLI the aggregate is a touch lower. I'm wondering if this reason code was there before and just far enough down the list to not be seen (it's at the bottom now) or if there's something else I'm missing? Just want to satisfy my curiosity on this.
Aggregate is all accounts combined as 1 util %. You say 2 of 5 cards reporting but list 3 %'s numbers. Or individul util %'s.
@FireMedic1I'm not sure I follow what you're saying, since I listed out the individual utilization on the 2 cards that reported balances and the aggregate utilization. The only thing I didn't list out are the 3 cards each cycle that had a 0 reported balance as I assumed that was implied with the 2/5 statement. For this last cycle I (rounding to the nearest % on individual) I was 15%, 13%, 0%, 0%, 0% with an aggregate utilization of 8.7%. The previous cycle (before the small CLI) I was 14%, 16%, 0%, 0%, 0% with an aggregate utlilization of 8.8%.
@Zoostation1" I'm currently at 2/5 cards reporting (15%, 13%, 8.7% aggregate)"
Two of five cards reporting. But you list 3 percentages with aggregate. Aggregate is the percentage of all accounts combined as a whole. Each card is a individual %.
@JoeRockhead wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong but you still have a BK on your reports, no? I know it's universally accepted advice to keep utilization under 30% for optimal scoring but, interestingly enough, according to Rod Griffin, Experian's senior director of public education and advocacy, the 30% isn't a target but rather is a maximum limit. Exceeding that level (according to him) will have significant negative impact on scores. It would be even more pronounced on a dirty score card as they're keeping you on a shorter leash so to speak.
With that said, and considering a dirty score card.... if 30% essentially equals the maximum limit, (or 100%) then your (avg for easier math) 15% on two different cards is viewed/scored as high usage on those cards. Whereas it would perhaps have the same effects on someone on a clean scorecard using 50+%.
If you want to maximize your scores, I would treat 30% as your absolute ceiling. By getting those two cards to roughly 7.5% (or lower) each and your aggregate usage under 4% you should see that reason code go away... not to mention better score gains.
If you try it, let us know.
28%. That 30% is all over the internet which all leads to Vantage. Next FICO tier is 48%.
@JoeRockhead I do have a BK7 that just turned 6yrs old about week ago so definitely a dirty profile. I've only seen the reason code on EQ9 and only this month. I would have expected to see it last month as well given that the reported data didn't exceed any other thresholds and my aggregate utilization was ever so slightly higher than this month. I also find it interesting that while I have a higher ceiling on FICO 9, for FICO 8 I have low revolving usage listed as a positive factor on all 3 
FWIW I don't lose any points on FICO 8 for letting 2 cards report if I'm under 8.9% aggregate (I thnk that's an aggregate threshold for FICO 8), though I think I do a small amount for FICO 9. I did lose several points on EQ8 and EX8 though for letting one card report 32% even though I was AZEO at the time and had only 7% aggregate. Dropping the AZEO card to 27.7% reporting the following month gained the points back. I'll let ya know if I make any changes that would potentially impact the code but since I'm wanting to stay in the garden and I'm done with AZEO until I'm ready to apply for new credit again that may be a while.
@Zoostation1When I filed in 2015. Know how many cards I burned in BK? None. Because I didnt have any for 15 yrs. I trashed my back fighting a fire and had a L5-S1 disectomy. I was back to work in 2 weeks. The disability payment paid off all my cards. I swore them off. After filing my lawyer said you have to have some credit cards. I'll think about it. He told me about this place. 8 yrs later here I am. I didnt know about FICO and scores. Always got approved for my new cars then trucks/SUV's. I got my first Cap1 Plat. Read and learned. And here I sit.
I just watched my scores go up and up. I couldnt tell you what my score was before BK. All these side notes on percentages and what moves to make I didnt go with. Took pieces from all I learned and applied to myself. Built my file based on FICO8. With MyFICO 3B for 8 yrs. I saw all these scores they kept going up. I have been AZEO the entire time after the third card. Read all these confusing chats on do this dont do that. I learned. But didnt rack my brain about all that was spoken. KISS method and it worked.