Going on the 9% util rule, I'd like to know if that applies to a single card or my total avail credit.
My total credit lines are about $5000 now. But my highest limit card is only $2k. So, if I want to stick to under 9%, can I have a balance on the $2k card reporting of $450 (9% of 5k) or only $180 (9% of 2k)?
Also, I understand that it may only really matter when I'm applying for credit, but I've also read here about AA when CCs pull softs. So, I'm concerned about going beyond the 9% on a regular basis, even when I'm not applying for credit.
Thanks! 
@bichonmom wrote:Going on the 9% util rule, I'd like to know if that applies to a single card or my total avail credit.
My total credit lines are about $5000 now. But my highest limit card is only $2k. So, if I want to stick to under 9%, can I have a balance on the $2k card reporting of $450 (9% of 5k) or only $180 (9% of 2k)?
Also, I understand that it may only really matter when I'm applying for credit, but I've also read here about AA when CCs pull softs. So, I'm concerned about going beyond the 9% on a regular basis, even when I'm not applying for credit.
Thanks!
Everyone's situation is different and there is no one size fits all approach to this but what seems to work well for most people is to have only one of their cards report a small (<9% of it's credit limit) balance each month and then pay in full before the due date. You can use it as much as you want during the month but what's important is the reported balance because for most cards whatever is reported on the monthly statement is what is used to calculate utilization for the month.
You might have to play around with the percentages for a few months to see what works best for you. Some people say that 1-3% utilization helps the most. For others it might be 5-9%. As I said it's not one size fits all.
On any other cards always try and have them report a zero balance each month. That doesn't mean you can't use them just make sure that the desired zero balance on these accounts is achieved several days before their statements post.
Along with individual and overall utilization, FICO also scores the number of all types of accounts reporting a balance.at any one time Making sure less than half of all your accounts report a balance helps most people.
As you said this approach really isn't necessary if you're not looking to apply for any credit in the near future or unless you are trying to tweak your score for maximum effect but some folks do this as a hobby just to see how high they can get their score.
And I share your concern about possible AA if a creditor softs you and sees a high utilization sometime during a month.
From a BK years ago to:
EX - 3/11 pulled by lender- 835, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".
@bichonmom wrote:Going on the 9% util rule, I'd like to know if that applies to a single card or my total avail credit.
My total credit lines are about $5000 now. But my highest limit card is only $2k. So, if I want to stick to under 9%, can I have a balance on the $2k card reporting of $450 (9% of 5k) or only $180 (9% of 2k)?
Also, I understand that it may only really matter when I'm applying for credit, but I've also read here about AA when CCs pull softs. So, I'm concerned about going beyond the 9% on a regular basis, even when I'm not applying for credit.
Thanks!
YMMV, but it applies to both.
Ideally you'd like to have a balance on only one card, and you would like that balance to be less than or equal to 9%. So, to answer your question, 450/5000 isn't BAD, but 180/5000 is better.
Keep in mind that 450/2000 is 22.5%, which is bordering on a little high.