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Utilization/Always paying in full

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Utilization/Always paying in full

How does utilization calculate for one the always pay CC in full each month.  I have one card I use the most and it goes over 30% all the time and often higher, but always gets paid in full.  Does it still impact score as though I'm carrying a balance since at statement time it will always have decent utilization.  I typically pay it within a day or 2 of statement issue.  I use this card for everything plus bills that can be paid via cc.

 

 

Message 1 of 13
12 REPLIES 12
DollyLama
Established Contributor

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

If this is the only one you let hit with a balance, you will get more points if you keep the balance under 28.9% of it's total line of credit. So you can make 2 payments in a month, just before statement cuts and then PIF after statement cuts. 

 

30% is not bad and I would not worry unless you were car shopping or house hunting. We just try to maximize at certain thresholds when it comes to that. However, you will be dinged harshly if you let them all report zero balances, or run it up past 70%. 

Message 2 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full


@Anonymous wrote:

How does utilization calculate for one the always pay CC in full each month.  I have one card I use the most and it goes over 30% all the time and often higher, but always gets paid in full.  Does it still impact score as though I'm carrying a balance since at statement time it will always have decent utilization.  I typically pay it within a day or 2 of statement issue.  I use this card for everything plus bills that can be paid via cc.

 

 


Utilization - Total balance on your card on the statement date; for an example: you spent 400 $ of 1000$ Credit limit card whose statement date is 06/09/2018; Your Util = (400/1000) = 40%

 

So in a case you paid 200 $ before 06/09/2018; Your Utilization reported will be (400-200)/1000 = 20%.

 

Hope this has helped. 

Message 3 of 13
SouthJamaica
Mega Contributor

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full


@Anonymous wrote:

How does utilization calculate for one the always pay CC in full each month.  I have one card I use the most and it goes over 30% all the time and often higher, but always gets paid in full.  Does it still impact score as though I'm carrying a balance since at statement time it will always have decent utilization.  I typically pay it within a day or 2 of statement issue.  I use this card for everything plus bills that can be paid via cc.

 

 


The only date that counts for FICO score "utilization" purposes is the date of the balance which is reported, which in the vast majority of cases is the statement date, which means the statement balance is what is reported.

 

So if your lenders are not among the exceptions, it plays out like this:

 

A and B each have 10,000 in total credit limit, each puts 5,000 in spend on his or her cards each month, and each pays in full every month.

 

A always pays before the statement cuts.

 

B always pays the day after the statement cuts.

 

A's "utilization" is zero.

 

B's "utilization" is 50%.

 

I put the term utilization in quotes because obviously FICO "utilization" has no relation to actual utilization. A and B are clearly utilizing their cards equally.


Total revolving limits 569520 (505320 reporting) FICO 8: EQ 689 TU 691 EX 682




Message 4 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

Looks like from what I've read on this site that Chase reports balances paid to $0 so maybe paying early is a mute point.

Message 5 of 13
HeavenOhio
Senior Contributor

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

Welcome, @Anonymous!

 

You're in an unusual position. Not many people have a Chase card as their only card as they generally don't like to issue someone his first card. You must have done something right. Smiley Happy

 

For best scoring with one card, the reported balance should be greater than zero (at least $5) but less than 8.9% of its limit. As you've noticed, Chase reports zero whenever you pay to zero.

 

It's possible to have a positive balance continuously report on a Chase card. Once a new cycle starts, pay your statement balance after a charge from the new cycle posts. That way, you've still paid in full and avoided interest. And you'll avoid Chase reporting zero. Only do that if it's practical, though, i.e. if you'd be using your card frequently anyway.

 

Another thing Chase will do is report your balance whenever you call in and ask them to. If Chase has reported zero and you've placed a small balance on your card, they'll report it upon your request.

 

That's a lot of goofing around, though. If your scores are generally sufficient, I'd just keep doing what you've been doing. The next time you want to apply for credit would be the time to implement one of the options above.

Message 6 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

What card is it and when was the last time you had a CLI? When was your last HP? Any big purchases planned in the next 12 months?
Message 7 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

It's not the only card I have, it's the only card I want to use.  Been using the Visa I have from my local credit union, but realized the rewards were not as good as I thought.

 

The card is a Chase Amazon Prime.  I've never had a CLI on it.  I haven't requested one and when I asked about automatice CLI the csr told me they have had offers for me, but I've never recieved them so of course I didn't respond to any of them.  She said she could see one expired offer when I called.

 

I'm not sure what HP is.  Next big purhase will come late summer early fall.

Message 8 of 13
DollyLama
Established Contributor

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

HP is hard pull inquiry when you applied for a credit card, loan, etc. It will show on your credit reports the dates. If it is over a year old, it is not scoreable on FICO 8. 

 

Message 9 of 13
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Utilization/Always paying in full

Ah, I have a couple of HP's in April, 4 total for last year.  1 from a CC I wish I would not have gotten and 1 for a consumer loan for a camper purchase.  2 of the 4 pulls are from the camper on the same day.  Not sure how they score, but dealer claimed they would be as 1.  I was a bit mad they pulled them, because I told them to go to my credit union who I new had best rate.  The oldest of the 4 pulls will drop after July 7th.

Message 10 of 13
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