Utilization - Which Scenario is better?

[McNugget]

Which scenario would be better so I'd take less of a score hit?

Option A

12 cards total

Card 1 @ 99% utilization

Card 2 @ 34% utilization

Card 3 @ 59% utilization

All other cards at 0% utilization

Overall 16% utilization

or

Option B

12 cards total

Card 1 @ 62% utilization

Card 2 @ 70% utilization

Card 3 @ 59% utilization

All other cards at 0% utilization

Overall 16% utilization

Option A would take me 4.5 months to get all utilized cards to under 48.9%, while Option B would take only 3 months.  If all goes as planned, all accounts will be PIF in January 2021.  

[blindambition]

I would think option B. Especially if you could get the one card from 70% under 68.9%.

[McNugget]

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@blindambition wrote:

I would think option B. Especially if you could get the one card from 70% under 68.9%.

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Ooo.  Good thought.  That would take 2.5 months with Option A and not even a month with Option B.  

I love this site. 

[AllZero]

Option B. That maxed out card is doing you no favors.

Agreed with blindambition about 68.9%

I would recommend reading the below from ABCD2199
The Truth about Credit Card Utilization
My 11 Rules to Credit Rebuilding
FICO Score: What to pay down first?

[McNugget]

Thank you! Thankfully these will be numbers after doing a 0% 0fee balance transfer. Right now Card 1 is my highest uti at 62%.

[Anonymous]

Option B for sure! You'd take a big hit on a maxed out card!

[Shooting-For-800]

B for me

[donkort]

Anything with the maximum utilization under 68.9% would be preferable. 

[SouthJamaica]

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@McNugget wrote:

Which scenario would be better so I'd take less of a score hit?

Option A

12 cards total

Card 1 @ 99% utilization

Card 2 @ 34% utilization

Card 3 @ 59% utilization

All other cards at 0% utilization

Overall 16% utilization

or

Option B

12 cards total

Card 1 @ 62% utilization

Card 2 @ 70% utilization

Card 3 @ 59% utilization

All other cards at 0% utilization

Overall 16% utilization

Option A would take me 4.5 months to get all utilized cards to under 48.9%, while Option B would take only 3 months.  If all goes as planned, all accounts will be PIF in January 2021.  

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Both are bad, but B is less bad.

[Nomad3]

If you are trying to apply for something Option B will give you a better score, maxed out individual cards are heavily penalized.

If you aren't applying for anything then the only thing that matters is which ever way will incur the least amount of interest. And your scores will rebound when you're done.