utilization affect

[sarkell]

So I'm about to hit a year on all my inquiries as well as new accounts. And go from 85% utility to 55% utility if an Au hits it will be 30% balances on 3 cards only. Im hoping for a nice boost. At 655 now could I get to 680?

[dddewdrop]

     I would say you definately could hit 680. Utilisation has a huge impact on your score....

[RobertEG]

Hard to predict based only on overall % util, and in view of the fact that precise weightings within the util of credit catefory remain a trade secret.

There are three components of % util.

One is overall % util.

Two is the % util of each indiv. card.

Three is the % carrying a balance.

While the respective weightings of each sub-component remain proprietary, they apparently are weighted in the same order listed.

Since increases and decrases in % util are not linear throughout the scoring range, with higher utils usually having greater inpact, it is likely that two scenarios, both having the same overall %util, can produce different scores depending upon whether some individual accounts have a high % util.

Are one or more cards showing substantially higher % utls than the average?

% cards carrying a balance does not appear to be weighted as heavily.

[stlsme]

I have been guilty of having high utilization my entire adult life. Finally getting it under control and scores are going up fast. I would bet >75% most of the time. Never thought much about it always was approved until the meltdown. Every article is right the absolute easiest way to raise score a lot is lower utilization. Eliminate cards with balances one at a time. Better than lowering all balances at the same time. RobertEG is absolutely right on 3 components of utilization. I did notice 3-5 point gains when number of cards reporting zero balance went down. I had months when a $11 balance reportzero zero would get that increase. 

[dpride86]

I received a 22 point boost from dropping my Util from 34% to 26%.