How often should I use a credit card so it doesn't close?

Asked by: Marcellus Krajcik  |  Last update: September 5, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (19 votes)

In general, you should use your credit card at least once a quarter (every three months) to keep the card open and active. The answer to just how often you should use your card to maintain a good score comes down to your credit utilization and on-time balance payments, rather than how many transactions you have.

What is the 2/3/4 rule for credit cards?

According to cardholder reports, Bank of America uses a 2/3/4 rule: You can only be approved for two new cards within a 30-day period, three cards within a 12-month period and four cards within a 24-month period. This rule applies only to Bank of America credit cards, though, and not all credit cards.

How to prevent a credit card from closing?

  1. Set Up Recurring Payments. Consider putting recurring payments on your credit card. ...
  2. Make Small Purchases Regularly. You don't have to spend a lot to keep a card active. ...
  3. Call the Credit Card Issuer. Sometimes canceling a credit card may be the right decision for you. ...
  4. Pay on Time.

How long of inactivity before a credit card closes?

Before you run out and charge something just to keep your account active, however, you should know that it usually takes a year or more of inactivity for the issuer to close the card. It's also important to note that you might not get any warning that your issuer is closing your account.

What is the 5/24 rule for capital one?

The 5/24 rule: For some issuers, applicants can't open more than five new credit card accounts in a 24-month period.

Why Can't I Use Credit Cards If I Pay Them Off Every Month

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What is the 6 month rule for Capital One?

Capital One also has a hard-and-fast rule when timing your applications. You're only able to get approved for one card every six months. This lumps personal and small-business cards together.

What is the Chase 2:30 rule?

What is the Chase 2/30 rule? In addition to the 5/24 rule, the 2/30 rule is a guideline for spacing out your applications. Your chances of being approved are slim to none if you've applied for 2 personal cards (or 1 business card) in the last 30 days.

How often should I use my credit card to keep it open?

In general, you should use your credit card at least once a quarter (every three months) to keep the card open and active.

Is 700 a good credit score?

A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719.

Do unused credit cards hurt your score?

The other risk of leaving a card inactive is the issuer might decide to close the account. If you haven't used a card for a long period, it generally will not hurt your credit score. However, if a lender notices your inactivity and decides to close the account, it can cause your score to slip.

Is it better to close credit cards with zero balance?

A crowded wallet and the temptation to spend might have you thinking about canceling unused credit card accounts. In most cases, however, it's best to keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer credit history and lower credit utilization (as a result of more available credit).

What is a good credit score?

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

Do I need to use my credit card to keep it active?

To keep a credit card active, you may want to consider using it – responsibly – every few months, if only for small purchases. You might also consider putting a small recurring charge on the card to keep it active, or making it your primary card for a frequent purchase -- say, for gasoline purchases.

What is the golden rule of credit card use?

The golden rule of Credit Cards is simple: pay your full balance on time, every time. This Credit Card payment rule helps you avoid interest charges, late fees, and potential damage to your credit score.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for credit cards?

50% goes towards necessary expenses. 30% goes towards things you want. 20% goes towards savings or paying off debt.

Is it bad to have a lot of credit cards with zero balance?

Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is good, but having too many credit cards with zero balance may negatively impact your credit score. If your credit cards have zero balance for several years due to inactivity, your credit card issuer might stop sending account updates to credit bureaus.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

What is churning credit cards?

Credit card churning happens when a person applies for lots of credit cards to collect big sign-up and welcome bonuses (often in the form of cash back or miles). Once they get the sign-up rewards and bonuses, a credit card churner will usually stop using the cards or cancel them, only to repeat the process again.

What is a perfect credit score to buy a house?

About 70% of all mortgages are conventional loans, making it the most common type of mortgage. A FICO score of 620 or better is typically required for a conventional loan and, if your score is 760 or higher, you should qualify for the best interest rates.

What happens to a credit card if you never use it?

Your credit card account may be closed due to inactivity if you don't use it. You could overlook fraudulent charges if you're not regularly reviewing your account. If your credit card account is closed, it could negatively impact your credit score.

How long should you wait between credit card openings?

It's generally best to wait six months between credit card applications. That will prevent hard inquiries from making a significant negative impact on your credit score. At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education.

How many times can I swipe my credit card in a day?

How many times can I swipe my credit card in a day? There is no fixed limit on the number of times you can swipe your credit card in a day. However, excessive swipes may trigger fraud alerts or temporary blocks by your issuer.

What is Chase 28% rule?

Using a percentage of your income can help determine how much house you can afford. For example, the 28/36 rule suggests your housing costs should be limited to 28 percent of your total monthly gross income and 36 percent of your total debt.

What is the Chase 542 rule?

The Chase 5/24 rule is an unwritten policy that prevents you from being approved for a new Chase credit card if you have opened five or more accounts with any bank in the last 24 months. Even with excellent credit, you'll likely be denied for certain Chase credit cards if you've opened too many credit cards recently.

Which Chase credit card is best?

Best Chase credit cards
  • Best no-annual-fee card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • Best travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
  • Best luxury card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Best cash-back card: Chase Freedom Flex®
  • Best no-annual-fee business card: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card.