How Often Should You Use Credit Cards to Keep Them Active?

Can credit card issuers close your account due to inactivity? Here's how often you should use credit cards to keep them active.

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[Nite.Stalker]

I keep my cards active by having auto pay for stuff like gym membership, Netflix, etc. I pay them off every month in full and don't have to worry about keeping my CC active!

[ChaimMosheStern]

I usually would go on to a charity sites and donate few cents from each card

[bacman]

I have a useless Best Buy credit card since 2005 & haven't used it in years yet it is still alive! It's more like a zombie card at this point.

[JohnPavlish]

Hi Sebastian. One way that I use to keep the card active is to do auto-payment for things like donations which you can put smaller amounts per month. Doing this also makes it easier to put your financing easier for tax season for your donations.

[lewis]

Every 3-6 months I take my portfolio of cards with me to the supermarket, and like you said I make sure it's not busy, and I use 4-6 of them. I do this twice during that week and I am good.

[masterchief]

Amazon idea is genius. That's also a good way to pre-spend and hit a minimum spend

[jdmvcc]

Subscribed because I'm interested in getting a CC. Really like how organised you are and appreciate that you link the tools you use. Thanks for the tips.

[vtommy]

Thanks for the Amazon idea. I currently have 5 cards and occasionally buy a soda at McDonalds on my unused cards for like $1.06 or $1.08 depending on local taxes, but I buy all sorts of stuff on Amazon Prime, so that seems so much easier to just set an alarm in my calendar.

[skatergurljubulee]

I do self check out and itemize my groceries.

[daveausdauer]

I have 8 credit cards.
Each one is designated towards a specific monthly recurring expense.
Since each expense is already budgeted it makes managing them almost no effort.
All of my newer cards are cash back. The older ones I keep just to maintain credit history dispite no benefits from them.

[lavayuki]

I just shuffle through my cards when grocery shopping and Amazon, where I use my bigger purchases on rewards cards and smaller ones on the rest. Also, I have a different card for certain things, like a card for paypal, one for groceries, another for online shopping on other sites

[larrybowden]

Or use Apple Pay at the vending machine to buy something with each card (so you don't physically have to carry each card). ;-)

[riqued]

Thanks Sebby. I do something similar to what you described. I like the idea of every quarter instead of 6 months. I feel a little safer doing that.

[albertobenfica]

I had a Shell Gas Card for 23 years. I did not use it for due to the higher price they charged for gas in CA. One day out of the blue they cancelled my card. No warning. The next oldest card card I had was 15 years. My credit score took a multiple point dive due to credit aging. Wish I had seen this video last year. I would have used my Shell card for gum also. Chevron sent me a letter warning me about low usage so I bought a soft drink at one if their stations. Good to go.

[RavancheII]

The organizer is a wonderful idea, with only one major setback, if it isn't an RFID protected case then someone can use a scanner and get your card information. If you had one that has protection then this is an awesome idea for keeping and storage.

[CODBlackOpsWALKTHROUGH]

lol bro just tell everyone to do self checkout using ur three cards. its weird to go to reg checkout that way

[AndyFetisov]

Once a month before statement date buy $1 Amazon gift card balance.

[JCheng-zlfy]

I have become a huge fan of your videos. Can you do more videos about rebuilding credit and secured credit cards? I think there are a lot of folks out here who are trying to educate themselves about rebuilding credit history for big ticket purchase such as car or home. Your expertise would be much appreciated...

[HPuser]

Just do monthly $0.50 on Amazon; for cards with low balance cancelation policies, I go up to whatever those amounts are so I don't have to deal with paying the bill yet still get the activity.

[rberto]

You can also have your monthly cell bill, auto insurance and monthly road toll bill sent to three different cards. Use the remainder of your cards to buy gasoline, groceries, dry cleaning or pay for car washes. It is stuff you have to pay for regularly, might as well get some points or cash back from them. Also make sure you pay off these cards the first and the 15th of every month. It helps your credit and keeps your cards alive.