Is it bad to get a credit card and not use it?

Is a Dust-Collecting Credit Card Hurting Your Credit Score?

We’ve all heard the warnings about credit card misuse, leading many to shy away from plastic altogether. But what about the opposite scenario – getting a credit card and then letting it gather dust in a drawer? Surprisingly, this seemingly harmless act can actually damage your credit health. While avoiding the temptation of overspending is admirable, a dormant credit card can have negative consequences, potentially lowering your credit score and limiting future financial opportunities.

The primary issue stems from two potential actions your credit card issuer might take: account closure and credit limit reduction. If your card remains inactive for an extended period, typically between six months and two years, the issuer may close the account. While this might seem like a simple administrative procedure, it can have a ripple effect on your credit score.

Firstly, account closure can shorten your credit history. The length of your credit history is a significant factor in credit scoring models, contributing to around 15% of your overall score. A longer history demonstrates responsible credit management over time, while a shorter history can suggest inexperience or potential risk. Closing your oldest account can significantly shrink your credit history, potentially lowering your score.

Secondly, and often more importantly, closing an account reduces your overall available credit. This impacts your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit that you’re currently using. A lower available credit, with the same balance on other cards, increases your utilization ratio. A high utilization ratio, generally above 30%, signals to lenders that you might be relying too heavily on credit and can negatively impact your score. This factor contributes approximately 30% to your overall credit score, making it a crucial element to manage.

Even if your account isn’t closed, a prolonged period of inactivity can lead to a reduction in your credit limit. Issuers often reduce limits on inactive accounts to mitigate their own risk, assuming that the cardholder doesn’t need the available credit. This, again, impacts your credit utilization ratio in the same way as account closure, potentially driving up your utilization and lowering your score.

So, what’s the solution? The key is to use your credit card strategically, not avoid it entirely. Making small, regular purchases and paying the balance in full each month is the best approach. This demonstrates responsible credit management, keeps your account active, and helps build a positive credit history. Consider using the card for recurring expenses like streaming subscriptions or gas, setting up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. Remember, a well-managed credit card can be a valuable financial tool, while a neglected one can become a liability.