A few questions about credit rating.

Alex9384

Hello.
I would like to know what is the best way to become "attractive" to most lenders. I've learned many things just by reading this forum but I still have questions.

1. It's been recommended here over and over that the best way to build a good history is using a credit card each month and pay it off in full after receiving a statement.

My question is: What if I don't use some of my cards every month but only, let's say, every other month or so? For example, one card may be a travel card used only on holidays abroad, etc. What does that tell lenders? Does it somehow look worse on my files than using all cards every single month?

2. One of my cards still has a 0% introductory rate so most of my spending currently goes on that card and I only do minimum monthly payments. At the same time I use 2 other cards each month and always pay them off in full by DD. Does making only a minimum payment on one of my cards make me look like I'm struggling with money (which I don't)? I know the introductory rate is marked on my credit report so lenders know it's a 0% purchase card, but still, I'd like to know if it makes me less creditworthy in any way. I can easily pay off the full amount each month, but then what would be the point of having the 0% purchase card?

3. Is it a good idea to ever reduce my credit limit if it's too high and I barely use 5-10% of it each month? Other lenders won't know from my credit report whether it was me asking for the limit decrease or if my card provider didn't trust me that much anymore and therefore reduced my limit. So, is a limit decrease a small red flag to some lenders or it doesn't really matter?

Edit:
4. If I decide to share one of my cards with my girlfriend (get a second card for her), will it make us financially linked on our files?
My understanding is that it shouldn't happen, because my card provider clearly states that I am the one responsible for any debts regardless of who is the additional cardholder. But some of you may have more knowledge about this so it's better to ask here.

D3xt3r5L4b

Do as already advised.

Im not sure why you’re questioning already given good advice?

Alex9384

D3xt3r5L4b said:

Do as already advised.

Im not sure why you’re questioning already given good advice?

The advice is to use my cards every month and pay them off in full. What if I don't need to use all my cards every single month? Why it should be viewed as something negative or at least "less positive"? I'm really curious.

I also don't see answer to my question about 0% purchase cards.

Alex9384

Besides that, I just want to have a bit deeper understanding of how lenders evaluate prospective borrowers. I'm simply interested in this topic. Anything wrong with that?

I'm not pointing a gun at anyone, forcing them to reply to my post. So please, only reply if you want to give some relevant answer. Cheers!

[Deleted User]

You don't need to use every card every month.

Just maintain some regular activity, clearing in full each month.

A 0% card is better than paying interest, but clearing the balance would be better.

Willing2Learn

Alex9384 said:

… 4. If I decide to share one of my cards with my girlfriend (get a second card for her), will it make us financially linked on our files?

My understanding is that it shouldn't happen, because my card provider clearly states that I am the one responsible for any debts regardless of who is the additional cardholder. But some of you may have more knowledge about this so it's better to ask here.

Lol...you said that you have a joint account...if that is correct then you are both associated financially...

Edit:  Sorry, I was meant to be replying on another thread...But to answer your question, the only persons file on to which account conduct will be recorded, will be the main cardholder.  For reporting purposes, any additional cardholders are irrelevant.