Keeping credit card open but not using it?

nicetomeetyou

I have a Vanquis credit card. I haven't used it it in two months and still have full balance on it, if I continue not using it will they close the account? Is it best to use it for little bits to keep it ticking over or leave it until needed?

SuperAllyB

I assume you mean zero balance?

MallyGirl

yes they can close it - they need to ring fence the funds to support you suddenly going out tomorrow and spending the lot. If you show no sign of doing that they will close it down to free up that money.

cymruchris

Any card provider can close an account at any time if they wish to do so, most tend to reduce credit limits as a way of persuading you to take your business elsewhere, some will just outright tell you they are closing your account. However they usually only do it for very specific reasons. As you've said, spend a little of your every day life on the card each month, and then pay in full by direct debit. This will show a consistent positive financial management pattern on your history for future lenders to assess should you want to get additional credit in future (whether that's a mortgage, a buy now pay later, a zero percent hire purchase etc.) Keep it active, but well maintained. 

born_again

Most would not do anything for well over 12 months with no usage.
But a unused account is a fraud risk, as they tend not to be monitored.
I would just use it once in a while (petrol or shopping) and set up a full DD to cover it.

Emmia

Do you have any monthly / quarterly subscriptions e.g. newspapers or magazines you could pay for on the card? You could set one of those up, and the DD to pay the card balance off in full. 

J_B

We have a Barclaycard that's not been used for maybe 10 years, but still active.

Capital One - ditto since they stopped doing cashback

maybells

I have two credit cards. And I stick Netflix on one and Spotify on the other. Both are set up to clear full balance via DD each month. Haven’t used my cards for anything else in a while.

JES_F1

I've got a Barclaycard that I no longer use but to keep it active, I've set up a monthly £5 automatic giftcard top-up on my Amazon account - and set up to clear the full balance by direct debit.

nicetomeetyou

JES_F1 said:

I've got a Barclaycard that I no longer use but to keep it active, I've set up a monthly £5 automatic giftcard top-up on my Amazon account - and set up to clear the full balance by direct debit.

That sounds like a very good idea. 

J_B

J_B said:

We have a Barclaycard that's not been used for maybe 10 years, but still active.

Capital One - ditto since they stopped doing cashback

Bad netiquette to quote your own message I'm sure; but of course there's a letter from Capital One today closing the card due to no use!!!