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Best thing for unused credit cards?

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Hi ... I wondered what I should do with unused credit cards please? Is it affecting my score badly even if the balance is zero? 
I have cleared a couple and wonder if I should now cancel them?
Many thanks you lovely forum members 

Comments

  • You don't have a score so don't worry about that, nobody but you sees the gimmick number which is akin to a horoscope 

    It is a good idea to keep at least 2 cards, ideally one Mastercard, one Visa and/or one AmEx but at the very least, 1 from 2 different groups e.g. not just a Halifax and Lloyds in case one goes down. Spend on them every few months and pay in full and it establishes a good credit history (again, not score) which lenders will use to make decisions on future lending. I would only cancel them if you have good limits on other cards and they are really useless e.g. no BT offers, no cashback, there is no harm in having several open
  • mollygrub
    mollygrub Posts: 125 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks for taking the time to reply... much appreciated 
  • binao
    binao Posts: 666 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Keep them. I'm glad I did. 

    After all, they don't take up much space.
  • I have 3 with zero balances,  and plan to keep them.  
    Being  recently retired, I doubt I’d get any more with such high credit limits now, so I use each once a month and pay off in full to keep them live.  It’s good to know I have this credit available should I need it in the future.
  • mollygrub
    mollygrub Posts: 125 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think that's my thought process too... thanks v much indeed 
  • brianposter
    brianposter Posts: 1,523 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Given the unreliability of modern payment systems, if you are thinking of travelling outside Europe even 2 cards looks to be too few.
  • mollygrub
    mollygrub Posts: 125 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the tip! 
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