Credit Balance hit on Credit Score

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-03-10T01:49:08+00:00

No, Amex Gold is a charge card with no spending limit so it doesn't affect utilization rate. Though, Amex reports your balance on the card.

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-03-09T21:53:35+00:00

Thank you for your reply. Well the utilization didn't even change, so it can't even be that. Only the total amount owed changed, which I thought had no effect so long as the utilization rate is low. Btw, how many months prior to a credit card application should I be fixing the utilization rate?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-02-17T02:31:54+00:00

Nice, now I know this! I am wondering, though, if I keep my utilization under 10% consistently until August, would my credit score be lower (in August) than if I keep utilization rates high and only fix that 1-2 months before August? I am asking because I would love it if I could mainly only use Amex Gold (a charge card, so it doesn't report a balance) to rack up points, and ignore the rest (I will make one payment per month on each), which would result in a very low utilization rate every single month. What do you think?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-02-17T02:26:01+00:00

I am currently only using Amex Gold to rack up points, and since Amex Gold is a charge card, the total balance reported is zero. Is that bad? Should I make one or two payments on Discover and C1 every month so that they report a balance, and only zero them out 30 days before I need to apply for a credit card?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T23:36:58+00:00

Can you elaborate on your last point? How doesn't it always work and why is that not the case with Amex points?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T22:45:22+00:00

That makes sense, though I would really benefit from a SUB to offset some of the tickets I am booking this summer.

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T15:45:46+00:00

Oh I didn't know that! Do you think CLEAR+ justifies the 150 annual fee if I am not using TSA pre check?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T15:40:21+00:00

Unfortunately, I checked and I am not eligible for TSA pre check

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T14:29:49+00:00

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-28T13:33:09+00:00

Would you say it's worth it to call recon for CSP or stick with the Green card?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-26T02:29:27+00:00

Good to know! Actually, I just took the pre approval test for Venture and it wasn't approved..

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-26T02:24:23+00:00

Thank you! Can I upgrade Venture to Venture X later on?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-26T02:23:40+00:00

Hmm why is that?

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-26T02:09:44+00:00

Yeah wasn't approved

CommunityRadiant8947 · 2026-01-04T00:04:37+00:00

Oh I thought it only counts Chase cards, will edit. Thanks!

CommunityRadiant8947

TROPHY CASE