Do You Have to Use Your Credit Card Every Month?

No, you don't have to use your credit card every month to keep it open

Most credit card issuers will not close your account just because you stop using it. However, inactivity for a very long time — usually 12 months or more with no charges, payments, or account activity — can trigger a closure. The exact timeline varies by card issuer and card type. Some cards close after six months of no use; others give you two years or longer. The key is that you control whether to use the card; the bank controls whether to keep it open if you don't.

If you want to keep a card active without using it regularly, you have options. The simplest is to charge something small once or twice a year — a coffee, a streaming subscription, a gas purchase — and pay it off. This keeps the account alive in the issuer's system and shows you haven't abandoned it. You don't need to carry a balance or pay interest; one small charge every few months is usually enough.

Key Takeaways

• Credit card issuers typically close accounts after 12 months or more of zero activity, though some close sooner and others wait longer.
• A single small charge once or twice a year is usually enough to keep an account open and active.
• Closing a card yourself can lower your credit score more than inactivity, because it reduces your available credit and changes your credit mix.
• If a card closes due to inactivity, the issuer will usually send a notice first, giving you time to use the card before closure.
• Annual fees on unused cards are a real cost; if a card charges a yearly fee and you don't use it, paying that fee to keep the card open may not make financial sense.

Why issuers close inactive accounts

Credit card companies make money when you use the card. They earn a small percentage from merchants every time you swipe or tap, and they earn interest if you carry a balance. An account that sits unused for months generates no revenue for them. Closing inactive accounts also reduces the issuer's risk — an old account with no recent activity is harder to monitor for fraud, and the older the account, the more likely the cardholder has moved, changed phone numbers, or forgotten about it entirely.

The inactivity threshold varies. Visa and Mastercard, the payment networks, don't set a universal rule; each issuer decides. A major bank might close a card after 12 months of no activity, while a smaller issuer or a store card might close after six months. Some premium cards with high annual fees stay open longer because the fee itself counts as activity. If you're unsure about a specific card, check your cardholder agreement or call the customer service number on the back of the card.

What counts as activity to keep your account open

Activity is not limited to charges. A payment counts. A balance transfer counts. A cash advance counts. Even a small purchase — $1 or $2 — counts. The point is that the issuer sees movement on the account. Some issuers are stricter and want to see a charge, not just a payment. Others accept any transaction. A few will keep an account open if you simply log into your online portal or mobile app, though this is less common and not may provide.

The safest approach is to charge something at least once every 6 to 12 months. You don't need to spend much. A $5 gas purchase, a $10 subscription, or a $3 coffee all work. Pay it off in full when the bill arrives, and you've kept the account active with zero interest cost. This strategy is especially useful for cards you want to keep for their benefits — a card with good travel rewards, a card with a long purchase protection period, or a card that's been open for years and helps your credit history.

How inactivity affects your credit score

An inactive card that stays open does not hurt your credit score. In fact, it helps. The score considers your available credit — the total limit across all your cards — and compares it to how much you're actually using. A card with a $5,000 limit that you never use adds $5,000 to your available credit, which lowers your credit utilization ratio. A lower utilization ratio is good for your score.

The problem comes if the issuer closes the account. When a card closes, that available credit disappears. If you were using 30% of your total available credit before, you might jump to 40% or 50% after a closure. This sudden increase in utilization can drop your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much credit you lost and how much you're currently using. Closing the card yourself is even worse than letting it close due to inactivity, because you're actively removing credit from your profile.

When to let a card close or close it yourself

If a card has an annual fee and you don't use it, the math is simple: paying $95 or $150 a year to keep a card open only makes sense if the card's benefits are worth that cost. A premium travel card might pay for itself through travel credits or lounge access. A basic card with just an annual fee and no special perks is not worth the expense. In that case, closing it yourself is the right move, even if it temporarily lowers your score.

If a card has no annual fee, there's almost no reason to close it. The cost to you is zero. The benefit to your credit score is real. Keep it open, charge something small once a year, and move on. The only exception is if you're concerned about fraud risk — an old card you never use is a card you won't notice if someone uses it fraudulently. In that case, you can close it, accept the small score hit, and know you've eliminated that risk.

If the issuer sends you a notice that your account will close due to inactivity, you have time to act. Most issuers send a warning letter 30 to 60 days before closure. Make a small charge, and the account stays open. You don't have to do anything else.

Different rules for different card types

Secured credit cards — cards backed by a cash deposit — sometimes have stricter inactivity rules. Because the issuer is holding your money as collateral, they may close the account faster if you don't use it. Check your agreement when you open a secured card. Some require activity every 90 days; others follow the standard 12-month rule.

Store cards and gas station cards often close faster than major bank cards. A store card might close after six months of no use, while a Visa or Mastercard from a major bank might wait 12 to 24 months. Again, your cardholder agreement is the source of truth. If you have a store card you want to keep — perhaps because it's been open for years and helps your credit history — charge something small every few months.

Business credit cards may have different rules than personal cards from the same issuer. Some business cards close faster due to inactivity. If you have a business card, check the terms or call the business customer service line to confirm the inactivity threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my card closes due to inactivity?

The issuer will typically send you a notice before closing the account, giving you time to use the card and keep it open. If it does close, you can still pay off any remaining balance. The closed account will stay on your credit report for seven years, which is actually good — older accounts help your credit history. You can sometimes call the issuer and ask them to reopen the account, though they're not required to say yes.

Does paying a bill count as activity, or do I have to make a purchase?

Most issuers count any transaction as activity, including payments. However, some are stricter and want to see a charge from a merchant, not just a payment you make to the card. If you're unsure, make a small purchase every 6 to 12 months to be safe. It costs almost nothing and guarantees the account stays active.

Will my credit score drop if my card closes due to inactivity?

Yes, usually by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much available credit you lose. The impact is temporary — your score will recover over time as you continue to use other cards responsibly. However, you can avoid this hit entirely by making one small charge every year or so, which keeps the account open at no cost.

Can I keep a card open without using it at all?

Not indefinitely. Most issuers will close an account after 12 months or more of zero activity. Some close sooner. If you want to keep a card open, you need to show some activity — a charge, a payment, or a balance transfer — at least once every 6 to 12 months. A single small purchase is enough.

Is it better to close a card or let it close due to inactivity?

Letting it close due to inactivity is slightly better than closing it yourself, because you can often reopen it by calling the issuer. However, the credit score impact is similar either way. If a card has no annual fee, the best option is to keep it open by charging something small once a year. You lose nothing and protect your credit score.