What Happens When You Don't Use Your Credit Card

If you've opened a credit card and left it sitting in a drawer, you might wonder whether inactivity will hurt you—or even close your account. The answer depends on your card issuer's policies and how long the card sits unused. Here's what actually happens. 💳

Account Closure Due to Inactivity

The most common consequence of not using a credit card is account closure. Most card issuers will close an account if there's been no activity for a period of time—typically anywhere from 6 months to 2 years of complete inactivity, though this varies by issuer and card type.

When a card issuer closes an account for inactivity, they notify you, but the closure is permanent. You won't be able to use that card going forward. This might seem minor if you weren't planning to use it anyway, but account closure does have credit reporting implications (more on that below).

Impact on Your Credit Score

An inactive card that remains open affects your credit differently than one that's closed:

Open but unused: Your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of available credit you're using—actually improves when you keep a card open without using it. If your card has a $5,000 limit and you carry a $1,000 balance on another card, keeping this card open (and unused) means your total available credit is higher, which lowers your utilization. Lower utilization generally boosts your credit score.

Closed due to inactivity: When an issuer closes your account, your available credit decreases. If you have outstanding balances on other cards, your utilization ratio will rise, which can cause your credit score to drop—potentially by a meaningful amount, depending on how much credit is being removed from your overall available pool.

Additionally, a closed account remains on your credit report for roughly 7–10 years, though its impact on your score fades over time as it ages.

Why Issuers Close Inactive Accounts

Credit card companies close inactive accounts for business reasons. They spend money managing and servicing accounts that generate no revenue. If you're not using the card, they're not earning transaction fees or interest, so closing dormant accounts reduces their costs.

How to Keep an Account Open

If you want to maintain an open credit card without regular use, the solution is simple: use it occasionally. This might mean:

• Making one small purchase every few months
• Setting up an automatic subscription (streaming service, phone bill, etc.) and paying it off monthly
• Charging a recurring expense to keep the account active

Regular, responsible use signals to the issuer that the account is active and worth maintaining. Even modest activity is usually sufficient to prevent closure.

Different Rules for Different Cards

Not all cards follow identical inactivity policies. Premium or rewards cards (which charge annual fees) may have stricter inactivity policies, since the issuer wants to justify the cost of maintaining your account. Basic cash-back or no-annual-fee cards may be more lenient about inactivity before closure.

Your card's original terms and conditions (often available on the issuer's website or in your account) will specify the issuer's inactivity policy, though these can change.

When Not Using a Card Makes Sense

There are legitimate reasons to keep a card open without using it:

• Maintaining available credit to lower your utilization ratio and support your credit score
• Keeping an older account open to preserve your average account age (older accounts improve your credit history)
• Preserving options for emergencies without opening new accounts

In these scenarios, occasional small charges (and quick payment) keep the account active and protect these benefits.

The Bottom Line

Leaving a credit card completely unused will likely result in account closure within 6 months to 2 years, depending on the issuer. While this removes a source of available credit, the bigger question is whether you need that card's benefits in the first place. Your specific decision depends on your credit profile, your other accounts, and whether maintaining that available credit serves your financial goals.