You don't have to use your credit card every month to keep it open
A credit card will stay active without monthly purchases. You can leave it unused for months or years, and the card issuer will not close it solely because you are not spending. The card remains yours to use whenever you choose.
However, inactivity can trigger other consequences that matter. Card issuers have the right to close inactive accounts, though they typically give warning first. More importantly, how you use — or don't use — your card affects your credit score and your relationship with the lender.
Key Takeaways
- Monthly spending is not required to keep a credit card open, but some issuers will close accounts after 12 to 24 months of no activity.
- An inactive card still reports to credit bureaus and counts toward your total available credit, which can help your credit score even if you never charge.
- Keeping a card open without using it costs nothing if there is no annual fee, but cards with annual fees will charge you whether you use them or not.
- A small purchase every few months — even a dollar transaction — signals activity to the issuer and reduces the risk of closure.
- Closing a card yourself lowers your available credit and can hurt your credit score more than letting an unused card sit open.
What happens to an unused credit card
Most credit card issuers will not close your account for inactivity alone, but they reserve the right to do so. The timeline varies: some issuers close accounts after 12 months of no activity, others after 24 months. A few are more lenient. When closure happens, the issuer typically sends a notice first, giving you time to make a purchase if you want to keep the card.
Even if your card stays open, the issuer may reduce your credit limit or change your terms if you never use it. This is less common than closure, but it can happen. The issuer's reasoning is straightforward: a card that generates no revenue and shows no engagement is a liability they do not need to carry.
The good news is that inactivity alone does not damage your credit score. A closed account will show on your credit report, but the closure itself does not automatically tank your score. What matters more is whether the closure reduces your total available credit — and it usually does.
How inactivity affects your credit score
Your credit score depends partly on your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount you owe divided by your total available credit. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and carry a $1,000 balance on another card, your utilization is 20 percent. If you close the $5,000 card, your total available credit drops, and your utilization ratio rises — even though you owe the same $1,000. A higher utilization ratio can lower your score.
An unused card that stays open actually helps your score by keeping your available credit high and your utilization low. You do not have to charge anything; the card's existence alone works in your favor. This is one reason financial advisors often recommend keeping old cards open even after you stop using them.
If an issuer closes your account for inactivity, the closed account remains on your credit report for up to seven years. During that time, it still counts as part of your credit history, but it no longer contributes to your available credit. The impact depends on how much credit you lost and how much you are currently using.
Annual fees change the math
If your card has an annual fee, you are paying for the privilege of not using it. Annual fees range from $25 to several hundred dollars depending on the card type. A card with a $95 annual fee costs you money every year, whether you swipe it or not.
In this case, the math is straightforward: if you do not use the card and do not plan to, close it. The fee is a real cost with no benefit. You lose the credit-building advantage of keeping it open, but you also stop bleeding money.
If you want to keep the card for its benefits — a travel card you use once a year, for example — you have to decide whether the annual fee is worth what you get back. Some cards offer statement credits or other perks that offset the fee. Others do not. Read your cardholder agreement to see what you are paying for.
How to keep a card active without regular spending
If you want to prevent closure and keep the card open, you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars. A single small purchase every few months is enough. Many people set a recurring charge — a streaming service, a small monthly subscription — on an old card just to keep it active. Others make a one-dollar purchase every quarter.
The purchase does not have to be large or frequent. The issuer is looking for a signal that the account is not abandoned. One transaction every three to six months is usually sufficient. Some issuers are more aggressive about closure than others, so if you are uncertain about your specific card, a purchase every two to three months is safer.
You can also call the issuer directly and ask about their inactivity policy. Some will tell you exactly how long you can go without activity before they consider closing the account. A few will note your account as "customer requested to keep open" if you ask, which can protect you from automatic closure.
Closing a card yourself versus letting it close
If you decide you do not want the card, you have two choices: close it yourself or let the issuer close it. Closing it yourself gives you control over the timing and the narrative. You can call the issuer, confirm the balance is zero, and request closure. The issuer will close the account and send you written confirmation.
Letting the issuer close it for inactivity is passive, but it has the same end result: the account closes. The difference is that you lose the chance to manage the timing. If the issuer closes it without warning, you might not realize it until you try to use the card or check your credit report.
From a credit score perspective, both closures hurt you the same way: your available credit drops, and your utilization ratio rises. The impact is usually small if you have other open accounts, but it is real. This is why many people keep unused cards open — the score benefit of available credit outweighs the minor inconvenience of a card they do not use.
When you should use your card monthly
Monthly spending is necessary only if your card has an annual fee and you want to justify keeping it. Otherwise, monthly use is optional. However, some situations make regular use a good idea even without a fee.
If you are rebuilding credit, using a card regularly and paying the full balance each month shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. This history helps your score more than an unused card does. If you are trying to maintain a relationship with a lender — perhaps you plan to borrow from them later — regular, responsible use keeps you on their radar and in good standing.
If you have a rewards card, you are leaving money on the table by not using it. A card that earns cash back or points is designed to reward spending. Using it regularly and paying the balance in full means you benefit from the rewards without paying interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my credit card close if I don't use it for a year?
It may, depending on your issuer's policy. Some close accounts after 12 months of inactivity; others wait 24 months or longer. Check your cardholder agreement or call the issuer to learn their specific timeline. A single purchase during that year will usually prevent closure.
Does an unused credit card hurt my credit score?
No. An unused card that stays open actually helps your score by increasing your available credit and lowering your utilization ratio. The card only hurts your score if the issuer closes it, which reduces your available credit.
What's the cheapest way to keep a card active?
Make a small purchase every few months — even a one-dollar transaction. Some people set up a recurring charge like a streaming subscription on an old card. This costs little to nothing and signals to the issuer that the account is active.
Should I close a credit card I'm not using?
Only if it has an annual fee you do not want to pay. If there is no fee, keeping it open helps your credit score by maintaining available credit. Closing it lowers your available credit and can hurt your score more than leaving it open costs you.
Can a credit card issuer close my account without warning?
Legally, issuers must give you notice before closing an account for inactivity, though the notice period varies. In practice, some issuers close accounts with minimal warning. Calling your issuer to ask about their policy or requesting they keep your account open can help prevent surprise closures.