Inactive Trade Lines - Close or let it ride til the Creditor closes it?

Question

Hello all: Thanks to the advice of the forum I have had great advances in my credit worthiness. At this juncture there are several trade lines that I am not using and expect to go inactive. I know that the creditors decide when they stop reporting and at some point may even close the inactive accounts. The accounts not being used are:Chase Freedom $2k CL @ 21.24% (paid off in Apr 2015, not using because of interest rate and never have been offered a CLI, oldest card opened in 2009)Citi Double Cash $2k CL @ 19.99% (paid off in Apr 2015, not using because all CLI requests denied, opened in 2012)Apple Barclaycard $3k CL @ 21.99% (paid off in Apr 2015, not using because of interest rate, opened in Nov 2013)JC Penney Credit Card $2.3k CL @ 26.99% (paid off in September 2014, not used since, spouse uses their JCP account to earn rewards and PIF each month, opened in Jan 2014) The accounts being used are:Venture $15k CL @ 17.9% (opened June 2015) - PIFQuicksilver $5k @ 17.9% (opened May 2015, 0% til Feb 2016) - Carrying $3k balance til 0% endsDiscover It $4.5k CL @ 18.9% (opened June 2016, 0% til May 2016) - Carrying $4k balance til 0% endsAmerican Airlines Store Card $750 @ 25.99% (use this for travel as airfare charged is 6 months no interest, always PIF by month 6, opened Nov 2013)My Best Buy Store Card $1.5k @ 25.24% (use this for bonus Best Buy points, always PIF each month, opened Dec 2012) I do not like having the accounts sitting around for fear I might miss a fee, change in terms, or something else that would give me a baddie because I did not pay attention. I am not a fan of pulling cards out of the sock drawer every so often to charge something. I am working to keep things as simple as possible.  Obviously the big accounts are all newer but the CLs more than exceed my needs and the 0% balances will be PIF by the promo expiration. With the trade lines as they are now would it be worth the risk to the score to close the accounts I am not using (and don't intend to use)? Or should I just keep them around until the creditor gives up on me using them? Thanks for reading,TBG

Answer 1

Be aware that if you close cards your overall utilization will go up.  Just something to consider.   I would probably escalate your CLI requests to the EO/facebook/twitter before giving up on them.  If that is the only reason you're getting rid of them.  "I do not like having the accounts sitting around for fear I might miss a fee, change in terms, or something else that would give me a baddie because I did not pay attention."As for that, there are apps online and on your phone that will keep track of all cards/payments due.  I use prism on my iphone.  Some use mint.