Both per-card and overall matter
FICO weighs both overall utilization and the highest single-card utilization. Spreading $2k across three cards at 30% each scores worse than concentrating it on one card at 40% if others are at 0%.
Target balance per card to hit optimal credit utilization ratios.
FICO weighs both overall utilization and the highest single-card utilization. Spreading $2k across three cards at 30% each scores worse than concentrating it on one card at 40% if others are at 0%.
Under 10% overall, with no single card above 30%, is the conservative target for maximum score.
Checking a rate is a soft credit pull — it won't hurt your score.
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