What is the minimum charge to keep a credit card active?

Amount does not matter much

Forum reports consistently show charges from $0.01 to a few dollars working. Issuers look at whether something posted, not how much you spent.

Some people overthink this with gift cards or large purchases. A tiny recurring charge is enough if it posts and you pay the statement.

Watch payment processing fees

If you use a service to automate charges, sub-dollar pricing can be uneconomical after flat payment fees. Around $0.99 per charge is a practical floor that still feels honest to cardholders and processors.

Autopay is non-negotiable

Whatever amount you charge, enable autopay for statement balance on that card. A forgotten micro-charge that becomes a late payment hurts far more than a closure would have.