KeepCardAlive

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does a tiny charge really keep a card from being closed?+

Yes. Issuers track the date of the last posted transaction on each account. A single small charge resets that clock. Cardholders have kept cards open for years with charges as small as 50 cents. The amount doesn't matter, the activity does.

Will this cost me money beyond the charge?+

Only the charge itself, which appears on the card we're keeping active. As long as you have autopay turned on for that card's statement balance, your bank pays it off automatically and you never carry a balance or pay interest.

Is my card information safe?+

Card details are tokenized and stored by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor. They never touch our servers. We only store a reference token that lets us run the charge you authorized.

Will the charge hurt my credit utilization?+

No. A sub-dollar charge that's paid off via autopay has no meaningful effect on your utilization ratio. Keeping the card open actually helps utilization by preserving your total available credit.

How often should I charge each card?+

It depends on your issuer. Strict banks like Citi and Bank of America can close cards in as little as 6 months, so we recommend charging every 1-3 months. More lenient issuers like Capital One can go longer. We suggest a cadence per card based on its issuer.

Can you guarantee my card won't be closed?+

No, and anyone who promises that isn't being honest. Issuer policies vary, are never officially published, and can change. Some banks have closed cards for low (not just zero) usage. What we do is remove the most common cause of closure: a long gap with no activity.

What happens when a card expires or is reissued?+

The stored token usually keeps working through a reissue, but not always. We monitor for failed charges and upcoming expirations and alert you so you can relink the card before activity lapses.

Can I cancel anytime?+

Yes. One click in your dashboard pauses or cancels any card immediately. No phone calls, no retention hoops.

What will the charge look like on my statement?+

It posts with a clear descriptor (KEEPCARDALIVE or similar — set in your Stripe receipt). You also get an email receipt every time. It should not look like random fraud.

Is this a scam? Why would I pay to charge my own card?+

You are paying for a scheduling service that keeps accounts from going idle — the same problem people solve manually with calendar reminders, Amazon Subscribe & Save, or tiny recurring donations. We charge the card you want kept open, email you every time, and let you stop instantly. We are not affiliated with any bank.

Why charge the card itself instead of a subscription on a different card?+

Issuers look at activity on that specific account. A charge on your checking account or a different credit card does not reset the inactivity clock on the card in your drawer. The activity has to post on the account you are protecting.

Will you sell or share my card data?+

We never see your full card number. Stripe tokenizes and stores payment details (PCI Level 1). We only keep a reference token, last four digits, and the settings you choose. See our Privacy Policy for details.

I signed up but haven't linked a card yet — what should I do?+

Go to your dashboard and add a card — it takes about two minutes. Pick your issuer so we can suggest a safe charge cadence, turn on autopay on that card, and you are done.