Thread: Credit card inactivity fees even when you have a balance?

My sister has 3 credit cards, each with balances in the range of a few thousand dollars. Last January, as part of a 'credit card fast' she handed her plastic cards to me and vowed not to charge a single cent on her credit cards for the entire 2011 calendar year. Her only activity was to payoff a part of the balance for all 3 cards each month, with the hope of significantly reducing her overall balance at the end of the year.

I was aware that many credit card companies charge inactivity fees, or even close the account entirely if the cards are not in use. Does paying a monthly balance sufficient to keep the cards active? Or do we actually have to charge an amount on each account (there increasing the balance) within a certain time range to keep the cards active? I just want to make sure the cards stay active while she is paying them off, and would not have a negative affect on her credit score.

Thanks,
Mike

I would think carrying a balance and paying interest on it would count for activity, no?