FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Understanding FICO score
View Single Post
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 8:53 am
  #3  
mia
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
10 Countries Visited
20 Nights
2M
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,889
Originally Posted by Twaffles
... I think that is just a generic message they tell everyone informing them of what affects their credit score.
It is machine generated, but specific to the credit file. 850 is the maximum FICO score. As the score approaches the maximum the imperfections are slight, and the wording of the explanations becomes less appropriate, but it may still be true that if fliesdelta were to pay off the car the score would increase. There would be no practical benefit to doing this, but bear in mind that there are several variants of the FICO formula, and the auto loan might be seen as a negative in one context and positive in another.

FICO scores predictive, not prescriptive. Fair Issac isn't telling you how you should manage credit. They are telling lenders that people who resemble fliesdelta are statistically a low risk. No borrower is zero risk.
mia is offline