You would think, wouldn't you? It's an interesting concept. If I'm going to loan you $1,000 I'd like to get references, talk to all the other people you've bor

You would think, wouldn't you? It's an interesting concept. If I'm going to loan you $1,000 I'd like to get references, talk to all the other people you've borrowed money from and ask them if you paid it back to show you are able to handle debt. You get other people to vouch for you that you are good on that $1,000. If you have nobody to vouch for you I'd be more hesitant to loan you money. Or ask you for a higher interest rate. This gives you an incentive to borrow money and always pay it back. In fact just having an open line of credit you aren't using makes you look better. "I have the opportunity to max out my cards but I am not." Its perverse but it does make logical sense. Its a different kind of responsible. The other reason people use cards is many cards, as an incentive to get you to use them, give you perks. For example, airline miles, hotel points, cash back, warranty extension, price protection, purchase protection, rental car insurance, etc, etc.