That's a really nice mix of cards. Congratulations on getting to this point.
The Freedom card requires you to accept/register the Category spend for the quarter, so you want to complete that at the start of each quarter. It will pick up any charges already done, so the first month of the quarter is fine. The Freedom category bonus will most often be better than any of your other cards, so in that category, should be favored for that quarter.
The other cards have various strengths in the various daily spend categories, so just read through their offerings, and kind of lean toward one card or the other for certain types of spend. However, they tend to be only 1% difference in many main categories, so not much difference really.
My preference is to try to use each card a little each month, and I don't worry about cards reporting balances.
There is a FICO optimization strategy that requires ensuring all cards but one report a zero balance. If the card is used during the month, then the charges need to be paid prior to the statement date to ensure it is zero. This requires two things: Paying much earlier than if you wait for the statement to print, and knowing exactly the day the statement will close so you can avoid showing any balance. You can pick up a few points in FICO score this way, and leading up to a significant application it can make a difference if scores are otherwise hindered by negatives such as late payments. For my purposes? It's too much work, and not a noticeable change in FICO score, so even prior to apps I never worry about it.
If you are not doing any applications, then it definitely makes the most sense to just use the cards for the best reward possible, don't go over the limit, pay the statement balance in full by the due date, at least make the minimum payment by the due date for no late payments. Credit cards are supposed to be a tool, and these can provide good rewards.
It also helps to make a spreadsheet showing all accounts with due dates, statement dates, APRs, promo periods, recurring charges, balances, limits, etc. that's what I do and it helps tremendously. I've already pretty much memorized my due dates/statement dates on all accounts.
@Anonymous wrote:Thanks omar! Do you carry a balance on all of your cards? Do you think it helps to keep some at zero and then rotate?
Definitely not lol. I carry a balance on about 3 of them, taking advantage of 0% promos. For optimal scoring purposes, it's best to keep all cards at zero and only let one report a balance every month. This doesn't mean you can only *use* one card per month; it simply means you have to pay off any balances on your other cards before the statement generates. However, this approach is really only useful when you're getting ready to apply for a new card, a car loan, or a mortgage; otherwise, it's just needless micromanaging.
@Anonymous wrote:Thanks, i appreciate your response. Oh yes, my citi secured card. I need to figure out what the best course of action would be with that card. I thought the card would graduate in january but now I am not sure.. I am waiting to see what happens. I would like an unsecured citi card, but I don't want another hardpull. I also checked site too see if I prequalify for an unsecured card, but nothing yet..so just waiting.
Don't fret about the HP. It may even be on 2 bureaus, as my AAdvantage app was recently. It will be a few points yes, but unless they have a clear upgrade path to a really superior card, taking the HP is often the best way to jump to a higher tier card. You don't have that many cards, and adding just one is not going to be noticeable in the long run.