topic Re: How Many Cards To Carry in Credit Cards

How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:06:12 GMT

Hi.

I am new to this forum.

I currently have four major cards, one from each network (Chase FU $56,500, Cap One Quicksilver MC $32,000, Discover $21,500, and AMEX BCP $30,000.

I was carrying all four in my wallet, but I felt uncomfortable, so I cut back to two, Cap One MC (1.5% on everything) and AMEX BCP (6% groceries and 3% gas). These categories are my main spend. I am retired.

My question: Is AMEX and Mastercard enough acceptance coverage (I never go outside U.S), or should I carry a third card (Visa or Discover) in case somewhere does not

take AMEX and the Mastercard doesn't work, for some reason?

I don't mean to be paranoid, but what do others think??

Thanks !!

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

AverageJoesCredit — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:10:03 GMT

You should be fine. On the day you know you may be using your card , go ahead and bring it otherwise do what makes you comfortable. Thats a nice dream wallet for many of us. 1 of each, big limits, fantastic job

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

UpperNwGuy — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:30:59 GMT

You should be fine with two cards. I carry two cards, and they are both Visa, but they are issued by two different banks. I also carry a Visa debit card from a third bank.

Edit: Now that I think about it, all of my cards are currently from Visa. I closed my Amex and my Mastercard last month, and I have never had Discover.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:14:11 GMT

I carry my debit card and two rotating credit cards in my wallet (always my Amex Platinum for travel charges since I fly every week; the second card is usually my Cap 1 Quicksilver but soon to be my Chase Ritz once it comes in the mail). The rest of my cards I keep in a large wallet in my closet.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

driftless — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:57:24 GMT

I, too, carry 2 credit cards and a debit card. You should be fine with your Amex and a MC. Amex's acceptance has become quite high, I see a lot of the Blue personal cards in the wild. In the US almost every place that accepts Visa also accepts MC. Having either a Visa or MC in your wallet is good, but having both is not essential.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Broke_Triathlete — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:02:59 GMT

Hey Johnny,

Welcome to the site. I personally would not have any issues carrying all 4 cards with me. You're protected either way against any unauthorized purchase and most lenders will overnight you a replacement. Out of your lineup I'd consider maybe setting aside the Chase because you have a great limit that you can use while the replacements are on the way.

The Disco (haven't been turned down from using it) and AMEX can be selective where they can be used. The Cap 1 is accepted everywhere! So if you're going to carry the Disco and AMEX around then carry the CAP 1 to be assured no matter what you can swipe if needed.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 14:58:26 GMT

Thanks for all the good advice.

I can definitely feel the love !!

I will continue with AMEX/ Cap One as carry.

I agree with leaving Chase at home as emergency backup.

As far as Discover, I have had since 1985. I am sick of rotating categories and will only use regularly if they come out with a flat 2% card. I would not apply for a 2% card, but I already have Discover.

I won,t hold my breath on DIscover doing 2%.

I have years of experience with rewards cards. Maybe I can also help some of you guys.

Johnny

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

K-in-Boston — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:24:11 GMT

Johnny, have you hopped on chat with Discover to ask if there any APR offers available for your account? In addition to offering permanent APR reductions, they're been offering 0% and/or Cash Back Match for a year. When they did the PC on my wife's ancient Discover card after discontinuing the old Rewards card to change it to the Discover it card, she got the same introductory offer as a new cardmember would get - so that would effectively be a 2% on everything card (although the additional 1% wouldn't be paid out until the end) and 10% on category spend.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 16:38:59 GMT

Hello, K-in-Boston,

Thanks for your suggestions.

Interestingly enough, when the double cash back promotion came out two years ago, I was able to sign up for it online. Sixteen hours later, they closed the promotion to any but new cardholders. I "snuck in" somehow, and they had to honor it.

My wife and I had a real picnic for a year, but then it ended.

I don't need 0% transfer offers: I am a "deadbeat" and pay all of my balances in full.

Discover will get used again when (and if) they have a flat 2% (all categories, not just gas and restaurants) card with no cap, just like Citi Double Cash.

Until then, I have my I-Pass replenish on auto pay to keep it alive, and that is all they get. Once in a while, if my wife orders some blouses online from Woman Within, I will tell her to use Discover, but not often.

Johnny

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 16:50:18 GMT

I carry all my cards. If someone broke into my house they would get the cards and could have them all day before I found out. I would know right away if my wallet was gone.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

MrDisco99 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:30:56 GMT

I had been carrying 2 or 3 cards at a time. Right now I'm just carrying one while I work on the bonus spend.

I know that Amex has some acceptance gaps here and there but so far I've yet to be affected by that. For a while my Amex was getting all my restaurants/gas/groceries spend and not one of them refused my card.

I would be shocked if anyone with a credit card terminal refused that Cap1 MC.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:39:57 GMT

I have most of my cards on my Samsung pay so I usually pay with my phone, only keep 3 physical cards in my wallet, just in case .

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:56:46 GMT

@MrDisco99 wrote:
I had been carrying 2 or 3 cards at a time. Right now I'm just carrying one while I work on the bonus spend.

I know that Amex has some acceptance gaps here and there but so far I've yet to be affected by that. For a while my Amex was getting all my restaurants/gas/groceries spend and not one of them refused my card.

I would be shocked if anyone with a credit card terminal refused that Cap1 MC.

Here is a situation. You eat lunch and forget to take your card back after signing at the restaurant. You drive home and you need gas and you reach in your wallet and now you have no cards. Let me tell you that happened to me before.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

MrDisco99 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 20:06:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Here is a situation. You eat lunch and forget to take your card back after signing at the restaurant. You drive home and you need gas and you reach in your wallet and now you have no cards. Let me tell you that happened to me before.

I have a debit card I always carry as a last resort. I wasn't counting that on my credit cards wallet list.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

SouthJamaica — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 20:17:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi.

I am new to this forum.

I currently have four major cards, one from each network (Chase FU $56,500, Cap One Quicksilver MC $32,000, Discover $21,500, and AMEX BCP $30,000.

I was carrying all four in my wallet, but I felt uncomfortable, so I cut back to two, Cap One MC (1.5% on everything) and AMEX BCP (6% groceries and 3% gas). These categories are my main spend. I am retired.

My question: Is AMEX and Mastercard enough acceptance coverage (I never go outside U.S), or should I carry a third card (Visa or Discover) in case somewhere does not

take AMEX and the Mastercard doesn't work, for some reason?

I don't mean to be paranoid, but what do others think??

Thanks !!

I think you're being "paranoid"

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

EdMan63 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:16:11 GMT

I only carry 2 cards at a time. My Cap One QS and Amex. So far no problems. I don't carry a big wallet, just a card case with license, 2 credit cards and a debit card.

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:35:12 GMT

Guess im the only one that carries about 6 cards in my wallet lol.....

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

Gmood1 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:38:36 GMT

No you're not Geekycreditguy. I carry 19 cards in mine. Lol

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

mr_awesome — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:59:19 GMT

I had a store refuse a Debit MasterCard, but everything else was fine.

I also had a Subway once say no to my Discover card, but I swiped it anyway and it went through

Re: How Many Cards To Carry

red259 — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 22:03:16 GMT

I have a bunch of cards but only carry 3. Freedom card for the current restaurant category, the CSR for travel expenses and my amex business blue card that gets me 2 pts on all non bonus spend and then will give me an extra bonus at the end of the year. I currently have the amex business gold which I just got an offer on that will give me 50k points for 5k spend in next three months. Given that I will probably use that card for all non-bonus spend until I get the bonus.