topic Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards in Credit Cards

Should you carry multiple credit cards?

DI — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:48:02 GMT

Members

I carry one card with me each month. This month I'm carrying the Discover More card. Is it safe to carry just one card with you? I know some places don't take Discover. I keep my other cards at home.

Message Edited by DI on 08-14-2009 06:53 AM

Message Edited by DI on 08-14-2009 10:48 AM

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:01:44 GMT

Funny you mention that.

I bought a pizza the other night in a new place I hadn't tried out. Tried to pay with my Discover. They don't accept Discover. (The only place I have ever been in that didn't).

I actually had some cash in the car. No other cards with me at that moment, I was in my swim trunks and a tee shirt at the time, and was going right back home. Didn't bring a wallet, just the card.

So, my vote would be to carry two cards, minimum...

Great question!

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:33:35 GMT

My wife and I have only 4 Credit cards. (3 Visa, 1 MC). Three of the cards are JOINT CARDS and we each have a Visa card that is an INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT. (we each have different account numbers)

We have done this for one particular reason. Say we are on a trip and I lose my wallet or my wife loses her purse. We would have to cancel our three joint cards plus whichever of us lost our purse or wallet would have to cancel our Individual card.

Luckily, the other person will have 1 valid CC to meet our needs until replacements can arrive. We have never had to use this scenario but if we do, it will be ready.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Scamp — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:19:10 GMT

I carry all 8 of my cards in various places in my purse (ones I actually can/should use are in one spot that's easily accessed, the others which are BT'd or whatever are tucked away).

There are good arguments for carrying or not carrying all cards, and I'd sure have a headache if I my purse ever got lost or stolen, but for me this is easiest for always knowing where my cards are .

I'm not the most organized soul around the house - I'm the type who, when I clean/organize things, then can't find stuff because it's now where it belongs instead of in the laundry basket, sitting out on a counter, etc., so if I ever 'organized' my cc's in a similar fashion somewhere in the house, I'd probably give myself a panic attack.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

pattycake — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:38:34 GMT

Funny story - it reminds me of the cartoon with a naked guy trying to buy something but at the register remembers he forgot his wallet.

I usually carry at least four or five cards in my wallet. I've been using my PenFed for almost everything so I can get the cash back, but to keep the other ones active I use them to make small purchases.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

cobaltnv — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:33:34 GMT

I carry only the 4 cards I regularly use.

Amex for costco purchases

REI Visa for REI purchases

Discover for purchases on the current 5% cash back promotion

Fidelity Visa for all purchases (not covered above)

My BofA, Chase Amazon card, and sears card stay home.

My suggestion would be to always carry at least 2 cards to avoid problems. This is particularly true if the one card you want to carry is a Chase, Discover, or Amex. While Amex and discover are accepted many more places than they used to be, there are still places they are not accepted. Personally, I have never been someplace that accepted credit cards that did not take MC or Visa.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Itsmeagain — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:57:55 GMT

Sam's Club does not accept Visa or Amex. However, they will accept M/C and Discover . . . go figger.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

DI — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:01:04 GMT

For this month hopefully where I plan to make a purchase accepts my Discover card. I will take one of my MC cards with me just incase.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

FocusOnFICO — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:14:30 GMT

DI-----excellent questions. It is recommended to have your primary card + a backup card available. I typically use my Amex Blue Cash + my PenFed Rewards Visa.

My other cards stay at home and are used once per month for specific purchases.

I think you're on the right track.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:30:52 GMT

First since your credit cards as a convince you might max your rewards and you don't do that using discover for genral purchases( any purchase that doesn't recive a special rewards bonus) with discover you only $7.5 on the ffirst 3K each year vs $30 with a standred 1% rewards, and actual you habe to spend more than 3K because there are many purchases that don't add to the 3k to get the 1%

I carried two my amazon visa that get me 3 points/$1 at amazon and 2 points/$1 on dinning which i do alot and for general purchases, and discover for special purchases and cash over at wal-mart

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:39:20 GMT

@cobaltnv wrote:
I carry only the 4 cards I regularly use.
Amex for costco purchases
REI Visa for REI purchases
Discover for purchases on the current 5% cash back promotion
Fidelity Visa for all purchases (not covered above)

My BofA, Chase Amazon card, and sears card stay home.

My suggestion would be to always carry at least 2 cards to avoid problems. This is particularly true if the one card you want to carry is a Chase, Discover, or Amex. While Amex and discover are accepted many more places than they used to be, there are still places they are not accepted. Personally, I have never been someplace that accepted credit cards that did not take MC or Visa.

LOL

Message Edited by rbbyrbsn on 08-14-2009 08:39 AM

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:08:25 GMT

I carry three cards (PenFed, Discover and one other card that rotates) plus a debit/ATM card. The rest stay at home!

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:54:27 GMT

Just this yr alone I once had only an AMEX and wasn't accepted. Another place wouldn't accept Discover. I usually carry a MC or V & debit now but knowing how ppl have been screwed at chkout when their card has been unknowingly closed, it might be better to carry 2 cr

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

smallfry — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:59:18 GMT

I always carry 2 cards at all times.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:59:20 GMT

@smallfry wrote:
I always carry 2 cards at all times.

So do I. At least one card is a Visa or MC, so that I don't have to worry about acceptance.

In case I need cash, I also take along a debit card.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:03:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@smallfry wrote:
I always carry 2 cards at all times.
So do I. At least one card is a Visa or MC, so that I don't have to worry about acceptance.

In case I need cash, I also take along a debit card.

JimB,

I do exactly what you do for the same reasons.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

haulingthescoreup — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:58:58 GMT

I took all my bank cards out of my wallet about 6 weeks ago, leaving PenFed, USAA AmEx and USAA MC, plus a debit card. They are my everyday cards.

The card statements drop on the 1st, the 5th, and the 22nd respectively, so I just work my way through them by statement date.

Every now and then, I use a bank card to give it a thrill (and keep it alive), but it's usually for an online purchase. I take AmEx to a nice restaurant once a month.

I used to carry all my cards. The card slots in my wallet literally burst from the overload.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

DI — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:40:53 GMT

I'm going to start carrying two cards rather than just one. I probaby shouldn't count my debit card as a second card.

When I get my brand new Blue from American Express card, I'm keeping that card with me at all times.

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:49:24 GMT

DI, congrats on the new blu!

Re: Question for Members with Credit Cards

DI — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:14:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
DI, congrats on the new blu!

Thanks. I had to fight to get approve. Apparently AMEX doesn't care about having high scores.