topic Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy in Credit Cards

2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Aim_High — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:47:44 GMT

It's that time again for what has become a standing My FICO tradition. We're almost into the last two weeks of 2024, so it's time to consider our credit and financial plans for 2025! This annual thread began in 2020. (See these links: >2021<, >2022<, and >2023<, and >2024<. Again, thanks to @Remedios for the suggestion of the original thread. Below are the highlights of my original message:

We often remind each other that "Credit is a marathon, not a Sprint," to try to pace ourselves, and to realize that we need to keep some self-discipline in the process. Self discipline requires a plan. Periodically, we may look on with horror (or envy) as someone tries to get away with a monster App Spree. We know that's not really the way to build good credit. Overly-seeking credit can be addictive and counterproductive to finances and FICO. As a general guideline, I usually suggest to newer members that slow and steady wins the race, and that planning to add about one new account every six months is a good long-term pacing that will usually keep them within the various lender limitations, especially for those with low-to-medium scores, thinner files or derogatories. The more they go over that, the more likely they'll start getting denials or low-limit approvals eventually, and that's regardless of the strength of their profile.

Having a good strategy requires taking inventory of our existing cards, an honest evaluation of our financial picture and needs, and a careful consideration of which credit cards (if any) would be most beneficial. Sometimes, chasing after the FOTM card (Flavor of the Month) or the latest, greatest SUB isn't the card we most need. And over-app'ing can be a disruption to improving our finances with the best card for us. At times, I've been guilty of the impulsive apps so I'm not pointing fingers. But I've also planned for new cards and I'm doing so right now. Writing down my card details and plan helps me to come up with strategies for the short term (~six months), medium term (~one year), and long term (~two years.)

As we approach the new year, and with the goal of making credit changes a premeditated and mindful decision, what are the planned changes for your card lineup in 2025?

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Hipployta — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 03:58:30 GMT

After I close on my new build I want to add the CSP and United Quest from Chase. Also looking to add a few PLOC probably from NW, Truist, and PNC who I already have accounts with.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

salt_water_swimming — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 04:59:04 GMT

With the mortgage and HELOC both closed, it's time for me and P2 to come out of the garden in a big way.

From October - December we've added Hilton stays to our Chase-United flights empire with the Surpass + Aspire combo. I'm hoping an FNC signup offer comes along so we can add more to that area. This basically shores up our typical travel plan of fly United -> Hilton hotel.

Really want a good SUB for Amex Blue Business Preferred. Would be a long-term keeper for us both. I would pull the trigger early when my AmEx Platinum renewal comes around to dodge the annual fee, if I have to. I get good value from the credits, but the net fee still ends up being ~50-100 which I could live without.

P2 hit big SUBs on Amex Biz Plat, personal Gold, and now Biz Gold, so I'll be looking for chances to get big SUBs on those with her referral bonus once we have some spend to spare. Meanwhile, doing the same for her and personal Platinum would be great. For now, adding another big spend requirement to the $15k in 3 months for the new Biz Gold would be a bit intense, so we'll likely hold until Springish.

We'll also want to downgrade at least one of our Chase Sapphire Reserves (probably hers, maybe both) if a good CSR signup offer comes along. She only has 1 Chase personal while I have 3. Have to be wary of 5/24 given the above targets.

We will want to pick up at least one United card for free checked bags and expanded award travel availability. That's not a high priority compared to big SUBs though, since we generally only go on trips requiring 1-2 checked bags once, max twice, per year. We're more quick getaway people and often make do with carry-ons.

As able, it would be nice to stack Inks with decent SUBs. I have one, she has 0. We'll see what the SUB world brings.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

speednangels — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:34:54 GMT

Currently waiting to get back under 5/24, which should be mid-April. Looking to add at least one of Ink Cash/Unlimited (maybe both) as well as the Bonvoy Boundless. May add a couple other cards as well, but those 2/3 Chase cards are the only ones I am definitely looking to add to my portfolio for 2025. Considering downgrading my AA card once it is time to renew in May as I went from splitting between AA and DL to now being mainly DL with some AA flights. Delta Plat Biz may be on the chopping block as well as I just needed the $2500 MQDs for Platinum status as I was slated to come up just under $1000 MQDs short. Would prefer to have the additional slot open for other AMEX options in the future, whether getting the BBP again or a different product.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Outbackexplorer — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:53:44 GMT

Got a few denials recently (Citi, Fidelity, NFCU). My score is low because of device financing I did that involved a line of credit, it starts maxed out and the company makes monthly payments on my behalf as part of a promotion so I can't just pay it off or I miss out on the promotion... probably stuck just gardening for a while (which sucks because I really want a non Amex non Discover personal card). Planning to build up my NFCU relationship by banking with them (unless my Fidelity somehow pulls through on a reconsideration) and then applying again in ~6 months. *Might* try for a Chase Ink Unlimited at some point in a month or two since Chase seems a little more lenient if you already have their cards and they'll pull from my strongest bureau but I haven't decided.)

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

markbeiser — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:28:29 GMT

Planning to get a Citi Custom Cash card, and get into the Chase ecosystem with one of their cards since I'll finally be under the 5/24 rule.
I may open a Chase checking acount in branch for the bonus, and apply for the card at that time, as I've heard that better results can be had that way.
Once those 2 are open, I'l finally get a BoA Unlimited Cash Rewards card for the 2.62% cash back.
I'm currently in a likely infantesamally small minority of Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards members that doesn't have the UCR or one of the travel cards.🤣
I plan to dump most of the limits from my other 2 BoA cards into it, and use it to pay for a new roof to take advantage of the SUB and 15 month 0% APR all in one go.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

ElvisCaprice — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:29:47 GMT

Even in a marathon there are moments when an occasional sprint can be to your advantage. Everyone's needs/strategy are different. If you have a plan and can sprint at the right moment, go for it, the grabing hands grab all they can. A denial just tells you that the sprint is over and time to go back to a steady pace/gardening, no foul. Knowing your needs and what issuer your gunning for will determine the pace. Once you have your perfect structure of long term cards in place (you don't need 20 to 40 cards for this, more like 10 or less, active), why not grab some subs only. No need to leave money on the table. It's their rules so use it against them.

That being said, there are a few long term cards I've been gardening for going into 2025. A couple of them are Citi cards. Going to wait 3 more months into 2025 (will have 3 in already 2024), then go for both 8-10 days apart. Then wait a couple months and grab another BofA card, to replace a couple others I will PC to CCR. After that the sky is the limit for 2025. If I grab any other cards it will be just for their subs and once fullfilled, closed. Probably do another 12 new checking account subs also. Add one more cash back debit account to my current 3. Nothing like shuffling money around and get paid for it.

Good luck!!!

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Varsity_Lu — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:11:40 GMT

I entered 2024 with one card: Quicksilver. My wife had zero. We end 2024 having each added BCP and Savor. I also added Voice and Hilton while she added BCE and Quicksilver. That's 4 cards each in one year. We received $1,100 in SUBs and about $1,000 in cash back this year, so needless to say we are thrilled.

For 2025 the plan is to sit and do nothing until the fall. We'd like to add the Fidelity Rewards Visa (and ditch the Quicksilvers) as well as the Elan Max Cash cards. That will bring our three biggest categories (grocery, gas, & utilities) up to 6%, 5%, and 5% cash back and add a 2% catch all card.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

IntegerIntrovert — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:47:03 GMT

2025 Plans - Close everything except USB AR and open USB Smartly, there is a small chance I keep my AMEX Business Marriott for the hidden business credit line. Closed so far: USB Altitude Go 25k, FTF 35k, BECU 40k, WF Autograph 22k

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

JoeRockhead — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:24:43 GMT

I've been in the garden for well over a year and honestly have no plans, or interest in adding anything to my lineup. Once upon a time I thought I really wanted to add a Flagship from NFCU but I've since mostly just felt... meh about it, so I don't see that happening.

Instead, I will most likely do some weeding by closing my SoFi card, as well as following my DWs lead by cutting all ties with Capital One.

Otherwise, I'll continue to hang out here and live vicariously through some of you fine people.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

citymunky — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:06:56 GMT

As of now, I'm at 3/24, and I'll be a 2/24 in January 2025 for Chase. For Citi, I would be a 0/6, 1/12, 2/24 for new accounts.

The current cards on my RADAR for 2025 are:

Chase Ink Business Unlimited (CIU) as a Sole Prop.
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. As of now I'm pre-appoved for both. Waiting for the elevated offer that is above the normal 60K UR points.
AMEX Platinum "upgrade" with a SUB above 80K MR points. Or the Charles Schwab Plat if I'm not in pop-up jail still.
Maybe the AMEX BCP if I do the Platinum "upgrade," to replace the AMEX Gold (but I also have the Cap1 Savor so IDK yet). I'm already approved as of now, I just have to finish submitting the app.
Citi Shop Your Way. Depending on what I do with options 1-4, I plan on apply for this card hit 0/6 again.
Chase AMZ Prime. Depending on my 5/24 status at the the end of 2025, I plan on applying for this card during the Holiday Season with hopefully with the $200 AMZ gift card.

My plan right now is too stay in the garden at least until Q2, as the CFF for 2025 Q1 has "Groceries" as a category. Groceries is a major part of my monthly spend, and it would be hard for me to hit heavy spend SUB without this category. Once we are in Q2 my next app will be a Chase Card (Ink or Sapphire) due to their 50% income to available credit rule.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

SeaProbe — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:38:05 GMT

At present, I have no hard plans for any new card apps. Next month my gardening should bring me down to 0/24, with no activity other than some SP CLIs and an upgrade from BCE to BCP during that time in the garden.

In part, I am satisfied with my current deck of cards, and in part I am contemplating a move and mortgage sometime in the next year or so.

Of course, old habits may resurface and lead me to FOMO temptation, but hopefully not until after the move.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

swankytiger — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:48:26 GMT

Honestly no idea for this year. Ill be over 5/24 till July and nothing really seems that interesting to me. We will see what happens with the Hawaiian card and maybe the apple card but until then, there is really nothing on the market that interests me.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

md_rebuild — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:42:41 GMT

I have added 4 credit cards in 2024 (and an auto loan for my daughter's used Honda) so I am going to take a big long breather for 2025 and just do nothing other than app for CLIs when the opportunity presents itself. My util is a bit high right now (22%), so want to get that down to under 10% by tax rebate day.

I have every card I could possibly use and the majority of my spend is on my AMEX Delta Skymiles Reserve (trying to get to Gold status before year end). I might move it over to something else, but not really sure at this point.

I have 4 1/2 more years before my BK7 comes off, so I don't forsee any other cards in the future unless AMEX comes out with a great SUB for Delta. Once the BK7 comes off, then I'll app for Citi/Chase.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Gregory1776 — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:15:22 GMT

Couple cards I would love to add, Smartly, once the IRA transfer completes. I dont want a denial, Small SL and I dont want it to get nerfed and have it. what a waste then.

I would love to grab a Custom cash to use for gas, but I may just PC to it from the simplicity. I am not sure.

I kinda wanting a CSR, but I wont get that until I plan on traveling much more. I need somewhere for my OP Amazon CL to transfer to.

Contemplating getting the BILT but....

Credit limit increases are a priotity for me. I would love to turn my AC into a 35K line, making it my highest CL.

But I would love a BILT. I dont want to have to realocate. WF may see my deposits and income, and may check out the WellsTrade thing they have going on as that was meantioned as being fantasitc, both may help for a unusually high CL for a card I dont spend much on.

Nothing urgent, I dont know what cards to grow my credit lines with besides AC.

I would actually love to close more accounts. Turning the page on PenFed would be nice but would mean closing both the credit card and the OLOC; ATMs are everywhere which I love. Customer service I dont have problems with. Cannot grow my CL.

I dont really want two Cash+ accounts, one or both may be closed if i get the Smartly, and the 4% doesnt go away. 1% or $20 is not alot, actually I may just close both. UGH i dont want to loose the 34K lines.... Discover or any rotating 5% would just become a nuisance. 2% back would become useless. Smartly is a Kryptonite.

I'd love to have 6 or less cards. CL 25,000-40,000 and I spend monthly less than 5K. usually quite a bit less (exlcuding rent payments as there are none right now).

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

NoHardLimits — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:40:51 GMT

I recently became a Navy Federal member and will be spending much of 2025 trying to nurture that relationship. On the credit card side, I plan to request CLIs for my new cashRewards Plus and possibly apply for Flagship Rewards if the Amazon credit continues.

I will probably close my US Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card due to it not getting as much use as expected, and definitely not enough to warrant the $95 fee. I could request a product change to an additional Cash+, but Real Time Reward redemption levels are expected to move to some type of dynamic pricing begining in April 2025. A second Cash+ would only get sporadic use from me, so it could take many many months for me to build up enough rewards for a 1 cent per point redemption. I wish I could reallocate the limit to my grandfathered Altitude Reserve.

I definitely plan to request a product change for my Wells Fargo Autograph Journey. I will most likely downgrade to the no annual fee Autograph to keep the 3x for miscellaneous travel categories (especially MCC 4722) because I will be spending quite a lot in that category on bucket list travel in 2025. I'll also be keeping an eye out for the rumored Autograph Beyond product.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Kforce — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:06:46 GMT

No plans for a new card unless a "nerf" happens to one in my 3 card set.

Keeping an eye on the US-Bank "Smartly", it is a "maybe" late in 2025.

Will close one of my 2% cards.

Still debating, either the FNBO 2% cashback, or US-Alliant Signature 2%.

A few pros and cons to each have a mental block on which to close.

Maybe both.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

Snook_on_the_Line — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:13:01 GMT

Looking to double up on some of the more usefull cash back cards this coming year.

will be adding a Citi Double Cash (to PC to another CCC) and a US Bank Cash+ around June

then double dipping the Cash+ with an Elan Max Cash Preferred at the end of the year

hopefully Citi will let me PC my AA card into a third Custom Cash once it comes over from Barclays in 2026.

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 02:35:54 GMT

Only one for sure is Ink Business Cash for nice sign-up bonus and not impacting my x/24 either. Considering 1 or 2 other cards as well on the personal side next year what they are is likely based on sign-up bonus. Likely will pick up the Citi AA non executive card when elevated bonus comes since need to reload AA miles and will be cancelling Barclay's AA card before end of next year due to Barclay's losing AA contract. Probably close a few cards as well but another subject as when I lost or my 20+ cc got stolen from hidden location it was painful to cancel and get them all reissued

Re: 2025: Setting Your >2025< Annual Card Strategy

blossom_rebuilding — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:49:55 GMT

No big plans for cards in 2025. I really like my existing card lineup, although I occasionally toy with the idea of adding the Venmo card or the PNC Cash Rewards Card. If I get bored or antsy I may add one or the other, but since I have a bunch of inquiries that I would like to see drop off my report, I will likely focus on a quiet year in 2025. Simply gardening, saving, and planning before I get back to some vacation travel in 2026.