topic Re: Credit Card Carry in Credit Cards

Credit Card Carry

dudley — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:54:45 GMT

Hello again.

I have only three credit cards: Amex blue cash preferred , Citi double cash, and Chase freedom unlimited. I have use for all of them. All of my autopays (6) are on Citi double cash, plus I use it for some purchases for 2%. I use Chase for dining and also for purchases that I need chase benefits like extended warranty (I don't trust Citi for these purchases). I use Amex BCP for groceries and gas. Should I carry all three on my person or leave one at home in case I lose my wallet? What do others do?

Re: Credit Card Carry

odd_dog — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:04:09 GMT

digital wallet and I just carry one card in case I need an actual physical card.

Re: Credit Card Carry

dahx — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:21:58 GMT

Amex BCP has extended warranty as well - I would trust them over Chase ( I believe is handled by Visa ).

Re: Credit Card Carry

Ushio — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:25:56 GMT

I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.

Re: Credit Card Carry

dudley — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:48:43 GMT

Forgot to mention that I do not do 'digital.' I only do physical (i.e., hold in your hand) credit cards.

Re: Credit Card Carry

Vinjints — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:16:46 GMT

It's a great idea and makes better use of the term 'sock drawer.' My Chase Prime is left at home since it's an Amazon shopping card, but added to the digital wallet for any Chase offers. If the DC is for autospends, you could move your other swipes to the CFU, only lose 0.5% and have some peace of mind that you have a backup card at a different location. I do like that your setup gives you three different networks on hand, though.

Re: Credit Card Carry

unsungivy — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:20:34 GMT

@dudley wrote:
Forgot to mention that I do not do 'digital.' I only do physical (i.e., hold in your hand) credit cards.

Oof. Why? Carrying the physical cards is definitely riskier. Most digital wallets assign temp numbers for most of your cards, and they're safe without needing an RFID blocking card in your wallet.

I do carry a catch-all card and restaurant card (because that's the most likely situation in which you would hand off your card to someone) physically; I have an EV, so I don't need a gas card for swipe-only situations.

In your case, either carry the BCP+CFU and leave the DC at home, or all of them 🤷‍♀️ I had my parents using BCP/CFU for a number of years; not getting half a percent back is minimal enough to not worry about carrying a third card. If it was me, I'd have the DC on the digital wallet for the rare times you need the "other" category.

Very very little falls outside of the big three for me that I buy in person rather than online, so I almost never find myself having to use a catch-all card, be it digital or physical.

Re: Credit Card Carry

ktm — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:52:09 GMT

you didn't say what you use your Double Cash for, so maybe you don't need it when leave home, but if you need it - carry it. I know you said you don't do digital, BUT for lost wallet backup, are you OK with adding your cards to your digital wallet - not to use regularly but just in case you lose your physical wallet? That way if you lose your physical wallet, you can switch to your digital wallet. An advantage of this is that when you cancel your lost cards, your new numbers are automatically updated in your digital wallet and are available for immediate use.

Re: Credit Card Carry

dfwxjer — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:51:21 GMT

I keep several on me because my area doesn't always have Apple Pay available.

CSR - my main restaurant card which is the biggest reason I need a physical card on hand

Amex Plat - for airport lounge access since it's easier to just hand them the card

BCP - local grocery store doesn't offer Apple Pay

BofA - back up just in case

I keep all of my cards in my Apple Wallet but relying on digital 100% isn't feasible for me yet. I'm sure once I can go full digital I'll still carry a card or two with me just in case. I can unlock/start my BMW with my phone but I still carry the fob around as well. I'm old so relying on my phone 100% is a hard sell.

Re: Credit Card Carry

dudley — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:40:10 GMT

Thanks for all of your suggestions; I really appreciate it.

Re: Credit Card Carry

NoHardLimits — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:33:08 GMT

@dudley My daily wallet carry looks a lot like yours. The specific trio that I choose always comprises 3 different payment networks.

- a grocery/gas/drugstore card (grandfathered Amex "old" Blue Cash)

- a dining card (Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One Savor, unless one of my 5% rotators has a dining quarter)

- a 2% card (Citi Double Cash or NFCU cashRewards Plus)

Unlike you, I have many more cards overall. Most never leave the house and are only used online or through a digital wallet. I don't think I would feel comfortable without having at least one spare card at home. I also think that it's wise to carry at least one physical card as not every place around town accepts digital wallets.

Re: Credit Card Carry

bs1234 — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:40:18 GMT

@Ushio wrote:
I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.

I always carry one physical for places that don't take wallets (currently mainly medical parking lots) But everything else is either online at home or digital wallet

Re: Credit Card Carry

Ushio — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 01:35:25 GMT

@bs1234 wrote:
@Ushio wrote:
I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.
I always carry one physical for places that don't take wallets (currently mainly medical parking lots) But everything else is either online at home or digital wallet

Honestly at this point if they don't take mobile wallet payments I just take it as them not wanting my business that badly. It isn't 2015 anymore. I can absolutely survive with only mobile payments, and I don't need anything badly enough that the off chance of some specific store not taking them would bother me. I just wouldn't buy their stuff. (Looking at you, Walmart. We all know it's a choice.)

To be 100% fair though, I will throw a physical card or two in my wallet when travelling abroad.

Re: Credit Card Carry

bs1234 — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 03:25:44 GMT

@Ushio wrote:
@bs1234 wrote:
@Ushio wrote:
I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.
I always carry one physical for places that don't take wallets (currently mainly medical parking lots) But everything else is either online at home or digital wallet
Honestly at this point if they don't take mobile wallet payments I just take it as them not wanting my business that badly. It isn't 2015 anymore. I can absolutely survive with only mobile payments, and I don't need anything badly enough that the off chance of some specific store not taking them would bother me. I just wouldn't buy their stuff. (Looking at you, Walmart. We all know it's a choice.)

To be 100% fair though, I will throw a physical card or two in my wallet when travelling abroad.

Right, but hospital parking lots.... sometimes having to use a physical card is an acceptable cost!

Re: Credit Card Carry

NoHardLimits — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 05:26:29 GMT

@bs1234 wrote:
@Ushio wrote:
@bs1234 wrote:
@Ushio wrote:
I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.
I always carry one physical for places that don't take wallets (currently mainly medical parking lots) But everything else is either online at home or digital wallet
Honestly at this point if they don't take mobile wallet payments I just take it as them not wanting my business that badly. It isn't 2015 anymore. I can absolutely survive with only mobile payments, and I don't need anything badly enough that the off chance of some specific store not taking them would bother me. I just wouldn't buy their stuff. (Looking at you, Walmart. We all know it's a choice.)

To be 100% fair though, I will throw a physical card or two in my wallet when travelling abroad.
Right, but hospital parking lots.... sometimes having to use a physical card is an acceptable cost!

Many of my healthcare providers do not accept digital wallets. They don't even use chip readers, just old fashioned magnetic stripe swipes.

Re: Credit Card Carry

Slabenstein — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 15:52:54 GMT

For how you're saying you use the cards, I would carry all three. I'd just make sure you have a backup like a debit card or something for the off chance you lose your wallet.

I currently carry my NFCU 2% for my general spend and my BCP to bracket off grocery spend. I was carrying my Savor for that purpose, but I had a decent upgrade offer from Amex so the BCP has its slot for about the next 12 months.

I also carry the debit card for my main checking, in case I need it. I have all of my credit cards in a mobile wallet as well, but rarely use it.

Re: Credit Card Carry

dudley — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 17:49:47 GMT

I do not have a backup but my wife has a Costco visa (I am not on the account) and her Amex BCP ( she is an authorized user on my account) has a different card number (this is always the case with Amex authorized users).

Is this enough backup if I lose my wallet?

Re: Credit Card Carry

NoHardLimits — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 18:34:20 GMT

@dudley wrote:
I do not have a backup but my wife has a Costco visa (I am not on the account) and her Amex BCP ( she is an authorized user on my account) has a different card number (this is always the case with Amex authorized users).

Is this enough backup if I lose my wallet?

You are the only one who can answer that question for yourself. Personally, I would want at least one extra card in my own name sitting safe at home.

Re: Credit Card Carry

Realist — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:35:41 GMT

Take what you need for physical, leave the rest behind. I'll bring a few. If you have enough cards, it shouldn't matter.

Re: Credit Card Carry

unsungivy — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:34:31 GMT

@Ushio wrote:
@bs1234 wrote:
@Ushio wrote:
I carry all my cards in a digital wallet. I don't carry anything physically.
I always carry one physical for places that don't take wallets (currently mainly medical parking lots) But everything else is either online at home or digital wallet
Honestly at this point if they don't take mobile wallet payments I just take it as them not wanting my business that badly. It isn't 2015 anymore. I can absolutely survive with only mobile payments, and I don't need anything badly enough that the off chance of some specific store not taking them would bother me. I just wouldn't buy their stuff. (Looking at you, Walmart. We all know it's a choice.)

To be 100% fair though, I will throw a physical card or two in my wallet when travelling abroad.

This is the right answer. Although I bring more emergency cards when traveling abroad, and keep them separate from my wallet. I have... adventures... abroad. Germany stole my purse with my IDs etc (including passport), and France trapped me in a remote hospital for 3 days with no wifi (and took 24 hours for P2 to get my stuff to me.)