@jefree1 wrote:My long term goal is to have a modest number (under 20) of cards that I can grow limits with as my income improves and Util drops. I've watch how you, @Aim_High and others have steadily improved their limits over time while "weeding" out those cards that no longer serve their purposes. Again, thank you for the data points and for helping those of us that are still early in our journey
Thanks for the tag, @jefree1, and I'm glad my reports have helped to build a road map for others to follow. Also, congrats on your new approvals of NFCU $20K at 18.99% and Chase Freedom Unlimited $10K at 29.24%. Yes, ouch on Chase APRs but low APR is not something the big banks offer except on promotions. Low APRs are better with credit unions and typically no-reward cards. The CFU is a great card and if you later decide to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred, the cash back can be transferred to those cards as Ultimate Rewards points for even greater value! (In travel portal, CSP points are worth 1.25x and CSR points are 1.50x.) Also, either card will allow you transfer those points directly to any of the airline or hotel travel partners at potentially greater value. 
That makes the 1.5% cash back on CFU worth 2.25% in travel portal and up to 3% in travel value when transferred to partners! Both CSP and CSR are great travel cards and depending on your lifestyle and travel patterns, you might get better value from them than from your AMEX Platinum. (Platinum excels if you can redeem enough coupon-credits to offset the AF and if you purchase enough airfare or use Centurion lounges enough to make the high AF worthwhile.)
Yes, there is a "method" and strategy to cultivating a collection of cards that suits your needs and to increasing overall limits. It requires some research and planning for the short, medium, and long terms. That was the inspiration for my annual credit card goals thread. (See "Setting Your >2024< Card Strategy.") Likewise, sometimes we have cards that no longer fit us and we have to move along. But I've hung onto some older cards with eventual product changes into more useful variations, so giving closures some time and thought is worthwhile! (For example, my Capital one Savor One started as a Visa Platinum - before Quicksilver or Savor were around, and later became a Quicksilver and now Savor One; and my Chase Freedom Unlimited started as a Slate before Freedom Unlimited was introduced but became a Freedom Unlimited over a dozen years later.) Enjoy the journey! 
