@CreditScholar wrote:
@Open123 wrote:
@searchingfor67 wrote:Just curious open...What cards you you currently have in your arsenal?
Far too many, and need to purge quite a few of them to simplify things.
Personal, I have the following: Amex Plat, BCE, SPG, CSP, UA Explorer, Chase SW, Discover, Citi Premiere, Barclay US Air, and HSBC Premier.
Recently, I've started to purge a few cards to simplify things. Eventually, by this time next year, I hope to only have at most 3 or 4 personal cards. Amex and Chase will be amongst them, but I'm not sure how I'll decide the rest.
Are there any that you're leaning towards, other than the Ritz Carlton card?
Ideally I'd like 3-4 cards in my wallet as well, and I'm interested to hear your choices and reasoning. My CSP and United MP Club card will be 2 of them, but I'm still undecided as to the other 1-2.
It’s been fun applying for and experiencing all these new cards, but now it’s time to simplify things. With the novelty of the new hobby wearing off, I’d rather make less effort and just keep 3 or 4 cards.
After giving it some thought, here’s what I’m leaning towards.
1. JPM Ritz – Given the amount of Ritz stays in the foreseeable future and some travel benefits that can replace my personal Platinum, getting and keeping this card is a pretty clear choice. Like the Platinum, this card is only for Ritz stays and Platinum-like travel related benefits. Until the Ritz rewards become watered down, I think the value of this card’s Ritz perks will be extemporary. It still surprises me that after all these years of steadfastly resisting; they not only incorporated an awards program, but allow for transfers from an external program such as UR.
2. SPG – The primary card I use for all non-bonus category domestic spending. In my estimation, this is Amex’s best product and has one of the best rewards programs in the business.
3. CSP – Will use for travel, dining, and UR Mall. I value the bonus spending on this card more given the flexibility of UR points, which can be transferred freely to UA or the Ritz. Since I’ve gotten so many MR points accrued (will continue to accrue from some business spending), I’ll focus on accruing UR points for the next several years.
4. HSBC Premier – I travel to Singapore at least 4 times per year, and maintain a local banking relationship with HSBC there. The card offers rotating special offers in SE Asia, such as 15% off the dining bill at the Ritz, free green fees at assorted golf courses, and upgrades at the Raffles/Mandarin. I use this card with those merchants who accept only a card with an EMV pin & chip--there's a always a few of them who will not accept a signature or can't find a pen.
For my MR program, I’ll just open up an Amex business Green (write off the fees) to maintain my full MR status, since I’m not the primary on our business Platinum.
While it was great fun using the Discover for categories, BCE for groceries, the Zync for all the packs, and Citi’s Thank You program with points per miles flown, I can't see myself carrying extra cards for categories where I have minimal spending, such as gas, groceries, movies, and cell phone. I had a great time learning the nuances of credit ratings, rewards arbitrage and even exploring all these different account websites, but after a couple of years, I’m ready to simplify. With the novelty wearing, I just can’t see myself continue to be enthused on making the effort to keep track of 10+ cards.
Aside from the 4 I’ve listed, I’m just going to cancel the rest.
