How to keep multiple cards open?

[Anonymous]

I think you indirectly bring up the very important issue of apping for cards just because, then finding it difficult to manage all of these cards.  I do not know where you are in your credit history,  but you have some nice cards there. Consider letting them work for you for a while before adding more cards.  You do not need a set use for every card, and in some cases it might not be the best strategy - where you have rotating 5% categories, for example.  Depending on what promotional offers you have - BoA could be used for a balance transfer, large purchase, etc.  Try to get into the habit of making sure you do not have more than two accounts with a balance.  It is not as if you HAVE to use every card EVERY month.

[SunriseEarth]

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@09Lexie wrote:
Put another reoccurring charge on it until something clicks.

I must say, apping without having a purpose is not wise. Hopefully you will find a usefulness for the card.

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Maybe it could be useful for separating socks in the sock drawer?

[takeshi74]

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@xgac12x wrote:

Since now I have 4 credit cards..how do you guys keep yours open? And do you distribute charges..etc

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Routine usage.  Charges are generally based on what will maximize rewards.  Charges that don't fall into any maximum rewards categories on my active cards get used to keep cards active.

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@Anonymous wrote:

I strongly agree, but what % of stuff posted here falls into that "without having a purpose" category?   Unless, for example, "it's metal" counts as a purpose!

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Purpose is for each individual to determine -- not for one person to determine for everyone else.  While I agree that "it's metal" doesn't seem like a wise purpose in and of itself, as another already stated, as long as one is managing one's finances and credit it really doesn't matter.  One's purpose may not be another's.

[visorboy1974]

I usually spend what will get me the maximum return on each.  

-Discover is 5% back on Online Shopping this quarter so I use it for online shopping.  

-Chase United MP Club Visa is 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases so I use it there.  However since it's 1.5 miles on every other dollar spent, I make this my go-to card.  Racking up the miles allows me to turn it into a cash back card as you can use the miles for a nice cash back rate.  Also, the various additional ways to earn miles through shopping, dining or staying at hotels allows me to redeem higher than 1-2% cash back.  

-Barclays is 2pts/$1 on Travel puchases so I charge non-United travel to that.

etc etc.  

It's pretty easy actually.        

[xgac12x]

Well I'm gunna use my BoA until I spend $500 to get my $100 back. And then I'm probably going to sock drawer it, and just have it on my iTunes or something. Discover has the gym membership, Chase is for all purchases, and the Sallie Mae will be for gas only. (and books next semester)

[gambit2083]

Here is how we run our cards..

IT - My prime go to card, I use it from everything from coffee in the morning to netflix at night (to be used for the up coming holiday, on and off line) 

BOA - Mainly for car maintenance, gas and grocery shopping (back up to my IT if some place doesn't take it)

CFCU - Small house expenses and monthly bills

QS - Traveling/ Trips

PP/ debit - Mainly car parts (my drug, lol)

AM - Hardly ever shop on there. (maybe 4 things in the last 2 years, purchases will remain small. Will buy something small to keep active , card is mainly for uti)

WM - Financing if needed (new tv, snowblower, microwave. Again mainly for uti - will buy something small to keep active)

Freedom - Is wifeys main, she is AU (to be used for the up coming holiday, on and off line) 

VS - wifey AU... well cuz...you know )) lol.

[Anonymous]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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Purpose is for each individual to determine -- not for one person to determine for everyone else.  While I agree that "it's metal" doesn't seem like a wise purpose in and of itself, as another already stated, as long as one is managing one's finances and credit it really doesn't matter.  One's purpose may not be another's.

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Takeshi74:  as I commented before, can't we take it as read that really we all know everything posted is just one person's opinion, that they are not insisting that everyone agrees, or demanding that their policies are followed, and it is rare that one size fits all?  You seem to be posting this a lot recently and I am not sure why.  I think (but of course one size doesn't fit all) that almost everyone is aware of the nature of an internet forum.

[Themanwhocan]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@09Lexie wrote:
Put another reoccurring charge on it until something clicks.

I must say, apping without having a purpose is not wise. Hopefully you will find a usefulness for the card.

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I strongly agree, but what % of stuff posted here falls into that "without having a purpose" category?   Unless, for example, "it's metal" counts as a purpose!

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Well, to be fair, the metal cards ARE shiny too. 

Oh, and just to jump completely off-topic, I used my Shattner card today for a doctors office co-pay, and got complimented for it... well it does give 2% cash back on co-pays...

[Anonymous]

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@Themanwhocan wrote:

Oh, and just to jump completely off-topic, I used my Shattner card today for a doctors office co-pay, and got complimented for it... well it does give 2% cash back on co-pays...

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Well, it certainly is different from most other cards.  Not in a pleasant way, but different!

[Gatortrout]

Themanwhocan,

My CSP is not shiny. Should I return it? False advertisement