So I just app'd (and approved) the Venture. When I first started on my rebuilding process, that was the card I wanted. But obviously I couldn't get it. Now, after a PC, my oldest account is a VentureOne, and newest is a Venture. It's ironic to me, seems to have come full circle. (not that the Venture is still my goal card, but I got bored tonight and app'd)
After spending lots of times on these forums, I have learned a lot, but also found myself apping for cards I didn't need.
I also grew to learn that I'm not a rewards chaser, I don't have patience for miles and points and trying to get the most value out of them. I think I'm a simple cash back kinda person.
Having all of these cards now has also made me super paranoid that I will miss something and miss a payment somewhere.
So I think it's time I pair these down. I want to keep what I will use, but also keep the higher limit cards. I want the have a variety, a MC, a Visa, an Amex, and a Discover.
Here's what I have in order of date opened:
(Bold to keep, non-bold to close)
12/01/12 - CapOne VentureOne - $5500 (pc’d from QuicksilverOne) - No AF - Useless, but won’t close this as it’s my oldest, and no AF
09/01/13 - Citi Thankyou Preferred - $4900 (pc’d from Diamond Preferred) - No AF - Useless, will close
03/01/14 - Alliant Platinum Rewards - $2000 - No AF - Useless, but would like to keep a card open with my CU
03/01/14 - Barclay Rewards - $1900 - No AF - Barclay pisses me off, useless card for me, will close
03/01/14 - US Bank REI - $5000 - No AF - Useless, will close
04/06/14 - Discover it - $4000 - No AF - Rarely used, but will keep for shopping portal
07/22/14 - Virgin America - $7000 - AF $49 - Rarely used, AF, will close
09/07/14 - Citi Double Cash - $15,000 - No AF - Keeping
11/08/14 - Citi HHonors Reserve - $6000 - AF $95 - Don’t like that AF, will close
11/25/14 - Amex HHonors - $3000 - No AF - Will keep open to keep relationship with Amex (or move limit? see below)
01/22/15 - Andrews GlobeTrek - $5000 - No AF - Will keep for overseas travel
02/04/15 - Amex Starwood - $4000 - AF $65 - Will close (move limit? see below)
03/02/15 - CapitalOne Venture - $10,000 - AF $59 - Will keep
That's $73,300 worth of credit, $268 worth of AF's. If I close what I want to close, that would be $44,500 worth of credit, $59 in AF's.
I'd probably just go 75/25 on spend with the Venture/DoubleCash, keep it simple, get some free flights here and there with Venture and some cash with DC.
Without getting into the whole debate on keeping open cards that don't have AF's, what do you all think of this plan? Anything that sticks out to you as stupid, or anythign you would do differently?
Also, regarding Amex, how are they with moving limits? Maybe I could open up one of the cash cards and move the limits of the Starwood and/or HHonors to it?
I believe with AMEX, the card you are moving the CL FROM has to be open 13 months. I am not 100% sure on that so someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Otherwise, I think your plan is splendid. 
+1 if you're comfortable with it and it makes you happy, then it's the right thing
Sounds like a good plan.
You won't be able to move the AMEX limits, but that's not an issue, the 3X CLI will catch and exceed that in no time.
Good to know re: the Amex and moving limits. I'm not so worried about the limit as much as I am having an Amex that I would get more use out of.
@B335is wrote:
Why keep Venture but close SPG? Star points have pretty good transfer value. If you decide to reallocate Amex limits, the from acct has to have 13 statements generated. The to acct needs to be a certain age as well (I think 60 days or 6 months?).
It's really just simplicty I'm looking for. I just don't think I'm built for using rewards programs. I also hear Starwood points take a long time to transfer. That's the sort of caveat that scares me away.
But, I have some time before AF's kick in, so I could still change my mind.