@dfwxjer wrote:
Keep in mind this is a credit card forum full of people that are deeply invested in this topic. Far more than the average person. Some on here are chasing signup bonuses, some chase massive total credit lines, etc. Comparing yourself to people on here isn't a good move. Just focus on what you need, and sign up for cards in a strategic manner.
This is always a good reminder so thanks for that post, @dfwxjer.
We are an unusual and potentially misleading group for comparisons. The national average number of credit cards per person in 2025 is 3.7 (per Experian data.) As you mentioned, our members have many more cards than the average consumer and that is due to different reasons. Asking yourself WHY you want to add more cards is a good question. Our members run the spectrum financially from those just starting out to those rebuilding to those with aged and thick profiles. Likewise, household factors vary considerably from lower to very high incomes and wealth. With that, spending priorities, spending patterns, and card focus will change. Some of our members collect a high number of cards or high limits for the fun of it, while others may be running a very large volume of personal or business spending through and have legitimate need for those limits. Some of us have added cards to diversify lenders, to explore cards we are drawn to, to improve rewards benefits, or to add SUBs with the intention of closing or consolidating credit lines. At one point in my journey, I added balance transfer offer cards to manage some burdensome debt more effectively until I could pay it off. There's nothing wrong with adding more cards for the right reasons, just as there's nothing wrong with those who decide to downsize later and close accounts. Just make a decision about what you want or need, come up with a strategy that works towards those goals, and take what everyone else is doing with a grain of salt.
Right now, my goal is to chase hotel signup bonuses, because next year, my 2 daughters will play Regional soccer (I don't think they'll play National), so we'll travel all over Florida, and maybe once out of state. Right now, I have Marriott and Sonesta points, but if the team goes to another hotel brand, I can't, so I'd like to add the possibility to also go to Hilton and IHG. This way, my daughters will be able to stay in the same hotel as their teammates.
@villemiami wrote:I only have 7 credit cards, as you can see on my signature, but I'm a little bit envious of the people who have a signature with double this number of credit cards. To have all these credit cards, do you need to have a high income?
At least, I also have the PayPal, Venmo, CashApp and the Future debit cards.
I have over 20 cards, and got them all with a salary between $55-$62k over the past several years. My current available credit is roughly 4x my current salary, and I just got approved for another $10,000 card a few days ago. I've used credit very irresponsibly in the past, and when I was accepted for my first $10k card, I thought they were nuts to give me that. 
But I've been responsible for the last 8 or 9 years, and my credit report reflects that. No late payments, no collections, no bad remarks on my report. I only carry balances on 0% cards, and pay the rest off every month. I've made a lot of cash back, but I'll never recoup all of the interest that they took when I was irresponsible and maxing out cards and paying minimums.
I only apply for cards that I think will help me either with cash back or 0% offers. I now have several that helped for awhile and then I got a better card and now I don't use that card anymore, but as long as they don't have an annual fee, I keep them around anyway.
If you have a card that you would like to add that will help you, then go for it. If they give you a small limit, use it wisely and let it grow. If your current cards serve you well, then no need to gather more cards just to have them.
