Usually, the advice is that if there is no fees or AF, keep them open. The damage from getting them is already done, so you might as well have their history add to your AAoA. Use them for a pack of gum or something once a quarter to keep them from getting closed due to inactivity.
If they are costing you anything, close them down.
Keep both.
Did you look at the WS benefits? They give you a $25 certificate to use during your birth month each year. 5% back on WS purchases, and a 10% back period just expired on March 31.
The gas card you can use now and then, and they usually have some sort of discount, right?
Thanks guys! I figured maybe to keep Williams Sonoma open as it has a bigger limit. I haven’t asked for more as I planned on closing and didn’t want to lose a huge CL down the road. Shell on the other hand is the same age as WS but only an $800 limit and I don’t want a HP to increase it, plus I get better rewards on my Costco citi visa. I’m feeling like my 3 newly opened accounts plus closing shell may hurt me? I do t know 
I just know I kinda don’t want shell or WS but will keep them if it’s better to do so.
I just know I kinda don’t want shell or WS but will keep them if it’s better to do so.
@Anonymouswrote:
Thanks guys! I figured maybe to keep Williams Sonoma open as it has a bigger limit. I haven’t asked for more as I planned on closing and didn’t want to lose a huge CL down the road. Shell on the other hand is the same age as WS but only an $800 limit and I don’t want a HP to increase it, plus I get better rewards on my Costco citi visa. I’m feeling like my 3 newly opened accounts plus closing shell may hurt me? I do t know
As a rebuilder I can relate to closing cards. I just closed two - Fingerhut and Lane Bryant. Fingerhut because I had grown beyond it and Lane Bryant because I couldn't get a CLI. I'm a firm believer in only keeping a card long term if it's useful to me in some way. Keeping them open would have cost me nothing but they were both not relevant to my credit goals anymore. I'd close the shell card since the Costco card is better but I would keep the WS, as the WS has a few nice perks to it. But that's just me.
@Anonymouswrote:So i have decided to keep WS due to its perks and my wanting a wine fridge in the near future. Now as for my AAoA it's smack down at 1 year. The shell card is 1yr 3mo old. I basically have 6 cards of similar or slightly older age (2-3 months older) and 5 cards under a year..... an additional 3 about a month old. I just don't want to make the wrong move too soon. Thank you guys for all of your replies! !
You'll keep the history of the card on your credit reports for 7-10 years (it really varies by CRA). The best course of action is garden for at least a year and age the accounts you do have. Since you have 3+ cards to prop you up once you close the shell card, you'll be fine.