Your "Justification" applying for that card?

[kjel]

The justification for NFCU, CSP, and Amex BCP was to have a trio of prime rewards cards that are easy to manage and work best for my needs. Other than this, I won't apply for something I won't use regularly or comes with some can't say no to perk.

[Anonymous]

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@travisr0 wrote:

For many of us including myself that are guilty of coming out of the garden early or wanting that new card for whatever reason can spark some interesting debates. Why? Well there are many of us that a few to many cards and do not utilize many of them which is fine, however, it begs the question what is driving us to go for that next card? What do you tell yourself in why you need that nice new card and will you use it?

What is your justification?

Some Examples: Travel rewards?

Higher credit limits?

total amount of credit? if so why? how much is enough?

Gas rewards?

Cash advances?

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To quote George Mallory on why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest:

"Because it's there. "

[Imhotrodcrazy]

I can't juggle more than 3 cards,  I'm old. 

[Anonymous]

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@travisr0 wrote:

For many of us including myself that are guilty of coming out of the garden early or wanting that new card for whatever reason can spark some interesting debates. Why? Well there are many of us that a few to many cards and do not utilize many of them which is fine, however, it begs the question what is driving us to go for that next card? What do you tell yourself in why you need that nice new card and will you use it?

What is your justification?

Some Examples: Travel rewards?

Higher credit limits?

total amount of credit? if so why? how much is enough?

Gas rewards?

Cash advances?

---

I travel ALOT (flight crew member of a major carrier), so I spend alot overseas on dinner,  gifts etc. I look at points I can earn for upgrades on airlines (don't always get to fly for free on other carriers or my own because of very full flights) and get upgrades. Like the no intl transaction fees plus living in airports I like to take advantage of the lounges when I am able to.

[Open123]

For me, it has alwasy been the cost I place on the price of a HP/new account vs. the benefits/lump sum rewards of the new card.  If it's a net benefit, I apply.  If not, I refrain.

[Steelersboy]

rewards, rewards, rewards

[Anonymous]

My Justification is when I want it, I want it.  I do like the airline rewards and the cash back rewards.  I use them for business purchases.  On my e-bates card, I think my pending cash back is sitting at $1497.00 right now... so I pump a lot through it.  On my united card, I have already blown through $200k this year (PIF each month).  

Cash advances are so expensive.  Your better off to have a spouse and send them money via paypal and then withdraw it that way.  At least then your getting the purchase rate and not a cash advance fee, a transaction fee and a higher APR.  Just my opinion.  The reason I say spouse is because it is against PayPals TOS to have two accounts and then send money to yourself, but it doesn't say anything about spouses.  

In the few times I'm rejected for a card, it makes me more determined.  Since I've got my bankruptcy deleted I've been able to get everything I was told no for previously.  My bankruptcy was done in 2013.  

[Anonymous]

For bonuses.

[Anonymous]

well... let's see....

first card : Capital One "oh my god! they are offering me my first credit card!"

second card : Discover? "what? 1% cash back on my purchase? sign me up!"

third card : American Express "ooooooh, no preset spending limit!" <--- totally bit me on the arse, and got on shiz list.

fourth card : Chase "2% cash back on gas purchase you say? gas price IS rising... I better get this" <--- forgot to use the card and got auto closed

fifth card : Capital One "now that i'm back in u.s, I need to fix my credit, and after studying little bit, i need a card with higher limit"

sixth card : Barclay "I guess one more card couldn't hurt..." <--- closed a month after

seventh card : Barclay "I want a travel card!"

eighth card : Comenity "well... I do use orbitz quite a lot"

ninth card : Barclay "50k is enough for round trip business ticket to europe!"

[Anonymous]

Right now in my journey, it's primarily for utilization purposes, and having enough tradelines to generate a lot of "on time" payments (and get my not very good "on time payment" percentage up.) However, I'm not going for cards just to build utilization. I have a couple Comenity cards for stores where I will actually use them, and ignore the First Premiers/Verves/etc.

As my scores go up, I'll be targeting some rewards cards (not much of a traveler, so I'd be looking for cash back rewards.) And a couple of low APR cards for those times I might have to carry a balance.

I don't have a goal in mind in terms of total CL's, just enough that I don't have to think too hard about utilization, and could carry me through an emergency.