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Having "too many" cards can also be defined as someone that has hit a constraint (usually overall exposure) to opening additional cards. If one is denied for too much available credit and they go ahead and close down a bunch of cards that they don't see value in, if they reapply for the product that they really want often they'll see a different result.
So yes, one example of having "too many cards" would be if the amount you have prevents you from acquiring an additional credit product, presumably one that you need more than some of the others you already have.
That is true above. I believe that number may fall somewhere in the range of 15-20 accounts. Perhaps the optimum "range" may be something like (say) 10-16 accounts, where a number below that range or a number greater than that range would result in a negative reason code and a slight score ding. I personally don't believe that the ding would be significant... perhaps something like 5 points in most cases just shooting from the hip.
I have quite a few accounts, I am looking to close some because there are some I have never even used before.
Currently I have 20 accounts incl charge cards. A good amount of them I do not use. The only one I really would like to cancel is Cap 1 Charge for Saks and my Capital one QS. Both hold no balance and are low credit limits.
@Anonymous wrote:
^^^ agreed. Keep cards that work for your lifestyle, and close those that do not. Age factors will largely be unaffected since most closed accounts will remain on your reports for up to ten years after closure.
Listing what you have along with the limit and balance on each card and how you typically spend will help us help you decide what should stay and what should go.
Amazon Prime - CL - $4K $0 Balance
Amex ED Preferred - CL - $19k $0 Balance
Amex Blue Cash Preferred CL - $10k $0 Balance
Amex Delta Skymiles - CL $1k $0 - do not use
Amex Gold - $0 Balance - do not use
BOA - CL - $20k $5200 Balance
Barclay Apple Rewards - CL $3K $0 balance
Capital 1 QS - $5K $0 Balance - use this card for trips but changing it to another card soon
Capital 1 Saks - $750 $0 Balance Not used in over a year
Chase Freedom Unlimited - CL $2,700 - $0 Balance
Chase Sapphire Preferred - CL $18,700 -$0 Balance
Citi Double Cash - CL - $11, 600 - $5600 Balance
Discover - CL - $8300 - $3400 Balance
HSBC Gold - CL - $3K - $0 Balance - do not use
Paypal MC - CL - $4300 - $0 Balance
Paypal Credit - CL $4K - $0 Balance
Samsung - CL $3200 - $0 Balance
Torrid - CL - $1250 - $0 Balance
Ulta - CL - $1K - $0 Balance
Us Bank - CL - $10,500 $0 Balance
Wells Fargo - CL - $5K - $2970 Balance
That is what I have and the ones with balances were transferred from a few other cards I was paying 8-11 credit cards about 3 months ago and needed to be making less payments so I could put more on each one.
The only exception is BOA since that one also has a phone on there I had to buy as an emergency but that will be paid off next month.