Beating a dead horse (figuratively speaking, of course).

[Drew]

What is the optimal number of credit cards one should have in order to obtain an 800+ credit score?

From what I've read, the number of credit cards really doesn't matter if your sole desire is to obtain excellent credit.  I'm more interested, however, in the ideal number of credit cards it takes to break the 800 threshold.

[Anonymous]

I have 3.... 800 on TU.

[jamie123]

It seems to take a minimum of 3 CCs to get into the 800 club but having more would give you a thicker file that wouldn't fluctuate as much when/if you use your credit.

[MarineVietVet]

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@Drew wrote:

What is the optimal number of credit cards one should have in order to obtain an 800+ credit score?

From what I've read, the number of credit cards really doesn't matter if your sole desire is to obtain excellent credit.  I'm more interested, however, in the ideal number of credit cards it takes to break the 800 threshold.

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I'm not sure there is such a thing. People report very high scores with just a couple of CC's and I'm convinced 2 is all you need if you manage utilization correctly.

I have six CC's but after learning more and more about credit I realize I could do just fine with fewer cards.

But that is my opinion only. Other opinions are just as valid.

[NRB525]

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@Drew wrote:

What is the optimal number of credit cards one should have in order to obtain an 800+ credit score?

From what I've read, the number of credit cards really doesn't matter if your sole desire is to obtain excellent credit.  I'm more interested, however, in the ideal number of credit cards it takes to break the 800 threshold.

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On the FICO Simulator, it's telling me I can get past 800 with all the cards I currently have by getting the total open amounts down substantially. That's something like a dozen cards with recent balances. And lots of time spent making payments over the years.

[HiLine]

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@Drew wrote:

What is the optimal number of credit cards one should have in order to obtain an 800+ credit score?

From what I've read, the number of credit cards really doesn't matter if your sole desire is to obtain excellent credit.  I'm more interested, however, in the ideal number of credit cards it takes to break the 800 threshold.

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Define ideal. 

I believe that if you start building credit with a credit card and an installment loan, that you take you to 800 no less fast than a credit history that starts with 10 credit cards and one installment loan. Feel free to prove me wrong.

[Anonymous]

Whats ideal for you is ideal. I think you can get there if you use credit responsibly regardless of the number of cards and installment loans. 

[Dw4250]

2-3 bank cards and at least one installment loan. I don't think the number of cards/loans after that matters...

[Gunnar419]

I agree that after you've got the 2-3 cards needed to make FICO happy, there is no optimal number. It's more a matter of how old they are, how you manage your util and payments, etc.

FWIW, I'm at 805 EQ with six cards and no installment loans or mortgage. But my payment record is perfect, my AAoA is 20+ years, and my util is under 6%.

[HiLine]

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@Gunnar419 wrote:

I agree that after you've got the 2-3 cards needed to make FICO happy, there is no optimal number. It's more a matter of how old they are, how you manage your util and payments, etc.

FWIW, I'm at 805 EQ with six cards and no installment loans or mortgage. But my payment record is perfect, my AAoA is 20+ years, and my util is under 6%.

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Have you found that 2-3 cards are better than 1 card?