The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
How to assess and build your credit card portfolio
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
also contributed to this story
November 22, 2024 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
The article provides a comprehensive guide to evaluating and optimizing your credit card portfolio based on your spending habits and rewards preferences.
It outlines the three main types of rewards cards: cash back, airline or hotel points/miles, and transferable points, highlighting their respective benefits and limitations.
Readers are encouraged to assess the value of card benefits, such as lounge access, elite status, and travel protections, in relation to their personal needs.
The guide discusses strategies for adding, downgrading, or closing cards, emphasizing the importance of aligning card choices with individual financial goals.
What to consider
Some rewards cards may require minimum redemption amounts or restrict redemptions to certain types of purchases.
Holding older cards, even if unused, can positively impact your credit score by maintaining account age.
If a card's benefits no longer justify its cost, consider retention offers, downgrading, or closing the account after careful evaluation.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed framework for building a personalized card portfolio, including how to mix different card types and maximize category-specific rewards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Whether you have one credit card, a few or a drawer full of them, you may wonder whether you have the right cards in your wallet. You also may wonder how to further build your card portfolio.
These are personal questions, with different answers for each individual. In this guide, I will present various things to consider when evaluating and improving your credit card portfolio.
How do I build my credit card portfolio?
A good place to start is to determine which cards you currently hold and their benefits, earning rates and annual fees. You may also want to check your credit score, which you can do for free.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
Once you have a good understanding of your current situation, you can determine whether to add any new cards to your portfolio, as well as whether any cards in your current portfolio are no longer necessary. Let’s dive in.
Since this article is on The Points Guy, naturally, we focus on credit cards that earn rewards for your spending. Rewards cards generally earn one of three types of rewards:
JORDAN WALLER/THE POINTS GUY
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
