Here’s a question I get asked all the time: How many credit cards should you actually have in your wallet?
The answer isn’t as simple as a magic number.
For some people, having one to two cards is plenty. For others (myself included), having three to five cards helps maximize rewards without overcomplicating things. And then there are the true rewards enthusiasts who juggle five or more cards to earn points across every spending category.
At TPG, we’re no strangers to wallets with 10 or more cards — the average count among our editorial staff is 11 cards. But before you start applying for cards left and right, it’s worth thinking about what you actually want from your credit card strategy this year.
If you’re new to credit cards, starting with one or two keeps things simple while you build good habits. If you’re chasing welcome bonuses and maximizing rewards, you might want to add cards that cover categories like travel, dining, groceries and gas. And if you’re on a budget? You can build a solid rewards strategy without paying a single annual fee.
The key is finding the balance between earning rewards and staying organized. More cards may mean more rewards, as long as you can manage payments, track benefits and avoid letting annual fees outweigh the perks.
So what’s your ideal number? These articles can help you figure it out:
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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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
