How many credit cards (personal) do you have?

[blackcat20]

Only one, an amex.

 

[SYD]

Made a mistake in not having an AMEX before I retired

Have you tried? I had no drama getting a Biz card setting up a new business but I was an existing AMEX card holder.

 

[RooFlyer]

Have you tried? I had no drama getting a Biz card setting up a new business but I was an existing AMEX card holder.

No, I was about to when they brought in the stronger application rules. I should get off my backside I guess.

 

[Daver6]

Three cards; I'm retired

28 Degrees/Latitude (only use overseas/non AUD)
NAB - active card; was Qantas rewards now their generic point card (for Virgin)
CBA - spare & no fee

Made a mistake in not having an AMEX before I retired

Better get a job then you bum hehe

 

[SYD]

No, I was about to when they brought in the stronger application rules. I should get off my backside I guess.

What are the “stronger” rules?

You actually need to apply and it just doesn’t turn up in the weet-bix box? Remember those days….

 

[RooFlyer]

What are the “stronger” rules?

After the banking Royal Commission I think or thought they made the banks tighten the approval process to more critically examine the ability to pay. I'm retired, but not on a defined pension (my scheme is 'Pay-as-you-don't earn' )

 

[SYD]

After the banking Royal Commission I think or thought they made the banks tighten the approval process to more critically examine the ability to pay. I'm retired, but not on a defined pension (my scheme is 'Pay-as-you-don't earn' )

I’m not sure AMEX actually changed much. They had a fairly robust process and the income bar for a base card wasn’t huge. It’s pretty easy to work your way up with them but once in there are very limited options for “sign up” bonus. But I do routinely get a 40k offer to upgrade my free Gold CC… $495 travel credit is now starting to look more useful….

 

[RooFlyer]

Yeah, I'll give AMEX a go. My accountant I know would supply a pretty robust letter of support!!

 

[kerfuffle]

Five with a total of $28K credit limit. Three are annual fee-free (technically it should be two, but I get my DJs Amex annual fee waived as long as I have the account open). The other cards are:

• 28 Degrees Mastercard
• Westpac Velocity Platinum Mastercard
• Elevate Amex (from the old Westpac/Amex partnership)
• Velocity Escape Amex

 

[dylarr]

I've got 3 -

- Qantas American Express Ultimate
- American Express Platinum
- ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Visa

The Amex cards are my usual daily drivers and I keep these. I always have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup for places which don't take Amex which I churn each year to take advantage of the sign up bonuses.

 

[FishFood]

Currently only one - the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Card with the minimum credit limit a hefty $15k. Certainly won't be spending that much being unemployed currently

 

[knagelli]

I have three cards with a combined limit of 9K ( cancelled all my other cards when I applied for the mortgage in 2019).

- Amex Platinum Charge
- Amex Platinum Reserve
- Coles Platinum Mastercard

 

[NoName]

Just cancelled my ANZ QF Black card today. Down to 1 with a $6k limit. About to unleash over the coming months though.

 

[Newk]

This reminds me of an article OMAAT did last month where he says he has 30 active credit cards. How you would even manage that many cards is beyond me.

Care and spreadsheets

 

[levelnine]

Care and spreadsheets

Agree. Very easy to do if you're diligent.

With that said, it's unlikely to arise with many people in Australia as that's not how the Australian credit card system works. For US people, though, 20+ cards is very normal.

 

[Newk]

Agree. Very easy to do if you're diligent.

With that said, it's unlikely to arise with many people in Australia as that's not how the Australian credit card system works. For US people, though, 20+ cards is very normal.

I won’t go looking but somewhere on this site is a photograph of a pile of my credit cards. From when I was a lot more active on AFF and in the CC space. I cancelled a few during COVID because I couldn’t justify the fees. But today just got approved for a particular QFF card that gives flight discounts, first lounge invites (which hopefully I won’t need if I can manage to maintain WP), and increased SC. Bonzer.
There are times with big expenses that multiple cards are useful to stay under the maximum rewarded monthly spend. All of my cards have a reason. That said I probably do need a bit of a cull . Regards to everyone I “know” on this site. It’s been a while since I devoted time to AFF. Now I’m getting excited again with my first OS, other than NZ, trip in three years coming soon.

 

[JohnK]

I have 14 credit cards! A few too many and takes a lot of work to manage.

 

[maia200]

One credit card - Qantas Prem Plat, had for years. Had a St George but cancelled that (a silly thing to do in retrospect). Have applied for two more credit cards since retiring, one being an Amex - for points - but both were turned down.

 

[bader]

Have 7 of them now and I churn. In May, I opened 4 new ones specifically to pay off a hefty ATO bill. Was surprised they were approved one after another in such a short time span.

 

[tess1988]

I have 14 credit cards! A few too many and takes a lot of work to manage.

What do you use all them for?