Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
If you've used credit cards at all, then you've probably also asked yourself "how many credit cards should I have?" It's one of the most common credit card questions and depending on who you ask, you can get a huge range of answers. Some people want nothing to do with credit cards, while others have dozens of them.
As you might expect, the answer usually lies somewhere in between those two extremes.
Jump To
- Why you need at least one credit card
- How many credit cards should I have if I'm new to using credit?
- How many credit cards should I have if I'm rebuilding credit?
- How many credit cards should I have if I want to maximize rewards?
- How many credit cards should I have if I have excellent credit?
- How many credit cards should I have if I'm retired?
- How many credit cards should I have if I'm in debt?
- Final thoughts
- Still have questions?
- FAQs
Why you need at least one credit card
Most consumers should have one or two credit cards. There are a few reasons why you should have at least one credit card:
- It's the most secure payment method. A credit card isn't connected to your bank accounts and it's easy to replace if you lose it. For those reasons, it's a more secure way to pay than a debit card or cash.
- It can help you build credit. By paying your credit card bill on time and not using more than 30% of your credit limit, you can attain a high credit score.
- You can earn rewards on your purchases. Rewards credit cards earn cash back or travel rewards points on purchases, allowing you to get something back from the money you spend.
If you can manage two credit cards, then it makes sense to add a second card to your wallet. You'll have a backup credit card in case you lose one and need to wait for a replacement in the mail. You can earn more rewards by combining credit cards. And if you started with an American Express or a Discover card, you can add a Visa or a Mastercard. Those are more widely accepted outside the United States.
One or two credit cards isn't a lot, but most people are better off being conservative. The more credit cards you have, the higher your risk is of missing a payment or overspending and going into credit card debt.
The right number of credit cards also depends on your needs and your credit score. Here's how many credit cards you should have based on more specific financial situations.
How many credit cards should I have if I'm new to using credit?
When you're new to credit, stick to one credit card for at least a year. Your focus should be building your credit, and opening new cards can slow down that process, as each credit card application can lower your credit score by a small amount. Carrying multiple credit cards can also cause you to spend more than you should, especially when you don't have much experience managing credit.
There aren't any big advantages to opening a new credit card at this point, because you probably won't qualify for the most lucrative credit card offers yet.
Wait until you've been using a credit card for a year or two, or until you've achieved at least a good credit score, before you consider applying for a second card. Good credit refers to a credit score of 670 or higher.
Starter credit cards
It can be overwhelming to pick out your first credit card. When you're choosing a credit card for the first time, a few questions to keep in mind include:
- Does this card report to all three credit bureaus? (that's how you build a credit score)
- What are the fees for this credit card? (a first credit card should ideally have no annual fee)
- Does this card offer credit score monitoring? (usually: monthly access to your score and tips on building credit)
Below are some of our favorite starter credit cards. For the full list, head over to:
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Discover it® Student Cash Back |
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card |
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Apply Now for Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Fair/New to Credit Under(669) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Fair/New to Credit Under(669) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair/New to Credit Under(669)
Fair/New to Credit Under(669) |
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Welcome Offer: N/A Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
Welcome Offer: — |
Welcome Offer: N/A N/A |
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Rewards Program: 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically 1% - 5% Cashback |
Rewards Program: Up to 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases after making 12 on-time monthly payments. 1% cash back on eligible purchases right away. 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants. |
Rewards Program: — |
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Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 6 months Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months |
Intro APR: Purchases: — Balance Transfers: — |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR |
Regular APR: 18.24 - 32.24% Variable |
Regular APR: 29.99% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: — |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Apply Now for Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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How many credit cards should I have if I'm rebuilding credit?
You should only have one credit card while you rebuild your credit. Since previous mistakes have damaged your credit score, you should also be cautious about getting a new credit card, even after you've improved your credit. You don't want to fall into the same patterns and have the same problems.
That doesn't mean you need to go your whole life with a single credit card. But before you open another credit card account, make sure you've been practicing smart credit habits for at least two to three years. That means you only charge what you can afford, you stick to a budget, and you always pay your credit card bill in full.
Credit cards for bad credit
When you're on the hunt for a credit card to rebuild your credit, the choices can feel overwhelming. We've reviewed a lot of bad credit credit cards, and these are some of our favorites. For the full list of bad credit credit cards, head over to:
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Discover it® Secured Credit Card |
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
||
|
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: New/Rebuilding Under(579)
New/Rebuilding Under(579) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair (300-669)
Fair (300-669) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: New/Rebuilding Under(579)
New/Rebuilding Under(579) |
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Welcome Offer: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. |
Welcome Offer: — |
Welcome Offer: N/A N/A |
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Rewards Program: 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically 1% - 2% Cashback |
Rewards Program: 2% - 10% cash back at select merchants |
Rewards Program: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply. 1.5%-5% cash back |
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Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 6 months |
Intro APR: Purchases: — Balance Transfers: — |
Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 28.24% Variable APR |
Regular APR: 25.24 - 34.74% Variable |
Regular APR: 29.99% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: — |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
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How many credit cards should I have if I want to maximize rewards?
To maximize your credit card rewards, you should carry at least two to three credit cards. Here's why:
- To earn more purchase rewards: With multiple credit cards, you can choose the card that will earn you the most back on purchases. For example, you could use a card that earns 3% on dining when you go out to eat, one that earns 2% at gas stations when you fill up your car, and a card that earns a flat rate of 1.5% for your other purchases.
- To get more bonuses: The fastest way to earn rewards is through sign-up bonuses. By opening more cards, you'll have more bonus opportunities.
Some people appreciate having an assortment of cards with rewards for almost every situation. If you're interested in this strategy, check out some of our favorite rewards cards here:
Credit card rewards cards
Maximizing your rewards means carrying an assortment of rewards cards. Below are a few of our all-time favorite rewards cards, but if you want more, check out our full list:
As of Apr. 16, 2024
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| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Freedom Flex℠ |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
|
|
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. $200 cash rewards |
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. 75,000 bonus points |
Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! $200 bonus |
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Rewards Program: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. 2% cash rewards |
Rewards Program: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases |
Rewards Program: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. 5% cash back offer |
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Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months |
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Regular APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR |
Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Regular APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
Annual Fee: N/A $95 |
Annual Fee: N/A $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠
On Chase's Secure Website. |
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How many credit cards should I have if I have excellent credit?
Once you've gotten an excellent credit score, you should strongly consider having at least two credit cards. There's also no firm upper limit on how many credit cards you should have.
Your credit is good enough to qualify for the best credit cards from any card issuer, so it makes sense to carry at least two strong cards that complement each other well. That could be two cards in the same rewards program with different bonus categories, a cash back card and a card with travel perks, or any other combination that suits your spending.
As long as you continue to manage your credit well, you don't need to worry about having too many credit cards. Some consumers have dozens of cards and get value from all of them. It's simply a matter of what works for you. Just make sure that if a card has an annual fee, its benefits are worth more than what you're paying for it.
How many credit cards should I have if I'm retired?
You should have at least one credit card when you're retired, and you can also have more if you want and you have good to excellent credit.
What's more important when you retire is to adjust your spending habits. You can keep all your credit cards open and apply for more if you'd like, but you should put together a budget that reflects your new income. Most people see their incomes decrease after retirement. If you don't adjust your spending accordingly, you could end up with credit card debt.
How many credit cards should I have if I'm in debt?
If you're in debt, you should have one credit card at most that you use regularly, and that should be for essential expenses only. It's best to avoid opening new credit cards, although there is one exception: You could get a card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers to refinance credit card debt at a much lower interest rate. Note that to qualify for a balance transfer card, you will likely need good to excellent credit.
LEARN MORE: How Balance Transfers Work
You don't need to cancel any other credit cards you have. In fact, that may not be a good idea. Canceling credit cards will reduce your available credit, because you lose the credit limit of each card you cancel. This can increase your credit utilization ratio and hurt your credit score. For that reason, it's better to store your unused cards somewhere and avoid using them.
Final thoughts
There's no one-size-fits-all recommendation for how many credit cards you should have. A good rule of thumb is one or two credit cards, because you can take advantage of credit card benefits without having too many cards to manage.
It's also perfectly fine to get more cards than that, and plenty of consumers have done this successfully. The key is to take it slow and to follow smart spending habits no matter how many credit cards you have.
Still have questions?
Here are some other questions we've answered:
- How Do Credit Cards Work?
- Is Applying For Multiple Credit Cards At Once a Good Idea?
- How Can I Choose the Right Credit Card?
- Does Maxing Out a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?
Need a loan? Check out The Ascent's guide on how to apply for a personal loan.
FAQs
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The typical consumer should have one or two credit cards. If you've been using credit for less than a year, then you should have one credit card. After at least a year of experience managing credit, you can think about adding a new credit card.
Once you have excellent credit, you can be more flexible about the number of credit cards you carry. You don't need to limit yourself to a certain number, although you should always be cautious about opening more cards than you can handle. -
The average American has one or two credit cards, according to a study by The Motley Fool Ascent. Just over a quarter of Americans have three or more credit cards.
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Your number of credit cards isn't a credit scoring criteria, but it can have an indirect impact on your credit score. You need at least one credit account to build your credit history. If you have a variety of credit accounts, it's easier for credit scoring models to calculate a score for you. But opening credit cards too frequently can have a small negative effect on your credit.
Keep in mind that the most important factors in your credit score are your payment history and credit utilization (how much of your credit you use). If you always pay on time and have a credit utilization below 30%, that alone can help you build and maintain a high credit score.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, PayPal, Target, Uber Technologies, Visa, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard, short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard, and short June 2024 $67.50 calls on PayPal. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.