# How many credit cards does one need? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966 "2025-05-29T17:32:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/21 "2025-05-29T21:00:32Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > You don’t have to search YouTube very far to find people playing “the credit card game.” Having lots of credit cards, and frequently applying for new ones so they can take advantage of the various _welcome offers_ in order to accumulate _points_, which they can then trade in for things like _cash back_ or _free travel_. I don’t have to search YouTube. I have friends who do this. And they write about it, so i hear all kinds of details. And .. they get real benefits from the games they play. And it’s not close to worth it to me. I have three credit cards. My main credit card, the one i share with my husband, and a backup card, in case something goes wrong with the main one. I think that’s plenty. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/22 "2025-05-29T21:36:59Z")
My score is excellent (a decent amount north of 700). I have one for use and one for back up - pay the balance off every month. > [@Jegpeg](#): > > You don’t **need** any credit cards you can always pay for everything using cash or debit cards Need is subjective. I don’t carry cash - and haven’t for years - and I get more money back on my card than I would using cash. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/23 "2025-05-29T22:56:06Z")
And debit cards have weaker consumer protection regulations than do credit cards. Debit is for the least savvy consumers, not the smart ones. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/24 "2025-05-29T23:16:10Z")
I have a handful of CCs. More than one is a good idea – just in case – but too many doesn’t help your credit score much. My score is above 800, but the only way it will increase more is if I take out a loan (like an auto loan), which I don’t need. Nor do I need more credit. So it’s just a game to see what changes happen with minimal effort. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/25 "2025-05-29T23:20:52Z")
I’ve received several “pre-approved” credit card offers, including one with a cash-back feature, no annual cost, and a fairly high credit limit. I gave it some brief consideration, noting that unused extra credit improves your credit score, but declined to get any of them. First of all, I don’t need to improve my credit score, which isn’t really of that much use to me at all. Secondly, the last thing I need is more credit card bills to remember to pay on time and more plastic in my small crowded wallet. Should you have more than one credit card? Absolutely, for many reasons! But I see no need for more than two or, at most, three. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/26 "2025-05-29T23:34:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > And debit cards have weaker consumer protection regulations than do credit cards. > > Debit is for the least savvy consumers, not the smart ones. The first sentence is absolutely true. The second one has to be qualified. Many years ago, I was in the habit of using my debit card frequently, but that was mainly because of laws that prohibited grocery stores from accepting credit cards because of fears that it would contribute to an increase in grocery costs. That nonsense having long since been abandoned, I haven’t used my debit card for anything for many years now except ATM transactions, deposits and cash withdrawals. But debit cards can also be useful for those who fail to pay their credit card bills in full on time because they’re either unable or forgetful. I get by fine with just two credit cards, a premium card with an annual fee and numerous benefits including the allocation of Aeroplan miles with every purchase\*, and a plain ordinary card that I mostly use for online purchases and small purchases of other kinds. Interestingly, it’s the latter that has occasionally shown unauthorized charges that I’ve had to dispute. The premium card that I use more carefully never has. \* It’s amazing how those miles add up. You think you’re careful and don’t spend a lot of money, and then you find out you have another mother lode of air miles! ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/27 "2025-05-30T01:29:00Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Two is better than one, in case something goes wrong with one and you need a backup. But I’ve never had, or felt any need for, more than two. Got it in one. I have two credit cards, and one is mainly a backup in case the primary one fails, which is once every week or two. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/28 "2025-05-30T01:30:53Z")
I only have one credit card but I do have a debit card associated with my checking account. I _think_ that’s sufficient as a backup. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/29 "2025-05-30T02:01:53Z")
According to a banker friend of ours, two (an everyday one and a spare) are enough. The advantage of having more credit cards, he explained, is that it can indeed boost your credit score. This disadvantage is that when you want something big, like a car loan or especially a mortgage, lenders may look at all those open credit lines and decide it’s too easy for you to overextend yourself. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I only have one credit card but I do have a debit card associated with my checking account. I _think_ that’s sufficient as a backup. You’d think, but back when we only had a single credit card, our debit card got hacked, and we were one lost wallet away from being in big trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/30 "2025-05-30T03:21:23Z")
Wait what? You have a cc that fails on average every two weeks? That sounds crazy to me. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/31 "2025-05-30T09:52:27Z")
During the time when chip had became common and tap hadn’t gained much traction I had a tapless card where the chip didn’t read fairly regularly. It’s not that the bank declined my transaction, it’s just that the handshake between card & terminal failed. And swiping was often problematic too; something about the terminal knowing that card was chipped and refusing to accept the less-secure swipe. Very annoying. The card company website had a self-service card replacement page. In addition to the more common option of “My card was lost or stolen, send me a new one with a new number”, they had another option for “I have my card, but the magstripe or chip-thingy doesn’t work. Send me a new card with the same number.” Clicked that and a few days later a new card arrived and I never had another problem with that account. If this matches @dolphinboy/s experience with chip or (now) tap his problem is probably a physically defective card. Get a replacement. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/32 "2025-05-30T11:24:27Z")
I once had to get a new card because I’d like my card through the washing machine. I forget what option i clicked, but it was definitely one that clearly said, “i have the card, but need a new one anyway”. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/33 "2025-05-30T11:43:47Z")
It’s an old warn out BofA card and the chip no longer works. I’ve already ordered a replacement. My backup card is a Citibank Costco card that I only use at Costco and when sliding my primary card fails. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/34 "2025-05-30T13:06:40Z")
I have one credit and one debit card. The CC is only used online and is paid off every month. The debit card is used for everything else, I’ve even bought cars using it. A while back I overheard some young people talking about their credit scores and how to improve them. I’d never looked mine up so gave it a check. I guess 999 is a pretty good score? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/35 "2025-05-30T13:30:29Z")
Well the highest possible score is 850. So I would question where you got that score from. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/36 "2025-05-30T13:45:45Z")
Zero. I’ve had one credit card in my life and I used it once (and they took it away because I wasn’t using it). Hate the idea that you have to be in debt in order to qualify to go deeper into debt and that this is some sort of game with scores and such. Just really don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/37 "2025-05-30T13:58:51Z")
Pay your bills on time and don’t buy what you can’t afford and you won’t go into debt. I’ve had credit cards since I was 18 and I’ve never paid one penny in interest or fees. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/38 "2025-05-30T14:23:02Z")
I have one I use, one for back up and a debit card that I ONLY use to get cash out of my banks ATM. My CC number has been stolen a number of times. Visa catches the bizzarro purchases notifies me and sends me a new card. It’s a PITA, but at least VISA notifies me, “Did you buy a thingamajig at whatchucall it” Um, no. That gets cleared out and they send me a new card. Changing your online payments is a drag, but at least you don’t get your bank account cleaned out. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/39 "2025-05-30T14:54:40Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Zero. I’ve had one credit card in my life and I used it once (and they took it away because I wasn’t using it). Hate the idea that you have to be in debt in order to qualify to go deeper into debt and that this is some sort of game with scores and such. Just really don’t like it. Very much this. But sadly if you want a mortgage or a large loan, you do need established credit and a good credit score. But a credit score is a way for banks to determine how likely they are to make money off of you since you are less likely to default. Credit scores and criminal records are the adult versions of the permanent records they pretended we had in grade school. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966/40 "2025-05-30T15:24:18Z")
A mortgage application was indeed the reason we were advised to get the one credit card I ever got. Fortunately that’s all behind me now, and I do think the absence of a credit card was a contributory factor to being able to pay off the mortgage early. We just didn’t spend money we didn’t have. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-credit-cards-does-one-need/1018966.md?page=3)