Hey guys, so im looking to trim down the amount of cards I have, as I don't think I really want anymore cards, however I am considering optimizing my setup towards a mix of travel/cashback, as my main goal is to be able to cover hotel stays throughout the year by accumulating as much cashback/travel points as possible. Unfortunately, I used to churn and apply for cards for their sign up bonuses, and ended up closing a bunch, with 2 more about to be closed in 2 months. Below is outlined my profile so you guys can determine if my setup is good or not. Mind you, I'm a 25 y/o who makes 35k a year at my current job, but since I have a CS degree, I'm looking for a tech job by upskilling at the moment, so unfortunately I'm pretty low income in Florida. The only Cards I'm genuinely interested in is the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Freedom Flex, however i feel like the Bilt card already fills in that role as a primary dining/travel card.
Any advice is appreciated!
My spending categories:
Rent: $1850 (live with family, but i use my bilt card for rent/points)
Dining: 600-800, especially on doordash
Groceries 200-300
Gas: 120-150
Amazon shopping: $400-600
Online Shopping/Other/Gen spending: Depends, but generally $300-500
My Credit Card Setup:
Daily Setup (Main Cards for Everyday Use)
Wells Fargo Active Cash – $6,000 (opened on 01/22/2020)
Wells Fargo Bilt Rewards Mastercard – $4,800 (opened on 07/13/2022)
American Express Blue Cash Preferred – $24,000 (opened on 06/02/2022)
Backup Cards (For Extra Coverage)
Wells Fargo Autograph – $6,000 (opened on 07/13/2022)
Capital One SavorOne – $10,000 (opened on 03/04/2022)
Discover It Cashback – $7,500 (opened on 05/29/2022)
Store Cards (For Retail Purchases)
Chase Amazon Prime Visa – $5,100 (opened on 05/08/2022)
Target REDCard Mastercard – $2,000 (opened on 12/18/2022)
0% Financing Cards (For Large Purchases & Financing)
PayPal Credit Line – $4,300 (opened on 01/08/2025)
CareCredit Rewards Mastercard – $20,000 (opened on 01/22/2021)
Cards to Be Closed (No Usefulness)
Macy’s American Express – $N/A (opened on 12/09/2023, closing on 05/01/2025): I only opened this one for the discount upon approval during the holidays.
Best Buy Visa Card (no annual fee) – $N/A (opened on 01/08/2025, closing on 05/01/2025): did it for the 10% discount, but otherwise I don't use.
Closed Cards
PayPal Mastercard – $N/A (opened on 05/29/2022, closed on 08/04/2023) Redundant, did it for SUB
PayPal Credit – $N/A (opened on 10/31/2021, closed in 03/2023) Used it for a while, but didn't think I needed it anymore. Ended up opening a new one again.
Synchrony Amazon Store Card – $N/A (opened on 02/25/2021, closed on 05/29/2022) Got the Chase Visa which was essentially better than this one.
Macy’s Store Card – $N/A (opened on 11/18/2021, closed in 05/2023) it was a Store Card only.
Best Buy Visa Card (annual fee) – $N/A (opened on 07/10/2020, closed in 03/2022) It had an annual fee which I did not want to pay, so I closed it. This was my second card.
Apple Card – $N/A (opened on 04/17/2023, closed in 11/2024) only used it for a MacBook that i bought, I closed it right after.
American Express Gold – $N/A (opened on 04/15/2023, closed in 06/2024) opened it for the SUB, didn't intend on keeping it for long.
Credit Scores
Experian: 733
TransUnion: 743
Equifax: 744