Multiple Credit Cards: What Are The Benefits and Drawbacks
The use of credit cards has become more and more popular in the last decade as the U.S. economy becomes more consumer-based.
Many people are now using credit cards to finance purchases of big-ticket items, such as cars and houses, rather than saving up for the purchase with cash over time and interest-free payments.
While there are many benefits to having multiple credit cards, it is also important to be aware of their drawbacks as well, so you can make an educated decision about whether having multiple credit cards makes sense in your financial plan or not.
Introduction
A lot of people are hesitant to get multiple credit cards because they are afraid of the drawbacks. There are many benefits to getting a second card or even a third card, but there are also drawbacks. You should consider the pros and cons before making a decision on which is better for you.
The Pros of Multiple Credit Cards
Many people think that carrying multiple credit cards is a bad idea. This is usually because they are worried about their credit score, overdrafting their checking account, or not having money to pay off the balances. However, there are many benefits of carrying multiple cards.
One of the biggest benefits is being able to earn rewards. If you have a credit card with an airline or hotel chain, you can rack up points for free flights or hotel stays by making purchases through the company’s website.
Another benefit of carrying multiple cards is getting bonuses from opening them. For example, when I signed up for my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (which has no annual fee), I received 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in four months.
Finally, as long as your balance is under 30% of your total available credit, you’ll be paying lower interest rates than if you only had one card.
The Cons of Multiple Credit Cards
There are many reasons why someone might choose to have multiple credit cards. One of the benefits is that you can use them for different purposes. However, there are drawbacks as well. Depending on your situation, it may be worth it to have multiple credit cards.
First of all, if you have too many credit cards, then you will have to juggle more payments. It is also much easier to get into debt with multiple credit cards.
If you are not careful, you may find yourself in deep trouble before you know what happened. There is also the risk that someone else could use your card and charge something on it without your knowledge.
You want to make sure that when this happens, the company will waive the fees for the unauthorized charges so that they don’t come out of your pocket. But don’t worry, asking yourself these questions would help decide whether or not having multiple cards is good for you.
Multiple Credit Cards: What Are The Benefits and Drawbacks
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Most people have just one credit card. But, there are a few reasons to consider a second or third credit card. A second or third card can help you earn more reward points, which is a great way to save money with little effort.
Plus, if one of your cards is lost or stolen, you have another one that you can use for purchases in the meantime until you get it replaced.
If you are someone who needs flexibility in how you pay for things, a good travel card might be something worth looking into as well. You can put expenses on this card and then pay them off over time without needing to carry cash around at all times.
Conclusion
Ultimately, you should use a credit card that’s going to offer the most benefits. If you are looking for a card that offers excellent cash back or rewards programs, check out the Citi Double Cash Card or the Capital One Quicksilver One Card. If you want to get rewards on your purchases without paying an annual fee, then look at the Discover it Miles Card.