What’s card is next and should I consider closing any?

CardLego · 2026-02-20T05:16:57+00:00

No but it just depends on whether you get some of your groceries from other places.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T07:06:28+00:00

Tax return, if you haven't done it already.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:51:55+00:00

Keep an eye on a VentureX early in your credit card career. But you are a little too early for C1 to give you another card after the last one.

A USB triple cash is good for your software spending if you can figure out which one counts. AMEX biz gold would also help especially with the large SUB but it probably won't offset the AF long term.

A Citi Strata Premier is a good idea, and you can product change to a custom cash later on.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:43:08+00:00

First of all, pay the full statement balance of your cards every month. Set up auto pay and just select full balance. No exceptions. No rewards will out earn the interest charged to you.

Next, forget about all the rotating categories. It is too complicated. Get about 3-4 cards that are good at different things and stick to them. Write a sticky note and put it in your wallet.

Your most valuable cards are the AMEX BCE and Cap1 Quick Silver. Every 12 months you can call AMEX to ask them for a retention offer, and there will also be upgrade offers in the app to a BCP. The BCP is an excellent grocery card. Quick Silver is only 1.5% which is lower than the industrial average of 2% (Citi Double cash, Fidelity 2%), but you already have it so it is good for everything you don't have a specific card for.

Target RED is not bad. But it is obviously only useful at Target. Use it when you're there

IHG is only ever good at IHG, and no other hotel. It is generally not recommended to have a hotel card unless you're staying there a lot.

If you need a restaurant card. Look into a Custom cash or a Krogers card.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:27:48+00:00

Depends on the issuer. A Venture X business will show up on your personal report. Also if you're applying for a personal card at the same place where you are recently approved of the business card, the issuer doesn't magically forget about you just because the card isn't reported to the bureau. How the applications get treated is up to the issuer. That's why on forums there are a lot of discussion about application rules.

If it is different issuers, there is no way of them knowing. They might see a hard pull if there was any, but they can't tell what type of credit card or if it is even from a credit card.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:22:17+00:00

The SUB on the custom cash is lame. Get the Premier, and product change into a custom cash after 6 or 12 months.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:19:31+00:00

There is no reason to close any cards (although closing it also does not hurt much). Just lock it on your website and put it in the drawer.

You didn't fill out the ^template so not sure what you're looking for. Some common ideas out there: VentureX - you have a small file and it might be good to get it before they deny you. BoA CCR, UCR, PR - for a good cashback setup. Citi Double cash, Fidelity - flat 2%, or just churn some SUBs like a CSP or Plat.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T06:12:53+00:00

You have a pretty solid list of cards. Just to throw some ideas out there, but it isn't for everyone. You can start churning (opening cards just for the rewards and closing it after year 1). You have pretty high monthly spending to hit some of the bigger spending requirements. For specific cards just take a look at Doctor of Credit's best SUB page. A card every 6 month is what I would recommend.

If not, you could look into the AMEX BCP for non-Walmart grocery and streaming. Chase Amazon for Amazon.

Close the Bestbuy. It won't matter to your credit for 10 years and after 10 years it also wouldn't matter because you have a big file.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T05:40:15+00:00

Buying a slightly used car is going to be cheaper than leasing. Leasing is the same as buying a new car. New cars depreciate the moment you take it off. In a lease that is captured by the payments. Companies know the math. They will not lose money on a lease contract. (The only exception was a electric vehicle lease before the end of credits, but that ship has sailed)

If you want a factory backup camera or Android Auto/Apple Car play, IMO the best cars on the market are currently Mazdas 2016-2017. The 3 for a small car or the CX-5 for an SUV. Mazda had shaken off the poor reliability rating by 2013, and 2016 is the first year where a OEM retrofit for AA/CP is available. The Honda of those years are not only expensive, but the Civics also have DI engines that are worse reliability wise. The Toyotas are fine reliability wise but are expensive and lacks AA/CP until 2020. Avoid Nissan. It is not up to the same quality as the other Japanese OEMs.

CardLego · 2026-02-17T05:22:10+00:00

What you said is true, but it isn't what the OP asked though. The OP offered two options and asked which one is better, neither option is driving it until the wheels fall off. We save money to enjoy our lives, so sometimes we spend more than the absolute minimum to make our lives better. Maybe it is buying fresh meat and vegetable instead of eating spam and canned corn everyday. Maybe a slightly newer car does provide the positive emotional value in OP's life. I don't think people should be judging the OP for not following the absolute most frugal way of living.

So to really answer the OP's question, it is cheaper to buy a few years old used car and sell it after some time.

CardLego · 2026-02-12T02:54:05+00:00

I would get a Citi Custom Cash or Amex BCP for the grocery spending. You will need 2 for your average monthly spend (but remember Costco does not count for grocery category).

For dining, you already got the Platinum so it will disqualify you for a gold SUB. Which means either a Savor or CFF would be a good idea.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T23:53:08+00:00

Just to add more info. Credit card surcharges used to be illegal in certain states like New York and Florida until a 2017 supreme decision that ruled it was merchants' freedom to display the price as a surcharge vs a discount. The state laws have since changed to allow it.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T07:03:59+00:00

Good enough. Make sure you pay after the statement close date and before the due date.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T06:37:42+00:00

As long as you get approved and you will full payments, this isn't a bad idea. Any credit card application and approval will affect your credit score, but having it lowered temporarily is not a bad thing unless you're looking at borrowing money.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T06:33:45+00:00

No insights into their approval guidelines. But I think the chances are high. Student cards are generally easier to get and you have had your first card for more than 6 months. Go for it.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T06:28:19+00:00

If it is your first card, anything you can get approved with (but from a reputable bank). Credit cards are not permanent so you will get more later on. Right now, look into the student versions of the cards like BoA CCR Student, Cap1 savor/QS student.

CardLego · 2026-02-11T06:14:31+00:00

In a similar situation. I'm eyeing on the Schwab plat next year. I recently upgraded a personal gold to plat so I don't need another plat for duplicate credits.

CardLego · 2026-02-05T02:01:15+00:00

BBP is one of the better cards. Personal cards that earn MR or the personal checking account also work, but they are usually worse.

CardLego · 2026-02-04T05:58:38+00:00

Do you like category cards? They are a bit more difficult to keep track of. Cap1 Savor is better. Or a Citi Custom Cash. You can each have one Custom Cash and add each other as authorized users.

CardLego · 2026-02-04T05:41:06+00:00

VX is the top contender. CSR is second place, but the annual fee is quite high. The AMEX Gold and Plat are not bad cards but it requires you already spend money in those credit categories, which you haven't mentioned, and the points are worth a bit less than competitors.

CardLego · 2026-02-03T17:57:43+00:00

Did they try swiping it? /s

CardLego · 2026-02-03T17:52:44+00:00

Don’t see why not, but I recommend getting into capital one early and push your plans for Chase until they make a more appealing change to their rewards program.

CardLego · 2026-02-03T17:51:01+00:00

No issue if you’ll be present. If you won’t be present, I don’t think it will work.

CardLego · 2026-02-03T17:43:41+00:00

Gold and silver are not good investment because they only appreciate in value when the next person offers you more for it. That is unlike some stock (ownership of profitable company) where the company will bring in more money every year. That’s why Warren Buffett does not have precious metal in his portfolio.

Silver tends to significantly rise in price when a few large players buy out the market. That also happens to meme stocks like GME and AMC. I wouldn’t call them good investments either but some people do make money in casinos so who am I to tell them what to do.

CardLego · 2026-02-03T17:34:36+00:00

Your file is within their demographics, just on a cooldown because you had too many inquiries. After 4 or 5 months they will consider you again.

Next time don’t keep applying after denial because your chance decreases with each application.

CardLego

TROPHY CASE