MilesBuzz! - Survey: how many credit cards do you have?

Hi. Haggling priceline for hotel reservation, I counted my credit cards. Because I'm an international graduate student, it's been only one and half years since I received my first credit card.

Now I have eight credit cards.

1. Amex Delta Skymiles Gold
2. Amex Sheraton Starpoints (which I converted from HHonors Amex)
3. Amex Student Blue Card (for CO travel discount)
4. United Mileage Plus Visa
5. Northwest Worldperks Visa
6. Amazon Nextcard Visa
7. Citibank Sony Plantinum Select Card (which I converted from Citi AAdvantage)
8. Click Citi Aadvantage

I applied for Diners, but was rejected since they require at least 36 months of credit history.

How many do you, FTers have in your wallet? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have six in my wallet and a few that I don't carry.

- American Express Platinum Charge Card
- American Express Platinum Cash Rebate
- American Express Gold Delta Skymiles
- ExxonMobil Platinum Mastercard
- Chase Mastercard
- Visa check card

i have 6

I also have 6:
3 German
3 American

Ugh, way too many. I was just going over everything this am, seeing what i could leave out (keep but not carry) of my new wallet.

Diners, personal amex green, gold amex biz.
Fleet, DMB, Citi, FirstUSA (UA).
2 Checking/debit cards (is this really nessessary?)

LOL, and I just sent off for a new card this am! (.9% on bal xfers)

1. AMEX Green
2. Corporate AMEX
3. Sheraton AMEX
4. Mileage Plus Visa

Cheapskate here. I'm getting rid of fee cards.
Will keep, $0 fee:

American Express Sheraton Starpoints [primary]
Citibank USA Hilton HHonors Visa [backup]
NetBank Visa [debit/ATM]


Will cancel:

Chase Continental Visa [$45 fee]
Bank of America US Airways Visa [$50 fee]


Yes, fellow thriftsters, I'm nervous about the forthcoming Starpoints card.

I have 7.

AMEX GOLD
AMEX PLATINUM
AMEX CORP PLATINUM
AMEX OPTIMA PLATINUM

MBNA PLATINUM PLUS MASTERCARD
CITIBANK DRIVERS EDGE MASTERCARD
FLEET GULF MASTERCARD

I only really use 2!

Two:

Mileage Plus Visa Gold
American Express Gold

No need for any more than that.

RAD

I go through waves of singing up whenever I see a good sign on bonus like AMEX Delta 15K. So at last count I have 11. Basically all the airlines, Diners, and a few bank one with low aprs.

I hope I'm not diluting the integrity of this thread, but does anyone have any experience with Capitol One's 'MilesOne Platinum MasterCard'? Apparently for a $19 yearly fee you get 1:1 dollars/miles into any program, plu $5000 when you transfer a balance. Sounds good, but it's Capitol One, and I always think of them as a shlocky company. Do they really come across?

1. Diners Club
2. AMEX Starpoints
3. Citibank Aadvantage Gold Visa
4 and 5. 2 Citibank Aadvantage Gold MC
6. Citibank Click Card
7. AMEX Honors (don't use except for my 1 stay at a Hilton)
8. Just applied for Citibank World MC

------------------
DtG

I have four, however, my Amex Sheraton Starpoints is my primary card. With no annual fee and 5000 bonus miles when converting 20,000 points into airline miles why not. Originally posted by hoieunkim:
Hi. Haggling priceline for hotel reservation, I counted my credit cards. Because I'm an international graduate student, it's been only one and half years since I received my first credit card.

Now I have eight credit cards.

1. Amex Delta Skymiles Gold
2. Amex Sheraton Starpoints (which I converted from HHonors Amex)
3. Amex Student Blue Card (for CO travel discount)
4. United Mileage Plus Visa
5. Northwest Worldperks Visa
6. Amazon Nextcard Visa
7. Citibank Sony Plantinum Select Card (which I converted from Citi AAdvantage)
8. Click Citi Aadvantage

I applied for Diners, but was rejected since they require at least 36 months of credit history.

How many do you, FTers have in your wallet? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have at least seven cards that I can think of at the top of my head.

sorry to go off topic...

tigertiger,

The CapitalOne MilesOne card has its own mileage program that is separate from any of the airline's mileage program. The "miles" that earn with that card cannot be transferred to any real frequent flyer program.

Why spend $19/yr for that card when you can get the Amex Starpoints card for $0/yr and be able to transfer your miles to almost any major airline's frequent flyer program?

The ONLY benefit to the MilesOne program is that you can earn FF miles flying on award tickets. But, in my opinion, that doesn't nearly make up for all the other shortcoming's of the MilesOne program.

Unfortunately, the Amex Starpoint card program is going to be revamped this summer, and I have a bad feeling that the "new" Amex Starpoint card is going to lose alot of its current lustre.

AA Citibank
UA FirstUSA
DL AMEX
AMEX and AMEX Corp for MR points
America West - Bank of America

1) Citibank AAdvantage Mastercard
2) Diners Club
3) Gold Delta Skymiles AMEX
4) Gold USAir Dividend Miles VISA (don't use)
5) Platinum Discover card (don't use)
6) MNBA Platinum Mastercard (don't use)

AMEX PLAT $300
AMEX Optima PLAT no fee
MC PLAT USAA no fee
Visa Gold Bank of America Military no fee
Visa Gold Citibank no fee
Visa Gold UBS CHF 200, but fee waived
Debit card Bank of America Military no fee

(1) Diner's Club (primary, provided by business, so I don't pay the annual fee myself)
(2) AAdvantage World Mastercard (backup, but used a lot because not everyone takes DC)
(3) Amex Skymiles Gold (signed up for 60,000 bonus miles, will dump the card after 1 year)
(4) Amex Callaway Card (free Amex that yields about 2 to 3 cents' worth of golf-related goodies per dollar spent)

I just added the AAdvantage card. If this card truly provides premium customer service (i.e., don't put me on hold) and robust online account management tools, I will probably keep it long-term for $50/year. Other than that, I like to avoid fees unless a juicy bonus (such as a totally absurd number of Skymiles) justifies them. Ideally, I'd carry only 3 cards: Diner's, MC, and Amex.

Scanning all the replies so far, it looks like people carry an average of 5-6 cards each. WHY, oh, WHY do y'all need so many credit cards?

o The more cards you have, the lower the limit on each.
o If you lose your wallet you have so many more companies to contact
o Having many applications for credit cards and owning lots of cards may reduce your "credit score" with the Big Three credit reporting agencies
o Many more statements to review and file away
o The more cards you have, the lower the limit on each
o Longer decision time at point-of-payment (which card should I use?)
o Spreading out scarce resources (money) across multiple investments (miles or points) usually results in not enough accumulation in any one program
o Either sitting on a fatter wallet or leaving cards at home and not having the one you want when you need it
o Is a 5,000-mile/point signup bonus really worth the hassle, additional queries on your credit report, and other risks of having multiple cards?
o Did I mention the more cards you have, the lower the limit on each? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

With my two cards (MP Visa Gold as primary and AMEX Gold as backup), I am good for at least $45,000 in charges a month, anywhere. Paid off in full, every month. And that's with a single-income household (most charges are reimbursable).

I know there are FT'ers out there that are exceptions to some of the above items, but take all the items as a whole, why so many cards???

RAD http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

i just got rid of my delta amex and am thinking of giving up my citibank plat. that leaves me with:

amex green - it is almost retro looking and nobody else seems to have one

mileage plus visa

so i have 2. i agree with rad - too many credit cards = too much temptation to spend.

Thanks, anthonyanthony, yes, I see now that the reward is points toward a free ticket and not the actual miles. I've never done anything with Starwood, but I'll look into it.

Yes, RAD, I see what could be considered a lot of personal-finance suicide going on here.

Originally posted by RAD:
[B]o Is a 5,000-mile/point signup bonus really worth the hassle, additional queries on your credit report, and other risks of having multiple cards?B]

RAD, Actually you sign up when there is a 10,000 mile promo on the CC's.

Recently I signed up for these 10k promos with Citibank AA & US Bank NW. Not bad for approx. $50!

I also have the AMEX Sheraton, NEA MC & Nextcard Amazon (it's free & gives 2% back).

The hassles of playing with promos on credit cards have given me free trips with little or no effort.

My mother who frowns on credit card turnover and carries a regular Visa while usually paying with checks, has NO miles and no European trips.

This game is only for persistent, savvy-conscious consumers. Other consumers like my mother, couldn't care less--yet she's always wanted to see ITALY. With the promos I've participated in the past year I'm using those mile sfor Europe. I've tried to get my mom in on it, but HAS ALWAYS balked. NOW she starts to regret NOT participating AFTER THE FACT. Go figure!

Like the saying says: "you snooze, you lose" or "early bird gets the worm" or "first one to silicon valley retires!"

Well...
3 Government cards
purchase, travel, fleet: all Citibank
employer provided
2 Platinum Visas, no fees(never...)
1 phone card
1 gas card
No wonder it's heavy in the pocket......

I have 4, and carry 3 of those:

1) AMEX Starpoints card (primary)
2) Chase Visa (secondary, and carries a balance at 8.9%)
3) Diners Club (Used only to gain my 1000 miles per month., and for rental insurance)
4) AAA Visa (Never use, Paying down an old balance, will cancel as soon as paid off)

Originally posted by ETOPS01:
Yes, RAD, I see what could be considered a lot of personal-finance suicide going on here.

If one lives within one's means, it doesn't matter if you have A+++ credit, as long as it's reasonable. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Other than a good home mortgage what do you need stellar credit for? On the other hand with every card you have you open yourself up a bit to the new fad of identity theft. That's an ugly, ugly mess to get into.

This thread is in part what is wrong with America and countries aspiring to be like the US. Credit can be a very dangerous thing and when people view it as making them look good, things are not looking good.

I have very few credit cards and I do not carry a balance on ANY of them!

1) AA Citibank MC
2) MC provided by my Company.

I haven't had a need for any more then that & I hate paying fees.

Originally posted by RAD:
Having many applications for credit cards and owning lots of cards may reduce your "credit score" with the Big Three credit reporting agencies

Equifax is the first agency to tell consumers their score. Go to the site below and click on the Score Power icon. For $12.95, you get your score and what you can do to increase it.
http://www.equifax.com/

In order of usage:
AMEX Sheraton Starpoints (for the 20,000=25,000 conversion)
Where AMEX is not accepted, I'm torn between using Priority Club VISA and Discover, none have fees, don't know ARP 'cause I pay in full each month.Charge everything I possibly can to credit cards (even hubbies refractive eye surgery!), all utility bills, phone, cell, satellite service, insurance, groceries, etc.
What astonishes me... people who have no job get credit cards. I know of one such woman who racked up $40,000 in cc debt over the past year. She's on disability & has been for about 10 years (small monthly amount). How did she get these cards? Sad to say, she filed bankruptcy.

AX Centurion
MC Gold
VS Gold

Originally posted by anz5708:
What astonishes me... people who have no job get credit cards. I know of one such woman who racked up $40,000 in cc debt over the past year...How did she get these cards?


Excellent question. Ironically, one of the factors NOT considered in credit scores is employment/salary.

For example, you could make $250K/yr and be denied credit if you had bad credit. Conversely, you could be unemployed and still get lots of credit cards if you had a good credit history.

I do not pay fees on my credit cards and pay off all balances in full. One cc is for the father's use, and one for my daughters. I get the miles and we know how much they owe. The problem is not the number of credit cards. I don't need high limits on any of them because I could always pre pay to bring the limit down, or use more than one credit card. AMEX startpoints is my first choice, Diners Club next, then citibank AA. I just applied for their world card because I want the 10,000 bonus. At first they turned me down because I was supposely at my limit. I called and asked if it was credit limit or card limit. They agreed to give me the card and take $5000 off my click card and put it on the new card.

------------------
DtG

I can attest to people with no jobs getting credit cards.

I have been unemployed since last October, and I have numerous credit cards with a combined credit limit of over $100,000. I have had many jobs, none ever paying more than $30,000/yr, except for a very brief stint at a dot-com that payed almost double that.

I have absolutely no debt and pay off all cards religiously. I am living off savings right now (obviously I don't have a family to support), and by playing the frequent flyer program point game, have been able to travel extensively (for an unemployed person).

Why so many cards? Some are good for different things...some are good for cash advances, some are good for frequent flyer points, some are not accepted everywhere, some give me better interest rates, some dont have certain fees, etc. Sure, I could stand to get rid of some, but I don't see any risk to having so many until I decide to someday buy a house.

As for the risk of identity theft, it's not how many credit cards you have that increases your risk, it's how often you use them. And how often one uses a credit card is not affected by how many they have.

I don't mean to ruin the party, but I use the Chase/Shell MasterCard a lot. One gets 1% back in gas, 5% for Shell purchases. Therefore, spend 1,000 and get $10 in gas. Spend 20,000 and get $200 in gas instead of 20-25K miles on other cards. It's good for the small spender, those who have trouble getting seats on award travel, and those who want the bonus now.

More credit cards resulting in a lower credit limit. I just got a Citibank Hilton Honors Visa. They gave me a $12,000 credit limit. You get 2 points per $1, but 2 points is worth about 0.5 miles. They said there's a 0% APR interest rate for 6 months. Will I not pay anything, except a minimum balance for 6 months?

I used to have an AMEX Platinum. Now, I spend money more carefully.

I'm considering a Starwook/Sheraton AMEX.

Not Enough http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
It is time to get the Starwood AmEX http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have 16 Use only three mostly and carry only 3.

What do I win if I have the most?

Do I get a bigger prize if I carry a balance?

Does it matter what currency they are billed in?

Does it matter what colour the card is?

Have? 7
Carry? 3
Use much? 2
Carry a balance? 0

I seldom cancel no-fee cards because leaving the card "alive" but dormant can actually help your Fair Isaac rating. One factor supposedly is the length of time you've had the cards (longer is better), and the percentage of your available credit that you've used (less is generally better, unless your total available credit is "too high").

Also, of course, having a "live" card that you don't carry can be a life-saver if your wallet is lost/stolen.

The dormant cards are not fee cards, it goes without saying. The only fee cards I carry are the premium ones, Diners and AMEX.

I make sure the cards that have set credit limits are set reasonably low so that it doesn't look as though I have too much available credit. That supposedly scares the score down - a concern that you could go crazy and get in over your head. (It surprises some CSRs when you call to lower the limit on your card.)

I try to use only one card on the Internet. It would be better if I used it only on the Internet, but I haven't gotten that far.

Originally posted by JRF:
What do I win if I have the most?

Do I get a bigger prize if I carry a balance?

Does it matter what currency they are billed in?

Does it matter what colour the card is?

A "confirmation of your credit worthiness, and maximum spending flexibility and convenience", No, No, and No. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

I have 4 - and I never carry a balance or incurr a finance charge!!!

1) Marriott Visa - as the name suggests, used only at their properties.

2) Amex Delta - Fee waived the first year and 10,000 bonus miles: used at gas stations pharmacies, super markets and where ever I get double points. Also used at restuarants in the Advantage Dining program and where Diners Club is not accepted. Will replace this card with the Citibank AA World Master Card once the free year is up.

Update - Just got the Citi World Master Card and cancelled the Delta Amex. Also the wife and I just got the Cosco Amex (two cards one fee).

3) Diners Club - used for airfare, car rental and restuarants (got back $120.00 last year through Le Cards 20% program, so far $45 this year)and where ever its accepted.

4) Visa - from my credit union (sentimental reasons)- no fee. Charge my $6 monthly Bally's fee.

[This message has been edited by jamflyer (edited 06-02-2001).]

[This message has been edited by jamflyer (edited 06-02-2001).]

Two Visas. One is a government Visa, and we are required to put all official travel expenses onto this card. It is required that this card be paid in full each month (technically making this a charge card versus a credit card (semantics, semantics)). While I miss earning miles on this card; keeping all travel expenses on one card does help with recordkeeping.

We have a personal Visa through 1st USA bank. It is an affinity card that earns SWA segments. Roughly 24k/year to card, hence 24 segments, we do not run balances.

I have seen too many people rack up tens of thousands of USD in debt due to excessive utilization of credit cards. Credit (money, too) is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used for good and bad.

Originally posted by Butcher Bird:
I have seen too many people rack up tens of thousands of USD in debt due to excessive utilization of credit cards. Credit (money, too) is a tool. Like any tool, it can be used for good and bad.

Great point. See "Credit Card Nation: The Consequences of America's Addition to Credit," by Robert Manning.

For a change I may actually win this contest.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Being afraid that some of you may 1. lose all respect, 2. think I'm insane, 3. have me committed, etc.....

I will now count them (roughly):


and the verdict is :

24 US and 2 German (not counting dept store and gas) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

Nobbi

well, i have 8, but the two AmEx products are gone when renewal time comes because of the horrid, terrible service.

These are:

AAdvantage Gold World MasterCard
MBNA LL Bean Visa
Chase/CO OnePass MasterCard
UMass/Five College FCU Visa
USAA Gold Visa
Diners' Club

And in administrative segregation, we have..

AmEx Green Card
AmEx non-points-earning-but-we'll-upgrade-yo-next-year-miss-really Optima. No fee, but i'm making a clean break from AmEx.

Finally, i have a USAA Check and Cash Card, worth noting because i get .5% of my charges back in cash, which is a darn good payout, plus, it's liked to a creditline.

The MBNA card was previously a TWA Aviators mileage card, but i converted rather than pay the annual fee, after the TW/AA deal went through and i'd also gotten the AA card.

Who needs credit cards when you can pay with your good looks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hmmm.. This is an easy one:

- Amex Platinum Charge (Primary)
- Credit Union Check Card (Back-up only)

Never Use:

- Ames Optima Platinum (small balance transfer being paid off, not utilized)

- Chase Platinum (zero balance)

- Credit Union Visa (zero balance)

I use my Amex charge for everything, and in cases where I am not able, I use my checking account check card...

My feelings are if you are not able to pay off in full every month, then you cannot afford it..

Count me in for between 4/500. (You read correctly!)

Amex Platinum
Amex Starwood
Amex Hilton
Marriott Platinum VISA
Even, to the shock of many, NWA VISA

Carrrying balances on these are generally to be avoided!

For credit score info please se also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum101/HTML/002025.html

I only have one credit card that I use, and that's my Citibank one tied to American.

I do have two other cards, but I am closing those. I may apply for a Costco Amex but that will be strictly for use there.

I hate having too many cards. I always manage to forget to pay one of them and then I get hit with a late charge. So, if I only have one, there's only one to keep track of!

1) Marriott Rewards Visa - To be closed as soon as new rewards structure is in place (still running up some point to use in the old point structure)

2) Delta AMEX

I only have one and thats my Diners Club SK EuroBonus card.

If you go to eloan.com you can get your credit score and how to improve it for free.

If you go to eloan.com you can get your credit score and how to improve it with no charge for this service.

Family Flyer - You don't need to spend $12.95. You can get your credit score at no charge by going on www.eloan.com. (http://www.eloan.com.)

Sorry about the dupes. I'm still new at this.

Originally posted by JRF:
I have very few credit cards and I do not carry a balance on ANY of them!

Good for you. Do you want a button? Oh it'll look nice with your ultra-repetitive "I hate Delta" buttons. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Originally posted by DelrayChris:
My feelings are if you are not able to pay off in full every month, then you cannot afford it..

Actually building up a pile of debt allowed me to live a quite extravagent lifestyle in college with very little effective income. I still graduated with less debt than my friends who went to school on loans, and I managed to pay it all down in a few months in the real world. I'm a big fan of careful accumulation of credit card debt when it's needed, so long as you do it so that you don't get in over your head. Plus I have people BEGGING me to take loans and credit cards from them. I never do, but it is helping me get a stellar low rate for property mortgages now.

Originally posted by SRQ Guy:
Actually building up a pile of debt...

You paid off a pile of debt in a few months? What amount do you consider to be a pile of debit?

Originally posted by rmccamy:
(3) Amex Skymiles Gold (signed up for 60,000 bonus miles, will dump the card after 1 year).

I have failed to find out anything about this 60,000 mile bonus. How do you get it?

------------------
Middle Seat

Originally posted by RAD:
WHY, oh, WHY do y'all need so many credit cards?

o The more cards you have, the lower the limit on each.
o If you lose your wallet you have so many more companies to contact
o Having many applications for credit cards and owning lots of cards may reduce your "credit score" with the Big Three credit reporting agencies
o Many more statements to review and file away


I have about 9 or 10 credit cards, and there are quite a number of reasons for it, many of which relate to points you've made (incorrectly, IMHO) above.

o In my experience, many banks have limits on what they are happy to have as a limit. Thus, more cards = higher total limits.

o I don't keep all my cards in my wallet. Indeed, if travelling, I tend to share them with any travelling companions so that I would still have cards if one wallet is stolen.

o Applications for credit cards, and indeed all financial information (apart from bankruptcies), are discarded from ones credit report after 5 years in Australia. I have been told some similar time limit applies in the USA, but I don't know the details. Anyhow, this means that most of my cards don't even appear on my credit record and are thus not known by other credit providers at all.

o I only use the cards that are relevant at the time, so I don't have lots of statements.

Also, most importantly of all, different cards have different fees and different attributes:

One of my Visa cards has no ATM fees or cash advance fees whatsoever, so I put money into it before I go on trips and make withdrawals on it overseas whenever I please to get cash.

One of my Visa cards gives me overseas travel insurance, which would cost about $200 per overseas trip otherwise, so I use it for all my travel bookings.

One of my cards allows 6 balance transfers per year into it, which accrue FF points. If I used it for other things, its full limit wouldn't be available for the transfers.

You may say I could get away with 4 or 5 cards, but banks are constantly changing rules, fees, promotions, etc, and having the cards already is the best way to get informed about changes. Also, applying for a good number when you're young means they get off your credit report sooner.

Lastly, having a card long enough and keeping a good record means the banks tend to send me "would you like to increase your limit ... then tick here" forms, which are much less hassle than the copious amounts of paperwork required for increases if the customer initiates them.

I only have 4 cards:

1) Citibank Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa (fee waived)
2) Citibank Platinum Select Mastercard (fee waived)
3) American Express Fidelity Gold (fee waived)
4) American Express Centurion ($1000)

Middle Seat: It was a promotion that Amex and Delta were running in late 2000. The bonus is in the form of 10,000 miles up front and a lump 50,000-mile bonus after keeping the card for one year, provided you meet the following two conditions:

- Total of $10,000 or more spent on the card between October 2000 and March 2001.
- A balance of 50,000+ miles in a single non-Delta FF account as of the end of September 2000 (I will have to snail-mail the original statement to Amex later this year).

Usual DDM rules apply (gas stations, wireless bills, etc.). Cost is an $85 annual fee.

The only downside to this offer is that Amex customer service at the Skymiles Gold level is downright horrid. I've only had 2 minor issues with charges, and both times I waited on hold for several minutes before speaking with a CSR. The minute all of these bonuses post, this card goes in the trash.

This may come as a shock to you all, but
I don't have any. Never have, hopefully never will, mostly for various political/ethical reasons.

Yes, it does mean I pass on .a lot of miles I could get with an affinity cards, yes it does make things more difficult in making arrangements,but it is possible. When I travel for myself, I almost always go to the CTO right down the street or to the airport.
When I travel for work, the rule is (to steal from a colleagues website):"If they require a credit card from me on check-in, you screwed up".
Hotels are paid for by work in advance.
Cars(on the rare occasion they're needed) are taken care of by voucher, charged back to work.

I'm going to be checking into a local hotel down near SJC for a sci-fi con tommorrow. No problem getting a reservation and paying first night in cash from the ATM around the corner to secure it.

The closest I've ever come to an actual CC was I had a Maestro EFTPOS from ANZ a few years ago.

I know one or two people who run successful tech businesses like this, I'd be curious to know if there are others like me out there.

Originally posted by Jet'Dillo:
This may come as a shock to you all, but
I don't have any. Never have, hopefully never will, mostly for various political/ethical reasons

Just out of curiosity, why?

in wallet

corporate diners
delta skymiles
Amex rewards plus
discover - for use at Sam's
MBNA Giants NFL Visa - got it for free hat
Fifth Third bank mastercard
AT&T Corp calling card

at home:
5/3 Visa
AT&T universal Visa
maybe a couple of others i got by accident

Jet'Dillo- Any trouble renting cars?

Originally posted by SRQ Guy:
Just out of curiosity, why?

*WARNING* OMNI AND LONG *WARNING*

I have an almost pathological fear of debt.
I've seen too many friends get way deep in trouble with them and not be able to pay them off. I don't like or agree with how they are a form of virtual ID or "corporate state papers". Most of all, I don't like how easily
your credit record can be accessed by pretty much anybody for any reason for a minimal price. I feel the same way about my SSN.
Yes, you might have guessed by now that I'm one of those "wild-eyed crazy Libertarians obssessed with the Bill of Rights..."

Which isn't to say I live in a mountain cave or I've never had anything like a car loan before, I have. Several of them, all of which were paid back early. I was also given access to a $25K internal purchase line at a system integrator I used to work for.

I make good money and I (for better or worse) like to spend it, but I also like being in control. It's that kind of control I think that's let me turn a brief spate of Bay Area Employment Flu into a sabbatical rather than a made scramble for the first job that comes down the pike because of a pile of CC bills hanging over my head.

It also makes for an excellent credit report. Most places don't both to check with your bank or other institutions you may have a financial history with. They just want to see if there are any bad marks on your MasterCard. I have none (by way of really having none) so they're more than happy to do business with me. In fact, I show up as an almost complete and total blank(which just makes my anti-establishment bits go pitterpat to no end). If they do bother to dig below the surface they still see there's no problem.

Cars,plane tickets,computers,hotels, apartment,food. All no problem, all without a CC.

JD

Without a creditcard it's almost impossible to rent a car. I had many problems with my friends when the wanted to rent a car. Even when they had a voucher.

After long discussions they may agree to rent you a car with a deposit of $500 or so. Then they ask you what car you want. My friend pointed to a larger Chrysler. Agent reacted with: "No, not this one! Only a small one!"

Next, a credit card may save you the cost for CDW.

Jet'Dillo:
I think there are some credit cards on the market with a limit: You deposit an amount x, and you can use the card until this amount is spent.
I saw this card recently on TV. Parents use it to give their kids a credit card.

[list=1]
Diners Club (http://www.dinersclub.dk/) (directly to SK points - only option), fee $25
GlobeCard Blue MasterCard (http://www.globecard.dk) (no miles), fee $19
AMEX Optima (secured), fee $25 (only AMEX option for non-US people without SSN)
[/list=a]

I also have some debit cards that work as VISA card as well as with the Danish ATM system. The amount is charged on the account at once so I do not really use the VISA function.

[This message has been edited by Goldlust (edited 05-25-2001).]

I have the following cards:

Amex Reward Plus
Discover
Associates Limited Edition Visa
MBNA Visa
Banana Republic

Closed
Macy's

The best, and the only card i use, is Amex Rewards Plus. I've accumulated 80,000 in 2 years, and I'm so happy ! If only my school had taken Amex !!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Adios

Amazing that one poster says he has none.

Try renting a car. Dealing with deposit at hotel front desk. Forget about booking over the internet. Etc. etc.

And, how about those debit cards. I really don't get why people would carry only those cards. There are too many places that will not take them.

Oh well, back to the cave.

Originally posted by NoStressHere:
[b]
Amazing that one poster says he has none.

Try renting a car. Dealing with deposit at hotel front desk. Forget about booking over the internet. Etc. etc.

And, how about those debit cards. I really don't get why people would carry only those cards. There are too many places that will not take them.
[/B/

This is only true in the US. There are a number of other countries around the world where ATM/EFT is just as acceptable and widespread as consumer credit. I've bought tickets,electronics,hotel rooms, etc. all via foreign EFTPOS accounts I've had at one point or another. It's partially consumer fear and partially lobbying of Congress on the part of the credit industry that keep us in the dark ages WRT debit.


Oh well, back to the cave.

Your opinion. My personal experience is otherwise. I've managed to construct a lifestyle, financial and otherwise, that allows me to basically get what I want w/out them.

I'm willing to take this to one of the OMNI boards, but will stop here as it's going really far afield and is about to start getting political(for me).

JD(still holding out for anonymous digital cash)

Originally posted by anthonyanthony:
[B]sorry to go off topic...

tigertiger,

The ONLY benefit to the MilesOne program is that you can earn FF miles flying on award tickets. But, in my opinion, that doesn't nearly make up for all the other shortcoming's of the MilesOne program.

B]


And let's not forget the considerable downside (to me) of cap on cost of ticket. Domestic ticket cap is $500, which can "cost" 25K miles, depending on distance travelled.

I live in a part of the world that has no competition, therefore high fares. I booked 2 r/t tix BIL-TPA the other night for 19K NW WP miles. Had to spend $19K for those points. The tickets are currently being sold for $679.00/ea.

With the CapitalOne card, I would have had to spend $25K to "buy" only $500 of the ticket. I don't want to be throwing in an additional $179 per ticket . . . miles earned on travel or not.


------------------

After I graduated college I too went on the credit card binge -- and at one point had over a dozen cards. My wife also had a dozen of her own before we got married.

First thing we did is cancel EVERY card. Signed up the USAirways Visa card. That was the only card I had for two years, other than my corporate Diners Club card.

Then I heard of the AMEX Starwood Optima card, so I ditched the $125 yearly fee and went with that -- more miles, no fee. Since AMEX still gives me grief at many places, I also got a WingspanBank VISA card to back it up.

Then I heard of the Hilton HHonors no free VISA roll out, so I cancelled my WingSpanBank card and now have that. Both of my cards are no fee and both earn points. Between AMEX and VISA I'm covered everywhere. Both have pretty decent online access. So I'm happy with my two (+corp card) credit cards.

Originally posted by eMailman:
AMEX PLAT $300
AMEX Optima PLAT no fee
MC PLAT USAA no fee
Visa Gold Bank of America Military no fee
Visa Gold Citibank no fee
Visa Gold UBS CHF 200, but fee waived
Debit card Bank of America Military no fee

You forgot about your Eurocard, didn't you?

AmEx Platinum Charge Card (Primary) x2
AmEx British Airways Premium Plus Card (Don't Use)
MBNA Platinum Plus (Backup but rarely used)
Barclays Premier Charge Card (Don't Use)
Barclays Premier Debit Card (Only ever use to draw Cash from an ATM)

I will always use my Platinum AmEx unless the outlet doesn't take AmEx. I absolutely detest using Cash for purchases, I normally carry £30 around and thats just for emergencies.

Thanks,
Richard

A very interesting topic.

I noticed the person who started this thread had quite a few cards that required an annual fee.

As a rule, I only carry two cards with annual fees: Either an AAdvantage MC or a Mileage Plus Visa and a Diner's Club (through work though I have to fork out the $75 for Club Rewards - well worth it!).

I also have the Sheraton AMEX, HHonors AMEX (did it for the signup bonus), HHonors Visa, (ditto), Barnes & Noble card (gift certificate upon first purchase), an AT&T Universal MC, and ugh, too many other cards that are sitting at home. I will need to set aside some time and start cancelling all the cards that are useless.

I carry the Diner's Club and the AAdvantage MC when I travel and only the Sheraton AMEX or AAdvantage card at home.

sparticus, that is where I drew the line. I decided that I really did not need the EC. The UBS Visa has a points scheme that I can redeem on Swissair and Crossair, or do other things.

Hi guys - first posting so sorry in advance for any mistakes. I only carry three cards;

Amex Gold - work stuff
DL Amex Plat - 90% of my travel is DL
Visa Plat no fee - some places still don't take Amex.

For hoieunkim, I figure "keep it simple" is the easiest way to handle credit. Good Luck.

First of all, let me thank you all FTers for your enthusiastic participation on my first survey. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hk-whales. Yes, you're correct. I have several cards with annual fee, but I think it's well worth.

1. Amex Delta Skymiles Gold
>> For 50,000 miles promotion with 10,000 initial sign-up miles. $ 85 for 60,000 miles is really great deal to me.

2. Amex Sheraton Starpoints (which I converted from HHonors Amex)
>> no annual fee plus Starwood Gold benefit

3. Amex Student Blue Card (for CO travel discount)
>> tremendous CO discount with no annual fee

4. United Mileage Plus Visa
>> I paid $ 60 for this card, but I needed 10,000 miles in a very short time. 5,000 sign-up bonus plus one month usage made me accrue more than 7,500 miles and it's better option than purchasing miles from UA.

5. Northwest Worldperks Visa
>> No fee credit card with 1 miles for every two dollars. Mainly for NW Fly Free Faster promotion. Cancelled immediately.

6. Amazon Nextcard Visa
>> For Amazon book purchase. I already had more than $ 150 voucher from Amazon.

7. Citibank Sony Plantinum Select Card (which I converted from Citi AAdvantage)
>> No fee, but I'm planning to cancel it.

8. Click Citi Aadvantage
>> Already cancelled.

France:
- 2 x Visa
- 2 x Mastercard
- 2 x Amex Platinum (main card + A.C.)
- 1 x Amex Optima (no balance)
- 2 x co-branded Amex
- 2 x Diners

UK:
- 1 x Visa

Germany:
- 1 x Amex Platinum
- 1 x Amex credit card (no balance)
- 2 x Visa
- 2 x Mastercard
- 4 x Maestro (EC Debit cards)

WP VISA
DC
Shell MC-5% disc on Shell gas
4 other cards used for dining for miles

Right now I have 2 that I use and about 3 or 4 others that I do not use normally, but keep in case of emergency. I have enough credit line to get into trouble, but I pay off the card in full every month and use them to get the miles.

Right now I have that I normally use:
- CO visa
- DL Amex

I used to have Diners but cancelled. I got Diners for these reasons:

1. the 12k miles
2. the lecard program. If you take business trips and get expensed for the meals, eat at a lecard restaurant and you get the full $$ back from the company and a rebate in the statement, it is like getting paid to eat on the company!
3. the flexibility to put miles on any program.

I got rid of Diners because I was taking less business trips and hence less chance to recoup the annual fee that way and also because of its limited acceptance, I found that only about 25-40% of my normal expenses could be charged on it of things that I normally charged so having a backup card became necessary.

I then got the CO visa because I had a lot on CO and later the DL amex because Amex gave me 10k miles and a year free. Now that they are both expiring and about to charge me a fee, I called them both and asked them "what to offer me to sign up again." Amex offered nothing and CO visa offered be the 6k mile bonus (they did not offer it at first, but later said that "now I see this showing...") if I pay for another year so I may do that.

I was reading here about the starwood card, but because the word is that that program may be changing, I dont know that I want it. The CO visa is fine and I have a lot of miles on CO. I do like the DL amex because of the double miles in certain places, but the $85 fee and limited acceptance compared to visa are drawbacks. They do offer a card with no fee but you only get 1/2 mile per dollar.

Thats the story....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by anthonyanthony:
sorry to go off topic...

Unfortunately, the Amex Starpoint card program is going to be revamped this summer, and I have a bad feeling that the "new" Amex Starpoint card is going to lose alot of its current lustre.</font>


I was wondering where everyone heard that the AMEX Starpoints Credit Card is being revamped this summer? I just signed up for the card and have enjoyed the benefits of using it so far. Could you give me some more information on what is known so far about the changes to the card and where this was heard from

Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by mickerboy:
I was wondering where everyone heard that the AMEX Starpoints Credit Card is being revamped this summer</font>

Here are several threads. Everyone speculates that the card will be worse, not better. But nobody really knows until the details are unveiled in about two weeks.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001291.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001538.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001603.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001706.html

In case anybody wants to know the answer to "How many cards do you carry?" ...

I counted 50 posts in the thread in which the writer stated a specific number of cards. In those 50 responses, the average is 6.12 cards.

Of those 50 posts, six carried a double-digit amount (11, 16, 26, 10, 10 and 22). If you omit these unusual amounts, the average falls to 4.79.