Why so many cards?
1. Costco Amex-doubles as membership card, got it years ago, never use it (Starwood instead).
2. Starwood biz and personal, got em for bonuses, continue to use for Starpoints which are great for Points & Dollar stays. Guess I could cut back to one and probably will when next annual fee comes around.
3. Hilton, almost never used (except for getting Amex Travelers Checks for pointsd at Amex Travel offices until this was killed a few months ago--also used Starwod cards for this). Hilton now closed.
4. Delta Skymiles--offered up to 40K in bonus miles--one thousand dollar spend.
Delta miles aren't worth what AA or UAL miles are, but, who knows with the NWA merger what may come. Plus, I already have lots and can always use more--especially with the bonus offer--if Amex comes through.
Is it excessive? Heck no! I have lots more Visa and MC card gotten for bonuses.
Thanks FT for helping me fly J & F for close to free!
PS What is advantage to card company, as asked above? Overall, not much, but system is not rational. Plus, IMHO, Amex is trying to keep Delta happy by pushing card right now as part of NWA merger promotion.