[Mod note: This thread/post moved from the flame-free Information Desk forum. Thanks for contributing respectful responses.]

Hey FT,

I'm not a new member, but I figured this was a broad enough topic that this was the place to put it. I got into this game about 4 years ago, almost by accident, with the 75K AAdvantage card offer. I had had an mtvU card (Now Citi Forward) for 2 years, and wanted to get that offer, and I did. For a long time, that was it. Then I got the Chase Freedom. Then began the slippery slope into this game. My credit history is about 8 years at this point. I'm 26. Here is the history of my card apps and closures:

05/2008 - Citi Forwad (was mtvU) (free)
10/2010 - Citi Advantage ($95)
05/2010 - Chase Freedom (free)
11/2010 - Chase Continental (converted CL to Southwest, closed)
10/2011 - Citi Premiere (free)
02/2012 - AMEX PRG (cancelled 1/2013)
02/2012 - Barclay's US Airways ($95)
02/2012 - Chase United MPE ($95)
02/2012 - Chase Southwest ($69)
08/2012 - AMEX SPG ($65)
09/2012 - Barlcay's NFL Card (free)
03/2013 - Citi Prestige ($175)
03/2013 - AMEX Hilton (free)
03/2013 - CSP ($95)

Which means, not including retention offers, I have an annual potential outlay of: $689 in credit card fees. Now, subtract out guaranteed annual value:

Chase United ($25 bag fee each way x2) = -$100
Citi Prestige $200 statement credit = -$200
Chase Southwest annual mileage bonus = -$50
Barclay's US Airways annual mileage bonus = -$100

Those are rounded numbers, but call it $450 reimbursed worst case scenario. Citi recon has yet to make me pay for my AA card, or more than adequately made up for it (5 miles / $1 capped at $5000/25K miles over 6 months, etc). In my opinion, I essentially only pay for the SPG and CSP right now. I think most people consider those cards to be of enough value to hold, given the ability to transfer, bonus categories, annual bonus, and no FTF.

As you can see, I haven't had many applications in a while. After 7 in 2012, I had 3 in 2013, and none for almost 9 months. This is because:

• I was considering I might have a mortgage in the next 12 months, but that now seems very unlikely. Earliest I'd possibly think a mortgage app could fall would be Summer 2015
• I still consider my credit young (~8 years, but only one open card is more than 4 years old). My AAoA is fairly low.
• I was laid off in October, and had no income until December. I now have a solid job, again.
• I wasn't sure what to hold, what (if anything) to cancel, and what to try for.

My CreditKarma score is 762, and my CreditSesame score is 789. My utilization has hovered between 2% and 7% for the last 18 months. Right now I have on card (United, $5K limit) with a 0% offer through 9/14, with about 35% utilization. I'm paying that down $250/mo, so that'll be gone soon (6 months).

If I had to pick a card to close, it would be the Southwest card, in case that information is helpful.

Also, my fiance (21, 2 years credit history, 1 open card, AU on 4 of mine, 765 CreditKarma), has expressed willingness to get a card or two, if she can. It became real to her when I told her we'd be wrapping up our honeymoon with 3 nights in the Grand Club room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

So, this has been long, and if you're this far, I commend you. I'm looking for suggestions, recommendations, and advice on the next 6 months, given current offers and point valuations. At that point, I'll reevaluate if I think a mortgage may be on the horizon.

Thanks everyone!