MIA...you are correct, it did not feel "optimal" when I was on hold reporting stolen cards. The good news is that I carry a few different cards and my passport in my briefcase. The other side is juggling all of the payment dates when you are on the road.
Anyway, I carry the following cards:
- Merrill+ - I usually spend $20k for AA status matching. This year I will go to $50k to see what the Merrill+3 concierge is like.
- DL AMEX Platinum - $25k in spending this year to get 10k extra qualifying miles.
- Diners Club - Car rentals only.
- Citi AA World MC - Which I pretty much only use online through the AA shopping mall. It will go away this year and get replaced with a free Citi AMEX.
- Citigroup Chairman - All other spending, plus any plane tickets.
- Fidelity AMEX Platinum - I carry this just for ATM access to my Fidelity Account, AAA-like auto service benefits, and CO/NW club access. However, I do not spend much on the card.
- Chevron Card - My very 1st credit card. I have to use it every now and then or they close the account and force me to re-verify with a credit check
- Capital One - Foreign currency transactions
- Discover Card - Just as old as my Chevron Card, I take advantage of the 5% cash back on rare occasion
- Citi ThankYou Debit Card - For the rare occasion when I am forced to make a debit purchase. At least I get points for it.
I will start carrying just 4 cards: DL Amex Platinum, Merrill+ Visa, Citi Chairman, and Fidelity AMEX Platinum. (I think that I should carry at least one Visa, MC, and AMEX.) The rest I can keep in my briefcase.
In my situation I believe that the 4 cards above offer the best strategy for benefits and rewards for me. In my situation benefits like airline club access, personal assistance, rental insurance, etc. have high value so I keep AMEX Platinum, Citi Chairman, and Diners Club. The benefits outweigh the fees. (Chairman pays for itself with $6,500 - 20k in spending, depending on your spending profile). I have also carried the HHonors AMEX which give great value per $ on restaurant, grocery, gas, wireless, etc.