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How many cards allowed, and how to justify more?

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Old Sep 7, 2022, 2:24 pm
  #1  
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How many cards allowed, and how to justify more?

I've recently been rejected for a few cards (Barclays AA Red & Venture X), and both rejections mentioned having 'too many open cards'.

My credit score is good (around 805), and no delinquencies, but I do have 13 open personal cards ranging in age from 10 years, to 1 year.

I keep each card for a specific purpose, so would prefer not to close any, but I will do if it's actively stopping me from getting new deals.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what the ideal number of open cards is?
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Old Sep 7, 2022, 2:39 pm
  #2  
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If I had to venture a guess, I'd say fewer than 13! ​​​​​
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Old Sep 7, 2022, 8:32 pm
  #3  
 
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It's not just a matter of how many. It also depends on which bank they are from. Each bank has their own limits. Also, how often you apply for cards can affect their decisions.
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Old Sep 11, 2022, 4:01 pm
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Originally Posted by toofast
I've recently been rejected for a few cards (Barclays AA Red & Venture X), and both rejections mentioned having 'too many open cards'.

My credit score is good (around 805), and no delinquencies, but I do have 13 open personal cards ranging in age from 10 years, to 1 year.

I keep each card for a specific purpose, so would prefer not to close any, but I will do if it's actively stopping me from getting new deals.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what the ideal number of open cards is?
I opened Venture X 6 months ago, and back then I had 45 open cards.
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Old Sep 11, 2022, 5:18 pm
  #5  
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Yup, forgot to post earlier that many posters said they had a score or more open cards.
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 7:22 am
  #6  
 
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How to justify a larger than average number of...

How to justify a larger than average number of credit cars when applying for a new credit card? Cap1 denying VentureX base on too many lines of revolving credit. No definition of “too many” and no one will discuss. That said it appears the reconsideration line is open a viable justification for higher than average number of credit cards...no idea what average is either...would say apx 17 personal cards (one HELOC with zero balance) all in good standing and fair usage.

What reasons might a credit card company accept as justifiable reasons why a prospective customer would have ,any open lines of revolving credit?
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 8:39 am
  #7  
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I dunno… how do you justify it to yourself? I have WAY more than the average number of cards per American (random link courtesy of Google) and generally require that each card offers ongoing benefits that justify holding and perhaps using it. That may be bag fee waivers, annual free nights, insurance, elite status, …

But not sure that this appeals to reconsideration lines. They probably are primarily interested in card holders that are going to be profitable to them.

Given my aggregate credit limit and my average monthly usage, I don’t think I could justify the need for yet another card with the need for more credit.
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 9:12 am
  #8  
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Originally Posted by yugi
I opened Venture X 6 months ago, and back then I had 45 open cards.
Wow, good to know!!

I really want to get the Venture X, and was looking at which of my cards I should close. I won't bother closing any of them given your experience.

I'm also at 7/24 and around 11 hard-pulls on each credit report, so there are other reasons for the denial too.
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 2:01 pm
  #9  
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Originally Posted by toofast
Wow, good to know!!

I really want to get the Venture X, and was looking at which of my cards I should close. I won't bother closing any of them given your experience.

I'm also at 7/24 and around 11 hard-pulls on each credit report, so there are other reasons for the denial too.
Total # of open cards isn't an issue IMHO but 11 HP might be. Let us know if you're approved.
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 2:09 pm
  #10  
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I have a lot of open cards, but I also have a very long relationship with C1 dating back to the 00s, so I got a Venture back in 2019, which did the following evolutions:

Venture->VentureOne->QuickSilver->VentureX

I previously closed a Platinum that changed to a QS and subsequently opened a SavorOne.
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Old Sep 12, 2022, 7:44 pm
  #11  
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Originally Posted by philemer
Total # of open cards isn't an issue IMHO but 11 HP might be. Let us know if you're approved.
I've been denied 3 times in total for the Venture X. I'm now on gardening leave until late next year, to allow my credit history to settle down.
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Old Sep 17, 2022, 10:35 pm
  #12  
 
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I was in similar shoes as you. You can see my posts in the C1 forum to see what I had shared. In the end I used P3"s info to open the VX card and added myself as AU.
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Old Sep 19, 2022, 9:06 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by happychic
I was in similar shoes as you. You can see my posts in the C1 forum to see what I had shared. In the end I used P3"s info to open the VX card and added myself as AU.
Thanks, I'll checkout your posts. P2 already has a VX, so we're all good there, I'm just being greedy for the extra bonuses (referral and sign-up).
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Old Sep 19, 2022, 7:46 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by toofast
Thanks, I'll checkout your posts. P2 already has a VX, so we're all good there, I'm just being greedy for the extra bonuses (referral and sign-up).
"Pigs get fat but hogs get slaughtered."
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Old Sep 19, 2022, 8:36 pm
  #15  
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Originally Posted by philemer
"Pigs get fat but hogs get slaughtered."
Yep, I got slaughtered!

I'm now on gardening leave until late 2023.
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