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If you already have a few credit cards and are considering opening another, you may wonder if there's a number of cards that's too many.
While there's no perfect answer to how many credit cards you should have, the 2019 Experian Consumer Credit Review found that the average American has four. If you can responsibly manage multiple credit cards, you can maximize rewards, annual statement credits and interest-free financing.
While having more than one credit card can be beneficial, you should always consider your credit score, finances and personal goals prior to opening a new card. A credit card application can ding your credit score roughly five points, so it's not in your best interest to apply when you're looking to take out a mortgage or trying to improve your credit.
Select breaks down whether four credit cards is too many and the average number of credit cards Americans have in every state, according to Experian's report.
Key findings
- Americans carry an average of four credit cards
- New Jersey residents have the most credit cards, on average 4.1
- Alaska and Mississippi residents have the fewest credit cards, on average 2.8
Top 10 states with the most credit cards
Residents of many states on the East Coast have multiple credit cards, and New Jersey takes the top spot of any state with an average 4.1 cards.
- New Jersey: 4.1
- Connecticut: 3.8
- New York: 3.8
- Delaware: 3.7
- Florida: 3.7
- Rhode Island: 3.7
- Maryland: 3.6
- Texas: 3.6
- California: 3.6
- Illinois: 3.6
Top 10 states with the fewest credit cards
Both Alaska and Mississippi residents have the lowest average number of credit cards, 2.8. If you have fewer credit cards than the average four, that's OK. It's up to each individual to decide the right number of credit cards for their lives.
- Alaska: 2.8
- Mississippi: 2.8
- Oklahoma: 2.9
- Wyoming: 2.9
- Montana: 2.9
- District of Columbia: 3
- Alabama: 3
- Vermont: 3
- Arkansas: 3
- South Dakota: 3
How many credit cards is too many?
While Americans carry an average of four credit cards, that doesn't mean four cards is ideal. It all depends on your situation.
Credit card optimizers might be curious if there's a number of credit cards that's too many. Thankfully, there really isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on how responsible you are at managing multiple cards.
If you always pay on time and in full, then you can open as many credit cards as you want. On the other hand, if you often carry a balance or miss your payment deadline, it's in your best interest to limit the number of cards you open.
Choose the right mix of credit cards
If you decide to open another credit card, it's a good idea to consider how each card can help you save money on your spending. You can take advantage of increased benefits by selecting a mix of cards, such as travel rewards, bonus cash back on select purchases, introductory 0% APR cards, and more.
Here are some of our top choices in popular categories.
Travel credit cards
American Express® Gold Card
On the American Express secure site
Rewards
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year, 3X Membership Rewards® points on per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Annual fee
$325
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our American Express® Gold Card review.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's secure site
Rewards
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review.
Check out Select's roundup of the best travel credit cards.
Cash-back credit cards
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Fair/Good/Excellent
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
Discover it® Cash Back
On Discover's secure site
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good / Excellent
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® Cash Back review.
Check out Select's roundup of the best cash-back credit cards.
Intro 0% APR credit cards
Citi Simplicity® Card
On Citi's secure site
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening.
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. Terms apply. Read our Citi Simplicity® Card review.
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Information about the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Rewards
2X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1X), 1X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points after you make $2,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening
Regular APR
18.24%to29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees,terms apply.
Check out Select's roundup of the best 0% APR credit cards.
Average number of credit card by state
| State | Avg. Credit Cards |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 |
| Alaska | 2.8 |
| Arizona | 3.4 |
| Arkansas | 3 |
| California | 3.6 |
| Colorado | 3.4 |
| Connecticut | 3.8 |
| Delaware | 3.7 |
| District of Columbia | 3 |
| Florida | 3.7 |
| Georgia | 3.4 |
| Hawaii | 3.3 |
| Idaho | 3.2 |
| Illinois | 3.6 |
| Indiana | 3.2 |
| Iowa | 3.1 |
| Kansas | 3.3 |
| Kentucky | 3.2 |
| Louisiana | 3.1 |
| Maine | 3.1 |
| Maryland | 3.6 |
| Massachusetts | 3.6 |
| Michigan | 3.4 |
| Minnesota | 3.3 |
| Mississippi | 2.8 |
| Missouri | 3.3 |
| Montana | 2.9 |
| Nebraska | 3.4 |
| Nevada | 3.6 |
| New Hampshire | 3.6 |
| New Jersey | 4.1 |
| New Mexico | 3.1 |
| New York | 3.8 |
| North Carolina | 3.3 |
| North Dakota | 3.2 |
| Ohio | 3.5 |
| Oklahoma | 2.9 |
| Oregon | 3.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 3.6 |
| Rhode Island | 3.7 |
| South Carolina | 3.2 |
| South Dakota | 3 |
| Tennessee | 3.1 |
| Texas | 3.6 |
| Utah | 3.2 |
| Vermont | 3 |
| Virginia | 3.5 |
| Washington | 3.2 |
| West Virginia | 3.1 |
| Wisconsin | 3.3 |
| Wyoming | 2.9 |
| Source: Experian |
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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Cash Back, clickhere.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
