I have 5% back cards for almost every category, but I am getting tired of managing so many cards. I am thinking about going back to basics with basically a 5% grocery card (Citi Custom Cash) + 3% online purchases card (BOA Customized Cash – I think this is ultimately a better choice than a 2% catch all since MOST of my spending is online.) Has anyone else done this? Do you regret it? I love getting the extra cash but I want to have a better handle on what I'm spending and have less to keep track of.
Has anyone here totally scaled back their cashback setup?
byu/Useful-Struggle6145 inCreditCards
Posted by Useful-Struggle6145
3 Comments
2026 has been a “downsizing” year for me on my credit cards. I am mainly using two cashback cards, that are broadly optimized for my spending.
Yes you can squeak a little extra cash out of having all these extra cards, but if it’s becoming a bit of a headache, simplicity is better IMO.
Yup, it seems like there’ve been a lot of posts like this, people bailing out of travel/points cards into straight cash back and/or downsizing the number of cards they have for the same reason.
I’m on that train, too. I’m keeping two cards with annual fees (Hilton and Atmos) because they, separate from any credits or coupons or annual bonuses, get me something for the fee that I like. Everything else is either getting sockdrawered (if it is completely free, no AF or FTF) or closed (if it has an AF or FTF). Spending is going on Savor for food and streaming, Fidelity or Sofi, haven’t fully nailed down which, for 2% catch-all.
I basically did, and to a certain extent before I started.
Anything that had caps or rotators I let go or, now, don’t conisder. Just not worth the time and return and YMMV.
I run a three card set up and average about 3.8% on all my spend. And I only carry two of these cards daily. So this is easy for me, and also easier for P2.
My daughter runs.a Fidelity card and an Autograph. Very easy set up for her. Is it optimal, no—is it simple and effective, yes.