I recently fell in the rabbit hole of maximizing credit cards and found a couple of credit cards I wanted. However, I know I can not apply for all of them at once. I was wondering what order of credit cards should I apply for and how many months in between the hard inquires I should wait.
Credit Cards wanted in order:
1. Elan Max Cash Preferred (5% utilities/internet)
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AAA Travel Visa (5% gas, 3% dining/groceries)
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Harris Teeter World Elite Mastercard (5% mobile pay, 3% gas/dining)
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Kroger World Elite Mastercard (5% mobile pay, free Kroger membership)
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PenFed Pathfinder Visa (AF waived for military, free TSA precheck and $100 annual credit for airport expenses)
Credit Cards I have and when I opened them:
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Citi AA Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard – MAR 2026 (for SUB only)
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NFCU Flagship Visa – MAR 2026
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AMEX BCE – JUN 2024
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Chase Amazon Prime Visa – JUL 2022
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(closed) Discover It Student 5% Cashback – APR 2021 to MAR 2026
When to apply for more credit cards?
byu/Open2Lrn inCreditCards
Posted by Open2Lrn
2 Comments
this is lot of cards for specific benefits when you could just get few good ones that cover everything. i been using just two cards for years and never had problem with cashback
wait at least 3 months between applications, but with that many recent cards the banks gonna see you as risk. maybe slow down bit and focus in the ones that give most value for your actual spending instead trying to maximize every category
For the next card I’d prioritize the one the you expect to save you the most money. For example, if 5% on utilities & internet is going to claw back more money than 5% gas, 3% dining and groceries, I’d prioritize the Elan card over the AAA card.
You just got two cards in March, personally I’d wait until probably July+ for the next one.