6 credit cards too many???

anna42hmr

i had a cull of my credit cards a year or so ago, (closed mint, egg, natwest and mbna) however as i have got other cards in mean time (for 0% deals or free usage abroad) i find that i have 6 credit cards now.

There is only one with any substantial balence, (cap one platinum) which is still on 0% till the end of november, but have less than £500 on that and will be cleared by then.

All others bar the cap one platinum are paid off in full each month (dd set up for all) , and alternate usage of the cards so they are not sitting dormant for months on end) have never missed a payment etc and wondering if having the 6 cards (though all are used but just small amounts) could affect my rating in future.

If it is too many which would be better to close - newer cards, or longer standing cards etc?

the cards i have are

Post office - opened Jan 09 limit £2300. (advantage of keeping this card no charges abroad)

Catital One Platinum - opened September 2008 limit £6000 (still on 0%)

Halifax - opened August 2001 limit £4700 (is it good to have a card for a long time thats shown to have been managed well?)

Lloyds TSB (now their amex duo) held since June 2001, limit £3000, (advantage - airmiles and lengh of history)

Nationwide opened December 2006 limit £6000.

Abbey Zero since July 2009 limit £2500.00 (0% and no charges abroad)

The reason i am struggling is each of them has a reason to keep open, wether its long history of the account, airmiles, no charge abroad etc so am struggling to decide if i should close a couple, which it should be

Moggles_2

Six credit cards in total is not excessive. I believe the national average is five and many of us here have seven or eight credit cards on the go. As long as you're getting the cards and credit limits you want, I wouldn't rush to close any down.

That said, with each successful credit card application, your available credit will increase in relation to your income and there will come a point in the future when you must consider closure.

Perhaps consider closing your Capital One account when the 0% period ends or possibly the Halifax cc on the grounds that you have held your LloydsTSB card for even longer.

Note: both C1 and the Hally accept applications from former customers more or less
straight away, but it's advisable to check they're marked "settled" on credit files before
you reapply

anna42hmr

thanks for the reply moggles i appreciate it