Taking out new credit card deals

Zero-point

I have 2 CC. One that I have with Barclays for 20years. My main bank is now Lloyds for some time I took out a interest free deal about 3 years ago. 

I don't have any debt on the cards. 
I'm expecting a fair amount of spending soon and thought I should take out a new deal. 

Question is what shall I do with my existing cards? What do people do that switch every 12/18/24 months. I'm thinking in terms of credit rating as well.

enthusiasticsaver

If you mean that you need an interest free card then I would keep the oldest card you have which is presumably Barclays as longevity does  help your credit record and apply for one assuming you no longer have any interest free period on the Lloyds one.  Once the new one is up and running you could close down Lloyds. 

Nasqueron

People don't switch CC like they do a current account as there is rarely any incentive to do so plus there is no process to do so. Moving around tends to be things like AmEx where they have a free first year then close it before the second year fee kicks in

If you want spending then the forum has plenty of posts about AmEx for airmiles/points that can be converted e.g. the Sainsbury's / Nectar one which gives you effectively free shopping. There are others with straight cashback. If you didn't need S75 cover or could do something like a deposit on the card and then pay debit, you can use bank offers e.g. Chase were doing 1% cashback on their current account card

Every hard search will impact credit rating but generally not for that long, if you have more credit and use it properly you can improve your credit record despite the initial hit

Zero-point

Sorry yes I meant interest free on balance transfer and new purchases. 

So keep the longest CC and close down the newest if taking another card is that right? 

enthusiasticsaver

I would apply for the new one before closing down one of the others.  Sometimes closing a credit card can have a negative affect but similarly having too many credit cards may also have an adverse affect.  If the Lloyds one is not serving any purpose because it is no longer interest free there is  no point in keeping it. 

maxximus75

You only have two cards.  Personally, I would keep them both open, set them for automatic full-pay.  Use them periodically.  It all adds to a positive credit history and helps with your average account length and overal credit limits.

As for a new card, go for whatever deal benefits you the most.