[Molly]

I’m looking for a schudule to maintain travel hacking credit cards. Something simple, like when to turn on and off.
We did great opening credit cards a few years back to expense our honeymoon.

Now we are stuck with open cards and only three available between us should we pursue a Chase gauntlet.

How do we get back on track?

Do we open new ones and shut the rest down?

[Matt]

Cashfreely.net is what my household uses, finding “cash back” bonuses vastly better than points for our situation.

It doesn’t see into your accounts, but does help track status.
You mention closing credit cards, but you don’t really need to or want to. The app/website has guidance on that.

If it’s an unwanted annual fee card, just “downgrade” it to a no annual fee card.

As the app shows, do Credit Karma to stay aware of open cards (not any other feature there)… setup a recurring reminder every 5 months (before cards go inactive at 6 months) to go buy something small, like a pack of gum (bill set to autopay) to keep account/ history active.

It’s incredibly low effort.

[Linda]

I recommend one of the free online travel hacking courses. There are many.

I think choose fi used to have one, 10 X travel has one as does points for normal people.

[Katharina]

Depends on which cards do you have open, whether you are eligible for another SUB on the same card, 5/24 status, whether the annual fees are worth it, etc.

[Shawn]

Highly recommend CashFreely’s sister site Travel Freely. Tracks 5/24, which cards you’re eligible for based on current bank application rules & cards you have/have had, sends email reminders with annual fees, & ongoing news & education.

All free & without having to enter any sensitive info.

[Author]

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