By Ben Luthi
Edited by Michelle TipswordHow Does Opening Multiple Rewards Credit Cards Affect My Credit?
By Ben LuthiEdited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
Opening multiple rewards cards can cause a short-term credit score dip from hard inquiries and new accounts. However, increased total credit can lower utilization and potentially help your score long term if you manage the cards responsibly.
Using multiple rewards credit cards can help you squeeze the most value out of every purchase. But opening several cards can affect your credit in both good and bad ways. If you're thinking about expanding your wallet, here's what to keep in mind.
How Does Opening Multiple Credit Cards Impact My Credit?
Because credit cards are a form of revolving credit, they can impact your credit score in many ways, especially if you're carrying multiple cards. From the moment you apply for a new card through your ongoing use of it, various factors come into play that can either help or hurt your credit.
Hard Inquiries
Credit checks associated with applications for credit typically result in a hard inquiry appearing on your credit report. In general, an additional hard inquiry on your credit report won't impact your credit score much.
However, because credit card applications don't benefit from the rate-shopping windows that apply to certain types of loans, each application is typically counted as a separate hard inquiry. In other words, if you apply for multiple credit cards at the same time or in short succession, the negative impact can be compounded and hurt your score more.
As a result, it's best to space out your credit card applications and avoid unnecessary inquiries.
Length of Credit History
Your credit score takes into account how long you've had credit and the average age of your credit accounts. New accounts can bring down this average, which can potentially have a small effect on your score.
What's more, regularly opening new credit cards can make it difficult for your average account age to increase, as each new account brings down the average.
Credit Utilization
Opening multiple rewards cards can impact your credit score by affecting your credit utilization rate. This rate is calculated by adding up your credit card balances and dividing that figure by your total available credit across all your cards.
A high utilization rate can hurt your credit. However, if you open new rewards cards and add to your available credit without increasing your balances, your utilization rate will go down, which can help improve your credit score.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Applying for Rewards Cards
There are several different types of rewards credit cards, and each one has its own set of benefits and features. Here are some things to consider while you're shopping around:
- What types of rewards are offered? Credit card rewards fall into three main categories: cash back, points and miles. Within those categories are different reward structures and rates. Think about what you want from your new card, whether it's airline miles, hotel points, general travel rewards or cash back. In some cases, having a mix of different types can help you maximize your rewards.
- Will you be able to maximize rewards? The best way to maximize credit card rewards is to find cards with programs that complement each other. If gas and groceries are two of your top spending categories, you can find cards offering bonus rewards rates (often 3% or higher) in those areas. Most tiered rewards cards give you just 1% back on non-bonus spending, or once you've reached a spending limit. Pairing that card with one that has a 2% base rewards rate ensures you'll always earn at least 2% back on your purchases.
- Is there an annual fee? If you're fee-averse, you may want to stick with no-annual-fee credit cards. However, be sure to compare each card's benefits against any potential annual costs. In many cases, you can get far more value every year than what you're paying in fees, even compared with a similar card with no annual fee.
- When do rewards expire? In most cases, your rewards won't expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. Some airline and hotel rewards programs are exceptions, though you can usually prevent expiration by earning or redeeming points or miles regularly. Check the expiration policy to ensure you don't forfeit your rewards.
Best rewards cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners that earn points, cash back or miles on everyday spending.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 3% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Chrome
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases and 0% intro APR for 18 Months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
The opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:23.89% Variable
Rewards:10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$35
Credit One Bank American Express® Card for Rebuilding Credit
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75 First year. $99 thereafter, billed monthly at $8.25
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:1x - 10x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$95
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.74% - 26.74% (Variable)
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
American Express® Gold Card
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards:1x - 4x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$325
First Latitude Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:27.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$99, waived for first 12 months
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:1x - 6x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$350
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:Introductory fee of $75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually.*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39*
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® Metal Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$95
First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:13.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$49
First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:17.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39
Credit One Bank® Premier American Express® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:2x - 6x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$650
Discover it® Miles
Intro bonus:UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. You could turn 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Credit One Bank® Premier American Express® Unlimited Rewards Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:3x - 12x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$150
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
One Key™ Card
Intro bonus:Limited Time Offer: Earn $300 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia®, Hotels.com® and Vrbo®. To learn more, please refer to the One Key Terms and Conditions at www.expedia.com/one-key-terms.
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
One Key+™ Card
Intro bonus:Earn $350 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia®, Hotels.com® and Vrbo®. To learn more, please refer to the One Key Terms and Conditions at www.expedia.com/one-key-terms.
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$99
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard® - With A Higher Credit Limit
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$125*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
See all our best rewards credit cards for 2026.
How to Choose the Best Rewards Card
There's no single best rewards credit card that works for everyone, so it's important to know what you're looking for. Here are three factors to consider as you shop around:
- Credit score: Most of the best rewards cards are reserved for applicants with good or excellent credit. According to FICO, this starts at a score of 670, but card issuers may prefer applicants to have a higher score for cards with the most perks and benefits. If your credit score isn't where it needs to be for the card you want, consider taking some time to improve it before you apply.
- Spending habits: To maximize rewards, you'll want to pick cards that offer the most value on your biggest spending categories. Review your expenses from the past few months to see where most of your money goes. This will help you identify the cards that are best tailored to how you plan to use them.
- Lifestyle: Some credit cards offer benefits beyond rewards that can enhance your lifestyle. For example, many travel credit cards include travel- and dining-related perks that can save you money. Some premium travel cards even offer airport lounge access, elite status and more.
Learn more: Are Credit Card Rewards Worth It?
How to Use a Credit Card Responsibly
There's nothing wrong with using credit cards to meet your rewards goals, but it's crucial to develop good credit habits to avoid potential pitfalls. Here are some ways to use your cards responsibly:
- Use a budget. Credit cards make it easy to carry a balance from month to month, but if you're working with a budget, you'll find it easier to avoid spending money you don't have and keep your finances on track.
- Pay on time and in full. Credit cards charge relatively high interest rates, but if you pay your entire statement balance by the due date every month, you won't have to worry about interest charges at all. Consider setting up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
- Keep your balances low. Your credit utilization is an important factor in your credit score. Some experts recommend keeping it below 30%, but the lower it is, the better. You can keep your utilization rate low by making multiple payments throughout the month or using a mix of credit cards, your debit card and cash to avoid racking up a high balance.
- Monitor your statements regularly. Review your credit card statements each month to catch unauthorized charges, billing errors or signs of fraud early. This habit also helps you stay aware of your spending patterns and ensures you're getting the rewards you've earned.
Learn more: Should I Pay Off My Credit Card in Full or Over Time?
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Whether you're thinking of applying for a new credit card now or at some point in the future, it's critical that you maintain a good credit score to improve your chances of getting the card you want.
Check your FICO® ScoreΘ for free to know where you stand, and consider also reviewing your credit report to see if there are areas that you need to address. The process of improving credit can take time. But with credit cards, the reward is having a wider selection of options from which to choose.
Get the rewards you deserve
Cash back? Miles? Points? Whatever suits your goals, we can help match you to personalized rewards card offers. Start with your FICO® Score for free.
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About the author
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more.
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