How You Can Maximize Multiple Credit Cards for Cheaper Travel

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

A personal finance enthusiast with 37 active credit cards shares tips to strategically open and maintain multiple cards to travel cheaply and answers common questions around maximizing rewards.

How many credit cards can you have at the same time?

What can credit card points and miles help you afford?

Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss quirky money management techniques and the mastery of credit card rewards to help you understand how to make your money go farther. They begin with a discussion of unusual financial behaviors, with tips and tricks on juggling multiple bank accounts, managing a diverse collection of credit cards and the impact of such practices on credit scores.

Then, credit card point expert Erin Hurd joins Sean to discuss the art of optimizing credit card usage for travel rewards. She shares her experience having 37 active credit cards and shares tips for managing an extensive credit card portfolio. They also discuss her strategy for selecting cards for maximum rewards, the financial discipline needed to prevent overspending, how to maintain a healthy credit score while pursuing travel dreams and the right way to close accounts while preserving credit history.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card rewards, personal finance, credit score, credit card points, credit card management, travel rewards, financial habits, saving money, credit card collection, credit card debt, credit card usage, smart spending, quirky money management, financial discipline, credit card strategy, reward collecting, credit card benefits, credit card offers, credit card terms, credit card issuer guidelines, credit card signup bonuses, credit card perks, managing multiple credit cards, credit card autopay, credit card due dates, credit card annual fees, digital wallets, travel credit cards, credit card interest, credit card history, credit card closure, and credit card payments.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [e-mail].

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