Credit Cards - Easily know when to Keep / Downgrade / Cancel

Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

Book a 1:1 Personalized Points Strategy Session!

We share our strategic framework for deciding when to cancel, downgrade, or keep credit cards to maximize value while maintaining a healthy credit score.
• Always keep cards open for at least one year to maintain good relationships with banks
• No-annual-fee cards should generally be kept open unless they're preventing you from getting other cards
• Evaluate whether annual fee cards provide benefits that exceed their cost (like hotel free night certificates)
• Consider downgrading cards to no-annual-fee versions rather than canceling to preserve your credit line
• Never cancel your oldest credit card as it establishes your length of credit history
• Closing cards impacts your credit utilization ratio which can affect your credit score
• Ask yourself five key questions before making any cancellation decision
• Recent credit card application updates including approvals for Hawaiian Airlines business cards
• Staycation experience at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale with an upgraded hospitality suite
• Unexpected fan encounter at hotel check-in from a podcast listener
Follow us on Instagram for more travel hacking tips and strategies, and check out our website for credit card consultation services if you need personalized guidance.

Chapters

1. When to Cancel Credit Cards (00:00:00)

2. Credit Card Approvals and Denials (00:05:42)

3. Staycation at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale (00:12:11)

4. The Celebrity Encounter (00:20:11)

5. Canceling Credit Cards Strategy (00:23:33)

6. Downgrade Options and Credit Impact (00:31:56)