How do I choose between multiple credit cards?
Comparing different credit card rewards structures and cash back percentages for specific categories makes it difficult to decide which card to choose. People also question whether they should use a debit card for everyday purchases given the higher risk of direct account access and harder dispute processes compared to credit cards.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Calculating the mathematical break-even point based on spending habitsDid this help you?
- 2Applying for multiple cards over time if credit score allowsDid this help you?
- 3Using a debit card only to take physical money out of an accountDid this help you?
- 4Paying off existing credit card debt over several monthsDid this help you?
- 5getting a general travel card with transferable pointsDid this help you?
- 6choosing a card based on proximity to a major airport hub or airlineDid this help you?
- 7focusing on welcome bonuses and cashback cards if travel horizons are longDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“You're almost always better off with transferrable currencies, and not locking yourself into a specific airline.”source ↗
“airline cards are usually only worth it if you already fly the same airline a lot, otherwise a general travel card with transferable points is way less restrictive”source ↗
“Without more information this is way too broad of a question. It depends on where you fly out of, where you want to fly, how you want to fly, with how many people, and what kind of experience you want to”source ↗
“How often do you fly? If you don't fly many times a year they aren't worth it. If you do fly often, do you always use the same airline?”source ↗
“I'm trying to decide between a couple of credit cards, and I was hoping I could get some advice.”source ↗
“Also should I even have a debit card or even use it past needing to take physical money out of my account? since debit is much harder to dispute charges and people could have direct access to the money in your account, I was wondering if debit is even worth having or using?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 8How to get your first credit card with no credit history
- 2Which debit card should I get for my kids?
- 2How to choose when there are too many options
- 3Will putting a huge purchase on my credit card ruin my score?
- 26How to choose between two completely different vacation destinations
- 8Is it better to pay off credit card debt or keep cash in savings?