If you have a one-card wallet, you’re not alone. About one-third (30%) of Americans carry one credit card, according to a recent survey by Motley Fool Money.
Only using a single credit card has its perks. It’s certainly the simplest, easiest option. But a second credit card isn’t too hard to manage, and there are some big financial benefits to getting one. Here are the reasons you may want to add another card to your wallet.
1. Earn a sign-up bonus
Credit card companies are competing for your business. One of the ways they do that is with sign-up bonuses — bonus offers for new cardholders. To earn a typical sign-up bonus, you just need to meet a spend requirement, such as $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days.
Whether you prefer cash back or travel points, sign-up bonuses are the fastest way I’ve found to earn credit card rewards. Opening a second credit card gives you the opportunity to earn one of these. Click here to see our picks for the best sign-up bonuses, including some worth over $1,000!
2. Save money with a 0% intro APR
Another special credit card offer for new cardholders is a 0% intro APR. During the introductory period, you don’t pay the usual high interest rates that most credit cards charge. In fact, you don’t pay any interest at all until the intro period ends.
There are two types of intro APR offers. A card could have a 0% intro APR on purchases. This is ideal if you need to use your credit card to cover some large expenses, but you’d like to pay them off over time.
There are also credit cards with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. They’re designed for refinancing debt, so this type of card is a good choice if you’re currently in credit card debt. You could transfer that debt from your current credit card to a new balance transfer card to pay it down while avoiding interest charges.
3. Earn more rewards
Every credit card rewards program has its own pros and cons. Some cards earn a flat rate on your spending, often 2%, but they don’t have any bonus categories. Some cards earn 3% or more in certain areas, such as groceries and gas, but they earn 1% on non-bonus spending.
No single credit card does it all. That’s why combining multiple cards is one of the most effective ways to earn more rewards.
A classic strategy is to pair a flat-rate card with a bonus category card. For example, you get a 2% card to use for the bulk of your spending. You then add a card that earns bonus rewards in the categories where you spend the most, be they groceries, dining, entertainment, or something different.
4. Increase your credit score
There are several factors that go into your credit score. One of the most important is how much of your credit you’re using, which is called your credit utilization. It’s calculated by dividing your credit card balances by your credit limits.
Let’s say your card has a $5,000 balance and a $10,000 credit limit. Your credit utilization is 50%, and that will have a negative impact on your credit score. Lower is better for credit utilization, and the standard recommendation is to keep it below 30%.
But imagine that you open a second credit card, also with a $10,000 limit. Your total combined credit limit just doubled to $20,000, and a $5,000 balance now only puts your credit utilization at 25%. If you keep your spending habits the same, having a second card could be good for your credit score.
5. Have a backup card when you need it
A second credit card is also a layer of security if anything ever goes wrong with your first card. Maybe you’re out to dinner and your card gets declined. You’d normally call your card issuer to resolve the issue, but it’s after hours. By having a backup credit card, you won’t need to barter your dishwashing abilities for your meal.
Here’s another common scenario: You notice a fraudulent transaction on your credit card. You report it to your card issuer, and it shuts down your old card and sends you a new one. You’ll still need a way to pay for purchases until that new card arrives in the mail. Once again, it helps to have a backup card.
You don’t need to have a wallet full of credit cards, but having two of them can be a good idea. You’ll be able to take advantage of more money-saving benefits, it could help raise your credit score, and you’ll have a backup card should you ever need it. If you’re not sure which card to choose, check out our list of the best credit cards for some ideas.
