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The Daily Insight Hub

Is 7 credit cards too many?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on January 20, 2026

As with almost every question about credit reports and credit scores, the answer depends on your unique credit history and the scoring system your lender is using. “Too many” credit cards for someone else might not be too many for you. There is no specific number of credit cards considered right for all consumers.

Is it bad to apply for 2 credit cards in the same day?

In this article: Nothing is stopping you from applying for two or more credit cards in a short period of time, or even at the same time. But multiple credit card inquiries can hurt your credit score and raise a red flag for future creditors.

How much does your credit score go down when you apply for a credit card?

Yes, applying for a new credit card can hurt your credit score a little. According to FICO, a hard inquiry – when a card issuer pulls your credit after you apply – can lower your score by five points or less.

Is there a downside to getting more credit cards?

Disadvantages of Having Multiple Credit Cards Difficult to manage: Having more than one card means keeping track of each billing cycle, credit limit and payment due date. Can lead to unnecessary debt: Having access to more credit can often be tempting.

Is it better to close a credit card or not use it?

In general, it’s best to keep unused credit cards open so that you benefit from a longer average credit history and a larger amount of available credit. Credit scoring models reward you for having long-standing credit accounts, and for using only a small portion of your credit limit.

Can I apply for 2 Chase cards a day?

What is the Chase 30 day rule? The general consensus on this rule is that you cannot apply for more than two Chase cards within any 30 day period.

Does Cancelling a credit card affect your credit score?

A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score⁠—paying down credit card balances first (not just the one you’re canceling) is key. Closing a credit card will not impact your credit history, which factors into your score.

How are too many credit cards can hurt your credit score?

Adding too many new cards when you have a short credit history reduces the average age of your credit accounts, which can drag down your credit score. 5  The number of credit cards you have and how you use them can have a direct impact on your credit score.

How does applying for a credit card affect your credit score?

A more nuanced take on this has to do with your credit score. Every time you apply for a credit card, the card issuer checks your credit, which places a hard inquiry on your credit report. Each of these typically trims 5-10 points off your credit score for a short time (usually six months or so).

What happens if you apply for more than one credit card?

There are other risks as well, says Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst with CompareCards, which, similar to MagnifyMoney, is owned by LendingTree. “Applying for too many cards at one time can raise red flags with lenders and make you look desperate,” he said.

Is it bad if you get rejected for a credit card?

Actually — no. While getting rejected might feel bad, and it will be harder to build up a credit history if you have trouble getting credit in the first place, the good news is that the actual rejection is a non-factor for your score, as it’s not noted in your credit report. The good news about hard inquiries is that they are temporary.