How many Visa Cards do <I>you</I> need?

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Following a hacker scare, the Washington Post reports: The affected accounts make up about one-third of 1 percent of the 560 million MasterCard and Visa cards in the United States. With less than 300 million people in the U.S., how many Visa cards do we need?

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:48 (twenty-three years ago)

560 million

― James Blount (James Blount), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:50 (twenty-three years ago)

send me yours. i'll put it good use.

― Tad (llamasfur), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Which one?

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:51 (twenty-three years ago)

I have an American Visa card and I'm not even American! I think it's funny to keep my LL Bean Platinum Visa right next to my Green Card Visa.

― kate, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:52 (twenty-three years ago)

all of them!

― Tad (llamasfur), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Well, all right. But can I keep my American Express green, American Express gold, Discover, Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Blockbuster membership card(s)?

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:55 (twenty-three years ago)

Actually, I can't. They took them all away...the bastards. And my memory. And previous three identities.

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:57 (twenty-three years ago)

sure ... except the Nordstrom's card. i could use a new suit and Macy's suits are fugly.

― Tad (llamasfur), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 07:58 (twenty-three years ago)

and what's the point in keeping an Amex Green Card if you have an Amex Gold Card? you have to pay Amex off monthly, whether it's green or gold!

― Tad (llamasfur), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 08:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Actually I don't have all those cards, but a lot of people do. It's just saying that 560 million is only a (possibly large?) fraction of the credit cards floating around the U.S. Seems kind of scary somehow.

And further with Amex. What good does a gold card really do you? There's no spending limit on a gree card either. You pay a lot more for a gold card. I've only ever had a gold card when an employer paid for it. Not having an employer at the moment (alas) I'd never pay for gold, or platinum, or titanium, or the new Iraqi-plutonium card. You're sure it's there somewhere, but you can't find it right now.

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 08:06 (twenty-three years ago)

I have 3 Visa cards (3 debit, 1 credit) and a mastercard, which I never use. But I'm not American either so that doesn't count I guess.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 11:30 (twenty-three years ago)

You may have noticed my maths went awry. I have FOUR visa cards.

― Mark C (Mark C), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 11:30 (twenty-three years ago)

I have none. I would like 1.

― Graham (graham), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 11:34 (twenty-three years ago)

Two is the optimum amount. That way if things get tight you can always pay one off with the other. (Endlessly swopping balances without incurring interest).

― Pete (Pete), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 11:37 (twenty-three years ago)

I have one but my boyf has trillions - he changes every 6 months or so to the latest interest free one, he clears any balances every month on all except one (which is the interest free one, obv) so they keep giving him more. We added up how much credit he had available in his pocket one day and it was scary! We may disappear off around the world yet...

― smee (smee), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 11:40 (twenty-three years ago)

Graham - piece of advice - when you can, get one, and then don't use it. That way your credit history is (a) available, and (b) not shit. If you don't have a credit history it's as hard to get loans etc. as if you have a dreadfully crap one.

― SittingPretty (sittingpretty), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 13:30 (twenty-three years ago)

That's why I can't get one.

― Graham (graham), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 13:31 (twenty-three years ago)

To get a better credit history use it a small amount and pay it off in full every month. Graham, if you really really want a credit card (and my experience of them has lead me to believe that they are evil) surely capital one will give you one of their incredibly expensive (25%+) but atleast you can build up a credit history. I'll be easier to get one at your parents' address which you can still claim as your primary residence. Be aware though that your initial credit rating will be coloured by anyone else living at the same address with the same surname among other things.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 14:06 (twenty-three years ago)

You can get experian/equifax to disassociate yourself from your parents and vice versa, you just need to send them a note.

For more information on credit rating - credit rating

― Vicky (Vicky), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 14:20 (twenty-three years ago)

You don't have to pay off Amex Blue every month, which is nice.

I have a whole slew of cards, but then again I work for a bank.

― hstencil, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 14:34 (twenty-three years ago)

I have two now. Used to have more. Couldn't keep track of 'em. Scared me to realize that I could lose one (it was merely in the pocket of a jacket I hadn't worn since spring) and not realize for like 3 months, since I never opened my statements for the cards I didn't use.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 15:30 (twenty-three years ago)

You can get experian/equifax to disassociate yourself from your parents and vice versa, you just need to send them a note.

Just in terms of credit ratings?

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 18 February 2003 20:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Experian and equifax will actually come to your house and drag your parents away, beating them relentlessly, deposit them in some kind of institution (probably not a financial one) and change their names, thereby separating your credit history from theirs. All you have to do is send a note on tasteful stationery. But do not use the word "maths" in it, whatever you do.

Amen.

― JeremyZag, Tuesday, 18 February 2003 21:07 (twenty-three years ago)

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How many Visa Cards do you need?