Don't Obsess Over Credit Card Optimization: A Recovering Churner's Guide

I have a confession: I used to be that guy. The one who’d pause at checkout to calculate whether the 5% rotating category or the 2% flat-rate card made more sense for this particular purchase. The one with a spreadsheet tracking annual fees, earning rates, and redemption values across 14 different credit cards.

Then one day, standing in line at Trader Joe’s while my ice cream melted, I did the math on what I was actually gaining. After accounting for my time, I was “earning” about $3 an hour on my optimization efforts. I made more than that in middle school mowing lawns.

The Optimization Trap

Credit card optimization can become its own hobby — and like any hobby, it can consume far more time and mental energy than the rewards justify. The credit card industry knows this. They design products with just enough complexity to make you feel clever for figuring them out, while the real profits come from people who carry balances (which earns them 18-25% APR).

Here’s what the extreme optimizers don’t tell you: the difference between a “perfect” card setup and a “good enough” one is usually $200-400 per year for typical spenders. That’s real money, but it’s not life-changing money. And it comes at a cost in mental overhead, signup bonuses you need to hit, and annual fee calculations.

What Actually Matters

After years of churning, I’ve landed on a simpler philosophy. There are three things worth optimizing, and everything else is noise.

Your highest spending category deserves a dedicated card. For most people, this is groceries, dining, or gas. Get a card that earns 3-5% in that category and use it consistently. Don’t overthink it.

A solid flat-rate card handles everything else. Whether it’s 2% cash back or 2X points, having one card that’s “good enough” for miscellaneous purchases eliminates decision fatigue. The Citi Double Cash and Chase Freedom Unlimited are both excellent choices here.

Never carry a balance. This sounds obvious, but it’s the only rule that truly matters. A 20% APR will obliterate any rewards you’ve earned. If you’re not paying in full every month, rewards cards aren’t for you yet — work on that first.

The Cards I Actually Use Now

I’m down to four cards, and I haven’t looked back. My Amex Gold handles groceries and dining (4X points). My Chase Freedom Unlimited is my default for everything else (1.5X points that transfer to travel partners). I keep a no-annual-fee Visa for the rare place that doesn’t take Amex. And I have one premium travel card that I’ll probably downgrade next year because I’m not using the benefits enough.

That’s it. No spreadsheet. No mental math at checkout. No annual fee negotiations or product change strategies.

When Optimization Makes Sense

I’m not saying everyone should ignore credit card strategy. There are situations where deeper optimization pays off.

If you have a large one-time expense coming (wedding, home renovation, new furniture), it’s worth signing up for a new card to hit a signup bonus. Just plan it in advance and make sure you can meet the minimum spend organically.

If you travel frequently for work and accumulate spending in one airline or hotel program, aligning your personal cards with that program can create meaningful value through status matches and award availability.

If you genuinely enjoy the hobby — the way some people enjoy extreme couponing — then by all means, keep optimizing. Just be honest with yourself about whether it’s a hobby or a financial strategy.

The Bottom Line

The best credit card strategy is one you’ll actually follow. For most people, that means simplicity: one or two cards that earn solid rewards in your top spending categories, used consistently, paid in full every month.

The extra $200-400 per year from perfect optimization isn’t worth the mental overhead for most of us. Your time and attention are worth more than that.

Start with the fundamentals, automate what you can, and spend your mental energy on things that actually move the needle — your career, your relationships, or that side project you’ve been putting off. The credit card industry will survive without your obsessive attention to their points programs.

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Last updated: January 2026 Affiliate disclosure: ShortcutBest may earn a commission when you apply through our links.