If you’re trying to build a strong credit history that will last a lifetime, a credit card can be a valuable tool. Used regularly and wisely, credit cards can help you establish your credit profile, raise your credit score over time, and earn rewards in the process.
However, it’s important to note how your FICO credit score may change over time. Your credit score can fluctuate based on the number of cards you sign up for and how long you keep them. Here are the major factors that determine your FICO credit score:
- Payment history: 35%
- Amounts owed: 30%
- Length of credit history: 15%
- Credit mix: 10%
- New credit: 10%
As you can see, the number of new accounts and the length of your credit history play a role in the health of your credit score. If you sign up for too many new accounts in a short amount of time, your score can take a hit. Likewise, cancelling your oldest cards will shorten your credit history and decrease your score.
Because of the way your FICO score is calculated, one of the best moves you can make is getting a credit card you can keep for the long haul – and maybe even forever. While you may want to get other credit cards throughout the years, this one long-haul “forever card” can serve as an anchor for your credit history.
Five Credit Cards You Can Keep Forever
A card you keep forever should come without an annual fee, but with enough perks to make it worth holding onto. Here are five cards that could definitely be the “forever card” in your wallet:
Chase Freedom®
The Chase Freedom® card is consistently named one of the top no-fee rewards cards on the market, and for good reason. Not only do you earn 1% back for every dollar you spend, but you also earn 5x points in categories that rotate every quarter. Here’s how the 5x bonus categories break down for 2016:
- January-March 2016: Gas stations, local commuter transportation
- April-June 2016: Grocery stores
- July-September 2016: Restaurants and more
- October-December 2016: Holiday shopping
Since this card comes without an annual fee, you can use it as frequently or infrequently as you want without worrying about ongoing costs. And when you accrue enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash back, or shop at Amazon.com with your points. If you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, you can even convert your Freedom card points into Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Freedom®
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Discover it® – Double Cash Back your first year
Because it doesn’t charge an annual fee, the Discover it® card could also be a permanent fixture in your wallet. Like the Freedom card, it offers 1% back for every dollar you spend, plus 5% back in categories that rotate every quarter. And for a limited time, you’ll earn double cash back for your first year. So if you manage to earn 20,000 points during the first 12 months as a cardholder, Discover will double that to 40,000 points.
In addition to never charging an annual fee, this card lets you track your recent FICO® Credit Scores for free on your monthly statements and online. You’ll also never pay an over-the-limit fee or foreign transactions fees for overseas purchases.
Discover it®
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BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card
While the BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card could be lucrative for anyone, the current offer on this card may be especially fruitful for Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customers. With this card, anyone can earn 2% rewards at grocery stores and 3% on gas purchases, up to a combined $1,500 per quarter, and 1% on every other purchase. However, Bank of America customers can earn an extra 10%-75% in rewards when they redeem their points into a Bank of America checking or savings account, or eligible investment account.
What makes this card perfect for the long haul is that it never charges an annual fee. You can earn unlimited rewards all year long if you want, or simply keep this card for emergencies, but you’ll never pay a penny for the privilege. Here are some additional details to consider:
BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is perfect for moderate spenders who want a “forever card” that helps them earn rewards. With this card, you’ll earn 6x points on your first $6,000 in grocery spending each year, plus 2X points at gas stations and select department stores, and one point per dollar on all other purchases.
What makes this offer good for the long haul is that this card comes without an annual fee. However, you’re also rewarded at the beginning of the relationship since The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express offers a signup bonus after you spend just $1,000 on the card within 90 days. Before you sign up, consider these details:
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a signup bonus after you spend just $500 on your card within 90 days, plus an unlimited 1.5% cash back for every dollar you spend. Your cash back will never expire and you can redeem it in any increment of your choosing – and as often as you like.
The best part about this offer is that it comes without an annual fee — although another reason to get this card is access to a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. Read more details here:
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
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The Bottom Line
If you want to build a strong (and long) credit history, a credit card may be your best bet. However, the best cards to keep forever generally come without an annual fee, but with plenty of ongoing perks.
Remember, a good relationship with credit requires the right credit card for your needs. By getting a card with no annual fee, you’re signing up for one you can keep for a lifetime. And if you use it wisely and carefully, you’ll be on your way to building a lifetime of good credit in no time.
What credit cards do you plan to keep forever? What is your favorite card?
The post Five Credit Cards You Can (and Should) Keep Forever appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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