Updated for 2026: This post was originally published in 2022. For the latest strategies and a comprehensive guide, see Building Credit in the US as an Expat: The Complete 2026 Guide.
In the US, consumers are encouraged (or bombarded) to apply for multiple credit cards constantly. It is not uncommon to receive multiple offers via mail monthly. And, of course, you can be invited to open new cards at shopping malls, Costco, etc... I can understand that as a foreigner in the US, you may not have many choices when opening the first credit card. But once you have built up your credit score and are looking to have more credit cards, the below tips are for you.
1. Why do I need or want multiple credit cards in the first place?
Well, different credit cards offer different benefits, from direct cash back, to points, to airline/hotel/ride sharing/food delivery credit, to sign-up bonuses.
So knowing how to leverage a combination of different credit cards can give you substantial added benefits like a free flight for the family using points or free hotel stays. However, just like any tool, don't let credit cards control you or push you to spend on something you don't want to or intend to. Generally, the benefits or discount will not help you to cover 100% of the cost of the purchase.
With this warning out of the way, here are my top tips
2. Check your 5/24 status
This is specific to Chase. It simply means Chase will generally not approve your new credit card application if you have opened 5 or more personal cards across US banks over the past 24 months. Is it an official rule on the Chase website? Nope, it is not, but this is crowdsourced, and you can read more about it here. There are reported exceptions to this rule, however. As of Nov 2026, applicant reports suggest it still applies to Chase personal cards, but since Chase doesn't publish it, the details can change at any time.
Given that Chase's ultimate reward points are very versatile and useful, many people use the strategy of maxing out on Chase's credit cards first before they go ahead with other credit card brands. As of Feb 2023, each Chase point was worth 1 cent to 1.9 cents, depending on how you use them, and these values can change.
3. Typical sign-up bonus is worth about $500+
While this may change in the future, as of Feb 2023, when you sign up for a new credit card, you often receive a sign-up bonus. A typical sign-up bonus was worth about $500+, and offers change often, so check the current one. How do I come up with this number? By converting from points to dollars for popular cards. For example:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred was offering 60,000 points as a sign-up bonus. Each Chase ultimate reward point was worth between 1 cent to 1.9 cents so that means the sign-up bonus was worth about $600+
- American Express gold offered 60,000 membership reward points as a sign-up bonus. Each point was worth between 1 cent to 2 cents, so again that is $600+.
- American Express Platinum credit card offered 80,000 membership reward points as a sign-up bonus.
So if you come across an offer that doesn't have a similar sign-up bonus in value, reconsider.
4. Check out where you can use the reward points carefully
Not all reward points are created equal. For certain co-brand cards, you can only use the points with a specific partner. So unless you have a specific plan in mind, it may not make sense to sign up for that card.
Also, certain credit card programs offer a wider range of transfer partners than others. For example, when it comes to the travel category, Chase and American Express points are considered the most flexible and valuable because you can transfer them to many different airlines and hotel chains.
5. You can earn points by paying rent
Rent is often one of the biggest monthly expenses for many families. So would it be great if you could earn credit card points when paying rent? Before the Bilt master card was introduced, you could pay rent with your credit card, but you needed to pay transaction fees between 2% to 4%. This defeats the purpose of earning points, as the point value is often less than 2%. As of Dec 2022, Bilt stood out as a credit card that allowed you to earn points by paying rent, without any transaction fee. The Bilt card has changed since then: new cards replaced the original Wells Fargo-issued Mastercard in Feb 2026, so check Bilt's current terms on rent points and fees before you apply.
Bilt has a wide range of transfer partners too, so that you can transfer Bilt points to many hotels (like Hyatt, IHG, etc...) or airlines (like Air Canada, etc...), though the partner list changes over time. If you need more information about Bilt, check out my post here.
6. Hard inquiries from credit card applications are usually not a big deal
Every time you apply for a credit card, the financial institution will generally make a hard inquiry into your credit report. According to myFICO, for most people one additional inquiry takes less than five points off their FICO Scores, although the impact varies. Hard inquiries can stay on your report for up to two years, but they only affect your FICO Scores for a year. So one inquiry is usually not a big deal, but several in a short time can add up, especially if you have few accounts or a short credit history.
If you freeze all of your credit reports across the three credit bureaus, remember to thaw or unfreeze the reports before you apply for a new credit card. The CFPB says you can lift a freeze temporarily for free, and you need to contact each credit reporting company separately.
Applying for a Credit Card without Affecting Your Credit Score
If you are keen to learn more about this, read my post about "Applying for a Credit Card without Affecting Your Credit Score: A Guide for Expats in the US."
7. Evaluate if the annual fee is worth it?
Depending on how you use the card and leverage their sign-up bonus and benefits, you may or may not earn enough to cover the annual fee. It doesn't make sense to sign up for that specific credit card in that case.
8. Credit score and income requirement
It is important to remember that each credit card application may have different requirements in terms of credit score and income. So make sure to research the card before you apply and make sure that you meet the criteria for approval. Credit cards may also come with other fees, such as balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and cash advance fees. Make sure to read the fine print to understand the full list of fees and charges associated with the card before making a decision.
In conclusion
Once you have a few cards, it's important to manage them properly. Make sure you're paying your bills on time, as late payments can damage your credit score. Also, try to pay off the balance each month, so you don't incur any interest charges. Finally, be mindful of the credit limits on each card and don't overspend - it may result in a penalty fee or an increase in interest rates.
Last but not least, there is a group on Facebook called Asian Expats in the US where expats can share/discuss more tips directly. Feel free to join.
Good luck!
Chandler
Disclaimer: This is educational content, not advice. Nothing here is financial, investment, credit, tax, insurance, healthcare or legal advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to open, buy or use any product or account. Rates, limits, rules, fees and offers change frequently, and I am not a licensed adviser in any of these fields. Do your own research, verify the current figures and terms with the provider or the relevant authority (such as the IRS), and speak to a qualified professional before you act on anything you read here. Your circumstances may differ from the examples in this post.