My experience with credit card rewards optimization — how I do it without going into debt.

I use three credit cards: one for groceries and gas (3x points), one for travel and dining (2x points), and one for everything else (1.5% cash back flat). All three are set to autopay the full balance on the due date.

Total annual rewards earned: approximately $600-800 in cash or travel equivalents. Total interest paid: zero. Total credit score impact: positive (old accounts, low utilization).

The risk is real for people who carry balances. At a 24% APR, earning 2% rewards while paying 24% interest is a catastrophic trade. The rewards optimization only works if you treat the card as a charge card — use it for purchases you'd make anyway and pay in full every month without exception.

I don't chase welcome bonuses aggressively or cycle through new cards constantly. The churning community is real but it requires significant time and organizational overhead. For most people, 2-3 good cards used consistently and paid in full is the right approach.