1. Feel like you won the lottery rather than received junk mail when a new credit card offer arrives in your mail or inbox.
Credit card offers were previously an annoyance. Now, they are opportunities to receive additional bonus points especially, the highly coveted select mailings.
2. Have so many cards that you no longer remember which you have.
Applying for a new card requires you to check your list or shuffle through your current card collection to confirm you don't already have the card.
3. Diary or have an app on your phone to track renewal dates to avoid annual fees.
Many programs waive the fee for the first year but substantial fees may kick in the second year. The cards usually, have a 30-60 day grace period. Junkies track these dates to avoid incurring hefty fees. Some people diary the dates on their calendars but the hard core junkies use the new app, TPG To Go.
4. Have a credit card that offers FICO scores.
Credit card junkies tend to know their FICO score and monitor it very carefully.
5. Belong to at least one points blog but we know you really follow multiple blogs.
Points blogs such as thepointsguy.com are must reads for junkies to learn the latest and greatest credit card offers and strategies. But true junkies scrutinize multiple sites including onemileatatime.com or millionmilesecrets.com to avoid missing a tip.
6. Know the ins and outs of the various credit card companies better than the people who work at the companies.
You know you have gone off the deep end when friends who work at the credit card company's marketing departments call you to learn the differences between the programs.
7. Compare notes with friends on the best offers.
You have a core group of friends to discuss the latest promotions so you don't miss any opportunities. It also normalizes your bizarre behavior. I knew I had crossed over to the dark side when I was asked to join a closed Facebook group on the topic.
8. Have a "cheat sheet" in your wallet identifying which items you should charge on which card.
Determining which card to use when was a logistical nightmare without developing a coping mechanism. On a recent trip, I needed to remember to use my Capital One card at a dinner that exceeded x $ so that I could erase the charge. My hotel had to be charged on my Barclay card that gave me double points on all charges. My Visa American Airlines card was left home to avoid incurring foreign transaction fees. One property required using the Amex Platinum card to secure the Fine Hotels & Resorts perks. A new App, TPG To Go promises to simplify this process.
9. Are writing about the issue.
