It’s not quite fair to say that men are more likely to want to play the field while women are more likely to remain faithful. Still, men do show more restlessness in their attitudes towards their credit cards.
While generalities don’t apply to all individuals, it is worth noting some broad gender differences in attitudes towards credit cards.
A recent CardRatings.com credit card survey found that men are much more likely than women to think there are better cards out there for them than the ones they currently have. On a related note, men generally plan to shop for a new card sooner than women do.
If nothing else, this difference in attitudes is worth examining for what it says about effective credit card utilization.
Consumer survey says men are more restless about credit cards
It’s not that men are less satisfied with their current credit cards. The credit card survey found that on average, men and women have very similar satisfaction levels. In fact, men are slightly more satisfied with their cards than women.
The survey asked consumers to rate their level of satisfaction with their current credit cards on a scale of one to five. One meant respondents were “very unsatisfied” while five meant “very satisfied.” Overall, responses from men averaged 4.2 while responses from women averaged 4.13.
This means that on the whole, both men and women are satisfied with their credit cards. The results are similar, with men giving their current credit cards a slightly better score.
With that being the case, maybe men are telling their credit cards “it’s not you, it’s me” when it comes to shopping around. Because when asked if they believed there was a better credit card for them out there, men were much more likely to answer yes.
In the survey, 61.6% of men said they thought they could find a better credit card on the market. Just 45.5% of women said the same thing.
This confidence that they could do better is reflected in how soon men and women next plan to shop for a credit card. The median response from men was that they expected to shop for a new card within three to six months. For women, the median response was six to 12 months.
These survey results are generalities that have lots of exceptions. Every individual is different, but for people of any gender these results lend themselves to a discussion of the pros and cons of looking for a new credit card.
Advantages of keeping your eyes open
To some extent, it may be wise not to be too loyal to your current credit card. Another Cardratings survey shows why.
There are huge differences in the rates offered by credit cards. As of the first quarter of 2025, the average credit card rate was 24.30%, but the range was from 17.24% to 35.90%. It pays to keep your eyes open to make sure you’re as close as you can get to the lower end of that range.
Differences in credit card terms also extend to annual fees. The survey found that 51% of credit cards surveyed charge annual fees. So slightly more than half charge those fees, but there are plenty of options that don’t. In some cases those fees can exceed $600, so you need to make sure that the credit card benefits are worth the money.
Drawbacks of shopping around too much
While consumers should be encouraged to keep their eyes open for a better deal, they should also be aware that there are drawbacks to shopping around for a new credit card too often.
Applying for credit cards and opening new accounts can both ding your credit. Also, having too many credit cards can encourage overborrowing. The disadvantage of having too many cards may be especially great if some of them have annual fees.
So, keep your eyes on the market, but don’t get too restless. Switching credit cards can be a good move, but don’t jump at every tempting offer that’s thrown at you.
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The right credit card strategy can change over time
One reason it’s wise to look for a new card from time to time is that the best credit card for your needs may change over time. Here are some reasons for that:
- Credit card terms change. Credit cards frequently change interest rates, fees, rewards and other terms. It doesn’t pay to get too complacent about assuming you have a good deal.
- Credit scores change. For example, you may qualify for better terms in your 40s than you did in your 20s. That makes the market worth a fresh look now and then.
- Spending habits change. This can make a difference to what credit card rewards you can earn. For example, if you travel more now than you did when you were younger, it might be worth looking for a card with good travel rewards.
- Payment habits change. When you regularly carry a balance, you should be very concerned with a card’s interest rate. However, when you pay your balance off every month, fees and rewards may matter more.
- Different situations can call for different credit cards. It can also pay to have cards that can play different roles. For example, if you expect to carry a balance for a while into the new year, you may want to reach for a low-interest card for your holiday shopping. At other times, you may want to favor a card that offers especially good rewards for what you’re buying.
Tips for finding the right credit card
While some broad gender differences in finance exist, universal tips apply when searching for a new credit card:
- Understand how you spend money. Knowing which categories you spend the most in can help you choose a card that gives the best rewards for that category. Also, examining your spending is a first step in budgeting.
- Know your payment habits. People who regularly pay off their credit card balances in full don’t need to worry so much about credit card interest rates. However, the bigger the balance you tend to carry, the more important interest rates become.
- Shopping around can pay off. Wide differences in credit card terms can have a big impact on how much you pay, and how much you earn in credit card rewards.
- Don’t get complacent. You don’t have to continually add new credit cards. However, keep an eye on the market to see what current offers are like and whether your credit cards are still competitive.
➤ SEE MORE:What are the best credit card bonus offers?
While there are gender differences in finance when it comes to national averages, these apply differently to each individual. The important thing is to be aware of your financial habits. Knowing how you spend money and use credit cards can inform your decisions about which cards are best for your needs.
