How to Handle & Protect Your Credit Cards

Great! The mail man just left this envelope and I can feel the credit cards inside. I wonder who these cards are from? I’ll just rip this envelope open and see.

But wait a minute!

If you’re starting to collect credit cards, it’s important to learn the procedures needed to handle them. Taking proper measures are vital to assure that your cards stay in their original condition. Always handle your credit cards with care. By practicing the following steps your collection will remain in top condition.

1. Handling and treating your cards

Remove the credit cards carefully from the mailing envelope. Hold only the edges of the card with your finger tips. Never touch the card’s front and back surfaces. This will help keep fingerprints and scratches off the magnetic tape, which is easily damaged.

It will also help keep the signature space clean since it’s inclined to attract dirt. Anytime you handle a card use this procedure. When new credit cards arrive, examine them to see which are in the best condition. If you want to carry a card, this will help determine which one.

Examine your credit cards

To examine a credit card, hold it by the edges with your fingertips. Hold the card so light can reflect from it towards your vision. Rotate the card slowly back and forth. You’ll now be able to see the scratches and flaws on its surface. Leave credit cards in original condition. Don’t endorse the card’s signature space. One exception may be when an individual is famous. Their autograph may make an item more collectible. (This point is debatable.)

Retain the original condition of the card

It’s true that a famous person’s possessions do attract collectors. One solution is to leave the credit card in original condition without endorsing it. Include a letter stating ownership of the credit card and sign the letter.

The letter is important because there are numerous people with the same name. Many credit cards with famous names on them won’t belong to the famous individual. Save all used credit cards. Don’t clean them to “improve” their looks. You could unknowingly be causing damage so leave them alone. Every credit card including used, damaged, and dirty ones should be saved.

2. Keeping records of your credit card collection

Keep a record of every credit card. Some could become lost or stolen. These records will also help save time when ordering additional and replacement credit cards. You’ll have all the information readily available.

Encode your credit cards digitally

The best record keeper is your computer. Data management programs are readily available. All credit card information is easily stored and can be quickly cross-referenced. A code word can be used to stop unauthorized access. 

Use index cards as an alternative and backup

A 3×5 index card can also be used. Place the company’s name on the top line. With bank cards, list the issuing institution’s name on the second line. Under this, list the name the account is in and then the credit card number. Finally, list the expiration information. You’ll then be able to record additional credit cards by only adding updated expiration information.

Keep all index cards in alphabetical order. Index cards make it easy to file new account cards. Your index cards contain as much information as your credit cards. Protect your index cards as you would your credit cards.

On the back of the index card, write the address the credit cards came from. You’ll then have the address needed for ordering additional and replacement credit cards. Make two index cards of each credit card account. Keep one set of index cards home and the other in your safe deposit box.

Register your collection

You’ll receive offers to join credit card registration companies. Their fees are minimal. These companies keep a list of all your credit cards and account numbers. If your credit card is lost or stolen, just call the registration company’s 800 number. They’ll notify all your credit card companies and order replacements. List your credit cards with a registration company.

3. Storing and protecting your credit cards

Store your credit cards in individual protective envelopes. I recommend using Worchester glassine envelopes #2. They measure 2-5/16″ x 3-5/8″. The envelopes are available at stamp hobby shops. All credit cards fit comfortably into these envelopes. Protect the credit cards you carry.

Tear off the envelope’s flap and place the credit card inside. Then place the envelope into the wallet’s credit card holder. Replace the envelope when it looks dirty. Every time a new credit card is received, replace the envelope.

Organize your credit cards alphabetically

Store your credit cards alphabetically in boxes that are used to hold business cards. These boxes can be purchased at business supply stores and print shops. Storage trays can also be used to hold your collection. These storage trays can be made inexpensively from cardboard. Cardboard can be easily cut, folded, and taped to make any desired size tray.

Use a safety deposit box

Keep your credit card collection in a safe deposit box along with your duplicate set of index cards. Protecting your credit card collection is a simple but important matter. Always handle credit cards carefully. Keep a record of every card in your collection. Place your cards in individual envelopes and store them in a safe place. This is how to protect your credit cards.

Copyright 1986 by Greg Tunks

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Frequently asked questions

You can find out the value of old credit cards by checking how much similar cards sell for. There are several ways to do this.

The simplest way to determine the value of old credit cards is to ask an experienced collector. If you submit an inquiry via our contact form, we can connect you with an expert who can assist you and point out if there is anything rare or unusual in your collection.

Alternatively, you can become a member of the American Credit Card Collectors Society. Membership in our credit card collecting club provides access to resources and knowledgeable members who can help. Benefits of membership include access to a gallery containing thousands of cards with historical pricing information, and access to our entire collection of newsletters, from 1994 through the present day.

You can look at recent sales on auction sites, however, there are some considerations to keep in mind when doing this. Firstly, it’s important to look at selling prices, rather than asking prices. Selling prices are the prices people actually paid, while asking prices can be very different. Secondly, historical sales on some sites are only saved for 3 months, so you may not find something that exactly matches what you have. Thirdly, it is sometimes possible to see rare or unusual cards sell for lower prices than they should have because people do not understand their worth, the ads don't do justice to the card, they're listed in the wrong category, or any combination thereof.

There are always people in our club who are actively buying cards. Collectors tend to focus on a niche, like gas cards or retail cards, or they might focus on a slightly broader area, like bank cards or travel and entertainment cards. Many of the rarest or most unusual cards will exchange hands in private sales. Please contact us if you are thinking of selling your collection.

You can also sell your old credit cards on online marketplaces. You will get the highest price if you sell each of your cards individually, although this approach requires the most effort. At the opposite end of the effort scale would be selling all cards as a job lot, an approach which typically results in the lowest price on a per-card basis. Halfway between these two approaches would be to group cards into different categories and to sell these individual groups, e.g., BankAmericard, Master Charge, oil and gas, retail, and so on.

To join the club, visit the membership section and complete the registration form. You can pay by check or PayPal. We offer annual or lifetime memberships. If you have any questions please contact us via the form on our website.

Credit cards are more worthwhile collecting if they are rare, in good condition, have historical significance, or are associated with famous personalities or events. Valuable modern cards might include those that are difficult to obtain, such as American Express Centurion (a.k.a. ‘black’) cards, while older credit cards might include early independent bank cards, American Express, Diners Club, or BankAmericard (Visa) cards from the 50s/early 60s, or Master Charge (MasterCard) cards from the late 60s. Rare or unusual cards can also be sought after, such as those issued in small numbers, like small independent department stores or gas stations, or cards with appealing aesthetics.

Consulting with other collectors or experts in the club can provide valuable insights. Contact us for more information via the form on our website.

We do not offer an appraisal service in a traditional sense (such services are normally a paid service) but we can connect you with an expert who should be able to assist for free and point out anything rare or unusual in your collection. The simplest way to do this is to submit an inquiry via our contact form.

The American Credit Card Collectors Society accepts donations and is most grateful for any we receive. When donations happen, we strive to find good homes for cards where they will be looked after, matching cards with collectors who will appreciate them. The club may charge members a nominal fee for donated cards, and the proceeds are offset against the running costs of our club. We are a non-profit organization. Running costs include expenses like our convention and website hosting. Donations are most popular for people getting out of the hobby, or when someone has inherited a collection and doesn’t know what to do with it.

If you wish to donate your collection, please contact us via the contact form above.

American Credit Card Collectors Society