A lot of people will transfer their balances (to a lower-rate card), but then fail to send more than the minimum due.

Cards vary dramatically. Some of them fit your needs more than others.

There are a lot of odds and ends people like to buy when they move into a new home. Banks might see you as a credit risk if you have ten cards, all of which you could max out.

This way the creditor risk is minimized, but (the consumer still has the convenience of having a credit card).