if you want to close some of your credit cards, rule of thumb is close the newer ones, and smaller limit ones, like the charge cards from stores such as Gap, Macy, etc.

You should keep the ones with high credit limit. when you have high credit limit but small balance, your credit availability is high, then your score is high.

You should also keep the ones with long history. The longer the history, the better the score.

If you have a late payment, it will show on your credit record regardless whether you cancel it or not. When you cancel a card, the card will still stay on your credit history for 10 years.