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When contemplating your subsequent bank card, it’s greatest to first take a look at your pockets and see when you can construct a method round what you’ve already acquired. It’s useful to have many factors with one bank card issuer, moderately than a handful of factors with every totally different financial institution.
With that mentioned, let’s overview the very best choices for bank cards with transferable factors you may mix and methods to strategize by carrying a number of playing cards in the identical household.
Why it’s best to get a number of playing cards from the identical issuer
You can:
American Express
Known because the “Amex Trifecta,” the three playing cards under are important for individuals who need to earn hundreds of Membership Rewards factors annually. While they’re nice standalone playing cards, utilizing them collectively is good due to their complementary rewards charges.
| Card | Welcome bonus | Earning charges | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after you spend $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of card membership. | 5 factors per greenback on flights bought straight with the airline or with Amex Travel — as much as $500,000 of those purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback.
5 factors per greenback on pay as you go accommodations booked on Amex Travel. 1 level per greenback on different eligible purchases. |
$695 (see charges and charges). |
| American Express® Gold Card | Earn 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your new card in your first six months of card membership. | 4 factors per greenback on eating at eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.).
4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets — on as much as $25,000 of those purchases per calendar yr (then 1 level per greenback). 3 factors per greenback on flights booked straight with the airline or with Amex Travel. 1 level per greenback on different eligible purchases. |
$250 (see charges and charges). |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | Earn 15,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your new card in your first three months of card membership. | 2 factors per greenback on the primary $50,000 of purchases per calendar yr (then 1 level per greenback).
1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases. |
$0 (see charges and charges)/ |
Earn massive large welcome bonuses
Amex has a once-per-lifetime rule that restricts you from incomes a welcome bonus greater than as soon as per card. However, you may open all three of those playing cards and earn the welcome bonus on every — as long as you haven’t held the cardboard beforehand — and proceed so as to add to your factors stability.
Earning charges throughout fashionable classes
Each card presents wonderful incomes charges that may mix to supply bonus factors on just about each buy you’ll have in life. Here’s a cheat sheet of when to make use of every card:
| Purchase | Card to make use of |
|---|---|
| Flights. | Amex Platinum for five factors per greenback till you meet the $500,000 threshold per calendar yr. From there, you should utilize the Amex Gold for 3 factors per greenback. |
| Hotels. | Amex Platinum for five factors per greenback if reserving via Amex Travel. |
| Dining at eating places. | Amex Gold for 4 factors per greenback. |
| U.S. Supermarkets. | Amex Gold for 4 factors per greenback as much as the $25,000 threshold per calendar yr at U.S. supermarkets. After that, use the Blue Business Plus as much as the $50,000 threshold per calendar yr for two factors per greenback. For supermarkets exterior the U.S., use the Amex Gold or Amex Platinum for 1 level per greenback with no international transaction charges. |
| All different purchases (fuel, payments, and many others.). | Amex Blue Business Plus for two factors per greenback as much as the $50,000 threshold per calendar yr (then 1 level per greenback). |
Related: 5 methods you is likely to be eligible for a enterprise bank card with out realizing it
Capital One
Capital One is newer to the transferable factors recreation, however there’s loads to like about this system. In addition to playing cards that earn transferable Capital One miles, you may open back-back playing cards from the Savor and Quicksilver card households. While marketed as cash-back playing cards, you may flip your money again into Capital One miles.
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| Card | Sign-up bonus | Earning charge | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles whenever you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 5 miles per greenback on accommodations and rental vehicles booked with Capital One Travel.
5 miles per greenback on Turo leases (via May 16, 2023). 2 miles per greenback on all different purchases. |
$95 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Earn 75,000 bonus miles whenever you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 10 miles per greenback on accommodations and automobile leases booked by way of Capital One Travel.
10 miles per greenback spent on vehicles booked via Turo (via May 16, 2023). 5 miles per greenback on flights booked by way of Capital One Travel. 2 miles per greenback on different purchases. |
$395. |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 1.25 miles per greenback on all purchases. | $0. |
| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | Earn a $300 money bonus whenever you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 8% money again on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
4% again on eating, leisure and eligible streaming providers. 3% again at grocery shops. 1% again on all different purchases.
|
$95. |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Earn a $200 money bonus whenever you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 3% money again on eating, leisure, eligible streaming providers and at grocery shops.
1% again on all different purchases. |
$0. |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Earn a $200 money bonus after spending $500 on purchases inside three months of account opening. | 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $0. |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | None. | 1.5% money again on all purchases. | $39. |
The info for the Capital One Savor has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Capital One software guidelines
Capital One solely permits you to have two of its private playing cards open without delay, so make sure you select correctly.
Another rule prohibits you from making use of for multiple new Capital One card each six months. It’s necessary to be conscious of those restrictions to maximise your approval odds and long-term bank card technique.
Related: Tips and tips to get most worth out of your Capital One miles
Earning charges throughout fashionable classes
| Purchase | Card to make use of |
|---|---|
| Flights. | Venture X for five miles per greenback if booked via Capital One Travel; Venture or Venture X for two miles per greenback in any other case. |
| Hotels. | Venture X for 10 miles per greenback if booked via Capital One Travel; Venture card for five miles per greenback with Capital One Travel; Venture or Venture X for two miles per greenback in any other case. |
| Dining at eating places. | Savor Cash for 4% again. |
| Supermarkets. | Savor or SavorOne for 3% again. |
| All different purchases (fuel, payments, and many others.). | Savor for 8% again on leisure purchases and 4% again on streaming providers; Venture or Venture X for two miles per greenback on different purchases. |
Chase
The Chase trifecta is well-known throughout the factors and miles neighborhood and is a powerhouse trio of playing cards.
All of the no-annual-fee choices listed under are cash-back playing cards however earn rewards within the type of Ultimate Rewards factors. These factors are value just one cent every except you additionally carry an “anchor card” that may probably increase the worth of those factors.
Your anchor card choices are the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual charge), Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ($95 annual charge) or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card ($95 annual charge). With the Sapphire Reserve, your Ultimate Rewards factors are value 1.5 cents every when reserving journey via Chase Ultimate Rewards. With the latter two, your factors are value 1.25 cents every for journey via Ultimate Rewards.
Where the actual worth of those Chase anchor playing cards comes into play is entry to Chase’s 11 airline and three lodge switch companions — and your factors will be value 2 cents every when redeemed this fashion, in line with TPG’s valuations.
Long story quick, there’s plenty of flexibility with the Chase trifecta, and you may combine and match the playing cards you need primarily based in your preferences. Here are your entire choices:
| Card | Sign-up bonus | Earning charge | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Earn 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. | 10 factors per greenback on accommodations and automobile leases bought via the Ultimate Rewards portal.
10 factors per greenback on Chase Dining purchases. 10 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (till March 2025). 5 factors per greenback on flights bought via the Ultimate Rewards portal. 3 factors per greenback on eating and journey purchases (excluding purchases lined by the annual $300 journey credit score). 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases. |
$550. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 5 factors per greenback on journey bought via the Ultimate Rewards portal (excluding lodge purchases that qualify for the $50 annual lodge credit score).
5 factors per greenback on Lyft rides (via March 2025). 3 factors per greenback on choose streaming providers, on-line grocery retailer purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale golf equipment) and eating. 2 factors per greenback on all different journey purchases. 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases. |
$95. |
| Ink Business Preferred Credit Card | Earn 100,000 Ultimate Rewards factors after spending $15,000 within the first three months of account opening. | 3 factors per greenback on the primary $150,000 spent in mixed purchases every account anniversary yr within the following classes: transport, web, cable and telephone providers, promoting purchases and journey (then 1 level per greenback after passing this threshold).
1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases. |
$95. |
| Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card | $900 bonus money again after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 1.5% money again on all eligible purchases. | $0. |
| Ink Business Cash Credit Card | $900 bonus money again after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | 5% money again on the primary $25,000 spent in mixed purchases every account anniversary yr from the next classes: workplace provide shops, web, cable and telephone providers (then 1% again after passing this threshold).
2% again on the primary $25,000 spent in mixed purchases every account anniversary yr from the next classes: fuel and eating places (then 1% again after passing this threshold). 1% again on all different eligible purchases. |
$0. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Earn a further 1.5% money again on all purchases in the course of the first yr — as much as $20,000 in spending. | 5% money again on journey bought via the Chase Ultimate Rewards journey portal
3% again on drugstore purchases and eating at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply providers). 1.5% on all different purchases. |
$0. |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Earn $200 money again after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
|
5% money again on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases in rotating bonus classes every quarter (activation required).
5% again on journey bought via the Ultimate Rewards portal. 3% again on eating and drugstore purchases. 1% again on all different purchases. |
$0. |
Earn massive welcome bonuses
Chase’s 5/24 rule is among the many most restrictive of any issuer. You probably aren’t eligible for any Chase card (or its sign-up bonus) when you’ve opened 5 or extra bank cards from any and all issuers previously 24 months. The 5/24 rule incentivizes candidates to begin inside Chase playing cards first. We strongly suggest constructing your trifecta of Chase playing cards — not solely to supercharge your earnings however as a result of it’s possible you’ll change into ineligible when you open different playing cards first.
Finally, it’s value noting you could solely carry one of many Sapphire playing cards at a time. So, when you don’t have both already, now’s the time to determine between the premium Sapphire Reserve or the wallet-friendly Sapphire Preferred.
Chase trifecta combos
While there are historically three playing cards within the Chase trifecta, you would theoretically open extra than simply three Chase playing cards down the street for extra sign-up bonuses and entry to much more bonus classes. Here are a few of the methods you may combine and match the Chase trifecta to suit your wants:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve (or Chase Sapphire Preferred).
- Ink Business Preferred (and/or Ink Business Unlimited/Ink Business Cash).
- Chase Freedom Unlimited (and/or Chase Freedom Flex).
No matter which mixture you select, make sure you maintain one flat-rate incomes card (Ink Business Unlimited or Chase Freedom Unlimited) that may let you earn 1.5% again on all non-bonus purchases.
Related: The greatest Chase bank cards
Earning charges throughout fashionable classes
| Purchase | Card to make use of |
|---|---|
| Flights. | Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred for five factors per greenback via the Chase portal; if reserving straight with an airline, use the Ink Business Unlimited or Sapphire Reserve for 3 factors per greenback. |
| Hotels. | Sapphire Reserve for 10 factors per greenback via the journey portal; the Sapphire Preferred has a $50 annual lodge credit score that you should utilize, whereas the Sapphire Reserve and Ink Preferred can present 3 factors per greenback if reserving straight. |
| Dining at eating places. | Sapphire Reserve for 10 factors per greenback by way of Chase Dining; 3 factors per greenback in any other case with the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred, or 3% again with the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex. |
| Supermarkets. | Freedom Flex for five% again if grocery shops is likely one of the present bonus classes; Sapphire Preferred for 3 factors per greenback on grocery supply orders; Freedom Unlimited for 1.5% again in any other case. |
| All different purchases (fuel, payments, and many others.). | Chase Sapphire Preferred for 3 factors per greenback on streaming; Ink Business Cash for five% again on web and telephone providers; Ink Business Cash for two% again on fuel. |
It’s additionally value discussing some limitations of Chase’s latest small-business bank card. The New Business Card! Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card earns 2.5% again on purchases of $5,000 or extra and limitless 2% again on all different purchases. Unfortunately, these earnings can’t be mixed with Ultimate Rewards as we’re used to with different Chase bank cards. Thus, we have not included this card within the chart above, as a result of limitations on redemptions.
Related: How (and why) to mix your Chase Ultimate Rewards factors right into a single account
Citi
Citi presents some attention-grabbing choices which are worthy of consideration.
Unfortunately, there’s just one card you may apply for proper now that earns transferable ThankYou factors that you should utilize with all of Citi’s switch companions: the Citi Premier® Card. That’s as a result of the premium Citi Prestige® Card is not open to new candidates, and the Citi® Double Cash Card solely supplies transfers to some packages — except you maintain the Premier or Prestige card.
The info for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
If you’ve already acquired both the Premier or Prestige, you would add one of many cash-back playing cards in Citi’s lineup to maximise your earnings with extra bonus classes. It’s additionally value holding the Citi Rewards+® Card attributable to its round-up characteristic and the flexibility to get again 10% of your redeemed factors annually — 100,000 factors redeemed yearly. What’s attention-grabbing is that this redemption profit applies to factors redeemed out of your different Citi playing cards, so long as you may have the playing cards linked in your ThankYou factors account.
| Card | Sign-up bonus | Earning charge | Annual charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Premier® Card | 60,000 Citi ThankYou factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. | 3 factors per greenback at eating places, supermarkets, fuel stations, air journey and accommodations.
1 level per greenback on different eligible purchases. |
$95. |
| Citi Prestige® Card (not open to new candidates) | None. | 5 factors per greenback at eating places, airways and journey companies.
3 factors per greenback at accommodations and cruise traces. 1 level per greenback on different purchases. |
$495. |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | None. | 2 factors per greenback on all purchases: 1 level per greenback whenever you purchase and 1 level per greenback whenever you pay your bank card invoice. | $0. |
| Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | Earn a $200 money bonus after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. This bonus supply can be fulfilled as 20,000 Points, which will be redeemed for $200 money again. | 5% in your high eligible spend class as much as $500 spent every billing cycle (then 1% again). Categories embody eating places, fuel stations, grocery shops, choose journey, choose transit, choose streaming providers, drugstores, dwelling enchancment shops, health golf equipment and reside leisure.
1% on all different eligible purchases. |
$0. |
| Citi Rewards+® Card | Earn 20,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 on purchases inside three months from account opening. | 2 factors per greenback at supermarkets and fuel stations — as much as $6,000 of those purchases yearly, then 1 level per greenback.
1 level per greenback on different purchases. Round as much as the closest 10 factors on every buy, e.g. a purchase order of $0.89 would earn 10 factors, whereas a purchase order of $24 would earn 30 factors. |
$0. |
Welcome bonus restrictions
On high of being delicate to the variety of current inquiries in your credit score report, Citi has strict guidelines about how usually you will be permitted for a bank card and different guidelines on how usually you may earn a sign-up bonus.
You can apply for only one bank card each eight days and not more than two Citi playing cards inside 65 days. You’re restricted to only one enterprise card from Citi each 90 days.
Those guidelines are straightforward to know; the 24-month rule is extra complicated. You should wait 24 months from the date you opened or closed a ThankYou factors bank card earlier than incomes a bonus on one other card. Here are instance phrases, taken from the appliance web page for the Citi Premier:
Bonus ThankYou® Points will not be accessible when you acquired a brand new cardmember bonus for Citi Rewards+®, Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi ThankYou® Premier/Citi Premier® or Citi Prestige®, or when you have closed any of those accounts, previously 24 months.”
Related: The greatest Citi bank cards
Earning charges throughout fashionable classes
It’s value mentioning that the Rewards+ card could also be the very best bank card for small purchases, given its “round-up” characteristic.
| Purchase | Card to make use of |
|---|---|
| Flights. | Citi Prestige for five factors per greenback or Citi Premier for 3 factors per greenback. |
| Hotels. | Citi Prestige or Citi Premier for 3 factors per greenback. |
| Dining at eating places. | Citi Prestige for five factors per greenback or Citi Premier for 3 factors per greenback. |
| Supermarkets. | Citi Premier for 3 factors per greenback. |
| All different purchases (fuel, payments, and many others.). | Citi Premier for 3 factors per greenback at fuel stations; Citi Custom Cash for five% again if that is your high spending class throughout that billing cycle; Citi Double money for two factors per greenback on all purchases; Rewards+ card if it is a small buy and can be rounded as much as the closest 10 factors. |
Bottom line
When you maintain one card that earns transferable factors, it is probably you could add one other card from the identical issuer to beef up your earnings in further spending classes. It’s as straightforward as utilizing a two- or three-card technique and pooling your rewards into one account. In this fashion, you will earn additional factors or money again on tons of or hundreds of transactions annually, resulting in massive rewards.
Related: 6 straightforward methods I exploit to earn over 500,000 factors and miles a yr
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Business Plus, click on right here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Smith.