Tens of millions of Americans are taking advantage of reward credit cards to earn valuable points and miles for travel. But when it comes to maximizing your rewards, you need to go beyond a single credit card. That’s where the Amex Trifecta and the Chase Trifecta come into play. These strategies involve leveraging a collection of three different cards from American Express or Chase to earn the most rewards possible from your spending.
The Amex Trifecta: Overview
The Amex Trifecta consists of three cards from American Express: The Platinum Card, the American Express Gold Card, and The Blue Business Plus Credit Card. Each card offers different benefits and bonus categories that can help you earn a significant number of points.
The Chase Trifecta: Overview
The Chase Trifecta combines three cards from Chase: the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. This trifecta offers a combination of travel benefits, bonus categories, and elevated rewards for all non-bonus spending.
The Added Value of Having Three Cards from the Same Provider
Having multiple cards from the same card issuer allows you to maximize your rewards potential. By combining cards with bonus categories and cards that offer more than one point per dollar spent on all purchases, you can earn more points than with a single card. Additionally, pooling all your points together from three cards maximizes your points earnings potential.
Amex Trifecta vs. Chase Trifecta Compared
Both American Express and Chase offer a variety of business and personal credit cards with flexible rewards programs. The ideal three-card trifecta may vary depending on your preferences and travel goals. However, for the purposes of this article, we will compare the Amex Trifecta and the Chase Trifecta using specific card combinations.
Amex Trifecta Card Combo:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Chase Trifecta Card Combo:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Each card in these combinations offers unique benefits, bonus categories, and rewards structures that cater to different spending habits and travel preferences.
Earnings Categories with Amex and Chase Trifectas
The Amex Trifecta cards offer various bonus categories such as flights, prepaid hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and all other purchases. The Chase Trifecta cards provide bonuses for travel purchases, dining, drugstores, and offer elevated rewards for all non-bonus spending. Depending on your spending habits, you can choose the combination that aligns best with your needs.
Total Annual Fees and Credits
It’s important to consider the annual fees and credits associated with these credit cards. The Amex Trifecta has higher annual fees, but it also offers significant statement credits towards travel fees and benefits like airport lounge access. On the other hand, the Chase Trifecta’s annual fee is largely offset by a $300 annual travel credit.
Transfer Partners and Additional Perks
Both American Express and Chase have travel partners that you can transfer your points to. Some partners are exclusive to either American Express or Chase, offering unique value and benefits. Additionally, both trifectas come with additional perks such as elite status with hotel brands and access to airport lounges.
Which Trifecta Should You Choose: Amex or Chase?
Choosing the right trifecta depends on your specific needs and preferences. The Chase Trifecta offers advantages such as a higher redemption value for travel, a broader range of transfer partners including United and Southwest, and lower annual fees. However, the Amex Trifecta excels in supermarket and dining categories, offers access to Centurion lounges, and has exclusive transfer partners like ANA Airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which Chase credit card Trifecta is best? The best combination depends on individual preferences and needs. Each card offers unique benefits and rewards structure.
- Who is the Amex Trifecta best for? The Amex Trifecta is ideal for frequent travelers who value airport lounge access and find value in exclusive transfer partners.
- Why can American Express cards be hard to get? American Express has strict eligibility criteria, including excellent credit and limitations on welcome bonuses.
For more details on specific rates, fees, and benefits, please visit the respective websites for American Express and Chase.
At Personal Finances Blog, we recommend the Chase Trifecta for its overall value, broad travel benefits, and the ability to earn more points for your everyday spending. Visit us at Personal Finances Blog to learn more about personal finance strategies and secrets to financial success.
Note: The content of this article is derived from an original source and has been tailored to fit the writing style and brand focus of Personal Finances Blog.