Update: Originally published a couple of years ago and updated today, these credit card duos remain great 1-2 punches with a few updates.
In the past I’ve analyzed the heck out of cards to come up with the best credit card combinations based on earning rates, annual fees, redemption value, etc. Today, I’ll take a more casual look at my favorite credit card duos. I like cards that have great perks and earn great category bonuses. And I prefer cards that earn transferable points (points that can be transferred to airline and hotel programs). A big plus is when those points can alternatively be used for better than 1 cent per point value to purchase travel. Together, that means that I like Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards (see this post for a comparison of the three programs).
In each of the below cases, I believe that credit cards are better in pairs. With the right cards, you can maximize point earnings and get the best value from your points. So, without further ado, here are my favorite credit card duos…
Membership Rewards: Amex Enhanced Business Platinum + Amex EveryDay Preferred
Great redemption value; Lounge Access, Elite Status, Up to 5X airfare, 4.5X grocery, 3X gas, and 1.5X everywhere else.
This combination has it all: best benefits, best earnings on spend, best point value when used to purchase airfare, huge list of airline transfer partners, and (unfortunately) a very high combined annual fee. (Photo shows no-fee EveryDay card rather than EveryDay Preferred, so please use your imagination)
Everyday Preferred ($95 annual fee): 3x points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1x); 2x points at US gas stations; 1x points on other purchases. Earn 50% more points: Use your Card 30 or more times per billing period to get 50% more points: 4.5X grocery (1.5X after $6K spend), 3X gas, 1.5X everywhere else.
Business Platinum ($595 annual fee): 5X flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel. $100 Global Entry fee reimbursement. Great airport lounge benefits (including Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClub, Priority Pass). Rental car elite status. Marriott Gold elite status. Hilton Gold elite status. 35% Pay with Points rebate for selected airline, and for business or first class with any airline. For complete details regarding Business Platinum card benefits, please see: Your Platinum Card arrived. Here’s what to do next…
Why this is a great combo: This combination delivers fantastic benefits, huge earnings on spend, and terrific value when redeeming points. Membership Rewards points are best redeemed by transferring to an airline program for premium class international awards, or for the Amex Business Platinum 35% rebate when you pay for flights with points.
On the other hand: This combo has a very high combined annual fee. The EveryDay Preferred incurs foreign transaction fees. Can be a big hassle to ensure 30 EveryDay Preferred purchases per month. The $200 in airline fee reimbursements are not as easily earned as the the Sapphire Reserve card’s travel reimbursements, though note that the Business Platinum card also carries up to $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases each year (and during 2020 there are a number of enhanced benefits / credits). And the Business Platinum 35% point rebate is limited to your selected airline when buying economy class tickets.
Update 8/4/20: Should we re-think this two card combo? Another great Amex wallet could be the Amex Gold Card and Blue Business Plus. That would give 4x grocery (on up to $25K spend per year, then 1x) and 4x restaurants on the Amex Gold and 2x everywhere else (on up to $50K per year in purchases on the Blue Business Plus, then 1x) for a combined annual fee of $250. Add in the Gold card’s other perks and $100 airline incidental credit and that may be the better Amex combo for those who don’t need the perks of a Platinum card.
Ultimate Rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve + Freedom Unlimited
Excellent point redemption value; lounge access; 3X travel & dining, 1.5X everywhere else.
This combo offers fantastic point earnings on travel & dining, and very good (1.5X) earnings everywhere else. Even though the Sapphire Reserve has a very high annual fee, it’s $300 travel credit is incredibly easy to get.
Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee – $300 in annual travel credits): 3X travel & dining. Points worth 1.5 cents each towards travel. Primary auto rental collision damage waiver. Priority Pass Select lounge access. $100 Global Entry fee credit.
Chase Freedom Unlimited (No annual fee): 1.5X everywhere. Transfer points to your Sapphire Reserve card for better point redemption value.
Why this is a great combo: With points worth 1.5 cents each towards travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you’ll earn at least 2.25 cents in travel per dollar spent with your Freedom Unlimited card, and 4.5 cents in travel per…
Continue Reading: Source Link