Whether you’re new to the world of points and miles or just looking for the best ways to level up your current card portfolio, a strategic credit card pairing is one of the easiest ways to maximize your earning potential.
You may have heard of the most popular card groupings — such as the Chase Trifecta and the Amex Trifecta — but these are far from the only ways to combine credit cards.
Let’s discuss how different credit cards work together to boost your earning power and go over some of the best credit card combinations.
What makes the best credit card combination?
Several factors can make a good card pairing. The best credit card combinations generally have two things in common:
- Complimentary bonus categories: Pairing cards that earn elevated rewards on different purchases can help you maximize your earnings across more spending categories.
- The same rewards currency: Combining cards that earn rewards like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards can help you build up your rewards balance faster.
Below, we’ll break down some of our favorite two-card combinations and how they can help you earn more rewards.
Related: 7 of the best cards to pair with the Amex Gold
Amex Platinum and Amex Gold
The might have a high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) but is great for travelers since it earns 5 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).
It also comes with extensive airport lounge access for eligible cardmembers, plus a slew of valuable statement credits.
The , on the other hand, is a foodie’s dream card with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). It earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter).
It also comes with up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year for dining and takeout purchases with eligible merchants. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Why they’re a great combination: These cards work great together because you’ll earn more on flights with the Amex Platinum than you would with the Amex Gold alone (5 points per dollar spent when booking directly or through Amex Travel rather than 3 points per dollar spent when booking directly with airlines, amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™; a spending cap applies for the Amex Platinum) and more at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets with the Gold than you would with the Platinum alone (4 points per dollar spent rather than 1; spending caps apply).
Additionally, the cards’ benefits and statement credits have little overlap, meaning you’ll get tremendous value from having both cards. You can then transfer your Membership Rewards points to any of Amex’s 20 airline and hotel partners.
TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak likes using the Amex Gold and the Amex Platinum together to maximize earnings in her top spending categories.
“My dining purchases almost always go on my Gold, while I book flights with my Platinum; I also put large purchases on my Platinum to take advantage of that card’s extensive protections,” she says.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred and Freedom Unlimited
The (see rates and fees) is one of our favorite travel rewards cards, with its standout earning categories being 5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 3 points per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery and takeout), gas, electric vehicle charging, vacation homes at top brands*, select streaming and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs); and 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel.
*Includes Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa
Additionally, it comes with some valuable travel protections — all for a low $95 annual fee.
The (see rates and fees) is a great everyday card. It has no annual fee and earns 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining (including eligible delivery and takeout) and drugstore purchases, plus 1.5% back on all other purchases.
Why they’re a great combination: Both cards allow you to earn a strong return on dining purchases, but you’ll earn more on your travel spending outside the portal with the Sapphire Preferred versus the Freedom Unlimited. Where the Freedom Unlimited really shines is in its nonbonus spending.
By itself, the Freedom Unlimited earns cash-back rewards. However, if you also have the Sapphire Preferred, you can combine your rewards from the two cards and transfer them to any of Chase’s 14 travel partners for maximum value.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
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Ink Business Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve
The (see rates and fees) is one of our favorite business cards. It earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (on the first $150,000 in combined spending, then 1 point per dollar spent).
Cardholders will also earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027) and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The (see rates and fees) is the premium sibling of the . With it, you’ll get access to Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges, a flexible $300 annual travel credit and other useful statement credits.
Its bonus categories include earning 8 points per dollar spent on bookings made through Chase Travel; 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly; and 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery).
Why they’re a great combination: If you have a lot of business expenses, pairing a business card with a personal card can work in your favor. With this combination, use your Ink Business Preferred for the first $150,000 in business purchases each year and your Sapphire Reserve for travel and dining purchases to maximize your points-per-dollar earning opportunities across the board.
Plus, since both cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can pool rewards into one account and redeem them through the Sapphire Reserve’s redemption options or transfer them to Chase’s travel partners.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Ink Business Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve
Holding both the and the allows you to maximize points on travel spending.
You’ll earn 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel purchases and 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly with the Sapphire Reserve. Plus, with the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on vacation homes (at top brands*) and 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases.
*Includes Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa
With this combo, you’ll also receive valuable travel perks, such as lounge access, primary rental car insurance and travel protections.
Why they’re a great combination: Holding both cards will allow you to maximize points on travel spending, ensuring you earn at least 2 points per dollar spent on your travel purchases.
Plus, by holding both cards, your points can be used to book travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2.5 cents per point with the Points Boost feature (depending on the specific redemption; see your rewards program agreement for full details).
And if you really want to maximize your earnings, you could create a trifecta by adding the , ensuring you earn at least 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards and Venture Rewards
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and is a great option for everyday spending categories. The card earns 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and popular streaming services; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee. It earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases, making it a good card for spending that doesn’t fall in other cards’ bonus categories.
