Better together: The ultimate guide to the best credit card pairings
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've likely heard of the most popular card groupings — the Chase Trifecta and the Amex Trifecta — but these are far from the only ways to combine credit cards.
This guide will walk you through several ways different credit cards work together to boost your spending and earning power in addition to some of our favorite card pairings here at TPG.
What makes a good card pairing?
Several factors can make a good card pairing, but most simply, a good card pair is one in which both cards earn the same type of rewards but have different bonus categories. This way, you'll be able to maximize your earnings across a wider range of purchases than you would be able to with just one card.
Each card pairing below is a great example of maximizing your earnings with two complementary cards.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card
Amex Platinum: The Amex Platinum is great for travelers since it earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 each calendar year) and comes with extensive airport lounge access, plus a slew of valuable statement credits.
Amex Gold: The Amex Gold is a foodie's dream card, earning 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar). It also comes with up to $240 in statement credits each year that you can use for dining and takeout purchases.
Why they're a great pair: These cards work great together because you'll earn more on flights with the Platinum than you would with the Gold alone (5 points per dollar rather than 3) and more at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets with the Gold than you would with the Platinum alone (4 points per dollar rather than 1). Additionally, the cards' benefits and statement credits hardly overlap, meaning you'll get tremendous value from holding both cards. You can then transfer your Membership Rewards points to any of Amex's 20 hotel and airline partners.
TPG senior credit cards editor Matt Moffitt loves this card pairing since it allows him to take advantage of American Express' generous lounge access benefits and high earnings on flights combined with bonus earnings on his worldwide dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. He gets even more value from his rewards by taking advantage of Amex's frequent transfer bonuses.
For more details, check out our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold.
Official application links: The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Sapphire Preferred: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of our favorite travel rewards cards, earning 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining and drugstore purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Additionally, it comes with some valuable travel protections — all for a low $95 annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: The Freedom Unlimited is a great everyday card. It has no annual fee and earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Why they're a great pair: Both cards allow you to earn an impressive 3 points per dollar spent on dining and drugstore purchases, but you'll earn 25% more on your travel spending with the Sapphire Preferred than with the Freedom Unlimited. For all other purchases, you'll earn 50% more points with the Freedom Unlimited than with the Sapphire Preferred.
By itself, the Freedom Unlimited earns cash-back rewards. However, if you also hold the Sapphire Preferred, you can combine your points from the two cards and transfer them to any of Chase's 14 travel partners for maximum value.
For more details, check out our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Official application links: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited
Citi Premier® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card
Citi Premier: The Citi Premier (see rates and fees) is a great all-around travel rewards card with broad bonus categories. It earns 3 points per dollar spent on hotel, flight, restaurant, supermarket and gas station purchases, as well as 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Citi Rewards+: The Citi Rewards+ (see rates and fees) generally earns at a lower rate than the Citi Premier: 2 points per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, then 1 point per dollar and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. However, purchases on this card automatically round up to the nearest 10, so a $1 purchase will earn you 10 points — more than you would earn with the Premier — making this a great card for small purchases that can rack up ThankYou rewards redeemable for travel and more.
Why they're a great pair: The Citi Premier earns bonus points in an impressive number of categories, but the rounding nature of the Rewards+ makes it a better option for small purchases that don't fall under any of the Premier's bonus categories. Plus, on its own, the Rewards+ has limited redemption options, but holding the Premier allows you to transfer the points you earn to any of Citi's 17 hotel and airline partners, increasing their redemption value.
For more details, check out our full reviews of the Citi Premier and the Citi Rewards+.
Official application links: The Citi Premier® Card and the Citi Rewards+® Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Ink Business Preferred: The Ink Business Preferred is one of our favorite business cards, earning 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spending on shipping, internet, cable, travel, phone services, advertising with social media sites and search engine purchases. It earns 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the more premium sibling of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It earns 3 points per dollar spent on all travel, dining and drugstore purchases, as well as 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. With it, you'll also get Priority Pass lounge access and a $300 travel credit each year.
Why they're a great pair: 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 business purchases and your Sapphire Reserve for travel, dining and drugstore purchases to maximize your 3 points per dollar earning opportunities across the board.
For more details, check out our full reviews of the Ink Business Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Official application links: The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and Citi Double Cash® Card
Capital One SavorOne: The Capital One SavorOne is a great option for everyday spending categories, earning 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores and popular streaming services (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% back on all other purchases.
Citi Double Cash® Card: The Citi Double Cash (see rates and fees) earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), making it a great way to ensure you get a 2% return on any spending that doesn't fall in other cards' bonus categories.
Why they're a great pair: Use your SavorOne for purchases in the 3% bonus categories and your Double Cash for all other purchases to earn 2% to 3% back on all your purchases.
For more details, check out our full reviews of the SavorOne and the Double Cash.
Official application links: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card
Other ways to pair cards
Add a cobranded card for one of your card's travel partners
If you already have a card that earns transferable rewards, pairing a card that earns rewards for one of its travel partners is a great option.
For instance, I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, so I decided to get the World of Hyatt Credit Card to have Hyatt-specific benefits like elite status and a free night each year, as well as the ability to maximize my earning with both cards' bonus categories.
Diversify your rewards
While most pairings center around earning similar rewards, it's also a good idea to earn different types of rewards. You could, for example, pair the American Express Gold Card with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
In this scenario, you would want to use your Amex Gold to earn bonus points on flights, at restaurants and U.S. supermarket purchases and your Venture X for your other purchases to earn 2 miles per dollar. With this option, you can take advantage of both American Express and Capital One transfer partners, giving you even more flexibility in your reward redemptions.
Maximize bonus categories
If you're OK with earning different types of rewards and want to make sure you're maximizing all your purchases, you can set up your card portfolio with cards that earn bonus points in the categories you spend the most in.
For example, you might opt for the Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3 points per dollar on your travel, dining and drugstore purchases; the Citi Premier Card to earn 3 points per dollar on your gas station and supermarket purchases; and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.
This combination would mean you're getting a 3.7% to 6% return on all your spending, according to TPG's valuations.
Set up your ideal structure
Of course, different card pairings work well for different goals. Identifying your credit card goals will help you decide which qualities to focus on when you choose your next card.
For instance, if you want to minimize your annual fees while earning travel rewards, your best card pairs may differ from those listed above. For this reason, TPG senior points and miles writer Katie Genter pairs her Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with her Chase Freedom Unlimited, as it allows her to maximize her Chase Ultimate Rewards points while only paying one $95 annual fee.
Bottom line
Many great credit cards are even better when paired with another card. Before deciding what your next credit card will be, inventory what you already have in your wallet. Then, consider your spending habits and reward goals to help you determine which card will add the most value to your current portfolio.
Once you've got a plan in place, you'll be well on your way to earning rewards and other perks you can redeem for travel and more.
Additional reporting by Stella Shon, Chris Dong and Ethan Steinberg.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.