Chase Trifecta vs. AmEx Trifecta: Chase for Simplicity and Value

Rewards optimizers use the term “trifecta” to describe a combination of three credit cards from one issuer that have complementary benefits. When combined, the cards create a rewarding synergy that helps you earn more points and get more value out of your redemptions.

Chase and American Express offer popular trifecta combinations for people seeking travel rewards. While you can mix and match different cards to create an optimal trifecta based on your spending habits, there is a recommended combination for each issuer.

For the Chase trifecta, consider the:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

• Chase Freedom Flex®.

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

For the AmEx trifecta, consider:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• American Express® Gold Card.

• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

In a head-to-head showdown, the Chase trifecta comes out ahead for most people — you’ll pay less in annual fees, get an easier-to-use travel credit, rewards and travel partners, and have broader acceptance around the world. The Chase trifecta is also more accessible for people who don’t qualify for a small-business credit card.

» MORE: AmEx Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

At a glance

Here's a look at the rewards-earning rates for each trifecta. (For details about specific benefits and statement credits offered by each card, check out the individual review pages linked above.)

Why the Chase trifecta is better for most people

Lower annual cost

The collective annual cost of the Chase trifecta is $795, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® having the only annual fee.

That’s cheaper than the annual cost of the AmEx trifecta, which includes annual fees of $695 on The Platinum Card® from American Express (rates and fees), $325 on the American Express® Gold Card (rates and fees), and $0 on The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (rates and fees). Terms apply.

Sure, the AmEx trifecta offers hundreds of dollars worth of coupon-book-style credits for services like Walmart+ as well as U.S. Uber Eats orders and rides (enrollment required), which can help offset the higher annual cost. But the catch is that many of these credits are limited in scope. For example, the $240 annual entertainment credit (enrollment required) is doled out in $20 monthly increments and applies to a handful of entertainment subscriptions only. Terms apply. You may have to go out of your way to optimize the potential value of the credits.

The Chase trifecta, too, features coupon-book style credits — through the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — that also require some work to take advantage of. But some of those credits are less restrictive and easier to use, and again, it costs less to hold these cards than those in the AmEx trifecta.

» MORE: Is it worth paying an annual fee for a credit card?

Easier-to-use travel credits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $300 annual travel credit that applies to all eligible travel purchases. It doesn’t get any easier — simply book travel like hotel, airfare or rental car with your card, and receive a statement credit.

By comparison, The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with an annual $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required), but it, too, has several caveats.* You must select only one airline from a short list of options to apply the credit. It only applies to incidental charges like in-flight refreshments and checked baggage, and the charge must be made separately from the ticket purchase. The card also comes with an annual $200 hotel credit, but that only applies to specific luxury hotels that are prepaid through American Express' travel portal. Since prepaid hotels are often nonrefundable, you could incur a significant out-of-pocket expense if your plans change. Terms apply.

» MORE: How credit card annual travel credits work

Potentially more valuable rewards

All three cards in the Chase trifecta earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®. These rewards can be combined into your Chase Sapphire Reserve® account, where they are redeemable through Chase's travel portal, potentially for a value of up to 2 cents each through Chase's "Points Boost" system.

American Express Membership Rewards points are worth 1 cent each when booking airfare and 0.7 cent a piece when booking hotels through AmEx's travel portal. It would cost 10,000 points for $100 in airfare, or 14,286 points for a $100 hotel stay. That’s significantly less value than you might expect to get for the same number of Ultimate Rewards® points.

More accessible travel partners

Both Chase and AmEx have a broad list of airline and hotel transfer partners — American Express has 21 travel partners compared with Chase’s 14. But more isn't always better.

In this case, Chase wins for many travelers with quality over quantity. Ultimate Rewards® can be transferred to partners like United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Hyatt at no cost. While American Express boasts more partners, the majority of them are international airlines and not as familiar to many. Transferring points to these airlines can yield impressive value, but can also cause more headaches and confusion to navigate. The biggest domestic transfer partner for AmEx is Delta Airlines — however, you'll pay an excise tax for transferring points to Delta (and a few others).

» MORE: Chase vs. AmEx travel partners

No business cards required

Our recommended Chase trifecta consists of all personal credit cards. That makes it broadly accessible to anyone with a credit profile that qualifies for the three cards. However, you’ll have to be eligible for a small-business credit card to craft the ideal AmEx trifecta.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express and its ability to earn 2 points per dollar for all purchases on up to $50,000 annually is the glue that really holds the AmEx trifecta together, since the other cards only earn 1x on non-bonus spending. If you don’t qualify for a small-business card, the Chase trifecta is the easy choice. Terms apply.

» MORE: Who can apply for a small-business credit card?

Better international acceptance

All Chase credit cards carry the Visa or Mastercard logo, making them usable nearly anywhere credit cards are accepted throughout the globe. American Express has closed the acceptance gap domestically, but still lags behind Visa and Mastercard abroad. If you’re looking to use your card internationally, your surefire bet is the Chase trifecta.

» MORE: Best no foreign transaction fee credit cards

Why you might want the AmEx trifecta

Big grocery and restaurant rewards

The American Express® Gold Card offers a sky-high 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in annual spend) and restaurants (on up to $50,000 in annual spend). The Chase trifecta earns an everyday 3 points per dollar at restaurants, and the potential to earn 5 points per dollar on up to $1,500 in quarterly spend if grocery stores are selected as a rotating bonus category on the Chase Freedom Flex. If you have an outsized budget for dining out or groceries, the math may have you leaning toward the AmEx trifecta. Terms apply.

» MORE: Best credit cards for restaurants

» MORE: Best credit cards for groceries

Elite status and luxury perks

You might prefer the AmEx trifecta if you value elite status and exclusivity. By holding The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll get complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status as well as Gold Elite status in Marriott's Bonvoy rewards program (enrollment required), President’s Circle status with Hertz (enrollment required), Emerald Club Executive status with National, 24-hour access to a concierge for those hard-to-access reservations or tickets, and access to members-only VIP experiences at prestigious events like Wimbledon and the Kentucky Derby. Terms apply.

If you value these perks, the AmEx trifecta may be worth the added annual cost.

» MORE: Best premium credit cards

Superior airport lounge access

If you’re a frequent flyer and often find yourself in airports, lounge access can be a great way to escape the commotion of the terminal. In addition to a Priority Pass Select membership (which the Chase trifecta also has), the AmEx trifecta also lets you access AmEx Centurion and International Lounges, limited visits to Delta Sky Clubs (only when flying Delta) and Plaza Premium, Escape and Airspace network lounges. Enrollment required.

That’s a huge footprint that includes complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges. If you want lounge access, the AmEx trifecta may be better for you.

» MORE: 5 things to know about American Express lounge access

Which trifecta should you get?

Most people will do better with the Chase trifecta. The annual cost is lower, the benefits and rewards are more transparent and easy to use, and your points are worth more when booking travel through the Chase travel portal. The AmEx trifecta could be a good choice for those who value a broader airport lounge footprint and luxury benefits, but realize you’ll be paying a lot more for those perks.

» NEXT: Earn 2%-5% on every purchase from the Citi Trifecta