SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
There are plenty of great rewards credit cards available, but none of them fit every need that you have. That's why it makes sense to combine the features and rewards of multiple cards to maximize your benefits.
The AmEx Trifecta is one way of doing this. You can combine three American Express cards to earn more Membership Rewards on different spending categories.
What is the AmEx Trifecta and why should you have it?
The AmEx Trifecta uses the different features of separate American Express cards to optimize your benefits and rewards. Users of this strategy pick three American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards.
- The American Express Platinum Card® or the American Express® Green Card should be primarily used for travel expenses.
- Use the American Express® Gold Card on restaurant and U.S. supermarkets purchases.
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express will cover all of your other purchases.
Plus, these cards also offer valuable benefits that improve travel — including complimentary airport lounge access, reimbursed airport security memberships and hundreds of dollars in annual credits. Terms apply.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Smart ways to redeem Membership Rewards points
With the AmEx Trifecta, you'll earn a lot of Membership Rewards points by maximizing the money you're already spending. There are many options when it comes to redeeming American Express Membership Rewards points.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Transferring points to 20+ airline and hotel airline partners.
- Booking flights and prepaid hotel rooms through AmEx Travel.
- Upgrading eligible flights through AmEx Travel.
- Redeeming for gift cards.
Terms apply.
The value of your points will vary widely based on the type of redemption you choose. In general, you'll receive the most value when you transfer points to an airline to book award tickets, particularly those in premium cabins. Your goal should be to receive at least 1.6 cents per point in value from the rewards you've earned.
Earning rates that maximize the AmEx trifecta
Earn 4x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets - American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card rewards cardholders for their eating habits. You will earn 4 points per dollar on your dining purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year). Plus, when you're buying groceries at U.S. supermarkets, you'll earn 4 points per dollar on the first $25,000 you spend each year at U.S. supermarkets. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn the following welcome bonus: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
The American Express® Gold Card has an annual fee of $325. However, monthly dining credits ($10 a month, up to $120, enrollment required), Uber Cash ($10 a month, up to $120 a year, enrollment required) and a credit at U.S. restaurants on the Resy platform ($50 every six months, up to $100, enrollment required) do a lot to negate that cost. Terms apply.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
To get access to the Uber Cash bonus for use on U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders, you must add your card to your Uber account and pay with it (or another AmEx card). » Learn more: The benefits of the American Express® Gold Card
Up to 5x on travel - American Express Platinum Card® or American Express® Green Card
When picking a rewards card to pay for travel, you have two solid options from American Express. You'll choose between them based on your budget, benefits and the rewards they earn. The American Express Platinum Card® is a luxury travel card with a premium price. The American Express® Green Card is more budget-friendly, but still packs a ton of benefits.
American Express Platinum Card®
This is a luxury card that offers a lot of perks for its $895 annual fee. You'll earn 5 points per dollar when booking flights with airlines or through AmEx Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Plus, you'll also earn 5 points per dollar on AmEx Travel prepaid hotel reservations. Terms apply. Upon approval, you can earn this welcome bonus: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms apply.
The American Express Platinum Card® offers a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and thousands of dollars worth of annual credits with Uber ($200 in total when you use your card to pay for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S., up to $15 each month and $35 in December), airline fees* ($200), prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, with American Express' travel portal ($600, up to $300 for each half of the year), Equinox ($300), entertainment purchases with certain companies ($300), Saks Fifth Avenue ($100, up to $50 for each half of the year), U.S. restaurants on Resy ($400, up to $100 each quarter) and Lululemon ($300, up to $75 each quarter). Cardholders also receive automatic Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott, as well as Sterling status with Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club program. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
The American Express® Green Card
The American Express Platinum Card® earns up to 5 points per dollar and offers a lot of benefits, but its pricey annual fee is outside many budgets. For an annual fee of $150, the American Express® Green Card is a solid travel card that earns 3x points on travel and dining. This card's travel category encompasses a large variety of purchases, including airfare, hotels, car rentals cruises and more, unlike theAmerican Express Platinum Card®, which earns 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels bought from airlines or AmEx Travel only (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Terms apply.
If you’re looking for ultimate flexibility on travel purchases, the American Express® Green Card is the way to go. It also includes an annual credit toward a CLEAR+ membership.
Bonus points on everyday spending - The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
For all of your spending that doesn't fall into the above spending categories, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has you covered. It has no annual fee and earns 2 points per dollar on all of your purchases (up to $50,000 each year). Terms apply.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
In general, your minimum earning goal for all purchases should be at least 2 points per dollar spent. If you reach the $50,000 annual limit, you'll continue to earn 1 point per dollar on everything else. The card is eligible for AmEx Offers, just like all of your other American Express cards (enrollment required). One drawback is that the card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good companion for international travel. Terms apply.
Because this is a business card, some people may think that they don't qualify for it. However, in today's economy, many people have side hustles, rental properties and other sources of income in addition to their main job. You don't have to be a multimillion-dollar business to be eligible for a business card. In fact, you don't even need an EIN to apply if your business is registered as a sole proprietorship.
» Learn more: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - the top benefits and perks
The bottom line
Because each card offers different benefits and earning power, it makes sense to carry more than one card. By using the AmEx Trifecta of cards, you'll earn maximum points on travel, dining, groceries and other purchases. All of the Membership Rewards points you earn from the AmEx Trifecta are deposited into one account. This makes tracking your points easier and accelerates your ability to redeem for travel, gift cards or other rewards.
All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet. To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
*More from American Express
American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
