Best credit card combinations to maximize rewards

Having the right credit card makes it easy to earn cash back or travel rewards for each dollar you spend, but the right combination of cards can be even better. That’s because many cards have rewards structures that work well together. Plus, many cards from the same card issuer allow you to pool all of your rewards into one account, which means you may have more redemption options available, allowing you to maximize reward value.

Although juggling multiple credit cards for rewards can be risky for some given the potential to rack up debt and miss payments, organized rewards enthusiasts could reap the benefits of combining cards. If you’d like to know more about this somewhat advanced rewards strategy, this guide will help.

Top card combos to maximize rewards

Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for diverse spending

• How to maximize this combination

  Maximizing this combination starts with enrolling in the complimentary memberships like DashPass and Priority Pass Select. You should also consider completing your application with Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS to receive the up to $120 statement credit Sapphire Reserve cardholders enjoy. You’ll want to fully use the Sapphire Reserve’s benefits to recoup the annual fee so that holding the card is worth it.

  Another key here is using the right card in the right situation. Instead of earning cash back with the Chase Freedom Flex, you’ll actually earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to the Chase Sapphire Reserve to take advantage of high-value redemption options. For example, you’ll get a 50 percent points boost on travel redemptions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

  For possibly an even better deal, redeem your points for 1:1 transfers to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners like Southwest Rapid Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus. Although it depends on which transfer partner you redeem with, you can get around 2.0 cents per point in value from Ultimate Rewards, according to our points and miles valuations.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Best for business travelers

• How to maximize this combination

  To make the most of this combo, use the Amex Platinum for all of your airfare and prepaid hotels and use your Amex Blue Business Plus for all non-category spending. The Platinum Card from American Express works best for consumers who travel a lot and can take advantage of the slew of premium Platinum card benefits. Although a $695 annual fee applies, cardholders who take advantage of even a few of these benefits can easily regain the cost of card membership.

  Be sure to select an airline you fly with frequently for the up to $200 annual airline incidentals credit, and connect your credit card to your Uber account so you can use the allotted monthly credit (up to $15 per month, plus a bonus $20 in December, for a total of up to $200 in Uber Cash per year).

  Although this combo is great for business travelers, you’ll want to avoid using your Blue Business Plus in foreign countries since it has foreign transaction fees. Use your Platinum card for that instead. If you’re planning to make a large purchase for your business, take advantage of the Blue Business Plus’ introductory APR offer of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then 17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR) to pay for that purchase over time.

  As with many other credit card combinations, you can pool all of your points in your Amex account and redeem them for travel purchases through American Express Travel or for transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners, like Delta SkyMiles or Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Plus, Membership Rewards points can be worth around 2.0 cents apiece according to our points and miles valuations. More information on strategically redeeming points and miles can be found in Bankrate’s travel toolkit.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and Citi Double Cash® Card: Best all-around combination

• How to maximize this combination

  Use the Citi Strata Premier for all of your air travel, restaurant, supermarket, hotel and gas station purchases. Meanwhile, use the Citi Double Cash for all non-bonus category purchases since you’ll earn up to 2 percent back. As you rack up rewards, pool them all in your Citi Strata Premier account, which earns full-fledged Citi ThankYou points — meaning you can then transfer points to Citi travel partners for optimal value. Citi ThankYou points are estimated to be worth around 1.6 cents apiece according to our points and miles valuations.

  You can also recoup the annual fee through rewards earned on bonus category purchases. For example, if you’re able to spend at least $267 per month ($3,204 per year) on bonus categories that earn 3X points, you’ll earn 9,612 points (worth $96.12) and be able to make up for the Citi Strata annual fee.

The Chase trifecta: Best for maximizing Chase Ultimate Rewards

• How to maximize this combination

  Chase Ultimate Rewards points are one of the most valuable rewards currencies in the credit card space, and strategically tripling your efforts on collecting those points can allow you to fast-track your way to lucrative redemptions.

  If you opt for this trio, a key way to maximize it is by activating your rotating bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex each quarter to earn the highest rewards on your qualifying purchases. You should also make sure you’re using the right card for your purchases.

  Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred for bookings through Chase Travel, dining, online grocery purchases, streaming services and other travel spending. Then use the Chase Freedom Flex’s boosted rewards on the relevant rotating categories each quarter. If your spending doesn’t fit any of the bonus categories, use the Chase Freedom Unlimited to earn at least 1.5 percent back (technically earned as Ultimate Rewards points). If this trio doesn’t match your spending habits, you should consider other top Chase cards until you find the trio that works best for your needs.

The Amex Trifecta: Best for American Express loyalists

• How to maximize this combination

  We’ve already covered how the Amex Platinum and Amex Blue Business Plus work together, but by adding the Amex Gold, you can significantly boost your rewards earnings. The Amex Gold offers generous rewards on groceries, dining, and travel-related purchases. Plus, there’s a great rewards structure for trips booked through Amex Travel.

  Although the American Express Gold Card has a $325 annual fee, the card almost pays for itself with its annual statement credit benefits for Uber and dining. And much like the other card combinations we mentioned, you can pool your rewards to take advantage of larger redemptions. To get the most from your Amex trifecta, make sure you enroll for the services offering statement credits including WalMart+, your preferred airline, CLEAR Plus and Uber. Use your Platinum card for booking travel through the Amex Travel portal to earn the most points. It could also be helpful to set reminders each month (or semi-annually) to take advantage of the statement credits.

Comparing the best credit card combos cards

How to choose a card combo

Choosing a card combo begins with choosing the right first card. Consider your credit score, spending habits, lifestyle and rewards goals to form the outline for your strategy. If your credit isn’t already in the good to excellent range, focus on that first. Get your credit into pristine shape before considering ways to use multiple cards to your advantage.

Once you’ve decided on what you need in a card combo, it’s time to understand each issuer’s application rules, such as Chase’s 5/24 rule that says Chase won’t approve you for a credit card if you’ve opened five or more accounts with any issuer in the past 24 months.

Lastly, take stock of how you plan to meet the sign-up bonus requirements for each card. If you apply for cards too quickly and without a plan for spending enough to earn each card’s bonus, you’ll miss out on valuable rewards.

What’s next?

The bottom line

Having a few top rewards credit cards that complement each other can help you earn a lot more rewards and benefits over time. To make the most of these card combinations, you’ll have to be committed to only making purchases you planned to make anyway so that all your spending stays within your budget.

Be prepared to pay your balances in full each month to avoid paying interest on your purchases. If you wind up paying a 20 percent APR or more on a revolving balance, the rewards you’ll earn on purchases won’t be worth it.

For rates and fees of the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Citi Double Cash® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.