Whether it’s the trio of traditional airlines in the US or the major airline alliances, some things just work well in threes.
For example, many of us at TPG love the Chase Trifecta: he Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Chase Unlimited Freedom® (see rates and fees). Used together, these three cards offer a powerful combination of earning rates, welcome offers, and perks.
Thanks in part to Chase’s competitive offerings, Amex also has a similar trifecta, with three cards that complement each other in almost every way, providing tremendous value at a reasonable price.
Each of these cards is great on their own, but when combined they can create great value, even for infrequent travelers. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Related: Choosing the best American Express credit card for you
Amex Platinum
American Express Platinum® Card It is one of the most valuable cards that exist. That’s thanks to a long list of luxury travel perks and a valuable welcome offer that can more than offset its $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Amex Platinum has the most complete access to the airport VIP lounge of any card. In addition to a Priority Pass Select MembershipYou will also receive access to Amex’s global network of Centurion Rooms and access to Delta Sky clubs when flying on same-day Delta Air Lines flights (limited to 10 Sky Club visits per year; registration required for select benefits).
And this is one of the best cards to book flights and hotels since you earn 5 points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with American Express® Travel (up to $500,000 in these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. According to TPG from May 2026 ratingsThese purchases generate a 10% return.
Cardholders also receive a variety of annual statement credits and benefits, including up to a $209 statement credit for Clear+ (subject to automatic renewal), up to $400 annually (up to $100 each calendar quarter) in statement credits for Resy purchases in the US, and up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 Uber Cash each month, plus an additional $20 in December after you add your card to your Uber account and redeem with an Amex card; enrollment required for select benefits).
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Hotel stays are also more rewarding with this card, with complimentary Leaders Club Sterling, Hilton Honors gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (registration required) and property credits and room upgrades through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Finally, you will enjoy a variety of purchase protections and travel coverage when you load eligible purchases to the card.
Related: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?
American Gold
The second member of this trio is American Express® Gold Card. This powerful mid-tier option combines lucrative earning rates with valuable statement credits.
This is the card to use for purchases and mealwinning:
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 of spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
The card’s $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) is compensated with up to $424 in annual value, including up to $120 in annual value Uber Cash* ($10 Uber Cash every month) and annually statement credits up to $84 at US Dunkin’ locations (up to $7 monthly), up to $120 at select restaurant merchants (up to $10 monthly), and up to $100 at US Resy restaurants (up to $50 every two years; enrollment required for select benefits).
These earning rates and benefits make Amex Gold a great choice for food lovers, both those who cook at home and those who like to dine out.
*Uber Cash will only be deposited into an Uber account when you add Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card..
Related: 8 Ways to Make the Most of the Amex Gold Card Benefits
Business Blue Plus
The last member of the trio, the Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American ExpressIt is one of the best cards for daily expense.
This card with no annual fee (see rates and fees) earn 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 of spending per calendar year with no bonus categories to worry about (earn 1 point per dollar after that).
As with the other cards on this list, you will also have access to valuable Amex Offersthat can help you save money (or give you bonus points) on purchases you were already planning to make.
You will be surprised to know what to be eligible for a business cardYou don’t need a physical store. You might be eligible for a business card even if you have a side job like selling items online, driving for a ride-sharing company, or managing vacation rentals. You can apply for a business card as a sole proprietor and use your Social Security number.
Related: Below are some ways you might be eligible for a business credit card without realizing it.
Application Tips
You will receive the welcome bonus for each card only once
You can only earn one welcome offer on each Amex card once in a lifetimeso you will want to get the highest bonus possible. These are the current welcome offers:
- Amex Platinum: Discover their offer and see if you’re eligible to receive up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.)
- American Gold: Discover their offer and see if you’re eligible to receive up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.)
- Business Blue Plus: Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases during the first three months of card membership.
This is a total of up to 290,000 bonus points, which is enough to fly around the world in business class.
Just make sure you compare the bonus with the offer history to make sure you get the best deal.
The order of the applications is important.
It is important to apply for Gold before obtaining Platinum. This is because if you get the Platinum first, you probably won’t be eligible for a welcome offer for the Gold; That rule does not apply the other way around.
Related: The definitive guide to restrictions on credit card applications.
In a nutshell
The Amex Trifecta allows you to boost your Membership Rewards Points balance. Book flights and hotels in Platinum, your shopping and dining in Gold, and everything else in your Blue Business Plus. And be sure to maximize statement credits and travel benefits on Platinum and Gold to help offset your annual fees.
To learn more about each card, read our full reviews of the card. Amex Platinum, American Gold and Business Blue Plus.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: American Gold
Apply here: Amex Blue Business Plus
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Blue Business Plus rates and rates, click here.
