How To Maximize The Amex Trifecta

Paying bills and making regular purchases with a credit card instead of cash or debit (and then paying off the balance before it accrues interest) is a great way to earn rewards on nearly every dollar you spend.

But when you factor in more than one credit card, allowing further diversity in your rewards, you can maximize your benefits even more.

For many consumers, this strategy can make a ton of sense. You can qualify for more travel perks and cardholder benefits if you use your credit cards strategically, earning more rewards than you would if you stuck with a single rewards credit card. This holds true for three of the best American Express credit cards — known as the Amex trifecta. Let’s break down the Amex trifecta strategy below.

What is the Amex trifecta strategy?

The American Express trifecta is one of the most popular Amex card combinations among rewards enthusiasts. This combination earns exceptional travel perks for globetrotting and benefits from double rewards on regular purchases — as well as more rewards from the bonus categories each card offers.

A big benefit of the Amex trifecta is the ability to combine all your rewards points into a single account. Once you figure out the optimal card for each purchase you make, all your rewards pool together, making American Express Membership Rewards points redemptions simple.

Here are the three cards that make up the Amex trifecta:

How to maximize the Amex trifecta

These tips can help you maximize the Amex trifecta upon your card approval and help you continue to get the most benefit from each card long-term:

• Time your spending to earn each welcome offer
  

  The American Express Gold and Platinum, in particular, have generous welcome offers you can earn after meeting the minimum spending requirements — and by doing so for either card, you can kick-start your earnings.

  The Amex Platinum offers as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months, whereas the Gold offers as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.

• Use the Platinum Card for prepaid hotels and airfare
  

  The Platinum Card offers 5X points on flights booked with airlines and flights booked through American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year (then 1X points). You’ll also earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel, which is an incredible rewards rate for your travel purchases.

  The Amex Platinum also offers up to $200 in annual credits for prepaid hotel bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties via Amex Travel (minimum stay of 2 nights required). Additionally, you’ll enjoy a $200 annual airline fee credit for one airline of your choice.

• Use the Amex Gold Card for dining and groceries
  

  The Gold Card earns 4X points on up to $50,000 each year of restaurant purchases around the world, then 1X points. It also earns 4X points on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, then 1X points. If you’re a foodie who can max out the annual supermarket spending, you could earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points on your annual food spending alone.

• Use the Blue Business Plus for all non-bonus purchases
  

  While the other cards in the Amex trifecta only offer 1X points on non-bonus spending, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2X points on all everyday business spending up to $50,000 each year (then 1X). Use it for all your regular, non-bonus business purchases, and you’ll earn a considerable rewards sum over time.

To get the most out of the Amex trifecta, you’ll want to try to use the majority of the credits offered by each card — including airline fee credits, dining credits, Uber credits and more. You’ll need to be intentional about this, especially since some of these credits apply monthly, but you do have an entire year to make it happen. Consider keeping a note or a sticker on each card listing its credits and bonus categories.

Further, make sure you connect your Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy numbers to your Platinum Card from American Express, since you get Gold elite status with both programs as a cardholder benefit. Also, use the Priority Pass airport lounge access and visit Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta or American Express Centurion Lounges in airports that have them.

The value of Amex Membership Rewards points

Because all your Membership Rewards points pool into one account with the Amex trifecta, it’s easy to rack up a ton of rewards and then cash them in for the exact redemption you want.

American Express Membership Rewards vary greatly in value depending on what redemptions you choose. Generally, transferring your points to Amex airline and hotel partners is the most lucrative redemption option. According to Bankrate valuations, Membership Rewards points can be worth an average of 2.0 cents apiece when transferred to a high-value partner. This means that the as high as 175,000-point welcome bonus for the Platinum Card could be worth $3,500.

You can also redeem American Express Membership Rewards for travel through the Amex travel portal, but you’ll only get 1.0 cent per point in value. Other redemption options include gift cards, statement credits and merchandise. You can also use points to upgrade your flights to business or first class.

The bottom line

The Amex trifecta is ideal for consumers who travel often and want to maximize points on every purchase.

However, it’s still important to spend some time figuring out whether or not you’ll be able to use all the cardholder benefits, as this trifecta comes with a price tag of over $1,000 in annual fees. These fees can be a bargain if you travel often enough to gain value from the perks, but they may make the trifecta a burden if you don’t.

Review your regular spending and decide what’s best for you. And if you’re on the fence about this trifecta, consider other travel credit cards on the market that may better suit your needs.