Amex Trifecta – The Best Card Combo For Free Flights?

Regular readers know I’ve written extensively about the Chase Trifecta to show just how powerful of a combo it is!

For those of you who aren’t already familiar, the Chase Trifecta is a 3-card combo to help you maximize each $1 you spend.

The cards can offer 2x, 3x, and even 5x per $1 spent depending on the category. This allows you to greatly increase your daily point earning getting you closer to that next free trip!

But have things changed? With the updates to the American Express Gold card, Amex now has a 3 card combo of their own that easily rivals Chase! So is the Amex Trifecta the new best 3 card combo?!

Let’s have a look at what the Amex trifecta looks like…

Amex Trifecta Earning Table

As outlined in the table below, the best option is a combination of the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card, and either the Amex Everyday Preferred or the Amex Blue Business Plus.

As you can see from the chart, the optimal strategy to maximize your points earning would go as follows:

• Use your Amex Platinum card for all of your flight purchases and any hotel purchases you make with amextravel.com.
• Then use your Amex Gold for all of your US Restaurant purchases, and all US Supermarket purchases (up to $25,000)
• Finally, use either your Everyday Preferred card for the first $6,000 in US Supermarket spend, all US Gas Station spend, and all other non-bonus spend. (Keep in mind you need to make 30 purchases on the card each month to receive the 50% boost.) OR using the Blue Business Plus card for all of your US Gas Station purchases, and all other non-bonus spend. (up to $50,000 per calendar year)

Using American Express Membership Reward Points

So why should you bother using the Amex Trifecta to earn lots of Membership Reward points in the first place? Well, as a transferable points currency, Amex Membership Reward points are some of the most valuable points you can earn that transfer to 18 different airline partners!

Utilizing transfer partners helps you get massive value out of your hard-earned points and you can then use them to fly cabins like JetBlue Mint…

Delta One Suites…

or even Singapore Suites First Class!

Final Thoughts

So which is better? The Amex Trifecta or the Chase Trifecta? Well, like other credit card questions – it depends!

In my opinion, Chase is the best bet for flyers looking to maximize their Southwest Companion pass, World of Hyatt hotel loyalist, or those who prefer booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

But for those who want to use their points to fly in premium business and first-class cabins, the Amex Membership Reward program offers way more opportunities to do so!

Not only do they have 11 more airline partners than Chase, but they regularly offer transfer bonuses, giving even more value to your points.

If you’re curious which set-up is best for you, book a free consultation with me and I’ll help you get started earning points and miles towards your next free vacation.