Pairing the right credit cards can make earning and redeeming points more efficient and rewarding. Below are some of the best combinations for earning transferable points through major programs, helping you maximize rewards and unlock high-value travel redemptions.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Earn 3x on dining & travel with 1.5x redemption value on Chase Travel℠.
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card – Earn 5x on office supplies, phone, and internet (up to $25K/year).
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® – Earn 1.5x on all purchases and 3x on dining & drugstores.
Why it Works:
This combo gives you bonus points on travel, business expenses, and everyday spend, while unlocking strong redemption value through Chase’s 1.5x portal bonus (CSR) or via Chase's 14 transfer partners including Hyatt, United, Southwest, and Aeroplan.
Best for: Frequent travelers & small business owners who want high redemption flexibility.
- American Express® Gold Card – Earn 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to $50K/year and then 1x for the rest of the year) & U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/year and then 1x for the rest of the year), plus 3x for flights booked on AmexTravel.com.
- The Blue Business® Plus Card from American Express – Earn 2x points on all purchases (up to $50K/year, and then 1x for the rest of the year).
- The Platinum Card® from American Express – Earn 5x on flights booked directly with airlines, plus premium travel perks.
Why it Works:
The Gold Card dominates dining and groceries, the Blue Business Plus ensures 2x everywhere, and the Platinum Card boosts flights and premium perks like lounge access and travel protections. Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to 20 programs, including ANA, Aeroplan, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and more.
Best for: Travelers who maximize dining and premium perks.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Earn 2x miles on everything, plus 10x on hotels & rental cars via Capital One Travel.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card – Earn 3x on dining, entertainment, and groceries with no annual fee.
Why it Works:
The SavorOne fills the dining & grocery gap while the Venture X earns a flat 2x everywhere and unlocks premium perks like Priority Pass lounge access and $300 annual travel credit. Capital One miles transfer to 15+ programs, including Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Emirates, and more.
Best for: A simple, high-earning strategy with premium travel perks.
- Citi Strata Premier® – Earn 3x on dining, groceries, airfare, and hotels.
- Citi Double Cash® – Earn 2x on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay).
- Citi Rewards+® – Rounds up every purchase to the nearest 10 points and gives a 10% rebate on point redemptions.
Why it Works:
The Premier covers travel, dining, and groceries at 3x points, while Double Cash ensures 2x on everything else. The Rewards+ provides an automatic points boost, making redemptions even better. Citi ThankYou points transfer to 17 programs, including Turkish Airlines (great for domestic United flights), Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and more.
Best for: Maximizing everyday spend with strong travel redemptions.
Each of these card setups is designed for a specific spending strategy to help you earn more points and unlock premium redemptions. Whether you focus on premium travel perks, high-earning cashback, or everyday spending multipliers, these combos ensure maximum value.
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