Latest news with #AmexGold
CNBC
22-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Amex Gold vs. Blue Cash Preferred: One's better for travel, dining out while the other offers cash back
Both the American Express® Gold Card and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express are top Amex cards, but with different strengths. The Amex Gold excels at bringing you travel and dining value, while the lower-annual-fee Blue Cash Preferred (see rates and fees) offers cash back that you can use to pay your monthly bill. Below, we compare the two cards' fees, welcome bonuses, rewards, redemption options and benefits so you can know which is best for your wallet — or perhaps there's room for both. On the American Express site On the American Express site The Amex Gold Card offers over $400 in statement credits every year. Good to Excellent670–850 See Pay Over Time APR $325 You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our American Express® Gold Card review. The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. On the American Express site On the American Express site Good to Excellent670–850 20.24%-29.24% Variable $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Earn a $250 statement credit See rates and fees, terms apply. Read our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent Saint offers three packages for credit repair services and a 90-day money-back guarantee for services. It has received an A rating and is accredited by the Better Business Credit People's Credit Report Repair service is relatively affordable compared to other programs in the space. Even the most basic package (the standard package) includes unlimited challenges to all three credit bureaus. Upgrading to the premium package includes escalated disputes and monthly credit score reports and score refreshes. The Amex Gold charges a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). The Blue Cash Preferred offers a $0 annual fee for the first year, then $95 each year after (see rates and fees). While the Gold Card carries a higher annual fee, it also comes with over $500 in annual value to offset it. If you don't want to worry about a high annual fee, regardless, though, the Blue Cash Preferred's $95 (see rates and fees) is easier to swallow — plus, you're off the hook the first year. With the Amex Gold, you could receive up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your card in the first six months. You'll find out just how many points you're eligible for after being approved for (and before accepting) the Amex Gold. The Blue Cash Preferred offers new cardholders a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months. While you won't know exactly how many points you can earn as a welcome bonus until after you apply and get approved for the Amex Gold, a maximum amount of 100,000 points can certainly go a long way. With Membership Rewards points valued at approximately 2 cents each, the welcome bonus is worth around $2,000 in value. The Blue Cash Preferred's spending threshold ($3,000) is half the Amex Gold's ($6,000) in the same amount of time (first six months), but $250 is much lower than what you could likely earn with the Gold. If you'd naturally spend $6,000 within six months anyways, without spending above your means, then the Gold's welcome offer is excellent value. One of the biggest differences between the Amex Gold and Blue Cash Preferred is the type of rewards they earn. The Amex Gold earns points in the form of Membership Rewards, while the Blue Cash Preferred earns cash back in the form of Reward Dollars. Membership Rewards points can be more lucrative as you have the option to transfer them to one of Amex's 20 travel partners; Reward Dollars can only be redeemed for statement credits (that go toward paying off your credit card bill) or on Amazon purchases. The one rewards category the cards share is at U.S. supermarkets, with the Blue Cash Preferred earning 6% back, but only to a max of $6,000 per year, compared to the Amex Gold earning 4X on the first $25,000 each year. The Amex Gold is going to be a better option for those who like going to restaurants, as it earns 4X points at restaurants worldwide on the first $50,000 annually. The Blue Cash Preferred rewards cardholders in everyday categories they likely spend in often, such as supermarkets, gas, transit and streaming subscriptions. But for those who travel or dine out frequently, there's no doubt the Amex Gold is a better fit, as it lets you earn points on flights, hotels and restaurants. It's also hard to beat being able to redeem rewards multiple ways versus just simply as a statement credit or on Amazon — more on that below. The Amex Gold's Membership Rewards points are very flexible in their redemption options. While they can be redeemed for gift cards, statement credits or even while shopping with participating brands, you're almost always going to get the most value transferring them to one of Amex's travel partners. The Blue Cash Preferred's Reward Dollars are more restrictive and can only be used for statement credits and when shopping at For those who prefer a simpler credit card rewards program, this card is a great option. The Amex Gold comes with a long list of benefits focused on restaurants and travel. The Blue Cash Preferred offers only a handful of perks, which is to be expected with a significantly lower annual fee. Choosing the Amex Gold means having access to over $500 in value each year from the following perks: Since the Blue Cash Preferred has a much lower annual fee, it's typical that it'd come with fewer credits:If you travel and dine out often, the Amex Gold lets you maximize that spending and the card's benefits that you'll likely take advantage of will offset the $325 annual fee. Plus, you'll earn at supermarkets. If you prefer less of a premium credit card and more of an everyday one that gives you cash back on things like gas, groceries and streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred with its low $95 annual fee ($0 the first year) is a winner. You don't have to worry about figuring out how to best redeem your cash back and can simply just apply it to paying off your monthly bill. The Amex Gold typically requires having good to excellent credit, or a score ranging from 670 to 850. No, you can't upgrade the Blue Cash Preferred to the Amex Gold as they aren't in the same family of cards. You can apply for each card separately and own both should you be approved. The Amex Gold has no preset spending limit; instead, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history. Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here. At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card comparison is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is the Amex trifecta? How to get more value from your Membership Rewards Points.
If you're a fan of the American Express Membership Rewards program, you probably already know how valuable Amex points can be. A great Amex rewards card can offer plenty of annual savings for any budget. But if you really want to upgrade your rewards value — especially if you're a frequent traveler with regular travel spending — you can use a specific trio of Amex cards to get the most from every dollar you spend. The Amex trifecta is made up of three American Express rewards cards: The Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Gold Card The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Together, these cards can offer even more dynamic savings on future travel, everyday spending, and more. Here's more about the three cards that make up the Amex trifecta: Why we like it: The Platinum Card from Amex is one of the most premium rewards cards available today. Its only bonus categories are focused on travel, and you'll get the best value if you're willing to book through Amex Travel, the issuer's travel portal. But the best feature of the Platinum Card is its benefits — specifically if you're a frequent traveler. Amex says the Platinum Card offers over $1,500 in annual value with credits for hotel stays, airline fees, digital subscriptions, and much more. You'll also get access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across the world (including Centurion Lounges) through Amex's Global Lounge we like it: On its own, the Amex Gold offers incredible savings on everyday purchases, with an unbeatable 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to limits). It also offers hundreds of dollars in value on purchases you can make at home or on the go, including dining and rideshare credits. In fact, the Amex Gold card is one of our best travel card picks from any issuer. As part of this Amex trifecta, it's a great tool to supplement the Amex Platinum's travel rewards and still earn plenty of points when you're not traveling. If you're able to max out the $25,000 annual spending cap for earning 4x at U.S. supermarkets, for example, you'd net 100,000 Membership Rewards Points each year — at a value of 1 cent per point, that could get you up to $1,000 in travel we like it: The Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card is the only business card in the trifecta, so you will need a business to qualify. You could be eligible whether you do freelance work, have a side gig, or you're a brick-and-mortar small business owner. It's a pretty straightforward no-annual-fee credit card (see rates & fees) on its own, with a solid 2x points on every purchase up to the first $50,000 annually, then 1x points. Beyond rewards, there are a few added benefits. But if you're considering the Amex trifecta, the Blue Business Plus card adds a lot of flexibility. You can use this card for all of your non-bonus spending and get 2x points on each purchase until you meet the annual limit. If you max out the $50,000 spending cap, you could earn a total of 100,000 Membership Rewards Points with the card each the right strategy, you can make the most of each dollar you spend using the Amex trifecta. One of the main benefits of using the trifecta is the ability to get top rewards rates across a range of categories — so you'll have more Amex Membership Rewards to redeem when you're ready to book a trip. First, start with the Amex Platinum for your travel spending: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or (up to $500,000 per year), then 1x 5x points on eligible prepaid hotels booked through If you spend beyond the $500,000 max on eligible flights in a calendar year with your Amex Platinum, you can still use your Amex Gold to earn an unlimited 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through The Amex Gold card can cover some additional travel methods, too: 3x points on other eligible travel (prepaid car rentals, prepaid cruise reservations) booked through with Amex Gold Beyond travel, look to Amex Gold for the best rewards on groceries and dining out: 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 spent per year), then 1x 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent per year), then 1x For all other expenses, you'll get bonus points with the Blue Business Plus card at its flat rewards rate: 2x points on all other purchases (up to $50,000 spent per year), then 1x This includes all of your regular purchases that don't fall into the above bonus categories — gas or EV charging, utility payments, tourist attractions, event and concert tickets, online shopping, and more — up to the annual limit. If you have a large budget, it can also include spending across otherwise eligible bonus categories after you max out those annual spending caps. The other major component of the Amex trifecta that makes it worthwhile for travelers is all the added benefits* and annual credits. Most of your annual perks will come from the Amex Platinum card — especially for travel. This card is loaded with everything from airport lounge access to airline fee credits, credits for airport security programs (like TSA PreCheck and Clear), and more. Plus, you'll get automatic elite status with a few partner travel brands: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status; Hilton Honors Gold Status; and premium status with Avis, Hertz, and National car rental companies. You'll get some travel benefits with the Amex Gold card, too. But like its rewards, this card's most valuable perks are on food spending. You can get over $300 in annual value just from various Amex Gold dining credits: Up to $84 in statement credits ($7 per month, with enrollment) at U.S. Dunkin' locations Up to $100 in statement credits ($50 semi-annually, with enrollment) when you dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible purchases with Resy Up to $120 in statement credits ($10 per month, with enrollment) at participating dining partners including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Five Guys Another major benefit of both cards is annual Uber Cash** for food delivery or rideshares. Here's the breakdown of the combined $320 you can use toward Uber spending each year with both the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold: Up to $200 Uber Cash ($15 per month and a bonus $20 in December) with the Amex Platinum Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month) with Amex Gold *Terms apply for each of these American Express card benefits; many also require enrollment. Make sure you check your card's terms and your online account for specific benefit offers.**To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber app and your eligible American Express Platinum Card or American Express Gold Card must be selected as the payment method. The Amex benefit may only be used in the United States. You can get a lot of potential value with the Amex trifecta, but it will take some effort to figure out where and how to make each purchase. For example, many of these cards' top reward categories have annual spending caps; after you meet these maximums, you'll earn just 1x point per dollar in the category. If you're a big annual spender (or even think you could get close to a category's spending max), it's important to track when you're approaching the cap. Benefits also require some strategizing. These card perks are incredibly valuable, but they can also be difficult to keep up with. Some renew each month, some are semi-annual, and some reset once per calendar year. Ensure you track your benefits on your own or within the Amex app regularly. Always remember to keep your card statements and monthly payments organized, too. The quickest way to lose reward value is by accruing interest charges on a card balance. Know your due dates and track your spending so you can pay on time and in full each month to avoid interest and cards can save you a lot of money on travel and other expenses, but they also come at a cost: The Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee (see rates & fees), the Amex Gold has a $325 annual fee (see rates & fees), and the Blue Business Plus (see rates & fees) has no annual fee. Altogether, that's $1,020 in annual fees for the three cards. No matter your budget, spending over $1,000 in annual fees is a high price to pay. If you travel often and spend a lot of money in the eligible rewards categories, it is possible to make up that cost. Just make sure you compare your own potential value based on your spending before you welcome offers: Each of these cards offers valuable welcome bonuses for new cardholders. Make sure you time your applications so you can both meet the spending thresholds within the given time periods (without overspending) and minimize any effects on your credit score. Valuable points: With the Amex trifecta, you'll have plenty of opportunities to maximize the points you earn when spending across multiple categories. When it's time to redeem your rewards, you can choose between multiple options within the Membership Rewards program, including booking flights through or transferring points to Amex's airline and hotel transfer annual fees: The annual fees you'll pay for the Amex trifecta are pricey. While you may be able to easily recoup that cost through rewards and benefits, you'll still pay a lot of money each year to keep these cards. Make sure you look at how you spend and travel before you apply to ensure this card strategy is right for you. Other card combinations may work better for you: The Amex trifecta isn't the only option for combining rewards cards to maximize your earnings. If these reward categories and benefits don't align with how you already like to travel and where you spend money, another card combination may work better for your financial Amex trifecta can be a great solution for fans of American Express Membership Rewards. You can use the different reward categories and benefits to maximize your points and save money at home and abroad. But first, decide whether this card strategy fits with how you already travel. If you don't use the services included in the cards' annual benefits or you prefer to book travel outside of the eligible bonus categories, you may not get the best value with these cards. Also, remember that one of the cards in this trifecta is a business card, which may not work for you if you cannot qualify. Instead of the Blue Business Plus, you could keep your trifecta to all consumer cards and choose the American Express® Green Card. This card isn't quite the catch-all you'll get with the Blue Business Plus, but you can diversify your rewards a bit with 3x points on transit (including trains, rideshares, tolls, parking, buses, and more) as well as an additional annual credit for Clear Plus membership (up to $199 in statement credits, subject to auto-renewal). Before you apply for any new rewards card — or decide to use a card combination like the Amex trifecta — always look back at your regular spending habits and redemptions. With the right cards for your budget, spending, and travel preferences, you can ensure you make the most of your rewards now and in the embedded content is not available in your region. This article was edited by Alicia Hahn Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
