The #1 Credit Card Setup for TRAVEL?! (Mixed Trifecta)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.ค. 2024
- I found 3 of the BEST credit cards for travel & put them together to create an awesome TRIFECTA! Each one has unique rewards & benefits to make your next vacation a whole lot better (and more affordable). Click “Show More” to see Ad Disclosure, links, and additional information below.
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To create my own Best MIXED Credit Card Trifecta, I had to meet certain criteria:
1. Each of the 3 travel credit card had to be from a different issuer.
2. None of the credit card rewards categories and benefits could have too much overlap.
3. All of the rewards had to give good value for travel.
4. The credit card annual fees had to be easily justified without too much hassle.
5. All of the credit cards had to provide long term value.
Here are the 3 credit cards I chose and a little bit into the ‘why’…
1. Capital One Venture X: This is an excellent premium travel credit card that can give you $750+ in value from the welcome offer in Year 1. It also has strong rewards categories (up to 10X miles!) for select travel purchases and also earns 2X miles at a minimum for all standard purchases. For the $395 annual fee, you’ll receive an annual $300 travel credit, a 10,000 mile anniversary bonus (worth $100+ towards travel via the Capital One Travel portal), airport lounge access (Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass Lounges), elite status and/or discounts with partner rental car companies, and more!
2. American Express Gold Card: If you eat food and like to travel, this card can make a lot of sense to get. After earning 60,000 Amex Membership Rewards points (or more) in Year 1, you’ll continue earning 4X points on Groceries at U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25K/year) and 4X on Dining Worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.). Despite the $250 annual fee, it comes with an annual $120 dining credit and a $120 Uber Cash benefit to help offset it.
3. Citi Custom Cash Card: This card is unique in that it earns 5X points in YOUR Top Spend Category each billing cycle from a preset list of 10 categories (max. $500/month). So, you can strategically use this card to capture a high return on spend in a category you choose that’s not covered by the other two cards.
Furthermore, both the Amex Gold card and Capital One Venture X give you access to some excellent transfer partners, a number of which overlap so you can indirectly combine your rewards!
Of course, there are plenty of other credit card trifectas you can create for yourself (including the popular Amex Trifecta and Chase Trifecta). Some of you may want to make your own with the likes of the Amex Platinum Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or others. As always, choose the cards that fit into your lifestyle and work with your spending habits.
Disclosure: This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. Mark Reese is not a financial advisor.
#creditcards #americanexpress #capitalone - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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⬆ (More links in Description below video!)
As many folks may know, the mixed duo of the Amex Gold and Captial One Venture X is one that I speak really highly of on my channel and makes a lot of sense for someone like myself who will naturally get positive value from the credits. The Citi Custom Cash is a solid card to slot into any setup, but I'd likely use it as a cash-back card in this hypothetical setup as you don't have the Citi Premier to transfer out to partners with. The nice thing about that is that you could use the Gold/VX for all travel bookings with their partners and then use your cash back from the Custom Cash to fund any meals/excursions you take on your trips. That's how I'd use them at least!
Hello Spencer it’s you again!!!!
Great point about using the Citi Custom Cash's rewards to cover other travel-related expenses 👊💵
@@MarkReesewhy use citi, wouldn’t you want to use Amex for meals anyways
@@lexbraxman9270 - Use Amex Gold to pay, but then redeem however many Citi points I have as cash back to cover / "pay myself back" for those meals.
@@Nameless-hy7fu Hello there!
This video was golden! Thanks so much, really appreciate the detail. 💯
Thanks LaToya! 🥇
I really enjoyed the video. I liked how you structured it👍
Glad to hear it, thanks! 💯
Really enjoyed the video. Appreciate the attention to the benefits offsetting the annual fees. Also like the choice of cards since the Amex Gold and the Venture X can both be used to accumulate travel reward points.
Thanks Steve, glad you enjoyed it!
Great set up! Thanks for the info + video!
💯👍
When redeeming points, Venture X is 1 point = 1c when covering travel purchases.
And I find that even drinks at a bar can be covered by this so the categorization isn’t strict.
Was that bar in an airport, hotel, etc? And was the redemption value 1¢ per point?
Hi Mark, I am a beginner to the world of travel cards; so this video was next level in terms of info and usability! Thanks!! ✌️
Glad to hear it, Robert! Welcome aboard 💯
Thats a great trifecta right there mark!
I currently use:
CSP for all travel
AMEX Gold for food
Paypal WMC for all else.
Im hoping to eventually add the Cap1 V or VX in the future.
Sounds like you're getting more into the travel game, yes? 😃
@@MarkReese - yes sir, but dont tell my cash back friends! 🤫😉
As a digital nomad based outside of the US, my ideal trifecta is CSR, Venture X and Ink Preferred since none have foreign transaction fees. I pay my rent (Airbnb), travel and restaurants with CSR for 3x, Grocery and Restaurant delivery (which codes as Shipping for me) 3x, cellphone service 3x and for $1000 insurance protection and Venture X is my catch-all at 2x.
Fantastic cards, Alex! Great choice using the CSR for Airbnb 💯
Great video Mark! Your organizational skills are outstanding. I’d need a Chase card in there for Hyatt.
Thank you! 💯
interesting setup, I love chase points mainly due to easily repeating signup bonuses but kind of see why it didn't make it in for a long term setup.
For sure. Chase definitely has the best overall / most well-rounded program 👍
I would pick Savor one over Amex gold since I won’t use even half of the credit that gold gives and my combined spending on groceries and dining probably still won’t make up the 250 annual fee. Plus, savor one now offers Uber one membership through Nov 2024 so you get 5% discount every ride and 10% back when using savor one for rides and Uber eats .
Great alternative 🏆
I agree with Savor One after I spend on my Amex preferred on groceries which you would definitely get your 95 annual fee back after that I would spend my SavorOne Card
Technically the custom cash gets 5x on flights too since that's covered under select travel. On months I travel I use my custom cash for hotels or baggage fees if I have any. Without travel protections I would not book airfare on the custom cash. Also, viator codes is travel, so that's also 5x on tours. Of course, just make sure you don't go over $500
Yep good point! I thought about highlighting 'Travel' as a crossover category with 'Flights,' but decided to pass since the former is a lot broader. Definitely could've done it, though 👍
@@MarkReese I wouldn't have added it as I feel it shouldn't be recommended for flights. But 5x on hotels is clutch. Premium travel cards don't allow you to earn at bonus points for hotels, which of course is travel 🤷🏿♂️ CSR is the only one I can think of at 3x for travel that's not a Cash back card
@@TheAudioCzar - The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve (3X Travel, incl. hotels), U.S. Bank Altitude Connect (4X Travel, incl. hotels), and Citi Premier (3X Hotels) are other good options 👍
@@MarkReese I have the altitude connect and love it. I was referring to transferable points and premium travel cards. I am thinking of picking up the Citi premier for 3x on hotels, but I'm going to wait to see what alleged new Citi cards talking about
Good to know Viator codes as travel for 5x 😊
I would add US Bank Cash+ to the list. You can pick two 5% cashback categories. Use it as a catch for home utilities and tv/internet/streaming which can be about $500+/month of 5% back ($25 back/month). And it has no annual fee so why not. Can't redeem for points but maybe transfer to altitude reserve?
Another great card for sure! There isn't a way to transfer Cash+ rewards to the Altitude Reserve.
For my setup, I'd use 2 cards.
Amex Green: It offers points on a lot of travel-oriented purchases and restaurants and has credits that easily offset the annual fee and no FTF.
Capital One Savor One: For the entertainment purchases as well as purchases outside the US since it is Mastercard and has no FTF.
It's also good to have multiple issuers when traveling. I've heard some horror stories of 1 issuer setups. The bank freezing the cards and the person gets stuck or has a huge inconvenience where they cannot enjoy their travel. It's also a good idea to have cards on different payment networks. I went grocery shopping with 5% on my Discover and the Discover network was down for like an hour, so I used my Amex BCE and it worked just fine.
Good combo & great point about having cards from different issuers! 👍
This is really a great trifecta!
It sure is!
Excelente información y video Mark!
Gracias por tu sintonía César! 👊
My setup will be bbp, and amex gold for point spend setup. And bonvoy brilliant and chase ritz carlton for lux statuses and certificates. I will see how it goes having both marriott cards and if too much just keep one.
Sounds good!
I oddly wrote about this combination in my blog. But yeah if you add the rewards+ card to the mix, you'll be able to think of that Citi return in points instead of just cash.
The Citi Custom Cash issues points by default.
@@MarkReese oh well that's good to know. Thank you! 🤠 🙇🏻
Great video. Is there any benefit to getting the Capital One Venture before the Capital One Venture X to try and get both bonuses? Is that even possible?
It's possible. Doesn't matter which one you get first.
I got both Venture X and Amex Gold and it seems to be a good duo for me. Having added my family as authorized users for both cards, they’ll utilize the 2x multiplier better than I can ever do and hit that SUB for the VX, plus the purchase protection is always good. I was debating on using the c1 portal (5x) instead of using Amex gold (3x) solely for the travel benefits that the gold doesn’t provide. C1 portal isn’t perfect but the 5x multiplier and I believe you can still get status and miles from Delta, makes it an easy choice. Atm CFF is still doing the 5% on gas, so I’ve been using that. Great videos as always, I can’t wait to use the 300 travel credit very soon!
Glad you found a duo that works well for you & the family!
Thank you for this. The TSA/ GE that is application every 5 years. Do i get credit on that per year if i applied then next yr my bf will apply (authorize user)?
Only one TSA/GE credit every 4 - 4.5 years per card.
Got Venture X, and will downdrade Chase Reserve to Preferred. Will keep all my other chase cards as well. But the next one to get for me is Savor one, because of 3 points for groceries.
Sounds good! Good luck on the C1S1 application when the time is right 💯
I love the savor one with the VX. I use the 10x on Uber when I travel for work and the 3x back on entertainment is great as it’s a category that doesn’t get a lot of love
I have the Chase Trifecta (Preferred), Amex Gold, and Venture X. Thinking of either the Citi Premier, but are that too many different banks? Savor one to match up with the Venture X? Or a hotel card such as WOH, Marriott Boundless, or Hilton Surpass. Which route would you go with? Thank s for any input.
Don't start with the card(s) and try to force them into a strategy. Rather, start with what you're trying to achieve, then get the cards that solve for that.
This is the exact setup I already have. I also have the quicksilver which was my first
Awesome! 💯
If I had to only chose 3 it would be the venture X, amex gold and the us bank cash plus!! Need to make a video on a 4 card set up. Much easier!
Solid choices!
I was wondering if I transfer my ultimate reward points to Southwest do I have to have the sapphire preferred or can I just have the FREEDOM Unlimited? And if I have the chase sapphire preferred if I transfer points out, do I get the 25% bonus
1. You must have the CSP, CSR, or CIBP to transfer to Southwest.
2. No 25% bonus for any transfer partner. That bonus is only realized when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal directly.
i have half of gold trifecta Cruve Card, Bilt card, the OG Amex Gold would like to add venture X for premium perks
only missing the GAS category less than 2x return suggest best gas card which earns travel points atleast 3x (preferably visa card)
@@user-zr4mz3cb3y - Sounds good! I wish more premium travel cards included a gas category. The Citi Premier is one of them (3X).
The gold cards credits are only workable if you live in a major metro area. Most of the country that's not the case.
Definitely smart to make sure the credits make sense 👍 If not, swap in a different card.
I’m team cash back. What are the best no annual fee cash back credit cards? I was thinking savor one, blue cash everyday, and WF autograph? Or, I was maybe thinking of switching one of them out for the US bank altitude go. Any thoughts?
- for cashback trifecta I would run something like this:
A multiple 3x card (savor1 or WF autoG)
A flat 2x card (citi DC, paypal, WF AC)
A 5% card (Flex, citi CC, discover, or USbk cash+)
All of those can be excellent choices, but what it comes down to is this...Get the cards that award you best in the areas where you spend most. People's spending habits can vary a lot, which is why there's not a 1-size-fits all solution.
I just found out today I'm stuck in amex pop up jail. And I don't understand why. I don't churn amex cards. I only have a delta blue card I downgraded from the delta gold card. Should I upgrade it back up to gold and put some spend on it?
I can't guarantee any outcome as I don't know the reasons for the pop up. I'd personally use the Amex Blue for awhile. No need to upgrade again.
I forgot to mention in past videos, I like this new background & close up camera angle. (:
Thanks for the feedback, K 👊
With the Citi Custom Cash... Could you use it to shop at a shopping club like Wal-Mart or Sams Club or Costco and get 5% back?
No, unfortunately wholesale clubs are not an eligible category. (Also, Costco only accepts Visa cards) ✌️
That's what I have so far, AMEX Plat, C1VX, and Alaska Visa/Marriott Bold (could be better cards), but somehow these 3 compliments each other :)
Great cards to have! 💳
Great video I would not have even thought of the mixed trifecta. Man keep that content coming thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
But the Amex gold dining/uber is only valid in the US not internationally
Swap in a different card instead 👍
Mark always brings us valuable content nobody else even thinks to make🙌🏽
🏆
I have all three. My recommendation is to stay away from American Express. If you are an adventurous epicurist, no authentic mom and pop shop will take these cards. I live in Bay Area, no small ethnic food place will take this card, was just in Thailand and heading to India soon. I was looking forward to the 4% restaurants but not worth it unless you enjoy chain restaurants. Don’t settle for less than 90k points for the American Express Gold, just search in incognito mode if you do apply. I love the Venture X, this is really the only premier travel card you should carry if you travel casually like me, 3-4 international vacation travel a year only. I use Chase Preferred for dining and Customs Cash for Gas, Venture X for most other things.
Good points above, jelloMadison!
Love you mark! Lol
👊
I just have all my 19 cards in my wallet and use whichever is best for the purchase.
Meanwhile in the checkout line..."Excuse me why I pull out all my wallets..." 😂👊
Never ever carry all your credit cards with you.
Ha, just switched to these 3 at the beginning of the month.
💯💳💯
I would swap the Citi for the Bilt card.
Good choice 👍
Yo Mark - I’m out here in Vegas dominating with my Amex Gold & Green. #Winning #Amex4Life
Right on, Jim! Vegas is a great place to be with those cards 💪
@@MarkReeseA winning hand! 🃏
Why did you only put $200 of value for the custom cash reward points, but “750+”and “600+”for the other ones?
Do the custom cash points never value above 1 cent per point with travel partners? If not that sucks!
The Custom Cash does not have access to any travel transfer partners. The redemption rate is 1¢ per point for cash back or travel.
@@MarkReese when you combine it with the premier and redeem it for travel, do you think it gives more like 2 cents back like the Amex or Chase card does?
@@toxicgamer2881 - Yes. Those are average values though.
I tried signing up to Rakuten 3days ago using ur code to get the $30 bonus but it didn’t work should I reach out to customer service or will it not work since I already made a $60 purchase and they gave me $10 🤔
Which part didn't work?
@@MarkReeseusing the refer code so I’m wondering can I ask them to fix it or is it to late since my account is made?
I went ahead and emailed them and sent them ur referral and asked that I get this fixed if at all possible i will report back if they do
Update they fixed that quick lol u should see a $30 bonus from me yay least I can do for all u have done !! Please never stop ✋ if u don’t see it let me know and I will message them again
@@ChaoSasuke - Awesome, that's great to hear! Glad they did a quick fix for you 💯
not sure what to do with my cap credit cards. i've got huge ccs at amex and chase. i only have about 50K reward miles with cap. should i just transfer that small amount into amex reward points (is that even possible) or can I score some sweet airline deal round trip (business class???) from LA? Thankyou!!!!!!
1. You cannot transfer Capital One miles into a competing bank program (e.g. Amex, Chase, etc.)
2. Sounds like you want to get rid of your Capital One cards? What's the reason?
@MarkReese I purchase everything w gold, Plat, or hilton aspire/business amex or ritz cc and they cover the lounges and soon chase lounges, hotels etc. I don't see additional benefits w my three capital one cards, unless I am missing something.
I only have about 50k. any ideas on how best to burn that up. any chance I can get business class anywhere from LAX especially during low season?
@@mistyluv261 - (1) If any of those Capital One cards are your oldest (or a fairly old) account, then I'd consider keeping that one open. If it has an annual fee, I'd call Capital One to ask if I could downgrade it to a no-fee card. Then I'd use it once every 6 months or so for a small purchase just to keep it active. None of this is required, but it's what I'd do for credit score purposes.
(2) Maybe some 1-way business class fares. Do searches online for "how to fly to [location] on points and miles" to find something you like.
@@MarkReese Can I get your expertise please: Amex Plat is offering $1000 for 100K points to open a checking account plus an extra 30k to open account. I can transfer about $5,000 under this scenario. Do you think that is a good or bad redemption? I was thinking that I could probably get 5-6 one way business segments for much more dollar value, but the way I see it, the food isn't worth more that a $100 on each segment and the space is not a deal breaker. with $5,000, that can give me 50 excellnet $100 dinners, or 25 fantastci $200 dinners. plus, I plan to get a part time job w an airlines, so i think i will get to fly standby and get lucky every now and then and get business class. any thoughts? thank you for your expertise!
Hi Mark, Love your content!
Q: Do you know a way that I can remove myself from the AMEX black list? In 2007, during bad times, AMEX closed my account. Recently, I applied with AMEX and got denied . The reason was that Amex closed my account back on 2007. My credit is excellent now in the higher tear 800. Any ideas? Thank you!
I don't have any proven tactics to get off of the Amex black list. I'd personally try to find another way back in, perhaps by opening a savings account and/or getting one of their prepaid cards ("American Express Serve"). Also consider becoming an authorized user. Get creative with finding ways to starting a relationship with them again.
I’m shocked none of the Chase cards made the cut 😢
😬
I got 18 cards but if i had to choose 3 it would be plat+cip+cfu. Plat for all the lounges+hotel status, cip for overseas where amex is not accepted with no ftf and 3x travel n phone bills. Cfu for 3x dining and everything 1.5x. To me 1.5 UR > 2 MR, Cap1 miles and typ because of hyatt.
Great card selections! 👊
A trifecta without Chase? Noice!
Surprise haha!
Credit Card King Mark Reese
🏆
No Centurion 😢
Nope.
Fun fact, it is possible to have 2 venture x cards. Who's winning now???? (Explanation: my oldest line of credit was a quick silver card and I also had a Venture X because it's actually a good card. Cap1 offered me to upgrade my quicksilver to a VX and I jumped on it since I wanted my oldest card to actually be useful to me and get some use. My plan is to cancel my other venture x since I don't need both obviously. However, for a short time, I have two VX's. And I wasn't sure if that was possible)
Haha legit! Thanks for this data point, Douglas! Smart move making your oldest card account something useful 👍
Hi
Hi Kazi!
👍🏻
👍👍
1st
Kazi won this time 😁🥈
My 3 mix trifecta this Quarter!Amex Preferred 6% back➕Amex offers Discover card 5% restaurants & wholesale clubs and WF Active cash 2% back on everything else➕Bonus you also had a great presentation of these cards they offered me the Citi custom cash I might get that next
Excellent choices! 💯
This is quite literally my dream set up 🥹
Go get it! 💯
@@MarkReese waiting to justify the $345 annual fee and letting more of my cards go under 5/24 (last year was an application heavy year😅🤦🏻♀️)
But next year is looking a lot better