Amex Trifecta vs Chase Trifecta (Which is BEST?)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2022
- The Amex Trifecta or the Chase Trifecta? Both have some of the best travel credit cards, but using them can be quite different. Learn which credit card strategy and setup is best for YOU! Click “Show More” to see Ad Disclosure.
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The Amex Trifecta consists of 3 travel credit cards, and they can be whichever 3 you choose as long as they all earn Amex Membership Rewards points (that way you can combine them all). The 3 I’ve chosen to compare in this video include the Amex Platinum Card, Amex Gold Card, and the Amex Blue Business Plus card. The reason is that this includes Amex’s most premium card with the greatest amount of travel benefits, plus a good mid-tier card for everyday use on things like groceries and eating out at restaurants, and a solid catch all credit card that earns 2X points on all purchases. Of course, there’s also the Amex Green Card that you can swap in if you live spend a lot on transit (i.e. Uber, Lyft, taxis, toll roads, parking, etc.) and also the Amex Everyday card and Amex Everyday Preferred credit cards that have a unique feature that offers bonus points based on the number of transactions you make per billing cycle. Furthermore, you can also add in Amex business credit cards.
The Chase Trifecta consists of 3 travel credit cards, and they can be whichever 3 you choose as long as they all earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points (this allows you to combine all of your points into 1 balance). The 3 I’ve chosen to compare in this video include the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, Chase Freedom Flex Card, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. This offers a solid 3-card setup because it includes Chase’s most premium card with high point earning rates coupled with strong travel benefits. The other 2 Freedom credit cards earn rewards in other categories, as well as provide a base of 1.5X points on all purchases. If you find that the Chase Sapphire Preferred or one of the Chase Ink business cards work better for your needs, you can also substitute those in.
While one credit card strategy or setup is not necessarily better than the other in all areas, they do shine bright in different areas. So, what it really comes down to is identifying where you spend the most amount of your money, what your travel habits are like, and what reward preferences you have. Then you can match your world to the right credit cards (going the other way around doesn’t make sense, that is, getting cards and trying to force them to work for you when they really don’t).
Fortunately, either setup will provide you with some of the best credit cards for travel, and give you benefits like airport lounge access, access to transfer partners, strong value for your points, elite status, and more (just in different areas to different degrees).
So, enjoy the video! I hope it helps you discover your next potential credit card strategy so you can save money on travel and end up with more money in your pocket!
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.
#chasesapphire #amexgold #travelcreditcards - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
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The simplest way I can break the two trifectas down is the following: Amex = Luxury travel and high annual fees, and Chase: Flexibility and low annual fees. This was a super in-depth breakdown so excellent work Mark!
A good simple way to put it!
Team Amex trifecta representing 💳💳💳,… Don’t Live Life Without it. 🥇🍻
😎👊
Just collected the Chase trifecta🎉
Approved for CSR last few days
Now heading to Amex trifecta😊
Well done, congrats! 🌟
Man I really love your analytical analysis in these credit card videos. It must take a lot of thought and time to go through the weeds for value comparisons/point etc. Appreciate you! This solidified my AMEX choice. Have been contemplating if I am missing out on Chase at all. I currently run the AMEX platinum, AMEX BCP, BoA Platinum Honors Customized Cash and Unlimited Cash Rewards. I should probably put more appropriate spend on my BoA cards, but I just love feeling the weight and texture of the AMEX plat, ha!
Glad you like the approach! Great that you've found a card setup that works for you, and even better that you're in BoA's Preferred Rewards program at the Plat. Honors tier) 🏆💵
Great comparison and deep explanation. thank you. ☺
Glad you enjoyed it!
Got my chase quadfecta (Unlimited, flex, CSP, and ink business unlimited) loving it so far. I really love how easy it is to transfer points out for value
Awesome setup! 🏆
AMEX really is for those who fly + seek luxury travel benefits. It was interesting to see Chase come out ahead in the comparison. Thanks for the info + video!
Totally agree!
Thank you for sharing they are really good cards
You're welcome!
I think that the chase trifecta with the CSP instead of the CSR is perfect for someone like me who’s an average earner and average spender who doesn’t travel much but who still wants to get good value from my credit card setup when I do travel!
For sure! The Chase Trifecta w/ CSP is a really strong combo 🏆👊
Best video on this topic, hands down. Very impressive presentation.
Thanks Guillermo!
Definitely a big fan of the AMEX Trifecta, but appreciate the thorough detail of this video going through the pros and cons of both! Great comparison video Mark!
You bet!
Hey Mark great video, you have given me a better idea on what cards I should be looking at new to this point game. Keep up the great. Thank you
Glad to help!
One additional benefit of the Amex trifecta that should figure into value calculations is that Plat AU’s given the Gold with $0 charge for each and up to 99 total…. wait for it…. ALL GET THE GLOBAL ENTRY CREDIT OF $100. For those with families, that is serious savings the first year and every four thereafter to get a family through the airport fast.
Indeed, thanks for mentioning that! 😃👊✈️
Great video. How would your redemption results change if you switched the regular Amex Platinum for the Charles Schwab Platinum? With a base value of $0.011 per point vs CSR $0.01 tipped the scales for Amex at all?
Chase would still win for the point redemption category overall, and I'm saying that as someone who uses an Amex setup with Schwab 👍
definitely helped
🏆
Seeing as how 2/3 of the chase trifecta is no annual fee vs all 3 amex cards having a combined annual fee of around $1000 it's a no brainer
Makes a big difference! 💵
I use chase but I add in the Hyatt card that is a massive point stacker. Then throw in amex good and you will keep stacking
Nice card stack! 💳💳💳
I have both setups and I get more value from the Amex setup. I'm able to utilize most of the credits and for me the Amex offers add a ton of value.
Great to hear! 💳🏆
Great content. Just completed the Amex trifecta by adding the platinum and blue business plus within one week. I can already see how I will cover the fees without a problem and now I have two trips in two weeks and I’ll start taking advantage of the lounge access.
Congrats on completing the Amex Trifecta! Enjoy the trips ✈️
Thanks Mark. Touch choice.
👊💯
Thanks again.
👊
Excellent video. I’m surprised you didn’t go over Chases 5/24 rule and trying for those first and then Amex since they’re over 5/24 cards.
Thanks Michael!
@@MarkReese beginnging the travel with points journey so doing my due diligence on which cards to get. Leaning towards Chase right now, get to the 5/24 and then go Amex.
I am amex trifecta route since I'm AD military so no annual fees, but will grab the csr before 5/24. Going to turn it into a pentfecta with no annual fee hilton and marriott cards.
Awesome to have those fees waived! 🇺🇸👊
Great video. I just completed the Amex trifecta this week. For me Amex makes more sense and I can really stretch those MR points.
Awesome, congrats! 🏆
Personally, I use Amex exacta Green/BBP for my spending. Works better than Plat/Gold/ BBP combo as I travel, and stay in hotels a lot.
Awesome! 💯
A sheer "toue de force" on the comparison between these 2 titans👋🏾👊🏾 Not to mention the videography! I have both trifectas Mark because 1 has what the other doesn't. On the overall points value/cost ratio I rate Chase as a clear winner... as do you. On the other hand the AMEX trifecta is the clear winner on the "luxury benefits" side of the equation - including international Bus/1st class travel options. 1 point of contention however, if you factor in the CS version of the AMEX Plat (which I have), I think the points redemption value changes not insignificantly. Your the best at this!
Awesome that you're finding value in both systems! 👊
Does Capitol one have a trifecta? Venture X, and Savor One the only 2 cards I know from them
The only Capital One trifecta I can think of would be for people who want 3 cards with no annual fee: SavorOne, VentureOne, Quicksilver.
Finally hit my 1 year with the csp so I upgraded to the csr. My chase trifecta is now complete.
Awesome + congrats! Enjoy the setup 🏆
Great video! I think for the SUBs you forgot to consider the Resy offers for the Gold and Platinum, which would probably boost their value more
Great point about those Resy offers!
@@MarkReese I had a question for you: what card would you sub in for the BBP if you had to make a personal card trifecta?
@@rushabhs2000 - I'd go for the Amex Green Card. Other cards worth considering include the Everyday and the Everyday Preferred.
Max Rewards screwed me over with their billing. I was emailing them and they said they would refund it. When it came to actually processing the refund it has been radio silence for a week and 2 follow up emails. They are a bunch of liars
Hey Todd - sorry to hear that. I'd keep following up with them. May I share a screenshot of this with them to see if I can help?
Mark you’re the best👏👏👏
Realistic point’s if you are on a budget and spend wisely Chase would be the better option but it’s also Amex if you use all the rewards and credits probably. If you’re willing put in the work and like to point and reward hunt then Amex
But….Amex we want credits for retailers or affiliates we know and recognize. Eqx 🏋️♀️and Soul 🚴♂️👎. Stop it we want real credits and stop taking our hard earned money
@@djbrucewayne7777 - Thanks Dj Brucewayne!
I personally have the Chase trifecta for points earning and easy redemption + just Amex Plat for the benefits. As long as I can at least break even with the Amex Plat credits, it makes sense to have both CSR and Amex Plat since their strengths are different.
Great setup! 💳
Great comparison, I'm a fan of Chase Bank all the way. I do value Amex transfer partners though, so my first card I'm going for is the Amex Everyday Card and the BBP card in 2024.
Both systems offer great cards!
Amex seems to be better for high earners who are also high spenders, say a business owner with a large family who also travels a lot, or for moderately high earners who live in a big city who travel a lot and take Uber a lot, but Chase seems to be better for most other people in my humble opinion. Of course each individual card user’s experience may vary.
Great observation 😃👍
I’m giving this a thumbs up now but I’ve downloaded this video to watch later this evening after I board my flight to Rio de Janeiro which I purchased using my AMEX points🙌🏽
Awesome, enjoy the trip to RdJ, Chris! ✈️
Can you combine Amex points together on the cards like you can with chase?
Yes, they're combined automatically.
Probably the best breakdown in comparisons between the top two Trifectas.
Thanks Lawrence!
The thing that tips the scales for me is Rakuten. Earning at least 1% back on most things as MR points (and tons of offers higher than that) turns the BBP from a 2x floor to 3x & raises the floor of the Gold & Plat to 2x. Note the 2x is additive not multiplicative but I've seen things as high as 12x(!) so while in a vacuum Chase's points are worth more the earning potential for MR points is astronomically higher in Amex's favor. Whether that's worth the nearly a grand in annual fees is a personal call but no other shopping portal supercharges cards like Rakuten does.
Great points above, Dev! Agreed, the Rakuten partnership is fantastic 💵
Shhhhhh lol
In less than 2 months I've earned over 20k MR points on Rakuten, it is the secret hack
Mark, is there any way I can get 5 minutes of your time to discuss/ask your opinion on a recent change to my credit score? I'm very keen on credit but this beats me. Thank you
Hi Joe - I do not do individual consults.
I have the Chase Trifecta and the Amex Gold. At this point in my life, I can't justify paying $695 annually for the platinum 🤷♂. Maybe in the future I will re-access whether to get it or not. I do want to add another card to my Amex setup. I'm just not sure which one yet, preferable a no annual fee card.
Solid setup right there!
I opted for the aspire over the platinum personally
Chase can go pound sand right now. I have one business and one personal checking account, am running a hexfecta and have another 4 chase credits cards as AU. I got the letter that they are closing my business checking and my personal checking. No reason, they don't tell you anything...apparently my credit cards are fine for now so yeah, they can go pound sand. I maybe dive into the Amex system in the future, but for now I'm at least temporarily going team cash back.
Wow that's frustrating. I'd personally want to find out why.
if you have the og freedom could that replace the freedom flex?
The OG Freedom only has the same rotating 5% quarterly categories. If that's all you're after (i.e. having those covered), then sure.
If you want the additional 3% categories, Mastercard benefits, etc., then no.
@@MarkReese so in this case the flex would be better then the of freeedom if your looking for evrrything
@@changgooey - Yep.
@@changgooey - Here's a link to an old video you may find helpful, esp. starting at 1 min 39 sec: th-cam.com/video/bwiPHP4cJ-Q/w-d-xo.html
Hey Mark,
Do you happen to have tips for automating finances? I'd love to see you do a video on it, if you haven't yet.
I'm working on making my day-to-day finances as easily manageable/low-stress as possible and love to get insight from other money people.
Hi CC B - at this time, I do not. I currently have a very manual approach to finances.
@Mark Reese // Credit & Finance Oh, that's interesting, I wasn't expecting you to say that. Would you still be open to doing a general video on your processes (or have you done one already)? I'd still be intrigued to see how and why you choose to go manual.
@@ccb6013 - No, I wouldn't recommend my approach 😅 Once I implement an efficient process, I may consider a video on it.
@Mark Reese // Credit & Finance I look forward to it!😆
My thing with Chase is that they dont offer points for Groceries if you get them at target or walmart and that is where i do 90% of my shopping. Reason why i had to do the Amex way.
Which Amex card do you use for groceries at those locations?
@@MarkReese amex preferred card
@@blackhouse7646 - And that earns 6% at Target and Walmart?
I think you recommended just 1 business card. If we don't have a business, do you have ab equivalent replacement card?
You could look into any other Amex card that earns Membership Rewards points 👍 Examples:
- Everyday Card
- Everyday Preferred Card
- Green Card
@@MarkReese thanks, was curious which one you would pick as a personal vs business card replacement.
Maybe you have a prior video that answers that question?
@@chriseverydailyshow4164 - I wouldn't pick any of them, that's why I chose the Blue Business Plus. That said, I don't recommend people get the cards I do. Rather, I recommend that they gets cards for their needs / goals.
If I didn’t want to get a trifecta, is it bad to mix Amex and Chase between the two ecosystem’s for points and rewards?
Nothing wrong with that.
I feel like Chase comes up short in grocery spending whereas a lot of common lifestyles revolve around dining and grocery spending
Agreed 💯
Hey Mark, you should do a video on the new SoFi card. 3% on everything!
Thanks for the suggestion, Matt!
Too bad they dropped that 150K welcome offer on the Platinum. I was eyeballing that one since I just got the Citi Premier last month and the Chase Preferred Last week. Guess I just have to wait.
Did you call in to see what offers they have?
Congrats on those approvals with Citi & Chase! 👊💯
Mark, I feel like this one was a bit cherry-picked. The 80k offer on the CSR is very rare, and I understand is happening currently. The platinum by default seems to be at 100k, yet you have it listed as less. The BBP currently has a targeted offer of 25k, and some higher. The business platinum to me is also a stronger card than the vanilla, valuing points at 1.56 preferred flight on AMEX travel. This would put it superior in a myriad of ways to the chase trifecta. I’ve loved your videos for years, but it seems you put this out for the chase fans. PS, you helped me get my Amex trifecta!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Richard!
I love amex but I find it easier and faster to redeem UR points
💯👍
why sneak in a business card into a trifecta comparison?
It wasn't sneaked in. The BBP has long been recognized as part of the 'standard' Amex Trifecta.
I believe the BBP card has a 2% fee if you use it abroad.
Yep 2.7% 👍
I would to see an sequel video with the Venture X, Savor One as a third member.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I think for most people, the Chase trifecta will be best and more easy to swallow in terms of fees
Likely so 👍
Does Turo car rentals count towards travel?
On which card?
@@MarkReese I mean in general with all cards with travel rewards. Same with Airbnb, does that count towards travel rewards? You won’t be able to redeem the points through any of those but you’d still be able to get 3-5x back through travel when booking a car rental through Turo or a place to stay through Airbnb right?
The Venture X currently is giving 10x points on Turo Rentals
@@briancrizaldo7640 - Purchases can code differently on different networks. A 'travel' purchase on a Chase Visa doesn't have to code as 'travel' on an Amex. They generally line up the same, but differences can occur.
In my experience, Turo has coded as 'travel' on my Amex Green Card. Airbnb also codes as 'travel' on the CSP / CSR per others who I've heard from, though I haven't tried it myself.
@@MarkReese that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying! Good to know.
Hello 👋 Mark, I just received an offer from Amex Gold for 90,000 in rewards. I do want to start traveling but kind of hard when you have kids involved so I was thinking if I get this card or a different one. I can accumulate enough reward points to have the four of us to go on. What your thoughts Mark 🤔?
Great offer, but I can't make the decision for you. I'd only consider the offer for flights. Hotels, rental cars, cruises, etc. are all bad value.
Did you get a new camera??
Yep! 🎬 How did you tell?
@@MarkReese Your face and cards are so much clearer and it's easy to tell :) Definitely a compliment 😁😁🔥🔥
@@LalitDevraj - Glad to hear the quality has improved! 💯
There are foreign transaction fees on CFU at 3%
Yep 👍
@@MarkReese just a heads up bc you said no FTF on chase cards
@@Annoyedsince1986 - Taken as a collective trifecta, not individually. The Chase Trifecta setup offers no FTFs via the CSR.
As someone who has had 8 active AMEX lending credit cards 💳 and 4 charge cards 🃏, I still would rather having Chase cards over all because it does have the easiest processing plan than AMEX, the best primary insurance in the market, low annual fees in general, great monthly credits and memberships, the best priority pass with the restaurant experience, expedite the shopping services for all cards, the great cards on the personal and business sides, and the most important than all IMO combining all points from family and friends members to one account which means one top credit is more than enough for a family, but Chase needs to work to add more status, 5/24 needs to be changed to 7/24 at least 😂, and smiler thoughts to Bank Of America but missing primer great credit that can compete with CSR and AMEX Platinum IMO.
7/24 would be a nice change 😁
NEXT Video Idea: Chase Trifecta VS Citi Trifecta. I'm not a fan of AMEX as I said before due to lower acceptance and they tend to aim at people who are high spenders, well mainly the cards of theirs that get the most attention and also their annual fees are higher. You can also do 2 versions of the video where one has the Citi Prestige VS CSR and Citi Premier VS CSP in both trifectas competing with eachother.
Thanks for the suggestion!
@@MarkReese Would you consider the Chase Trifecta the complete 'personal' trifecta with the Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred as long as your Freedom Unlimited is a "VISA Signature" or does that not necessarily matter? 🤔
@@caribdude8151 - Either CSP or CSR. Visa Signature doesn't matter for rewards. Only matters if you want the better insurance / protections.
The Amex cards utilization can't be hidden unlike Chase 😎
What do you mean?
Its the house of Dimon for me
🏆
I have that 90k gold OFFER
Awesome! 💥
Amex trifecta is pricey. Chase trifecta wins. Honorable mention to Citi quadfecta.
Pricey indeed 💵
Amex is with Delta so easy decision for me
💯✈️
Chase card members can still fly delta when booking flights through the virgin Atlantic flying club.
@@tarrius1210 not all airports are offered
AMEX trifecta 👑
🏆
👍🏻
💯
I’m pretty sure AMEX does have roadside assistance. I’m not sure which cards have it, but the Platinum should.
Amex removed roadside assistance as of 1.01.2020. Here's a link from US News: money.usnews.com/credit-cards/articles/american-express-cuts-travel-accident-other-card-benefits
@@MarkReese well that’s a bummer and another gap in AMEX that a Venture X would cover. It’s things like this that make me think that the best trifecta might be AMEX Gold and Platinum plus the Venture X.
@@jmbwashi - Frustrating indeed. The 'best' trifecta is the one that provides you with the things you want 👍
Chase.
🏆
CHASE TRIFECTA. EASY.
😁👍
Chase is better, Hyatt, period!
For Hyatt you just need the no annual fee Bilt card from Wells Fargo, gives 3x dinning, 2x all travel, 1x rent and 1x everything else. Bilt has Hyatt as a transfer partner.
😁👍
Naw I will take Hilton any day
@@kylewelch8697 agree 💯
@@CesarJoel what’s the best card for Hilton?
Amex for luxury and Citi should be for normal everyday people.
💯👍
Amex takes too much effort. Nobody has time for that. Also amex is not accepted everywhere. Chase with visa/mastercard is. Chase 🙌
😁👍
Neither. Capital one bifecta.
👊💯
I like that setup. Right now my favorite setup( of which I have no pieces) is AMEX Platinum and Gold with C1 Venture X it very nicely fills in any gaps or weaknesses of the AMEX trifecta.
@@jmbwashi I actually think people shouldn't get trifectas. My preferred setup is VX, citi premier, and hotel card or your choice (Hilton aspire, for me). All 3 of those cards offset their annual fees just by normal use.
@@blakinsideandout I think they are a cute idea and can help people get a lot of value without a lot of work, but I agree you need to get the cards that make the most sense for you. I have the Delta Platinum which makes the most sense for me. I like to travel but hate paying for flights. So I do everything I can to earn Skymiles. I use the Skymiles shopping portal, Dining program and have Lyft and Starbucks set to earn Skymiles rewards. That one card gets me so much value. I might add the Hilton Aspire or even the AMEX Platinum at some point for more value.
Chase for the win. Do not like Amex games and gimmicks or their woke business posture.
Great that you found value in Chase's ecosystem!
What do you think of this Tri-fecta. Amex Green,Amex Gold, Amex BBP.
I currently have the gold and BBP looking to add a third for my trifecta but I don't put any value in the platinum. Was thinking Green card. I could make use of the clear credit as I already have a delta skymiles account so I'll pay $19 out of pocket since the credit would cover the 1st $100 bucks of it. Maybe use lougebuddy if don't have other options. But other than that thought about Delta Reserve or Hilton Aspire. Thoughts anyone?
As long as it makes sense for your spending habits, then adding the Green Card can be a great way to go 👍 It doesn't matter what I or others think, rather, it's about whether or not you personally get value. The Delta Reserve + HH Aspire are both phenomenal cards, but I don't currently have nor do I plan to get either of them. Why? I don't fly Delta & I don't like the HH Aspire $250 resort credit, so the value isn't there _for me._
I don't view Amex as a "trifecta" since one card doesn't boost the others like Chase does. They can be a great card if you travel a lot for work but I only fly once or twice a year. I actually have the Amex Blue Cash Preferred because for $100 annually I get 6% grocery and 3% gas (also got a $350 sign-up bonus). I have the no fee Chase Freedom Unlimited (mostly for 3% restaurants) and Sapphire Preferred which gives similar rewards to the Reserve, but the annual fee is only $100 (got the 75k point sign-up bonus and waived first year fee). So collectively, I pool and redeem all my Chase points for 1.25x. I might just keep hoarding the points and eventually upgrade to the Reserve so I can redeem at 1.5x.
And finally, the main reason I don't go with the super premium Amex or Chase options is because I have the Venture X. It pays for itself with easy to redeem credits--not these BS $10/month offer to places I don't patronize anyway. It's a great all-around card because you get 2% instead of 1% on the "non-categories". For example, whenever possible I get gas at Costco or Sam's because 2% off their discounted gas is better than 3% off at retail gas stations from my Blue Cash Preferred.
Having 1 card boost the value of the others isn't a requirement for a 'trifecta.'
Great that you've got the Amex BCP + C1VX!🏆