How to Maximize Rewards With the AmEx Trifecta

There are plenty of great rewards credit cards available, but none of them fit every need that you have. That's why it makes sense to combine the features and rewards of multiple cards to maximize your benefits.

The AmEx Trifecta is one way of doing this. You can combine three American Express cards to earn more Membership Rewards on different spending categories.

What is the AmEx Trifecta and why should you have it?

The AmEx Trifecta uses the different features of separate American Express cards to optimize your benefits and rewards. Users of this strategy pick three American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Green Card should be primarily used for travel expenses.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express for the first six months of card membership is for worldwide dining. Then, switch to the American Express® Gold Card, which can be used for dining and U.S. supermarkets once you've met the six-month threshold on The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express will cover all of your other purchases.

Plus, these cards also offer valuable benefits that improve travel — including complimentary airport lounge access, up to $100 in reimbursed airport security memberships and hundreds of dollars in annual credits. Terms apply.

Smart ways to redeem Membership Rewards points

With the AmEx Trifecta, you'll earn a lot of Membership Rewards points by maximizing the money you're already spending. There are many options when it comes to redeeming American Express Membership Rewards points.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Transferring points to 20+ airline and hotel airline partners.

• Booking flights and prepaid hotel rooms through AmEx Travel.

• Upgrading eligible flights through AmEx Travel.

• Redeeming for gift cards.

Terms apply.

The value of your points will vary widely based on the type of redemption you choose. In general, you'll receive the most value when you transfer points to an airline to book award tickets, particularly those in premium cabins. Your goal should be to receive at least 1.2 cents per point in value from the rewards you've earned.

» Learn more: How much are my airline and hotel points worth this year?

Earning rates that maximize the AmEx trifecta

Earn 4x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets - American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card rewards cardholders for their eating habits. You will earn 4 points per dollar on your dining purchases at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year). Plus, when you're buying groceries at U.S. supermarkets, you'll earn 4 points per dollar on the first $25,000 you spend each year at U.S. supermarkets. Terms apply.

New cardholders can earn the following welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

The American Express® Gold Card has an annual fee of $325. However, monthly dining credits ($10 a month, up to $120, enrollment required) and Uber Cash ($10 a month, up to $120 a year, enrollment required) do a lot to negate that cost. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The benefits of the American Express® Gold Card card

Up to 5x on travel - The Platinum Card® from American Express or American Express® Green Card

When picking a rewards card to pay for travel, you have two solid options from American Express. You'll choose between them based on your budget, benefits and the rewards they earn. The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury travel card with a premium price. The American Express® Green Card is more budget-friendly, but still packs a ton of benefits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

This is a luxury card that offers a lot of perks for its $695 annual fee. You'll earn 5 points per dollar when booking flights with airlines or through AmEx Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Plus, you'll also earn 5 points per dollar on AmEx Travel prepaid hotel reservations. Terms apply. Upon approval, you can earn this welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and another $500 in annual credits with Uber ($200 in total when you use your card to pay for rides or eats orders in the U.S., up to $15 each month and $35 in December), airline fees ($200), prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, with American Express Travel ($200), Equinox ($300), entertainment purchases with certain companies ($240) and Saks Fifth Avenue ($100). Cardholders also receive automatic Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott. Enrollment is required for the airline credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit and hotel elite status. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The Platinum Card® from American Express - full list of benefits and perks

The American Express® Green Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express earns up to 5 points per dollar and offers a lot of benefits, but its pricey annual fee is outside many budgets. For an annual fee of $150, the American Express® Green Card is a solid travel card that earns 3x points on travel and dining. Most notably, it earns 3x points on a wide range of travel purchases. Conversely, The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels bought from airlines or AmEx Travel only (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Terms apply.

If you’re looking for ultimate flexibility on travel purchases, the American Express® Green Card is the way to go.

The American Express® Green Card also includes a $199 annual credit toward a Clear membership and $100 in annual LoungeBuddy airport lounge credits. It also has no foreign transaction fees.

» Learn more: Revamped American Express® Green Card: Better rewards, new credits, higher fee

Bonus points on everyday spending - The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

For all of your spending that doesn't fall into the above spending categories, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express has you covered. It has no annual fee and earns 2 points per dollar on all of your purchases (up to $50,000 each year). Terms apply.

If you reach the $50,000 annual limit, you'll continue to earn 1 point per dollar on everything else. The card is eligible for AmEx Offers, just like all of your other American Express cards (enrollment required). One drawback is that the card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good companion for international travel. Terms apply.

Because this is a business card, some people may think that they don't qualify for it. However, in today's economy, many people have side hustles, rental properties and other sources of income in addition to their main job. You don't have to be a multimillion-dollar business to be eligible for a business card. In fact, you don't even need an EIN to apply if your business is registered as a sole proprietorship.

» Learn more: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express - the top benefits and perks

The bottom line

Because each card offers different benefits and earning power, it makes sense to carry more than one card. By using the AmEx Trifecta of cards, you'll earn maximum points on travel, dining, groceries and other purchases. All of the Membership Rewards points you earn from the AmEx Trifecta are deposited into one account. This makes tracking your points easier and accelerates your ability to redeem for travel, gift cards or other rewards.

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet. To view rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.