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Each card features a different set of high-earning bonus categories, and Membership Rewards points transfer to most airline partners at a 1:1 ratio. With the right Amex card combo, you can earn airline miles faster using Membership Rewards-earning cards than with traditional co-brand airline cards. That makes these card combos especially good for fans of British Airways Avios, Flying Blue, ANA Mileage Club,
Amex also offers a wide range of Membership Rewards-earning cards, allowing you to build a high-earning combination while taking advantage of valuable perks and benefits.
Here are some of our favorite Amex card combos.
Membership Rewards-Earning Credit Cards
Amex offers several personal and business Membership Rewards-earning cards that provide particularly strong value.
Consumer Membership
Small business Membership Rewards cards:
- The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
- Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
- American Express® Business Gold Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Using the right Amex card for each spending category can help you earn two or three times as many points on purchases compared with using a single card for everything.
It’s worth noting that some of the best Membership Rewards-earning cards are business cards, and while more people than before qualify for business cards, plenty of folks will only be approved for personal cards. With that in mind, where we add business cards to the mix, we also try to provide an alternative from Amex’s lineup of consumer Membership Rewards cards.
Membership Rewards Duo
Amex currently offers just two consumer credit cards. So, if you aren't eligible for small business cards, your only pairing is the Amex Gold and the Platinum Card®.
The Platinum Card® earns 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5X points on prepaid hotels (including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection) booked through American Express Travel®.
It's nicely complemented by the Amex Gold, which earns 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X); 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com; 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; and 2X points on prepaid car rentals or cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. Plus, it earns 1X on other eligible purchases.
You can earn a ton of Membership Rewards with this two-card combo.
$325Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
$895Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
What this combo costs:
- Amex Gold (Rates & Fees): $325
- Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees): $895
Spend less on travel? Consider this Amex card combo instead
If you can open a small business card, you might find more value in swapping the Platinum Card® with the Blue Business Plus. Yes, this is a business card, but its earning structure makes it a better option for everyday purchases than the Platinum Card®.
The Blue Business Plus earns 2 points per dollar on everyday business purchases. The 2X earning rate applies to the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1X thereafter.
What's more, the Blue Business Plus (Rates & Fees) charges no annual fee.
With this pairing, you can earn:
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- 1X on other eligible purchases
(Terms Apply)
- As High As 50,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Apply and find out your welcome offer. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.99% - 28.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend above your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- Apply to know if you're approved with no personal or business credit score impact. If you are approved and choose to accept the Card, your personal and business credit scores may be impacted
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
Doubling down on business cards
If you have high spending in popular business categories, the Amex Business Gold is a solid pick. You'll earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each month, 1X on other purchases. 4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.
Or, if you're a business owner looking for a premium travel card, you could opt for the Business Platinum Card. It includes perks such as lounge access and a variety of business-centered statement credits.
When you pair one of these cards with the Blue Business Plus, you'll ensure your business earns at least 2X points per dollar on all purchases until you reach the spending cap.
(Terms apply)
- As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at Grubhub, Office Supply Stores, and shipments at UPS.com. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace on the Business Gold card. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
- Get up to a $12.95¹ statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Business Gold Card. ¹Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
- The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- Terms Apply
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
Related: American Express Business Platinum Card Review: Are the Benefits Worth the Annual Fee?
Membership Rewards Trifecta
The best
- Amex Gold: Use it for its restaurant and U.S. supermarket bonus categories.
- Platinum Card®: Use it for eligible flights and the travel benefits you'll actually use, such as airport lounge access and statement credits. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
- Blue Business Plus: Use it for eligible business purchases that don't earn a higher bonus on another card. It earns 2X points on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1X.
$325Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
$895Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
No annual feeRates & Fees
(Terms Apply)
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
What this combo costs:
- Amex Gold (Rates & Fees): $325
- Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees): $895
- Blue Business Plus (Rates & Fees): No annual fee
The Blue Business Plus adds no annual fee, but the Platinum Card® is a substantial expense. If its benefits don't fit your travel habits, the Amex Gold and Blue Business Plus pairing may be the better value.
Related: Is the Platinum Card® Worth Its Annual Fee? Our Comprehensive Breakdown
American Express Application Restrictions
Amex has several application and welcome-offer restrictions. For example, Amex restricts welcome offers to once per lifetime for each card, and some cards also include family language that can affect your eligibility based on other Amex cards you've held.
For a full breakdown of these restrictions and how they work, check our guide to American Express application rules before applying for a new card.
Bottom Line
The best Amex card combo depends on where you spend the most, which benefits you’ll actually use, and how much you’re willing to pay in annual fees. For many cardholders, the Blue Business Plus can be a useful addition because it earns 2X points on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases (then 1X) each calendar year.
(Terms Apply)
- As High As 50,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Apply and find out your welcome offer. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.99% - 28.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend above your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- Apply to know if you're approved with no personal or business credit score impact. If you are approved and choose to accept the Card, your personal and business credit scores may be impacted
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees), American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
