The power of the Amex Trifecta: Platinum, Gold and Blue Business Plus
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Whether it’s the trio of legacy airlines in the U.S. or the main airline alliances, some things just work well in threes.
For example, many of us at TPG love the Chase Trifecta: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Used together, these three cards offer a powerful combination of earning rates, welcome offers and perks.
Thanks in part to Chase’s competitive offerings, Amex has constructed a similar trifecta, with three cards that complement each other in nearly every way — providing outsize value with a reasonable price tag.
Each of these cards is great on its own, but they can unlock serious value, even for infrequent travelers, when combined. Let’s dig a bit deeper.
Related: Choosing the best American Express credit card for you
Amex Platinum
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most valuable cards out there. That’s thanks to a long list of luxury travel perks and a valuable welcome offer that can more than offset its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Amex Platinum has the most comprehensive airport lounge benefits of any card. In addition to a Priority Pass Select membership, you’ll also receive access to Amex’s global collection of Centurion Lounges and access to Delta Sky Clubs when on same-day Delta Air Lines flights (limited to 10 Sky Club visits per year). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
And this is one of the best cards to book flights and hotels since it earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, these purchases net a 10% return.
Cardmembers also receive an assortment of annual statement credits and benefits, including a statement credits of up to $199 for Clear Plus, up to $100 for Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 semi-annually) and up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 Uber Cash each month, plus an additional $20 in December after adding your card to your Uber account and redeeming with an Amex card). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Hotel stays are also more rewarding with this card — you can take advantage of the complimentary Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status (enrollment required) or book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to receive property credits and room upgrades.
Finally, you’ll enjoy a range of shopping protections and travel coverage when you charge eligible purchases to the card.
Related: Are premium credit cards worth the annual fee?
Amex Gold
The second member of this trio is the American Express® Gold Card. This powerful mid-tier option pairs lucrative earning rates with valuable statement credits.
This is the card to use for groceries and dining, earning:
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
The card’s $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) is offset with up to $424 in annual value, including up to $120 in Uber Cash* and statement credits of up to $84 at U.S. Dunkin’ locations (up to $7 monthly), an up to $120 dining credit (up to $10 monthly at select restaurants) and up to $100 at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $50 semi-annually). Enrollment required for select benefits.
These earning rates and benefits make the Amex Gold a great choice for foodies, both those who cook at home and those who like to dine out.
*Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
Related: 8 ways to make the most of the Amex Gold Card benefits
Blue Business Plus
The final member of the trio, the Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express, is one of the top cards for everyday spending.
This no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees) earns 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in spending per calendar year with no bonus categories to worry about; it earns 1 point per dollar after that.
As with the other cards on this list, you’ll also get access to valuable Amex Offers, which can help you save money (or give you bonus points) on purchases you were already planning to make.
You may be surprised to learn that to be eligible for a business card, you don’t need a brick-and-mortar storefront. You could be eligible for a business card even if you have a side gig like selling items online, driving for a ride-hailing company or running vacation rentals. You can apply for a business card as a sole proprietor and use your Social Security number.
Related: Here are some ways you might be eligible for a business credit card without realizing it
Application advice
You’ll receive each card’s welcome bonus only once
You can only earn a welcome offer on each Amex card once in a lifetime, so you’ll want to get the highest bonus possible. Here are the current welcome offers:
- Amex Platinum: Earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- Amex Gold: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Blue Business Plus: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months of card membership.
That’s a total haul of 155,000 bonus points, which is enough to fly around the world in business class.
However, you may be targeted for a higher welcome offer through CardMatch, so make sure to check that first (targeted offers are subject to change at any time).
And then compare the bonus with the offer history to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
The order of applications is important
It’s important to apply for the Gold before you get the Platinum. That’s because if you get the Platinum first, you’ll be ineligible to earn the bonus on the Gold; that rule doesn’t apply the other way around.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Bottom line
The Amex Trifecta allows you to supercharge your Membership Rewards points balance. Purchase your flights and hotels on the Platinum, your groceries and dining on the Gold, and everything else on your Blue Business Plus. And ensure you maximize the statement credits and travel perks on the Platinum and Gold to help offset their annual fees.
To learn more about each card, read our full reviews of the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold and Blue Business Plus.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Amex Gold
Apply here: Amex Blue Business Plus
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus, click here.
