While some credit cards work well individually, strategically combining several cards can provide better value. Groups like Chase Trifecta or Amex Trifecta, where you hold three cards in the same rewards program, are obvious examples.
However, small-business owners have more opportunities to combine cards to add value. Even if you don’t have a registered limited liability company, your side hustle can qualify you to open business credit cards.
The best personal/business card combinations usually work better than either alone or complement each other to help you diversify your points earning and bonus categories.
Let’s discuss our favorite card combos and why they work so well together.
Related: Best Business Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Best for: Those seeking Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Why they work together: If you want to get a jump on achieving high-level elite status with this Marriott Bonvoy Program, a tip to have personal and business credit cards from Marriott.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 15 Elite Night Credits and automatic Gold Elite status and has an annual fee of $125 (see Rates and Fees). The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card also offers 15 Elite Night Credits, and when Elite Night Credits from the cards are combined, you only need to stay 20 nights to earn Platinum Elite status.
Of course, these cards come with some great perks beyond the potential of Platinum Elite status — an annual free night award on each (with the potential to earn a second on the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex) and a solid earning rate.
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Both cards earn 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels, while Bonvoy Boundless earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores (up to $6,000 per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter).
Meanwhile, the Bonvoy Business Card earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and US gas stations worldwide, wireless phone services purchased from US service providers and 2 points per dollar spent on US purchases for shipping and all other eligible purchases.
Marriott Boundless has an annual fee of $95, so together, both cards cost $220 per year in annual fees.
Related: Best Marriott Credit Cards
American Express Business Platinum Card and American Express Platinum Card
Best for: Luxury travelers who want to maximize their business and personal travel experiences.
Why they work together: While overlapping in some features, these cards offer an unbeatable lineup of luxury travel benefits. You’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights (up to $500,000 per day Platinum Card® from American Express1 point per dollar spent thereafter) as well as prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The cards also offer benefits such as Gold Elite status with Marriott and Hilton and extensive lounge access. Registration is required for select benefits.
While both of these cards offer access to the same collection of membership rewards transfer partners (and frequent transfer bonuses), The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressThe 35% bonus lets you lock in a minimum redemption value of 1.5 cents per point and continue to earn miles and status benefits on your flights when you pay with points for select flights through Amex Travel.
Each card also has its own impressive welcome offer. The Amex Business Platinum offers 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in the first three months of card membership, while the Amex Platinum offers 80,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. According to TPG’s December 2024 valuation, these bonuses alone are worth $4,600.
Your annual fees will total more at $1,390 — $695 for Personal Platinum (see rates and fees) and $695 for Business Platinum (see rates and fees).
Related: Reasons Why You Should Have Both Personal and Business Amex Platinum
Inc. Business Preferred Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best for: Maximizing the Chase Ultimate Rewards Program
However, after successfully applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. Combined, the Sapphire Reserve and Inc. Business Preferred bonus will give you 180,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which you can increase by transferring to one of Chase’s travel partners, including World of Hyatt.
Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar spent on all travel (excluding the $300 annual travel credit) and dining purchases. These bonus categories are very broadly defined and have no annual caps or limits, making for potentially attractive reward earnings.
The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points annually on your first $150,000 spent annually in select business-friendly categories that include travel, shipping, Internet, cable and phone services and qualified online advertising.
The Sapphire Reserve offers many benefits for luxury travel, including up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck every four years.
RELATED: Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Inc. Business Preferred Combo is Perfect for Couples Traveling
American Express Business Gold Card and Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Interested in flexible rewards categories.
Why they work together: These two cards have one thing in common – flexible bonus categories.
This American Express® Business Gold Card You earn 4 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent annually in the two categories where you spend the most each billing cycle (1 point per dollar thereafter). The two categories where you spend the most are automatically assigned bonus points at the end of the billing cycle.
This Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Allows you to earn 3% cash back on one of the following categories of your choice:
- Gas and electric vehicle charging stations
- Online Shopping/Cable/Internet/Phone Plans/Streaming
- to eat
- journey
- Drug Stores/Pharmacy
- Home Improvement / Furnishings
You will also get 2% cashback at grocery stores and wholesale club. (Note: There is a quarterly limit of $2,500 on combined 3% and 2% cash back purchases; you’ll earn 1% cash back once you reach this cap).
If you’re an existing Bank of America customer, you can earn even more rewards through the Preferred Rewards® program.
Together, these two cards allow you to customize your rewards structure to your specific spending habits, both at home and at the office. Plus, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Card has no annual fee, meaning you’ll only have to contend with the $375 annual fee on the Amex Business Gold Card (see Rates and Fees).
Related: Is Amex Business Gold Worth the Annual Fee?
American Express’ Blue Business Plus Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Best for: Beginners who want to rack up both Low-cost membership rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Why they work together: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards are two of the most valuable transferable point currencies. However, the top-tier cards for both of these programs cost more than $1,000 in combined annual fees.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is the best business card for everyday spending, offering 2 points per dollar spent on your first $50,000 in purchases each year (1 point per dollar spent thereafter). If you use this for your nonbonus spending and put your travel and dining purchases on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can guarantee value from every purchase you make.
The Sapphire Preferred Card is a great choice for earning valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining purchases.
The best part? Blue Business Plus has no annual fee (see Rates and Fees), so together, these cards only cost $95 in annual fees.
Related: How to Maximize Your Rewards Earnings with Chase Sapphire Preferred
The bottom line
These are just a few of the most promising business and personal card combinations, but you can adapt these suggestions to meet your own needs. Start with strong building blocks like Amex Business Platinum Or Chase Sapphire Reserve, and find cards with complimentary benefits and bonus categories or cards that can diversify you into a whole new rewards currency.
Related: Business Cards Vs. Personal Cards: Key Differences
For Business Platinum Amex rates and fees, click here.
For Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Business Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Blue Business Plus Amex rates and fees, click here.
For Marriott Bonvoy Business rates and fees, click here.