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A single credit card isn't enough for most people—not if they want to build credit or maximize their rewards potential. Adding multiple credit cards to your wallet means more welcome bonuses and opportunities to earn rewards. It also means luxury travel perks that can improve your travel experience while saving you hundreds of dollars on household spending. You won't necessarily have to splash out on multiple annual fees, either. The right credit card combination can balance your rewards needs and budget.
Here are our picks for the five best credit card combinations:
- Best for Travel Enthusiasts: Chase Sapphire Reserve® + Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for Foodies and Home Chefs: Citi Premier® Card + Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for Cash Back: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card + Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
- Best for Everyday Spending: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card + Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best for Business Spenders: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card + Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for Travel Enthusiasts: Chase Sapphire Reserve® + Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Credit: Twenty20
Why We Like This Combo
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card make a great combination for travel enthusiasts looking for valuable perks and rewards.
Enjoy travel credits and lounge access: The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a steep annual fee but offers many perks to offset this cost and improve your travel experience. Cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass Select membership and an application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can also enjoy lounge access with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership after enrollment and activation. Members can access over 1,300 lounges in more than 500 cities globally.
Robust travel protections: These two cards also provide a robust suite of travel protections consisting of rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and travel accident coverage.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Earn high rewards on travel spending: These two cards are also an excellent combination for maximizing every dollar spent on travel and beyond:
- The Sapphire Reserve earns 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining, hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠; 5 points per dollar on flights booked with Chase Ultimate Rewards; and 3 points per dollar on dining, eligible delivery services and travel worldwide.
- The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can help you earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on everything else.
Tips to Maximize This Combo
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earn two different currencies that can complement each other and help you diversify your rewards portfolio.
Chase Ultimate Rewards are transferable to 14 airline and hotel programs, while Capital One has 18 travel partners. The two programs have several transfer partners in common: Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Executive Club, Emirates Skywards, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. This can work out nicely if you want to combine the welcome bonuses earned from these two cards into one account for a specific award redemption for your favorite airline.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR22.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$550
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Sign-Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after using your card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)
This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the upcoming Chase Sapphire Lounge network.
Overview
If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months—that’s worth at least $900 in travel-related spending booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and potentially more if you transfer your rewards to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.
Read the reviewPros
- An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
- Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
- Generous rewards rates for spending
Cons
- High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
- Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$95
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Sign Up Bonus
75,000Capital One Rewards Miles
You can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,350 (75,000 Capital One Rewards Miles * 0.018 base)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to both beginner and expert travelers. The upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making the card a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines is with the flexibility of the redemption process, though. You can redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Overview
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to beginner and expert travelers alike. The card’s big upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making it a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines, though, is with the redemption process. When it comes to travel credit cards, it can be really challenging to find a way to use your rewards in the way you want.
With hotel and airline credit cards, for instance, you’re basically stuck redeeming your points or miles with the co-branded hotel or airline partner. And with some general rewards programs, you might get less value if you use your points or miles to book a flight versus a rental car or hotel.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, though, you’ll get a lot of flexibility. Here are some of the top redemption options that are available: redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Read the reviewPerks
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to premier culinary events, must-see music events and major sporting events
Pros
- Simple rewards and earning structure
- Ability to earn transferable points to use with travel partners
- Relatively modest $95 annual fee
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Cons
- Other travel cards offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories
Best for Foodies & Home Chefs: Citi Premier Card + Citi Double Cash Card
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Why We Like This Combo
The Citi Premier® Card and Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner Citi, make an ideal personal credit card combination for people who spend significantly on groceries and dining out.
The Citi Premier rewards both of these categories (and more) with 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas, air travel and hotels, plus 10 points per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings made through the Citi travel portal through June 30, 2024. As an added bonus, the card includes an annual hotel credit of $100 when booking $500 or more.
The Citi Double Cash is perfect for all other spending because it earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay). The card also has no annual fee, allowing you to elevate your reward earnings without added costs.
Tips to Maximize This Combo
The cash back earned with the Citi Double Cash is in the form of Citi ThankYou Points, which can be transferred to Citi's numerous airline and hotel partners for high-value flight and hotel redemptions. When you use the Citi Double Cash Card, you're also ensuring you earn at least 2 points per dollar spent on all eligible purchases.
Best for Foodies & Home Chefs
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
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60,000Citi ThankYou Points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after making $4,000 worth of purchases during the first three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,080 (60,000 Citi ThankYou Points * 0.018 base) |
$95 |
1X-10XPoints
10X total ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024. 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets 1X -- Earn 1 Point on All Other Purchases |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. |
$0 |
2%Cashback
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Best Cash-Back Combo: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card + Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
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Why We Like This Combo
If you’re looking for the best cash-back card pairing, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card and Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card are great choices. Not only will you earn a nice sign-up bonus for each card, but both offer generous cash-back rewards in everyday spending categories.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns 3% back in the category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, home improvement/furnishings), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% on all other purchases. The downside is the 2%-3% spending categories are limited to the first $2,500 spent each quarter. Once you’ve maximized this amount, you can switch to the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.
Both cash-back cards come with no annual fees, making them excellent additions to your cash-back wallet.
Tips to Maximize This Combo
If you qualify for Bank of America Preferred Rewards, you can earn 25%-75% more in rewards on all credit card purchases. This is a great way to increase your points-earning potential on both credit cards.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases
- Annual Fee$0
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Bonus Offer
$200Cash Bonus
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card is a solid cash-back card with a strong bonus, especially for a card with no annual fee. If you're looking for a card that also has competitive balance transfer terms, this is one to consider.
Overview
On the surface, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card’s rewards rate is a dime a dozen—there are several other 1.5% and 2% cash-back credit cards from which you can choose. But if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card has the potential to be one of the best cash-back credit cards we’ve seen.
Read the reviewPros
- No annual fee
- Straightforward rewards rate
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- No bonus spending categories
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases
- Annual Fee$0
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Bonus Offer
$200Cash Bonus
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice for many people who want to maximize their everyday spending. The card is one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market because it provides flexibility with its top rewards bonus category. It’s especially worth considering if you’re a Preferred Rewards member with the card issuer.
Overview
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card is a good cash back card for people who don’t spend a lot each month. It has flexibility with the 3% cash back on the category of your choice (choose between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement and furnishing), and you can change which one you go with each month. Since it’s a Visa card you can also use it at Costco and get 2% back, which is the rate for wholesale clubs and grocery stores. However, once you’ve spent the quarterly limit of $2,500 in purchases combined between the 3% and 2% categories, you only get 1% back after that.
Read the reviewPros
- Ample bonus spending categories
- No annual fee
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Bonus spending categories capped at $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases
Best for Everyday Spending: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card + Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
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Why We Like This Combo
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card are great for maximizing your rewards on everyday spending. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ is among the most rewarding credit cards, earning 3 points per dollar at restaurants, on travel, at gas stations, on transit, on popular streaming services, and on phone plans. Since all other spending earns just 1 point per dollar, you can pair it with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which offers an unlimited 2% cash-back earning rate on all eligible purchases.
Both cards also provide valuable cellphone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly phone bill with your eligible card. This is rare for any card, let alone ones with no annual fee.
Tips to Maximize This Combo
With wide coverage and high rewards rates on category spending and non-category spending, both cards can help you maximize your rewards if you're strategic about when to use which card. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card both offer a sizable cash rewards bonus for new cardholders, which can go a long way in covering household expenses, travel or virtually anything else. It's also a great way to create a little nest egg for a significant expense.
Best for Everyday Spending
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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20,000Points
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base) |
$0 |
1x - 3xPoints
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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$200Cash Bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. |
$0 |
2%Cashback
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Best for Business Spenders: Ink Business Preferred® + Ink Business Unlimited®
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Why We Like This Combo
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card make a great pairing for those who want to maximize every dollar spent on business credit cards. The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined spending on shipping, advertising with social media sites and search engines, travel, internet, cable and phone services. This covers a substantial chunk of business spending. For everything else, you can earn 1.5% cash back with the Ink Business Unlimited card.
Like most card combinations on this list, you’ll only pay one annual fee: $95 for the Ink Business Preferred and $0 for the Ink Business Unlimited. Considering how much this business card combination can increase your points-earning potential, it’s well worth it.
Tips to Maximize This Combo
Convert your cash back from the Ink Business Unlimited into Ultimate Rewards points and pool them with points earned from your other Ink Business card. From there, you can transfer them to 10 airline or three hotel programs, including Southwest Rapid Rewards®, IHG® Rewards and United MileagePlus®. Your points can go a long way, allowing you to redeem them for premium cabin flights, luxury hotels and other travel experiences.
Best for Business Spenders
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
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100,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $2,300 (100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base) |
$95
This fee includes extra cards for authorized users, such as employees, at no additional charge. |
1x - 3xPoints
Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 of combined spending in a number of key business categories |
Apply Now |
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$750Cash Bonus
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
$0 |
1.5%Cashback
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. The advertised rewards type is cash back, but it’s important to note that you’re technically earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points (which can then be converted to cash back). |
Apply Now |
How to Choose a Credit Card Pair
When choosing the right credit card pair for you, it is important to consider the following:
- Assess all aspects of the card: Start by looking at all the features, including the benefits offered, the rewards structure, annual fees and other perks that come with the cards.
- Avoid too much overlap in benefits and rewards: Look for cards that balance each other rather than replicating benefits and category bonuses. The last thing you want is two credit cards with high annual fees that offer identical benefits.
- See how the cards align with your spending habits: You want a card combination that rewards your most common everyday spending categories and provides added value based on your spending preferences. For example, if you travel a lot, you'll want a card that comes with annual travel statement credits, travel protection and different reward currencies.
- Pick a card for category spending and another for all other spending: It's best to choose one card that offers high category bonuses and a second that rewards all spending outside of them. Look for cards that earn above the standard 1% cash back or 1 point per dollar spent.
By considering the features of each credit card, the rewards and benefits offered, and the annual fees, you can make an informed decision when selecting a credit card pair.
Recommended Credit Card Bonuses
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
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1.5%Extra Cash Back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. |
$0 |
1.5% - 5%Cashback
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. |
Apply Now |
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60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base) |
$95 |
1x- 5xPoints
The card offers 5x points per dollar on Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery services), as well as 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). This card earns 2x points on all other travel spending and 1x point per dollar everywhere else. Chase broadly defines travel to include not just airfare, hotels and rental cars, but expenses like parking, tolls and public transit too. |
Apply Now |
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20,000Points
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. Dollar Equivalent: $200 (20,000 Points * 0.01 base) |
$0 |
1x - 3xPoints
Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
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$200Cash Bonus
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. |
$0 |
2%Cashback
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Bottom Line
Combining two credit cards can be an excellent way to power your long-term credit card strategy. You can earn more points on your everyday purchases and access valuable benefits. If you play it right, you can have the best of both worlds without incurring additional annual fees. Hopefully, the examples provided above can help you figure out the best way to balance everything you need from a credit card portfolio.
Ariana Arghandewal
Ariana Arghandewal is a rewards travel expert and founder of Pointchaser, an online publication dedicated to rewards travel topics. She brings over a decade of experience writing about travel, points, miles and credit cards. Her expertise includes her roles as an editor for distinguished travel and finance publications such as NerdWallet, The Points Guy and FlyerTalk. She has also authored many articles featured in major financial news & travel channels like Forbes, U.S. News Weekly, Business Insider & Fodor’s Travel.
