Amex Trifecta: Platinum, Gold, Green, and Blue

All information about American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by MilitaryMoneyManual.com

The Amex Trifecta is less well known than the Chase Trifecta, but can be equally as a powerful combination of cards for earning flexible American Express Membership Rewards® points.

Usually, the Amex Trifecta consists of:

• American Express Platinum Card^®
• American Express^® Gold Card
• American Express^® Green Card or The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Credit card reward points, whether they are Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, or Capital One Miles, are the most valuable and flexible forms of credit card points.

You can cash out points, use them to pay off charges, or transfer the points to travel partners like hotels and airlines to maximize the value of the points.

My recommended 3 Amex trifecta cards are the American Express Platinum Card^®, the American Express^® Gold Card, and the Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

I believe that you should also add the American Express^® Green Card to maximize your Amex points earning potential and to earn the welcome bonus on the card.

American Express Trifecta

If you want to learn how to maximize your credit cards, check out my Ultimate Credit Cards Course. It's 100% free and designed for absolute beginners to travel rewards credit cards and the rewards available.

I explain everything I wish I had known before I started opening up these cards, including the best order in which to open new cards.

The Foundation Card: American Express Platinum Card^®

The Amex Trifecta starts with the foundation card: the American Express Platinum Card^®. The Platinum Card earns 5x points on airfare booked directly with airline or on amextravel.com up to $500,000 per calendar year.

The Amex Platinum card offers a range of travel benefits like airport lounge access and statement credits for travel-related expenses.

Read my full review of the Amex Platinum card to learn more. You can also add the American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab which adds the ability to cash out Amex Membership Rewards points at a value of 1.1 cents each. This adds a lot of flexibility to your Amex points if you don't have an upcoming trip or you prefer cash back.

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• Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• $895 annual fee, Terms Apply
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. Enrollment required. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $120 Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Credit: $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®! Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market* – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• No foreign transaction fees, enrollment is required for select benefits
• Learn how to apply for card_name on our partner's secure site
• Read my full review of the American Express Platinum Card^®

The Daily Driver Card: American Express^® Gold Card

To further amplify your rewards and gain access to premium travel benefits, you'll want to add another card to your Amex Trifecta mix: the American Express^® Gold Card.

With its impressive earning potential, this card is a powerhouse for dining and grocery purchases. You earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X).

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• 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy
• restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold
• Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Skip the counter at select locations, you can add an additional driver at no additional cost, and get vehicle upgrades*! Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. *Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• $100 credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Earn a Minimum 2x Amex Membership Rewards Points on Every Purchase

For small business owners, The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express is an essential component of the Amex Trifecta. With this card, you earn 2X Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x thereafter).

The Blue Business Plus Card provides a simple and effective way to accumulate points on your business expenses, helping you maximize your rewards potential and unlock business-focused benefits.

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• 2X points on everyday business purchases up 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. Remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.)
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply, see rates and fees.

Add More Membership Rewards Points with the American Express® Green Card

The American Express Green Card earns 3X Membership Rewards points on travel and dining, making it a versatile option for frequent travelers.

American Express^® Green Card
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• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express^® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you'll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you're traveling, when you use your American Express^® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee
• Terms Apply.
• All information about American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by MilitaryMoneymanual.com

Amex Trifecta Synergy: How It Works

Now that we've introduced the key players of the Amex Trifecta, let's explore how they work together seamlessly to maximize your rewards. By strategically utilizing these cards, you can earn points at an accelerated rate in various spending categories.

The Amex Membership Rewards points you earn on all your Amex cards combine across all of your accounts into one Membership Rewards account.

For example, the 4x points you earn with your Amex Gold card at US supermarkets combines with the 5x points you earn with your Amex Platinum card on airfare booked directly with the airline.

Keeping track of just a few bonus spending categories will rapidly accelerate your accumulation of Amex points. Using your Amex Platinum card for airfare (5x points), your Amex Gold card for US supermarkets and restaurants (4x points), and then your Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Power of Membership Rewards and Transfer Partners

The Amex Trifecta allows you to earn heaps of Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to a multitude of travel partners. American Express boasts an impressive lineup of transfer partners, including airlines and hotels, allowing you to leverage your points for premium travel experiences.

Transferring your points strategically can often yield a higher value compared to other redemption options, providing you with greater flexibility and the opportunity to unlock extraordinary value of your points.