Amex Trifecta
The premium Membership Rewards powerhouse
The Amex Trifecta combines the Platinum for flights and travel perks, the Gold for dining and groceries, and the Blue Cash Preferred for supermarket cashback — covering every major spending category at high earn rates.
Combined annual fee: $1315/yr Combined bonus value: ~$35 3 cards
The Cards
When to Use Each Card
| Category | Best card | Earn rate |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (direct or Amex Travel) | The Platinum Card from American Express | 5x |
| Dining / Restaurants | American Express Gold Card | 4x |
| U.S. Supermarkets (MR points) Up to $25,000/year | American Express Gold Card | 4x |
| U.S. Supermarkets (cashback) Use Gold for MR points; use Blue Cash Preferred for raw cashback | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | 6% |
| Streaming services | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | 6% |
| U.S. Gas stations | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | 3% |
| Hotels / Other travel Only when booked via Amex Travel | The Platinum Card from American Express | 5x |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class category earn rates across dining, groceries, and flights
- Platinum credits ($200 airline, $200 hotel, Uber Cash, etc.) offset much of the fee
- Gold $120 dining credit and $120 Uber Cash add more value
- MR points transfer to Amex airline/hotel partners
Cons
- Very high combined annual fee (~$1,315/year)
- Credits require active management to fully use
- Amex once-in-a-lifetime rule — can only earn the bonus on each card once
- Blue Cash Preferred earns cashback, not MR points — two separate reward currencies
Best For
- High spenders on dining and groceries
- Frequent flyers who want lounge access and Centurion Lounge perks
- Amex loyalists who want to maximize Membership Rewards
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Amex Trifecta worth it?
- The Amex Trifecta offers a combined signup bonus value of approximately $35 with a $1315/year combined annual fee. Best-in-class category earn rates across dining, groceries, and flights.
- What is the combined annual fee for the Amex Trifecta?
- The combined annual fee is $1315/year. Platinum credits ($200 airline, $200 hotel, Uber Cash, etc.) offset much of the fee
- Can I apply for all Amex Trifecta cards at once?
- It is generally better to space applications over time to manage credit inquiries and stay within issuer velocity limits. For Amex cards, the 2/90 rule limits you to 2 new cards per 90 days.
- Do all cards in the Amex Trifecta earn the same points currency?
- The Platinum and Gold cards earn Membership Rewards points. The Blue Cash Preferred earns cashback (statement credits), not MR points — so this combination has two separate reward currencies.