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Research: Best Credit Card Combinations to Maximize Rewards - Credit-Land.com

Having multiple credit cards makes it easier to maximize rewards in different spending categories and get other valuable benefits. The trick is to have credit cards that complement each other. The right combination will depend on your spending habits. As a rule, two credit cards can be perfectly paired together and do not require much legwork to maximize rewards. In general, credit card pairs consist of a flat-rate rewards card and a bonus category credit card. Below are some of our favorite pairings.

Our combo for Cash Back: Discover it® Cash Back & Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Cash back rewards are loved by many for their simplicity and straightforwardness. To maximize cash back rewards, you can use these two credit cards: the Discover it® Cash Back and the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

The Discover it® Cash Back credit card earns 5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in different category purchases that rotate each quarter (activation is required). That's up to $75 cash back each quarter. For example, this quarter (Oct-Dec 2024) cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on purchases at Amazon.com and Target. While you won't know all 5% categories for the whole year in advance, Discover usually rotates such popular categories as dining out, groceries, gas stations, and online shopping. Plus, activation opens a month before a new quarter starts.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, on the other hand, earns 2% cash rewards on all purchases. You can use this card for all other expenses that do not earn elevated rewards with the Discover it® Cash Back. Thus, you can make the most of every dollar you spend.

Both cards offer a welcome bonus and an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, so it could make sense to apply for one card and later for the second. We would recommend getting the Discover it® Cash Back card first because of its bonus offer. The card offers an unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers (only from Discover). Thus, you will basically earn at least 2% cash back on card purchases for the first year.

Our combo for Everyday Purchases: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card & Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card can become a good tandem for everyday purchases. These cards have strong rewards in different spending categories and allow cardholders to pull points together.

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card gives maximum points earning on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com - 10 points per $1 spent. Other big earners are air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations - all earn 3 points per $1 spent. Other purchases will earn a standard 1 point per dollar, but you can put them on the Citi Double Cash® Card to earn 2% on every purchase - 1% when you make a purchase and 1% as you pay for those purchases.

Both cards offer flexible redemption options, but we would recommend pulling points together in one Strata Premier account. Since both cards are part of the ThankYou® Rewards program, you can combine your points under one account and then have a whole bunch of points to redeem for gift cards, shop with points, or transfer to participating travel loyalty programs.

In addition to everyday rewards, the cards come with welcome bonuses and additional benefits. Thus, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, the card has an annual benefit: $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booked through CitiTravel.com. The Citi Double Cash® Card offers 20,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening and an introductory APR on balance transfers.

Our combo for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card & Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Those looking for a great pair of credit cards for travel rewards can consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This is another tandem that will allow you to combine earned rewards as both cards are part of Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the favorites among travelers. It offers a great welcome bonus, higher rewards on travel (2x) and in specific categories (3X) and flexible redemption options. Plus, cardholders can increase their earnings on travel - up to 5X total points - purchased through Chase Travel℠. Furthermore, cardholders can get 25% more value when redeeming earned points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and elevated cash back in specific categories (up to 5%). Cardholders can also take advantage of the card's intro offer and introductory rates. The Freedom Unlimited cardholders can redeem earned cash back rewards in various ways but cannot transfer them to Ultimate Rewards partners. The good news is that owning both cards will allow you to transfer rewards earned with Freedom Unlimited to your Sapphire Preferred account and then transfer points to transfer partners.

Both cards offer additional perks with DoorDash and Lyft, shopping protections and travel protections. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers more robust travel coverage, though.

Our combo for Gas & Groceries: Citi Rewards+® Card & Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Groceries are one of the important parts of household expenses. While grocery costs are typically considered a moderate expense, it is still a wise move to save on this part of household spending. The Citi Rewards+® Card and the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card can make a good combo for those who want to save on groceries, dining out, and gas.

The Citi Rewards+® Card earns 2X ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. All other purchases will earn 1X ThankYou® Points. You can back this card up with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. This card allows you to choose one category that will earn 3% cash back. The categories to choose from are gas and EV charging stations, online shopping/cable/streaming/internet/phone plan, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy, or home improvement/furnishings purchases. Plus, grocery stores and wholesale clubs will earn 2% cash back. The 3% and 2% cash back are earned on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter.

Both cards have no annual fee and zero introductory rates on purchases and balance transfers. Additionally, both cards come with welcome bonuses. The Citi Rewards+® Card allows you to earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening. With theBank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, you will need to spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening to earn the $200 online cash rewards bonus.

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