With so many credit cards in the marketplace providing useful benefits and rewards, it may be difficult to resolve which one deserves an application.
Right here at TPG, we perceive this firsthand, as our employees members usually take stock of their very own setups and weigh whether or not they need to add a new card to their wallets. With a number of concerns at play, the choice just isn’t all the time easy.
From lucrative welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many components can affect your resolution. This is a snapshot of the playing cards TPG staffers are making use of for proper now and why.
American Categorical Gold Card
Welcome supply: New American Express® Gold Card members can discover out their supply and could also be eligible for as excessive as 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome affords range, and also you is probably not eligible for a proposal.)
Annual price: $325 (see rates and fees).
Maggie Moran, a PR supervisor at TPG, stated the Amex Gold was a “no-brainer” for her since she spends a big portion of her month-to-month bills on restaurants and grocery purchases in New York Metropolis.
The Amex Gold earns 4 factors per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback).
Maggie stated she’s been eyeing the cardboard for some time, however she determined to use after it was introduced that eligible American Categorical cardholders would obtain presale access to tickets for Harry Styles’ 2026 tour.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amex Gold.
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Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
American Categorical Platinum Card
Welcome supply: New American Express Platinum Card® members can discover out their supply and could also be eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome affords range, and also you is probably not eligible for a proposal.)
Annual price: $895 (see rates and fees).
Harrison Wladis, TPG’s senior enterprise operations analyst, determined so as to add the Amex Platinum as a premium journey card to enrich his Amex Gold. Harrison stated he has a visit developing, so he expects to meet the spending requirement for his bonus quickly.
Harrison additionally expects to get a whole lot of worth from the Amex Platinum’s statement credits since they’re helpful for retailers he already spends with. These embrace:
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amex Platinum.
*Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
^Pay together with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.
Apply right here: American Express Platinum Card
Bilt Palladium Card
Welcome supply: Earn 50,000 bonus factors and Bilt Gold standing (by the remainder of the calendar yr through which it was earned and the next calendar yr) after spending $4,000 on nonhousing purchases within the first three months from account opening. Cardholders additionally obtain $300 in Bilt Money upon approval.
Annual price: $495.
The Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees) has grow to be a favourite throughout the employees because it was introduced in January.
Summer Hull, a senior director of content material at TPG, utilized for the Bilt Palladium Card the day it launched. She stated Bilt now works for her because the program has added the power to earn useful Bilt Points on mortgage funds. She particularly enjoys transferring her Bilt factors to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards and World of Hyatt — and the 50,000-point welcome bonus actually helps.
Principal spokesperson Clint Henderson agreed, saying he “could not resist” the Bilt Palladium Card’s bonus.
For Will Clarke, TPG’s director of enterprise operations, the Bilt Palladium Card’s 2 factors per greenback incomes fee for on a regular basis purchases is without doubt one of the finest within the enterprise. Will stated he additionally appreciates the flexibility of Bilt Cash to both earn bonus factors on mortgage funds or redeem for different rewards.
Max Orenstein, a enterprise operations analyst at TPG, additionally utilized for the Bilt Palladium Card. Max identified that Bilt factors are TPG’s highest-valued foreign money, at 2.2 cents per level, in keeping with January 2026 valuations, and highlighted the cardboard’s annual resort credit score and Priority Pass lounge entry as standout perks.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Bilt Palladium Card.
Apply right here: Bilt Palladium Card
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Welcome supply: For a restricted time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 4 months from account opening.
Annual price: $350.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) was an incredible alternative for Becky Blaine, TPG’s managing editor of newsletters, as she sought to benefit from the cardboard’s standing enhance — a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Point enhance (as much as thrice per yr for a complete of 15,000 factors).
Plus, she’ll make use of 4 Admirals Club lounge passes annually.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Citi Strata Elite Card
Welcome supply: For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $595.
Along with making use of for the Bilt Palladium Card, Summer season additionally added the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) to her pockets in December.
Summer season has been exceptionally happy with the Strata Elite’s statement credits, and she or he plans to transfer her 100,000-point bonus to American Airlines AAdvantage.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Welcome supply: Earn 5 free evening awards (valued at as much as 50,000 factors every) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. (Sure resorts have resort charges.) Plus, for 2026 solely, candidates can obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit annually after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (as much as $50 in assertion credit bi-annually).
Annual price: $95.
Ben Smithson, a senior factors and miles author at TPG, is contemplating the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
Whereas Ben stated he is not notably loyal to Marriott Bonvoy, he was enticed by the Boundless card’s welcome supply. He likes the simplicity of paying for a whole trip’s lodging with one card’s welcome supply, and it is made sweeter because the card fees simply $95 in annual charges.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
United Quest Card
Welcome supply: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and three,000 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual price: $350.
On high of making use of for the Bilt Palladium Card, Clint additionally picked up the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) just lately.
Clint was interested in its welcome bonus and says that being a cardholder shall be useful as he standing matches to United Premier 1K.
To study extra, learn our full review of the United Quest Card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Backside line
TPG staffers strategy every new card strategically. They take into account their current playing cards, upcoming journeys and the place new perks will add probably the most worth.
There isn’t any single finest technique, however by reviewing your playing cards and targets, you’ll be able to construct a setup that helps your journey ambitions — similar to our specialists.
Associated: How to choose the best credit card for you
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Bilt Palladium Card, please click on here.
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