Why I pair my go-to cash-back card with the right travel rewards cards for max value
I love the points and miles game — I even have a sock drawer full of credit cards to prove it. You might, however, be surprised to discover that many of them don't earn points and miles.
That's because I'm also a big fan of cash back.
My credit card strategy features a healthy mix of travel rewards cards and cash-back cards. However, one cash-back card plays a pivotal role in my overall card strategy: the Apple Card, which is my catch-all for nonbonus spending.
Here's why this card plays a crucial role in my strategy.
The information for the Apple Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
My current card setup
Here is my current day-to-day card setup and what purpose each card serves:
- American Express® Gold Card: For earning points on dining, flights and grocery purchases.
- Apple Card: Catch-all card and for earning cash back on all Apple purchases.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): For earning points on Lyft and travel purchases. I also use this card as a backup for dining purchases as needed.
This setup prioritizes earning transferable rewards. The two cards that I consistently reach for in my wallet and see the bulk of my daily spending are the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire Preferred, as they earn incredibly valuable Membership Rewards points and Ultimate Rewards points that I transfer to partners for maximum value.
The Amex Gold earns:
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly from the airline or through amextravel.com
Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns:
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through September 2027)
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining
- 2 points per dollar spent on travel, which Chase broadly defines
I occasionally purchase flights on this card instead of my Amex Gold because of the impressive suite of travel protections. The Sapphire Preferred also serves as my backup dining card at places that don't accept Amex.
It's also important to note that I may focus all my spending on my Sapphire Preferred when I'm low on Chase points, despite being able to earn more points by using a different card.
Additionally, I rotate the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card into the mix when I want to earn more cash back. With this duo, I also have the option to convert cash back to Capital One miles.
I have more cards than the ones listed above, but many of these I only use on occasion, just to keep them open to maintain my credit history and credit utilization for a healthy credit score.
I also have cards I use just for specific perks, like my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for a free checked bag and the TakeOff15 perk or the Prime Visa (see rates and fees) for 5% back on Amazon purchases.
Related: 5 reasons to keep a cash-back credit card in your wallet
How cash back plays a part in my points and miles strategy
Many times throughout the year, I find myself points-rich and cash-poor. When this is the case, I pivot and focus solely on earning cash back. Cash back offers me flexibility that points and miles can't. Plus, cash back is easier for me to redeem, as I tend to get analysis paralysis and don't typically redeem my points and miles unless I find a redemption that matches or beats TPG's valuation of major points and miles currencies.
Around the holidays, I tend to focus on earning cash back, which I can then use to buy gifts for friends and family.
You may wonder why I don't just focus on earning points and convert them to cash back. Most credit card points don't convert to cash back at a 1:1 ratio. For example, Amex points are only worth a meager 0.6 cents each when redeemed for cash back.
Related: The pros and cons of cash-back credit cards
Why the Apple Card is my catch-all
The Apple Card is my go-to catch-all card because it earns at least 2% cash back on all purchases made via Apple Pay.
Though I typically use my Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold for the bulk of my spending, the Apple Card comes into play when my Amex Gold and Sapphire Preferred only earn 1 point per dollar spent on nonbonus categories or when I want to boost my cash-back stash.
It covers all my other spending, like drugstore purchases, bills and utilities or any spending that doesn't fit into a bonus category.
Additionally, I don't have to physically carry this card in my wallet since the 2% cash back is only on Apple Pay purchases. Nowadays, almost all merchants accept Apple Pay (wink wink, looking at you, Walmart), so I never really have to worry about this payment method being rejected.
In the rare case the merchant doesn't accept Apple Pay, I'll just use my Capital One VentureOne to earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent across all purchases.
Related: Your complete guide to Apple Pay
Even better, cash back is accrued daily instead of at the end of your billing cycle like most other cards. The cash back is known as "Daily Cash" and is deposited into your Apple Cash account daily. You can use this cash to make purchases or deposit it in a bank account.
Earning points and miles is the foundation of my credit card strategy, but cash-back rewards also play an integral role. If you want to branch out and diversify your credit card rewards, add a cash-back card to your wallet. There are tons of great options available, many of which don't charge annual fees.
Related: 4 reasons to get the Apple Card
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 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 | Earn 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 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 | Earn 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.