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 (which carries a $325 annual fee; see rates and fees) and Chase Sapphire Preferred (which carries a $95 annual fee), as they earn incredibly valuable Membership Rewards points and Ultimate Rewards points, respectively, that I transfer to partners for maximum value.
The Amex Gold earns:
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels stays booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
- 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, through amextravel.com, or the Amex Travel App
- 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
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.
The information for the Prime Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
Related: 4 reasons to get the Apple Card
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | 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 | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 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. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. 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. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. 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. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and 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.
- Take advantage of a $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.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- 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.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.