New year, new approach: How to choose your best credit card strategy for 2026
Editor's Note
January is a time to plan for the next 12 months. While health and wellness often receive significant attention, personal finance should be top of mind as well. You might consider setting up a budget and planning to invest or open a new savings account.
But as you make these financial plans, don't forget to take some time to think about your 2026 credit card strategy as well.
Not sure where to start? Here's what we recommend to start your year on the right foot.
Watch below to see TPG's list of the best credit cards in 2026:
As with most financial decisions, setting a goal helps determine the best credit card strategy for you. If you haven't already, consider your priorities for 2026. Some questions to ask yourself include:
- Are you taking a big trip you want to pay for with a specific type of points or miles?
- Are you planning a major expense this year and want a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate?
- Is the cost of living still pinching your wallet, and you want to focus on earning cash-back rewards?
- Do you want to improve your credit score?
Identifying your goals will guide your decisions about which cards to use more often, which to shelve or downgrade and which new cards to apply for.
Rearrange your wallet
With your 2026 goals in mind, take inventory of the cards you have and adjust what's in your wallet (physical and digital) accordingly.
For example, I spent the past few months earning welcome bonuses on a couple of new cards, so I used them for all my purchases. With those bonuses out of the way, I'm now maximizing the bonus categories for cards I already have.
If you're in a similar situation, take a moment to look at your current cards. If any of them have rotating categories, like the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees), note what the Q1 categories are and check that you've activated them. Also, determine which, if any, of your cards earn bonus points for categories like dining, grocery and travel spending. You'll also want to determine which of your cards offers the best earning structure for everyday purchases.
Once you know where each card fits, you can decide which to use for different purchases. You might end up designating your American Express® Gold Card for dining and U.S. supermarket purchases, your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) for travel purchases and your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for all other purchases.
When making your plan, remember that some rewards are more beneficial than others for your specific goals. If you want to focus on earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you might instead use your Sapphire Preferred card for dining. It earns 3 points per dollar on these purchases — slightly fewer than the Gold's 4 points per dollar on dining worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) — but you'll earn points that more directly support your travel goals.
Keep, cancel, downgrade
As you look through your card collection in light of your 2026 goals, consider whether it's worth paying the annual fee for each of your cards or whether you should consider downgrading any of them.
Additionally, suppose you notice any major benefits overlap between your cards, such as multiple cards that earn bonus points for streaming. In that case, you may banish one or more to the sock drawer and focus on using one this year to streamline your earnings in this category.
Plan your next card
Finally, identify gaps in your current card strategy before you start looking for your next credit card. This could be as simple as noting the types of points you're running low on and whether you want to earn more of them. It could also be a decision to wait a bit before opening any more cards if your credit score has taken a hit from recent inquiries.
Regardless of your goals, it's helpful to know which types of cards you want to get this year. Then, when a valuable bonus offer comes along, you know if it's worth it for you to jump on or if you're better off going after something else.
Bottom line
As you make your 2026 plans and resolutions, remember to take some time to adjust your credit card strategy for the year. No matter what your goals are this year, the right cards can make it even easier to achieve them.
Further reading:
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.