Build Your Card Stack
No single card is best for every category. A 2-3 card stack can dramatically increase your effective earn rate by putting each dollar on the card with the highest multiplier for that category.
🍽️ Dining
Best: Amex Gold4x MR = ~8¢ per dollar
Runner-up: Bilt Mastercard (3x)
🛒 Groceries
Best: Amex Gold4x MR = ~8¢ per dollar (US supermarkets, $25K cap)
Runner-up: Chase Sapphire Preferred (3x)
✈️ Flights
Best: Amex Platinum or Gold5x MR = ~10¢ per dollar (via Amex Travel)
Runner-up: Chase Sapphire Reserve (5x via Chase Travel)
🏨 Hotels
Best: Capital One Venture X10x miles = ~17¢ per dollar (via Cap One Travel)
Runner-up: Chase Sapphire Reserve (10x via Chase Travel)
🏠 Rent
Best: Bilt Mastercard1x-3x points on rent with NO transaction fees
Runner-up: No competitor offers rent rewards at all
⛽ Gas & Transit
Best: Citi Strata Premier3x ThankYou = ~4.5¢ per dollar
Runner-up: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (3x)
📺 Streaming
Best: Chase Sapphire Preferred3x UR = ~6¢ per dollar
Runner-up: Citi Strata Premier (3x)
🛍️ Everything Else
Best: Capital One Venture (any)2x miles = ~3.4¢ per dollar
Runner-up: Citi Double Cash (2% cash back)
Recommended 2-Card Stack for Most People
Card 1: Amex Gold — for dining, groceries, and flights (4x-5x)
Card 2: Capital One Venture or Citi Double Cash — for everything else (2x/2%)
For renters: add Bilt Mastercard for rent. For premium travelers: swap Venture for Venture X.
⚠️ Not financial advice. Effective earn rates based on estimated point values via transfer partners. Actual value depends on redemption choices. We may earn commissions from affiliate links.