The 3-card travel rewards setup that works for almost anyone

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I have more than 25 travel credit cards. Most people think that’s excessive, but testing that many cards is exactly how I’ve learned what actually works and what just complicates things.

So when people ask me, “If I only want a few cards, which ones should I get?” I don’t overthink it. I give them the same answer every time: three specific cards.

This setup covers your biggest everyday expenses, earns strong points across the board, and keeps things simple enough to actually stick with — without sacrificing real value.

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The goal here isn’t to squeeze every last point out of every purchase. It’s to make sure most of your spending earns strong rewards without you having to think about it.

Here’s the setup I personally use:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card I reach for anytime something even loosely counts as travel — since it earns 2 points per dollar in that category — and Chase is pretty generous with what qualifies. Yes, it covers flights, hotels, and rental cars. But it also picks up things like parking, tolls, and rideshares — the kind of everyday expenses that quickly add up.

On top of that, you’re also earning:

• 3 points per dollar on dining
• 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel

So even when you’re not actively planning a trip, it’s still earning points on things you’re already spending on.

If one card is doing most of the heavy lifting for me, it’s this one. If you’re anything like me, food is one of your biggest expenses — whether that’s groceries, dining out, or ordering in a few times a week — and that’s exactly where the Amex Gold card stands out.

You’re earning:

• 4 points per dollar at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year)
• 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year)

And when you think about how often you’re paying for food, those points add up fast.

That’s why I think of the Amex Gold card as the engine of this setup. It drives a big share of my points just from food spending — one of the biggest expenses for most people.

Then there’s everything else — all the everyday spending that doesn’t fit neatly into a bonus category. The Capital One Venture X Rewards card is a great pick for this catch-all category because it earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with elevated rates when you book through Capital One Travel.

Instead of overthinking every swipe, I default to this card. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, tackling a home improvement project, or just paying your bills, you’re earning 2 miles per dollar on all of it.

It also comes with perks that are actually useful, like a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and airport lounge access for the primary cardholder, which go a long way toward offsetting the annual fee and making your trips a bit more comfortable.

What I like most about this setup is just how easy it is to actually use. Each card has a clear role, so you’re not standing there wondering which one to pull out.

Put all three cards together, and you’re consistently earning between 2 and 4 points per dollar on most of your spending — without having to think twice about it.

There’s also another benefit that shouldn’t be underestimated: You’re earning points across three different transferable-point programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Miles

These are three of the most powerful travel rewards currencies out there — and having access to all of them gives you a lot more flexibility. Each program has its own mix of airline and hotel transfer partners. Some overlap, but a lot don’t. So when it’s time to book, you’re not relying on one program — you’ve got options, which makes it much easier to actually book the trip you want.

Not sure where to start? Pick the card that matches your biggest monthly expense — food, travel, or everything else — and add the others as your spending makes the case for them.

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