The Luxury Card Trifecta (Do You NEED It?)

[@guangzhaoyang8761]

Personally speaking, the luxury trifecta is Amex Platinum Morgan Stanley + Capital One Venture X + Chase Ritz Carlton. This combination gives your PLAYER TWO free authorized user cards from all three of them, and you can always go to any lounge with your partner!

[@XterraRocks]

🙂 Exactly my choice! I now don't travel as often yet I am still positive (i.e., $ benefits are higher than the fees). Other additional notable (premium) cards that work for me are AMEX Gold and Hilton Aspire.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Love this perspective! Yeah adding in a luxury hotel Card like the Hilton Aspire, Bonvoy Brilliant or Ritz Card can definitely make sense for people with loyalty to a hotel program as well. Appreciate you watching!

[@JibaritoCG]

Some extra good news is that Capital One is extending their complimentary Hertz President's Circle status indefinitely beyond 2024 for the Venture X. Keeps the value pretty high for the card.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

I saw that! Super cool to see Capital One keeping some of the additional benefits on the VX intact! Appreciate you watching!

[@newagain9964]

That hertz benefit is what keeps VX a mid tier travel card. They lose that and it’s a basic travel card (that you’re overpaying for at 395)

[@JibaritoCG]

@@newagain9964 I agree on the mid-tier part, but I don't think 'overpaying' is the right word for any credit card frankly. Overpaying is getting negative value from a card, which nobody with a brain should be doing. For the VX, if you're already going to spend $300 on travel then you're going to get positive value immediately with the 10k anniversary miles, Global Entry credit and Hertz status perks. Not to mention the other travel offers and credits they have, though not everyone can use them so they're value is limited. Same goes for the Reserve (harder to get positive value from, IMO) and Platinum (coupon book but the right person can easily beat the AF).

[@MarkSkrzypczak]

I roll with this trifecta and I get everyday value in NYC. I have used all three cards to book a trip to Europe. Year round I use the Venture X as a catch-all, CSR for Lyft and CitiBike, and AMEX for perks and credits. I have visited all three of the issuer lounges a couple of times this year.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Let’s go Mark! Sounds like you are getting a ton of value out of it and using each card for individual perks while still finding ways to offset the annual fee. Props to you and appreciate you watching!

[@RITPA]

I swap the CSR for the Ritz Carlton. Ritz gives FNA and the same lounge access as CSR for $100 cheaper.

[@412foto]

since I prefer booking directly with airlines and tend to stay at hyatt or hilton, can't see using the chase travel portal enough to make the Reserve ever worth it since other credits sadly don't offset the annual fee. Only way I see maybe getting it is if I want future Chase points by downgrading my Preferred for 2nd Flex and then get the Reserve for the welcome offer. For now will just keep my Platinum and Preferred. Tried twice to get the Venture X and was denied despite strong income and 770 scores and not crazy about their partners anyway so no big deal

[@SledgeIncTeam]

Im running the Luxury Card Superfecta. Platinum, Aspire, AA Executive and Delta Platinum.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Haha, you really got it locked down Sledge! Love that you have luxury co-branded Cards too with Hotels & Airlines. Appreciate you as always!

[@Studly-dj5up]

Solid overview 👍🏾👍🏾 would like to see the alternatives to this set up. Interested to see which alternatives would give decent lounge acesss and transfer partners

[@TheCreditFrog]

Very cool to hear that you may be traveling more often in the future! Hopefully it’s to an airport with another Centurion card so you can have on in SEA and then the other airport as well!

[@leo.stella]

I have amex platinum and never used credit airline , what are the best ways to use it , thanks

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Upgrades to higher-class cabins!

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Absolutely! Haha yes I can only hope that that I'm in a position to really maximize Centurion Lounge Access assuming that I do move forward with the Platty!

[@newagain9964]

Travel goods, HELP MEEEE! My 2 main departure, arrival airports are dreadful lounge wise (one is EWR, king of delays). only cpl times a year do I have connecting flights.

[@shawn.credit]

I’d pick one and use it exclusively or along with other travel cards from the same bank to rack up points for travel. Each of the three have their strengths but for an all around experience I’d opt for the Amex Platinum and carry a Visa as well and be content.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Yeah I can definitely see the validity to running with one ecosystem. It could limit you in terms of some travel partners, but at the same time it could allow you to really maximize as much as you can just within one ecosystem. But yeah if you are going for an all-around experience and the most out of value/benefits, the Amex Plat is definitely a good option. Thanks Shawn!

[@aosmond04]

Did you and Spencer plan this? Haha

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Haha completely unplanned 😂

[@airbornebackpacker6840]

I got all 3 between me and my player 2

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Let's go! Gotta love a good 2 Player Setup!

[@docsays]

unless you are a hardcore world traveler, i dont really think it is necessary to have all 3. i prefer 1 luxury card (amx plat) & several mid-tier travel cards (CSP or amx Green). i might add in the cap1 miles card for a 2x catch all card with no FTF.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Yeah that's totally fair! I think most people definitely need to prioritize one ecosystem like you said. I do think the combination of the Venture X + the Platinum/CSR would be interesting, considering how easy it is to offset the annual fee on the Venture X. Appreciate you watching!

[@kaina732]

I have been considering at least one of these three. I am leaning towards the AmEx Platinum to pair with my Gold and Blue Business Plus. I already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred. I don't think I need the AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

That's fair! I think the CSR can be avoided in some cases if you already have the CSP. Some major factors to play into that decision would be what type of lounge access is most accessible to you & how much value you get from the benefits/credits, etc. Appreciate you watching!

[@soapa4279]

For a second I thought this was about those “Luxury” Mastercards lol. Thankfully its not that.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

It is not that haha! Appreciate you watching!

[@luisserrano863]

I actually have this trifecta since I can’t pick just one 😂. Each has its pros and cons, but they are all great

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Haha I feel the pain 😂appreciate you watching Luis!

[@omni875]

You missed the $25 door dash credit on the CSR, easy to use, extra $300/year, card pays you to have it. CSR is hands down best overall card for majority of people, especially if you pair it with the other chase cards.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

True! Good call-out, appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Thanks so much for watching!

[@newagain9964]

Huh? CSR is suuuuper niche. And credits are a pain. It’s worse than gold card. The card for gen pop is clearly VX due to its ease of use and free au and no limit PP.

[@terevagailes1146]

Out of the 3 I only have the Venture X and I'm pretty satisfied with it, especially since all the flights from our regional airport go to DFW. I get to go to the Capital One lounge before my connecting flight everytime.

[@MattWelterOfficial]

That's awesome Tereva! I'm a firm believer in tailoring your CC Setup (or which higher-tier Travel Card you choose) to what options you have in terms of lounges that you frequent, so that makes a lot of sense that you'd prioritize the VX for that reason! Appreciate you watching!

[@newagain9964]

Only way VX makes sense if ur home airport is a cap1 lounge.

[@matheusd.soldatelli6817]

Dear Matt, thank you for your channel! Which Visa or Mastercard do you recommend I pair with my current amex gold and platinum for travel? This is because some places don’t take amex and I would like a good non-amex travel card for daily shopping when needed abroad. Thank you.

[@docsays]

- not Matt, but i would recommend either the Cap1 VX - 2x anything, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred - 3x dining/2x general travel/1x other. both have pretty good travel insurance, primary CDW auto rental & neither has any foriegn transaction fees, so they are great for travel abroad.

[@MayaKanaKa]

@@docsays Thanks for your input. I have CSP and I m thinking to ask product change to CSR. Second option: keep CSP and get Venture X. I travel abroad 2-3 times a year and around 5X domestic travel. My local airport does not have Chase or Capital One lounge. What is your thought on these 2 options?

[@docsays]

@@MayaKanaKa - i would try for venture X to get the sub. if approved, pair it with your CSP. If denied, then product change your CSP to the CSR for best benefits and priority pass lounges. Only other option is AmEx Platinium

[@MayaKanaKa]

@@docsays Thank you very much. I just heard that Capital One is launching 2 new credit cards in November. I m going to wait and see if they will increase SUB for Venture X!!

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Thanks so much! I read through this thread and I'd agree! The VX is a great option and would be my #1 recommendation.

[@vickiarnold7300]

Great job on KZbin ♥️

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Thank you so much Vicki!

[@carlosleshawn]

s tier video

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Thanks so much Carlos!

[@carlosleshawn]

@@MattWelterOfficial yw keep doing your thing

[@MattWelterOfficial]

@@carlosleshawn Appreciate you!

[@SOXGATORS]

👍🏻

[@MattWelterOfficial]

🥇

[@yer992]

I have this, thanks for covering this which no one else does!

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Thank you for watching!