Why your Credit Card Trifectas are Overrated!!

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In this video, I explain why trifectas could be a waste of time and why going for good solid card duos could make more sense for points diversification and benefits!
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[@TheCreditFrog]

Interesting take Uncle Luke! While I definitely agree that going for duos over trifectas will help diversify you across multiple transferrable currencies quicker, I'm still a big believer that by diversifying, you spread your spend out way too much so unless each flexible point currency has a common transfer partner, it's going to take that much longer to save up for that trip. I also think trifectas are great ways to maximize spend depending on the person, but they don't necessarily have to be a trifecta from one issuer (could be a hybrid cash back /point setup, for example)! Anyways, always great to hear and appreciate another point of view!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I don’t think most folks to traveling so much that diversity will hurt them. If that’s the case just grab a coupon duos.

[@Radbrad869]

“Adjust fire accordingly” if the power lifter build and sick ass beard didn’t give it away, this statement did. You’re a vet 😂 great video man

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

💯

[@ThunderCat19D]

I caught that as well

[@PhilMo78]

My trifecta is usually 1: the card with the SUB im working on 2: the card with the SUB p2 is working on 3: the card I got because I have no chill and wanted another SUB

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

You getta sub! You getta sub!

[@chadpennycuff]

LMAO - Most of us work subs serial - PhilMo is big time with the trifecta of parallel SUBs.

[@fbx03]

Using Dan's picture in the beginning is hilarious

[@fuge511]

There’s honestly so much transfer partner overlap, it doesn’t hurt to use the VX as a catch all, the platinum for direct flight bookings, citi premier for gas and groceries and food. Just as an example lol

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I like what you are saying. I transfer 80% of my points to the top 5 partners that are shared by most issuers

[@flubberghosted2472]

I have the OG Autograph & I am thinking about getting the Active Cash to complete an NAF duo with transfer partners.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Very good idea!

[@ntrlbrnpnoi]

I really like your take on this. I do like to have a variety of lenders and i am still hunting those SUBs. I also don’t like to put my eggs in one basket, just in case. Thanks for a great video!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

My Pleasure

[@joephillips5594]

Great video Luke! I completely agree...someone with the CSP, freedom flex, VX, Savor, amex gold and platinum, and citi premiere and custom cash will have a very effective setup...and those are all arguably keeper cards!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Thank you sir!!

[@DanielRall]

I can't possibly have enough cards in my stable. 😝 The primary element that I've been constraining is issuers (simplifying management). The "working set" of 2-4 cards rotates through SUBs, category high earners, rotating bonus categories, and occasional status qualification or bonus offers. The last bit is often the most interesting, and is where having a lot of cards and keeping an eye on the ecosystem comes into play (recent examples: 4k EQMs per $10k spend up to $50k on Alaska, extra 85k Marriott certificate for $4k spend on the Brilliant, etc.).

[@karlwaage1823]

Thanks Luke. Good run down. I’m in that position that you mentioned, two years in and I’m pretty diversified. I’m already looking to simplify a bit. 👍🏻

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Nothing wrong with getting back to a simple set up. Our strategies will continue to change and morph

[@CC-sp2xo]

I’m not sure if they are overrated yet since I’m new to the points and miles game. But so far(as someone who lives in NYC and has to travel to LA often) the cards I’m using are 1. Amex Gold-food 2. Amex Plat-travel, lounge, concierge 3. CSR-travel, dining, lounge 4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless-hotel, gas, catch all 5. Founders Card elite- Ceasar’s , car rental, hotel etc

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

some great cards

[@MattWelterOfficial]

Definitely understand the argument here & great video Luke. I think a lot of times people get caught up with needing to build the "best" setup within one ecosystem, when in reality sometimes building a couple different smaller setups across multiple ecosystems is the way to go. Usually, you only really need one Card with travel partner access and then potentially a supplement to it within the same ecosystem- Plus you never know when specific travel redemptions that you need will be more accessible across one ecosystem and not so much with another. Great video!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Thanks Matt!!

[@MattMcGrathOfficial]

Really like what you did here Luke. Currently my wife and I have most of these cards with my wife having the two Citi and Amex and myself having the Chase Ink Cash and Chase Business Preferred instead of the Reserve, as I’m waiting on my Ritz upgrade, only card I’m missing is the Savor One as I have the Venture X. Currently not able to get it so that will have to wait.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Nice set up!!!

[@jimmyjames6492]

It's all about the SUBs!!! But I am favoring the Venture X + Savor/SavorOne duo more and more. Thanks for the info + video!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

It’s quickly becoming my favorite!!

[@ChaseYokoyama]

That Brolll @ 5:00 got me cracking up 😂. Any juicy redemption will get me looking like that

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Hells yes! Aunt Connie licking her lips!

[@ChaseYokoyama]

@@LukesPointsandMiles 🤣

[@pointsofview6346]

Great Video and Analysis! Chase does seem to be the most popular Trifecta and while its a good one it is a bit overrated overall since all the no annual fee cards have foreign transaction fees. The Capital One duo on the other hand does not.

[@DavidGarciajrtx]

My mains for personal spend is Plat Gold Vx Considering consolidating more and just stuck with plat and gold

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I really advocate for diversification unless you have very low spend.

[@appalachiashellfighter2269]

I have had the quicksilver and discover it for about a year and just got approved for freedom flex, I believe next I will shoot for custom cash Then will be the decision of venture x, preferred or premier, more then likely one of the last 2 as I think they are more hotel based then airline based

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

You’re building a nice set up!

[@jpknowledge8852]

I agree. Diversification allows for many opportunities that you can't get, only focusing on one point ecosystem. It is better to diversify. I think people really like seeing the number of points they have in one program rise, and that "feels" better than having the same amount of points in 4 different programs.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

plus they dont understand they can fly international biz class for like 34k points. - I just hit a nice redemption today!

[@jpknowledge8852]

@LukesPointsandMiles Awesome! Iberia Business class, I'm assuming! Best deal to Europe.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@jpknowledge8852 nope! Much different. I’m making a video about it now

[@jpknowledge8852]

@@LukesPointsandMiles nice! I'm looking forward to seeing the video 👍🏾

[@chrisrose4215]

Just found your videos a couple weeks ago. Love your perspectives! I want to hear your opinions about the green amex soon! I started with that card as my first "big boy" card, and i love it! I travel a lot, but not so much flying atm, and i see lots of value, and the AF isnt bad! Especially considering the clear benefit is a net benefit out of the gate!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I’m probably due to review the green again. I’m a fan of that card

[@chrisrose4215]

@@LukesPointsandMiles pretty sure I watched your initial review, but the fact it's still so slept on makes me wonder if I'm missing something.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@chrisrose4215 I think before the clear credit it was a tough choice. I had it for two years and barely used it. But 3x on all those categories and a good credit make is great now

[@chrisrose4215]

@@LukesPointsandMiles makes perfect sense!

[@jamesyu613]

I use my chase trifecta and i use it often

[@jeromehenry4484]

I prefer to spread my applications among different issuers just in case an issuer panics and starts closing/reducing credit limits of existing customers. Have heard many reports of a customer that have multiple CC's & checking account with 1 bank that turns around and closes ALL ACCOUNTS with no/vague reason. Always have at least 1 back-up card issuer.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Right now is a good example of those times

[@tylerbarker3860]

Great video and I like all the points that you made. I travel 18-24 days a month for my job. I carry the Plat, Gold, Green, and BBP and use each of them daily. The points exceed the AF for my set up for now. I pair those with a AA Advantage and Chase SWA card for those times AMEX isn’t accepted domestic and intl. New to the channel!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Welcome, Tyler.

[@DanielRall]

Why bother with the Southwest cards for non-SUB spend? Do you use some of the benefits? Love the Amex selection.

[@tylerbarker3860]

The SWA was my first CC when I turned 18 and now I’m 35. It was once my only card to use and get points. I need to close it but haven’t read enough to see if it would hurt my score. I keep it in the safe currently with a 10k limit. I’d love to change it to the CSR eventually.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@tylerbarker3860 I’m not sure I would close it unless you have other cards that are close in age. You can’t change a Southwest card to a sapphire card.

[@tylerbarker3860]

I don’t have anything with that long of history. I’ll just keep it in the safe and do a separate CSR next year perhaps. Thanks for the great info!

[@Jes1919]

I hold the Citi Premier, IHG premier, and Fidelity 2%. I am moving overseas and like this setup.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Sounds like a good set up.

[@vijayanbalasubramanian8837]

If you have CSR, does it makes sense to have venture x as catch all? When I travel internationally I never had chance to use CC outside dinning and travel category. My set up is Chase trifecta + Citi duo . I haven’t got into capital one eco system yet. Mostly I use my US AR as kind of catch all card since it earns 3x on Apple Pay. Amex gold for dinning and groceries

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I like the VX in just about any set up!

[@caribdude8151]

Yes Sir! 👍

[@chickenfactory1010]

My current duo is Amex Green and BBP!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I like that!!

[@AnonyMap1]

I've been a chase trifeca user for a couple of years now, but lately I'm moving to a "mixed" quad-fecta with the freedom flex, amex gold, sapphire reserve (to transfer flex points), and capital one venture X and focusing on transferring points to aeroplan. I'm cheating a fair bit as I'm not paying annual fees because I'm military. Honestly though the system is a little annoying and complex. I kind of long for the days of a simple system...

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Go simple after you get out! Thank you for your service. Us old men appreciate it!!

[@mikea9777]

Will getting a new credit card like the amex everyday card cause a hard credit check? Or just a soft one? Does it depend on the issuer or the type of card?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Data points strongly suggest they Amex will only do a hard pulll on your first personal card with them. Afterwards it’s normally a soft pull. Other issuers it will most likely be a hard pull for every all.

[@fogrunr5075]

Platinum & BBP CSR & FrUL Autograph Custom Cash & Double Cash SavorOne & VentureOne BOA CCR NFCU CashRew

[@omarkassem2391]

Uncle Luke, Would you pair the venture x with Amex gold or savor one, I just got targeted for the 90k Amex gold offer

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I’ll have a video out next week that can give you some perspective on that.

[@thejokerspeaks]

Overrated for sure, maxing opportunity cost for brand loyalty. A duo can even be from different issuers, if you are after a certain airline mile or hotel point.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Yeah I just think some of the issuers have complimentary cards especially if you nix the “catch all”

[@thejokerspeaks]

@@LukesPointsandMiles Venture X is the only worthy "catch all" IMO, and you can only form a duo with it on the personal side. One could mix in a 2X business card for a 2nd catch all. I don't travel enough on travel for that, so 2% cash back on Spark is where the money rolls in with this game.

[@jaws2003]

Personally, I like just having two cards for rewards. Easy to use and fewer categories to worry about. I like simplicity.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Simplicity is always great. Hopefully you aren’t missing out on transfer bonuses

[@DCGEMINI202]

Im no longer doing trifectas. I just upgraded my green and gold card to extra platinums, upgraded my CFU & CFF to extra CSR’s and upgraded my surpass to a 2nd aspire. My catch all card is now my personal hyatt card. 15k spend will equal a free night cert then ill do the same with the aspire. Im more focused on free night certs, fhr credits and united travel bank money

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

No fees!!!!

[@DCGEMINI202]

@@LukesPointsandMiles 🙌🏾 just hit the sub on the boa premium rewards elite card to. Thats $300 travel bank money on top of the 75k sub. Next plan is to get the no fee hilton card, hit the sub and upgrade it to a third aspire. Gatta cancel my hilton business card first to free up a amex slot

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@DCGEMINI202 nice moves!!

[@user-wh1ti5cl2c]

I like diversity and I realize there is not one size that fits all. That being said i'm still sticking with my Quad- fecta. My home airport has a centurion lounge.I travel to Vegas 4 times a year.That also has a centurion lounge. And I love the changes they made to the aspire card. I also have the capital one venture x and saver one card. It cost me nothing to have those cards. Thank you for the video. The more you know the better off you are

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Amex / Cap1 is a strong duo. You have everything you need!!

[@elliottnixon-wq6sp]

Trifectas in a single ecosystem are overrated for various reasons but a three card set up is not. There are firm categories that different cards serve eg, a Citi Double cash card is killer for everyday spend but less powerful than an Amex Platinum-like card for travel purchases where you need as much of your anatomy covered in case something goes wrong.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Citi Double Cash alone might be a bad example because it's basically a cash back card with out the premier

[@JonsCreditAndTravel]

Good stuff Uncle Luke. Yes trifectas are overrated for the most part. Maybe they become useful when your 85 years old, old and grey and settling down from travel and want a simpler approach.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Im close but not quite 85 yet!!!!

[@dylanschang6386]

this is a good example of how people may spend too much time on Chase at the beginning. I have been trying to collect all of the freedom, ink, and then a sapphire cards as much as my spend allows while still under 5/24 at the start of my journey. This likely means I will have to wait a long while before I can get Citi or Cap1 cards because of the amount of inquiries I have. This means I will have to chill and stick with Chase for while, bite the bullet and get into Amex (because they only hard pull once), or accept my fate and try and get the Wells Fargo cards when they come out. Your map encourages the bare essentials from chase and then to move on, which I don't think is a bad play

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Chase is good because you can churn them but for me I don’t need to sacrifice anything for one issuers. I can get more bonuses later from Chase. After a long garnering season with business cards.

[@dylanschang6386]

@@LukesPointsandMiles that makes sense. I have seen an uptick in data points of Ink rejections implying Chase may be significantly less permissive of churning this year compared to 2023, any thoughts? I like churning Inks, but I want to stay in good standing with Chase

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@dylanschang6386 I think any reasonable churning is fine. But some folks are trying to get 10 ink while closing inks they are a year old.

[@mostlyfreetravel]

I agree that trifectas are overrated. I spend on mostly whatever card I’m working on a SUB, Wyndham Biz Card or CIC for utilities then catch all is Hyatt or a Hilton card to work towards FNC.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I like your style!

[@Creditcardnerd]

My only duo is Amex gold and plat!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

But that’s a great one!

[@bideobanshee]

Did you end up closing the Amex Gold?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Video on that card is next week I think.

[@IanMaschal]

How many Experian inquires do you have? I’ve got 13 and everyone thinks it’s crazy. I figure if anyone has more it’s Luke he’s big time.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I just looked: 21. I’m kind of surprised.

[@IanMaschal]

@@LukesPointsandMiles I’ll be there in no time! Im already at 14 it’s just not on my report yet 🤣😂

[@chadpennycuff]

Trifectas are just for gardening - in theory they make you sound smart and wise. Real world, it's all about the SUB hunt. Eventually the SUB hunt will complete a trifecta. Eventually, 5/24, hard inquiries and pop-up jail puts you in standby mode for a little gardening. Sooner or later you go back on the hunt.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

True but you may be on the side lines for a year or so. Nice to have some points earners for that

[@geraldalves9107]

Trifectas are definitely overrated. I'm also learning very quickly that most catch all cards in the points and miles game is overrated when you can just throw all of that non-category spend onto SUB hunting and then you just maximize your everyday spend on your highest spend categories with maybe two cards that have at least 3% back. 4-5% back or higher is preferable though.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Very true but subs are kinda finite. There will be a time they are much less frequent

[@averageperson2659]

Plain and simple: Amex trifecta OR a dynamic duo!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Amex trifecta might frustrate you overseas.

[@averageperson2659]

@@LukesPointsandMiles you’re right😂. If the platinum had 2x on everything - it would be a duo too

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@averageperson2659 if the platinum had 2x on everything it would come with a $1500 AF! Haha

[@averageperson2659]

@@LukesPointsandMiles 😂😂😂💀

[@josephenrique7867]

Plenty of Boujie factor for the platinum 😂

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Absolutely

[@Andrew_ryan_]

I spy no more gold card 👀

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

AF hits hits very very soon.

[@CesarJoel]

Agree 💯! First 3 years is all about bonus hunting and trifectas won’t get much use. Those are some great duos! Great topic and information brother! 🫵

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Thank you sir!!!