With so many bank cards in the marketplace providing helpful advantages and rewards, it may be difficult to determine which one deserves an utility.
Right here at TPG, we perceive this firsthand, as our employees members typically take stock of their very own setups and weigh whether or not they need to add a brand new card to their wallets. With a number of issues at play, the choice is just not at all times easy.
From profitable welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many components can affect your choice. Here is a snapshot of the playing cards TPG staffers are making use of for proper now and why.
American Specific Gold Card
Welcome provide: New American Specific® Gold Card members can discover out their provide and could also be eligible for as excessive as 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome gives range, and also you is probably not eligible for a proposal.)
Annual payment: $325 (see charges and costs).
Maggie Moran, a PR supervisor at TPG, mentioned the Amex Gold was a “no-brainer” for her since she spends a big portion of her month-to-month bills on eating places and grocery purchases in New York Metropolis.
The Amex Gold earns 4 factors per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback) and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback).
Maggie mentioned she’s been eyeing the cardboard for some time, however she determined to use after it was introduced that eligible American Specific cardholders would obtain presale entry to tickets for Harry Kinds’ 2026 tour.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Gold.
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Apply right here: American Specific Gold Card
American Specific Platinum Card
Welcome provide: New American Specific Platinum Card® members can discover out their provide and could also be eligible for as excessive as 175,000 bonus factors after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome gives range, and also you is probably not eligible for a proposal.)
Annual payment: $895 (see charges and costs).
Harrison Wladis, TPG’s senior enterprise operations analyst, determined so as to add the Amex Platinum as a premium journey card to enhance his Amex Gold. Harrison mentioned he has a visit arising, so he expects to fulfill the spending requirement for his bonus quickly.
Harrison additionally expects to get plenty of worth from the Amex Platinum’s assertion credit since they’re helpful for retailers he already spends with. These embrace:
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Amex Platinum.
*Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
^Pay together with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.
Apply right here: American Specific Platinum Card
Bilt Palladium Card
Welcome provide: Earn 50,000 bonus factors and Bilt Gold standing (via the remainder of the calendar 12 months wherein it was earned and the next calendar 12 months) after spending $4,000 on nonhousing purchases within the first three months from account opening. Cardholders additionally obtain $300 in Bilt Money upon approval.
Annual payment: $495.
The Bilt Palladium Card (see charges and costs) has develop into a favourite throughout the employees because it was introduced in January.
Summer time Hull, a senior director of content material at TPG, utilized for the Bilt Palladium Card the day it launched. She mentioned Bilt now works for her for the reason that program has added the flexibility to earn helpful Bilt Factors on mortgage funds. She particularly enjoys transferring her Bilt factors to Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards and World of Hyatt — and the 50,000-point welcome bonus definitely helps.
Principal spokesperson Clint Henderson agreed, saying he “could not resist” the Bilt Palladium Card’s bonus.
For Will Clarke, TPG’s director of enterprise operations, the Bilt Palladium Card’s 2 factors per greenback incomes price for on a regular basis purchases is likely one of the greatest within the enterprise. Will mentioned he additionally appreciates the pliability of Bilt Money to both earn bonus factors on mortgage funds or redeem for different rewards.
Max Orenstein, a enterprise operations analyst at TPG, additionally utilized for the Bilt Palladium Card. Max identified that Bilt factors are TPG’s highest-valued forex, at 2.2 cents per level, based on January 2026 valuations, and highlighted the cardboard’s annual lodge credit score and Precedence Cross lounge entry as standout perks.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Bilt Palladium Card.
Apply right here: Bilt Palladium Card
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Welcome provide: For a restricted time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 4 months from account opening.
Annual payment: $350.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see charges and costs) was an amazing alternative for Becky Blaine, TPG’s managing editor of newsletters, as she sought to reap the benefits of the cardboard’s standing enhance — a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level enhance (as much as 3 times per 12 months for a complete of 15,000 factors).
Plus, she’ll make use of 4 Admirals Membership lounge passes annually.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Citi Strata Elite Card
Welcome provide: For a restricted time, earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $595.
Along with making use of for the Bilt Palladium Card, Summer time additionally added the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and costs) to her pockets in December.
Summer time has been exceptionally happy with the Strata Elite’s assertion credit, and she or he plans to switch her 100,000-point bonus to American Airways AAdvantage.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn 5 free night time awards (valued at as much as 50,000 factors every) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. (Sure inns have resort charges.) Plus, for 2026 solely, candidates can obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit annually after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (as much as $50 in assertion credit bi-annually).
Annual payment: $95.
Ben Smithson, a senior factors and miles author at TPG, is contemplating the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card (see charges and costs).
Whereas Ben mentioned he is not notably loyal to Marriott Bonvoy, he was enticed by the Boundless card’s welcome provide. He likes the simplicity of paying for a complete trip’s lodging with one card’s welcome provide, and it is made sweeter for the reason that card fees simply $95 in annual charges.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
United Quest Card
Welcome provide: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and three,000 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual payment: $350.
On high of making use of for the Bilt Palladium Card, Clint additionally picked up the United Quest℠ Card (see charges and costs) not too long ago.
Clint was drawn to its welcome bonus and says that being a cardholder can be useful as he standing matches to United Premier 1K.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the United Quest Card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Backside line
TPG staffers method every new card strategically. They think about their current playing cards, upcoming journeys and the place new perks will add essentially the most worth.
There isn’t any single greatest technique, however by reviewing your playing cards and targets, you possibly can construct a setup that helps your journey ambitions — identical to our specialists.
Associated: How to decide on the most effective bank card for you
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Bilt Palladium Card, please click on right here.
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