With so many credit cards in the marketplace providing helpful benefits and rewards, it may be difficult to determine which one deserves an application.
Right here at TPG, we perceive this firsthand, as our workers members usually take stock of their very own setups and weigh whether or not they need to add a new card to their wallets. With a number of concerns at play, the choice isn’t all the time easy.
From lucrative welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many elements can affect your choice. Here is a snapshot of the playing cards TPG staffers are making use of for proper now and why.
American Categorical Gold Card
Welcome provide: New American Express® 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 will not be eligible for a suggestion.)
Annual payment: $325 (see rates and fees).
Maggie Moran, a PR supervisor at TPG, stated the Amex Gold was a “no-brainer” for her since she spends a big portion of her month-to-month bills on restaurants 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 stated she’s been eyeing the cardboard for some time, however she determined to use after it was introduced that eligible American Categorical cardholders would obtain presale access to tickets for Harry Styles’ 2026 tour.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amex Gold.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Apply right here: American Express Gold Card
American Categorical Platinum Card
Welcome provide: New American Express 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 will not be eligible for a suggestion.)
Annual payment: $895 (see rates and fees).
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 stated he has a visit arising, so he expects to meet the spending requirement for his bonus quickly.
Harrison additionally expects to get numerous worth from the Amex Platinum’s statement credits since they’re helpful for retailers he already spends with. These embrace:
To study extra, learn our full review of the Amex Platinum.
*Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
^Pay along with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.
Apply right here: American Express Platinum Card
Bilt Palladium Card
Welcome provide: Earn 50,000 bonus factors and Bilt Gold standing (by the remainder of the calendar 12 months during which 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 rates and fees) has develop into a favourite throughout the workers because it was introduced in January.
Summer Hull, a senior director of content material at TPG, utilized for the Bilt Palladium Card the day it launched. She stated Bilt now works for her because the program has added the power to earn helpful Bilt Points on mortgage funds. She particularly enjoys transferring her Bilt factors to Alaska Airlines 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 stated he additionally appreciates the flexibility of Bilt Cash 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 foreign money, at 2.2 cents per level, based on January 2026 valuations, and highlighted the cardboard’s annual resort credit score and Priority Pass lounge entry as standout perks.
To study extra, learn our full review 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 rates and fees) was a terrific selection for Becky Blaine, TPG’s managing editor of newsletters, as she sought to benefit from the cardboard’s standing enhance — a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Point enhance (as much as 3 times per 12 months for a complete of 15,000 factors).
Plus, she’ll make use of 4 Admirals Club lounge passes every year.
To study extra, learn our full review 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 season additionally added the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) to her pockets in December.
Summer season has been exceptionally happy with the Strata Elite’s statement credits, and he or she plans to transfer her 100,000-point bonus to American Airlines AAdvantage.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Welcome provide: Earn 5 free evening 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 accommodations have resort charges.) Plus, for 2026 solely, candidates can obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit every year 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 Card (see rates and fees).
Whereas Ben stated 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 because the card costs simply $95 in annual charges.
To study extra, learn our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit 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 rates and fees) not too long ago.
Clint was interested in 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 review of the United Quest Card.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Backside line
TPG staffers strategy every new card strategically. They think about their present playing cards, upcoming journeys and the place new perks will add essentially the most worth.
There is no single greatest technique, however by reviewing your playing cards and objectives, you possibly can construct a setup that helps your journey ambitions — identical to our consultants.
Associated: How to choose the best credit card for you
For charges and costs of the Amex Gold, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Bilt Palladium Card, please click on here.
Trending Merchandise
