Best three-card credit card combo
Of every three-card set we can build from the cards we track, Amex Blue Cash Preferred, Citi Double Cash and Citi Strata Premier keep the most from a year of typical spending: $717 after fees, $98 more than the best single card, Robinhood Gold Card.
- Updated October 17, 2026
- $22,300 a year of spending
- Rankings are never paid for
The combo
Keeps $717 a year after fees
- Earns $907 a year on the spending below; fees come to $190.
- That's $98 more than the best single card, Robinhood Gold Card ($619).
- Citi Double Cash's points count at 1.4¢ because Citi Strata Premier can transfer them; on their own they'd cash out at 1¢.
Rates change, so verify them with the issuer before you apply.
The cards
-
Use for groceries
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
$360 a year
-
Use for travel, drugstores and everything else
$274 a year
-
Use for dining and gas
$273 a year
Which card to use
A year of spending, each purchase on the card that earns the most on it. When a bonus runs out at its cap, the rest goes on the next best card.
| Category | Spend a year | Use | Earns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $6,200 | Amex Blue Cash Preferred on $6,000 Citi Strata Premier on $200 | $368 5.94% |
| Dining | $3,900 | Citi Strata Premier | $164 4.2% |
| Gas | $2,400 | Citi Strata Premier | $101 4.2% |
| Travel | $2,500 | Citi Double Cash | $70 2.8% |
| Drugstores | $700 | Citi Double Cash | $20 2.8% |
| Everything else | $6,600 | Citi Double Cash | $185 2.8% |
| Total | $22,300 | $907 |
Close behind
The next best sets on the same spending.
| Cards | After fees | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Blue Cash Preferred + Chase Freedom Unlimited + Chase Sapphire Preferred | $713 | $190 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited + Citi Double Cash + Citi Strata Premier | $706 | $95 |
| Chase Freedom Flex + Citi Double Cash + Citi Strata Premier | $706 | $95 |