Best card to pair with the Bilt Palladium
American Express Blue Cash Preferred adds the most next to it: together they keep $259 a year after both fees from typical spending, $85 more than the Palladium on its own.
- Updated October 17, 2026
- $22,300 a year of spending
- Rankings are never paid for
Best pair
Keeps $259 a year after fees
- Earns $849 a year on the spending below; fees come to $590.
- That's $85 more than the Palladium alone ($174).
- Card credits and perks such as lounge access aren't counted. For many people they're what makes a premium card's fee worth paying.
Rates change, so verify them with the issuer before you apply.
The best partners
What each card adds to the Palladium in a year, after its own fee, with every purchase on whichever of the two earns more. On its own, the Palladium keeps $174 a year after fees.
| Partner | Adds a year | Together | Its fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 American Express Blue Cash Preferred | +$85 | $259 | $95 |
| #2 Citi Strata Premier | +$55 | $229 | $95 |
| #3 U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature | +$39 | $213 | $0 |
| #4 Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus | +$31 | $205 | $95 |
| #5 Citi Strata | $0 | $174 | $0 |
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 Bilt Palladium on $200 | $366 5.9% |
| Dining | $3,900 | Bilt Palladium | $117 3% |
| Gas | $2,400 | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | $72 3% |
| Travel | $2,500 | Bilt Palladium | $75 3% |
| Drugstores | $700 | Bilt Palladium | $21 3% |
| Everything else | $6,600 | Bilt Palladium | $198 3% |
| Total | $22,300 | $849 |