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We looked at your survey answers and loved hearing that you travel as a couple a few times a year. You've heard about points and miles. You're just not sure if it's worth the effort. It is. Here's exactly where to start.
Find Your Starting PointYou have the biggest welcome offers ahead of you. The first card you get (and the first card your partner gets) lets you earn a welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars in travel. That's free money for trips you were going to take anyway.
So start simple. Each of you can get a card with flexible points you can use for flights or hotels. No complex strategy needed in year one… just earn the welcome offers and let the points stack. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.
The best first travel card on the market for a reason. Points transfer to Hyatt, United, Air France, and more. Strong on dining and travel spending. The $50 annual hotel credit takes a big bite out of the $95 fee.
$50 hotel credit, 3x dining, 2x travel, trip delay insurance, transfer partners
The no-brainer card if you want simplicity. Earns 2x on everything, no category tracking needed. Miles can cover any travel purchase for up to 90 days after the fact, including flights, hotels, Airbnbs, rental cars. It’s great as a second card if your partner is getting the Sapphire Preferred.
2x everything, cover any travel charge, no foreign transaction fees, transfer partners
Having one travel card is a solid start. But if only one of you is earning points, you're working at half capacity. The move here is to get your partner into the same ecosystem (or a complementary one) so both of you are building a balance you can actually use for two tickets.
The goal: one card that covers travel and dining well, one card that covers everything else. Together, almost every dollar you spend earns at a bonus rate.
If your partner doesn't have this yet, this is the card to get. It earns the same Ultimate Rewards points as many other Chase cards, which means your balances can be combined for a bigger redemption. Strong dining and travel categories make it the best everyday travel card at this price point.
3x dining, 2x travel, combine points with partner, transfer partners
This card earns 4x at restaurants* and U.S. supermarkets** — two of the highest everyday spend categories for most couples. If your current card doesn’t earn well on food, this fills a major gap. Plus, the statement credits offset the annual fee significantly.
4x at restaurants, 4x at U.S. supermarkets, up to $120 dining credit, up to $120 Uber Cash (to receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States.)
* up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that
** up to $25,000 per year, then 1x after that
If you want to keep it simple and low commitment, the Venture is the right call for the second card. Earning a flat 2x on everything means you never have to think about which card to use. Miles are flexible and can cover any travel purchase for up to 90 days after the fact.
2x everything, cover any travel charge, no foreign transaction fees
You've been earning points, maybe for a while. You've probably redeemed them for something. Now the question is whether your current setup is keeping up with how much you actually travel. If you're taking 2-4 trips a year as a couple, a premium card starts to pay for itself before summer.
At this stage, the move is usually upgrading your primary card, adding a strong dining or everyday card, or both.
If you already have the Sapphire Preferred, this is the next move. The $300 travel credit alone covers a huge chunk of the fee. Add lounge access for two travelers, and you’ll use that benefit on every single trip. Earning UR points means you’ll get the same transfer partners as the Preferred, just with higher earn rates. Note: the 3x earn rate on travel applies after the first $300 in annual travel purchases, which goes toward the $300 travel credit.
$300 travel credit, Priority Pass, 3x dining + travel, Global Entry credit, primary rental car
The best value premium card for couples who want lounge access without a $795 fee. The $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles effectively bring the cost to under $100. Priority Pass covers authorized users — so both of you get in.
$300 travel credit, Priority Pass (+ authorized users, who you can add for free), 10k anniversary miles, 2x everything
Pairs well with any premium travel card. 4x on restaurants* and at U.S. supermarkets** fills the categories your travel card probably doesn't cover as well. For a couple spending $800-$1,000/month on food, this card earns fast.
4x at restaurants, 4x at U.S. supermarkets, Up to $120 dining credit
* up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that
** up to $25,000 per year, then 1x after that
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Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred between household members who are both Chase cardholders. Capital One miles can be transferred between accounts as well. Amex Membership Rewards has more restrictions, but there are workarounds. The short answer is: yes, in most cases you can pool your points for bigger redemptions.
Not necessarily. In many cases, a complementary setup (one person with the Sapphire Preferred and one with the Venture or Amex Gold) earns more overall than both having the same card. The goal is to cover your biggest spending categories at the highest possible earn rate, which often means different cards for different people.
Most cards require $4,000-$6,000 in the first 3 months, which works out to around $1,300-$2,000 per month. For a couple splitting household expenses (groceries, gas, restaurants, subscriptions), that's usually achievable without changing your spending habits at all.
Two main ways. First, book through the card's travel portal (Chase Travel, Capital One Travel) and use points like cash. Simple, no strategy needed. Second, transfer points to an airline or hotel partner and book an award directly. This is a little more effort, but usually yields higher value — especially for international flights or expensive hotel stays.
Applying for a new card triggers a hard inquiry, which typically drops your score by 5-10 points temporarily. That effect fades within a few months, and your score usually recovers fully within 6-12 months (often ending up higher than before because your available credit increased). Woo-hoo!
Points aren't complicated once you get started. Pick the starting point that fits where you are, put your regular spending on the new card for three months, and you'll have enough points to do something real with by the time your next trip rolls around.
Find Your Starting PointDISCLOSURE TEXT
Daily Drop may earn a commission if you apply for and are approved for a card through links on this page. Our editorial recommendations are based on independent analysis, not issuer direction. Welcome offer amounts, minimum spend requirements, and terms are subject to change; verify all details on the card issuer's website before applying. Points valuations are estimates and will vary based on how you redeem. Card details current as of 4/21/2026. Terms apply.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
