With so many credit cards on the market offering valuable benefits and rewards, it can be challenging to decide which one deserves an application.
Here at TPG, we understand this firsthand, as our staff members often take inventory of their own setups and weigh whether they should add a new card to their wallets. With multiple considerations at play, the decision is not always straightforward.
From lucrative welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many factors can influence your decision. Here’s a snapshot of the cards TPG staffers are applying for right now and why.
American Express Gold Card
Welcome offer: New American Express® Gold Card members can find out their offer and may be eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees).
Maggie Moran, a PR manager at TPG, said the Amex Gold was a “no-brainer” for her since she spends a large portion of her monthly expenses on restaurants and grocery purchases in New York City.
The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Maggie said she’s been eyeing the card for a while, but she decided to apply after it was announced that eligible American Express cardholders would receive presale access to tickets for Harry Styles’ 2026 tour.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
American Express Platinum Card
Welcome offer: New American Express Platinum Card® members can find out their offer and may be eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees).
Harrison Wladis, TPG’s senior business operations analyst, decided to add the Amex Platinum as a premium travel card to complement his Amex Gold. Harrison said he has a trip coming up, so he expects to meet the spending requirement for his bonus soon.
Harrison also expects to get a lot of value from the Amex Platinum’s statement credits since they’re useful for merchants he already spends with. These include:
- Up to $400 in annual Resy statement credits per calendar year (up to $100 per quarter)*^
- Up to $300 in annual statement credits for digital entertainment per calendar year (up to $25 per month)*
- Up to $300 in annual Lululemon statement credits per calendar year at U.S. stores (excluding outlets) and online (allocated as up to $75 per quarter)*
- Up to $300 in Equinox statement credits per calendar year to use on Equinox gym and Equinox+ app memberships (subject to auto-renewal)*
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
^Pay with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Bilt Palladium Card
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points and Bilt Gold status (through the rest of the calendar year in which it was earned and the following calendar year) after spending $4,000 on nonhousing purchases in the first three months from account opening. Cardholders also receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval.
Annual fee: $495.
The Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees) has become a favorite across the staff since it was announced in January.
Summer Hull, a senior director of content at TPG, applied for the Bilt Palladium Card the day it launched. She said Bilt now works for her since the program has added the ability to earn valuable Bilt Points on mortgage payments. She especially enjoys transferring her Bilt points to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards and World of Hyatt — and the 50,000-point welcome bonus certainly helps.
Principal spokesperson Clint Henderson agreed, saying he “couldn’t resist” the Bilt Palladium Card’s bonus.
For Will Clarke, TPG’s director of business operations, the Bilt Palladium Card’s 2 points per dollar earning rate for everyday purchases is one of the best in the business. Will said he also appreciates the flexibility of Bilt Cash to either earn bonus points on mortgage payments or redeem for other rewards.
Max Orenstein, a business operations analyst at TPG, also applied for the Bilt Palladium Card. Max pointed out that Bilt points are TPG’s highest-valued currency, at 2.2 cents per point, according to January 2026 valuations, and highlighted the card’s annual hotel credit and Priority Pass lounge access as standout perks.
To learn more, read our full review of the Bilt Palladium Card.
Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Welcome offer: For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.
Annual fee: $350.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) was a great choice for Becky Blaine, TPG’s managing editor of newsletters, as she sought to take advantage of the card’s status boost — a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Point boost (up to three times per year for a total of 15,000 points).
Plus, she’ll make use of four Admirals Club lounge passes each year.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Citi Strata Elite Card
Welcome offer: For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $595.
In addition to applying for the Bilt Palladium Card, Summer also added the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) to her wallet in December.
Summer has been exceptionally pleased with the Strata Elite’s statement credits, and she plans to transfer her 100,000-point bonus to American Airlines AAdvantage.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn five free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) Plus, for 2026 only, applicants can receive up to $100 in statement credits each year after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (up to $50 in statement credits bi-annually).
Annual fee: $95.
Ben Smithson, a senior points and miles writer at TPG, is considering the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees).
While Ben said he isn’t particularly loyal to Marriott Bonvoy, he was enticed by the Boundless card’s welcome offer. He likes the simplicity of paying for an entire vacation’s accommodations with one card’s welcome offer, and it’s made sweeter since the card charges just $95 in annual fees.
To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
United Quest Card
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $350.
On top of applying for the Bilt Palladium Card, Clint also picked up the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) recently.
Clint was attracted to its welcome bonus and says that being a cardholder will be helpful as he status matches to United Premier 1K.
To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.
Apply here: United Quest Card
Bottom line
TPG staffers approach each new card strategically. They consider their existing cards, upcoming trips and where new perks will add the most value.
There’s no single best strategy, but by reviewing your cards and goals, you can build a setup that supports your travel ambitions — just like our experts.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Palladium Card, please click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
