In the credit card world, the term trifecta is known as three keeper cards that compliment each other, from the same bank. The benefits of these cards are optimized when you own all three. The Chase Trifecta is the most popular trifecta out there. It usually combines the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex, and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Some who travel often may substitute the Sapphire Preferred for the Sapphire Reserve or a speciality Chase travel card. Now that Citi came out with the new Custom Cash card, they have a competitive Trifecta with the Double Cash card, the Custom Cash card, and the Premier Card. Likewise, you can substitute the Premier card for the high fee Citi Prestige if you travel several times a year. For this comparison, I will choose the cards that most people would go with if they use the trifecta strategies to max out their rewards.
As you read on, remember that Chase and Citi may change their rewards and sign on bonus at any time. I encourage clicking on the links in this post to view their current offers.
Chase Rewards
| Chase | Freedom Unlimited | Freedom Flex | Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotating Categories | N/A | 5% | N/A |
| Groceries | 1.5%* | 1% | 3X |
| Restaurants | 3% | 3% | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 1.5% | 1% | 1X |
| Drug Stores | 3% | 3% | 1X |
| Travel | 5% | 5% | 5X |
| Streaming | 1.5% | 1% | 3X |
| Other Categories | 1.5% | 1% | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1.5% | 1% | 1X |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $95 |
| Sign Up Bonus | $200* 5% on groceries 1st year | $200* 5% on groceries 1st year | 100,000 points |
Citi Rewards
| Citi | Double Cash | Custom Cash | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotating Categories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Groceries | 2% | 5%/1%* | 3X |
| Restaurants | 2% | 5%/1%* | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 2% | 5%/1%* | 3X |
| Drug Stores | 2% | 5%/1%* | 1X |
| Travel | 2% | 5%/1%* | 3X |
| Other Categories | 2% | 5%/1%* | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2% | 1% | 1X |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $95 |
| Sign Up Bonus | N/A | $200 | 80,000 points |
Application Constraints and How to Apply
Chase has the 5/24 rule, which means you cannot apply for more than 5 cards within 24 months. If you applied for 5 cards within the past 24 months, you will need to wait to apply. I would first get the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited before getting the Sapphire Reserve with its 100,000 points. Since the Freedom cards are within the same family, you will only get a sign on bonus from one. Apply for a new Chase card here.
Citi has the 2/65 rule and the 1/8 rule. The 2/65 rule allows two credit applications every 65 days. The 1/8 rule allows one application every 8 days. I would apply for the Citi Custom Cash first for the $200 or 20,000 points sign on bonus. I would then wait 9 days and apply for the Citi Premier card for the 80,000 points sign on bonus. Next I would wait 66 days to get the Citi Double Cash.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Premier
Both cards have no foreign transaction fees. That means you can use them when you travel overseas. Both cards charge an annual fee of $95. Both offer annual discounts on hotels. Chase offers $50 off a hotel each year and Citi $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more. Both allow you to transfer points to airlines. They mainly differ in their points system and how they can be combined with other cards in their ecosystem. Both cards can be product changed to the upgraded Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige offering more benefits at the expense of a $550 and $495 annual fee, respectively. You can even downgrade both cards if you want to stop paying the annual fee, though you should wait at least 13 months before downgrading.
With the Citi Premier, you also get 3X on Dining, Groceries, Gas Stations, and Travel (Air + Hotels) while earning 1X on everything else.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you get 5X on travel plus a 25% points boost if you redeem for travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You also get 3X on dining and groceries, 2X on other travel purchases, 3X on select streamlining services, and 1X on everything else.
How I Would Use The Chase Trifecta To Maximize My Rewards
For drug stores and restaurants, I would use either of my Freedom cards for 3% cash back, unless the Freedom Flex quarterly 5% bonus happens to land on restaurants or drug stores. I would use my Sapphire Preferred card for travel (5X) and streaming (3X). Finally, I would use my Freedom Unlimited for all other purchases. If I am planning to travel each year, I would save the points/cash-back for travel where I get 25% more value for my points when booking for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. With the points boost, I can potentially travel for free each year.
How I Would Use The Citi Trifecta To Maximize My Rewards
I would first get the Citi Custom Cash card for the $200 bonus. I would then 9 days and apply for the Citi Premier. Due to Citi’s process for approving people, I would then need to wait 65 days to apply for the 3rd card on day 66. That is when I would get the Double Cash card. I would use the Custom Cash card for my highest monthly expense which is typically groceries. If I have a home improvement project coming up, I would plan to use my Custom Cash card for 5% cash back. The Premier card will give me 3% cash back on my dining, groceries, travel, and gas. The double cash would be used for everything else to earn 2%.
Who Wins?
Travel – The Chase trifecta is much better with its 25% travel points boost and partnerships with airlines and hotels. You also earn 20,000 more points with the Chase sign on bonuses.
Groceries – Citi is the winner with its 3X on groceries with the Premier card, or 5% with the Custom Cash card. While Chase offers 5% cash back on on $12,000 in groceries when you sign up for the Freedom card(s) as a new customer, that offer is only available for the first year. Chase could also apply 5% cash back on groceries with their rotating quarterly bonuses. In fact, the current Q3 2021 bonus is for groceries. Otherwise, Chase Freedom customers earn 1.5% cash back on groceries with the Freedom Unlimited.
Dining – Chase and Citi are Tied for dining. You can earn 3% or 3X with both Citi and Chase, however you could earn up to 5% cash back when the Freedom Flex rotating category lands on dining and you can earn 5% cash back on dining if that is your highest eligible expense on the Citi Custom Cash card.
Gas Stations – Citi wins with gas stations offering up to 5% with its Custom Cash card or 3X with its Premier card. With the Chase trifecta, you could get up to 5% with the Freedom Flex rotating quarterly category, or you get 1.5% with the Freedom Unlimited.
Drug Stores – Chase wins with 3% cash back on drug stores and possible 5% cash back through rotating categories. Citi gives you 2% cash back unless you use the Citi Custom Cash card to earn you 5% on drug stores.
Streaming – Chase wins with its 3X points. Citi gives you 2% cash back.
Non-Eligible Categories – Citi wins since the least you can earn is 2% cash back with the Double Cash card. On the Chase side, you will earn 1.5% on non-eligible categories.
User Experience – Chase wins with its superior customer service, more intuitive app, and easy to use website.
Overall Winner – Ultimately, the Citi trifecta is more valuable where it counts – Groceries and Gas Stations. These two categories are the highest spend categories for most people. If you tend to travel more than 2 times per year, the Chase trifecta may be the better option for you. Both of these trifectas are very valuable and you really can’t go wrong with either.
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