If you’re already wielding the American Express Platinum Card®—with its luxe perks like unlimited airport lounge access and up to $1,500 in annual credits—adding the best second credit card can elevate your rewards game to new heights. A well-chosen second card fills gaps in the Amex Platinum’s portfolio, such as limited acceptance abroad or lack of dining rewards, while boosting your points, cash back, or credit score. In October 2025, standout options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60,000 points after $4,000 spend) and Citi Premier® Card (80,000 points after $4,000) shine as perfect complements.
Let’s dive into why a second card is a must, my top recommendations, and how to apply smarter to maximize value.
Why a Second Credit Card Is Essential in 2025
A second credit card isn’t just extra plastic—it’s a strategic move to optimize your financial life alongside your Amex Platinum. With its $695 annual fee, 5X points on flights, and robust travel perks, Amex Platinum excels for jet-setters but falls short in dining, gas, or non-travel categories. A complementary credit card addresses these gaps and adds benefits like:
- Broader Rewards: Earn points where Amex lags, like 3X on dining with Chase Sapphire Preferred or gas with Citi Premier.
- Credit Score Boost: Multiple cards lower your credit utilization ratio (aim for <30%), potentially raising your FICO score by 20–50 points.
- Global Acceptance: Visa or Mastercard options work where Amex isn’t accepted (only 80% of U.S. merchants take Amex; fewer abroad).
- Backup Flexibility: Avoid declined transactions at non-Amex merchants or during travel.
X users are vocal about pairings: One shared, “Amex Platinum for lounges, Chase Sapphire for dining—best combo ever.” This guide focuses on cards that sync with Amex Platinum’s strengths while covering its blind spots.
Top 5 Best Second Credit Cards to Pair with Amex Platinum in 2025
After analyzing dozens of cards via TPG, WalletHub, and X feedback, I’ve curated five second credit cards that complement Amex Platinum’s travel-heavy focus. Each offers a strong welcome bonus, low fees, and synergy for rewards, credit building, or travel.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Best 2nd Credit Card for Rewards)
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend in 3 months ($900 value at 1.5 cents per point).
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why Pair?: Earns 3X points on dining and travel, 2X on other travel; Visa acceptance globally. Points pool with Amex Membership Rewards for transfers to shared partners like British Airways or Hyatt.
- Best For: Foodies and travelers needing dining rewards and flexibility.
- Drawback: Chase’s 5/24 rule (no approval if you’ve opened 5+ cards in 24 months).
2. Citi Premier® Card (Best for Everyday Spending)
- Welcome Bonus: 80,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months ($1,280 value at 1.6 cents per point).
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why Pair?: 3X points on dining, gas, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels; no foreign transaction fees. Covers Amex’s weak everyday categories.
- Best For: Commuters or families with high gas/grocery spend ($2,000+/month).
- Drawback: Fewer transfer partners (16 vs. Amex’s 20).
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Best for Simplicity)
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months ($750 value at 1 cent per mile).
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why Pair?: Flat 2X miles on all purchases; $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Simplifies earning where Amex is complex.
- Best For: Those wanting easy rewards without category tracking.
- Drawback: No high-earning category bonuses.
4. Discover it® Secured Credit Card (Best Second Credit Card to Build Credit)
- Welcome Bonus: Cash back match after 12 months (e.g., $200 earned = $200 bonus).
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Why Pair?: No credit check; builds credit with small, paid-off charges (e.g., $200 deposit). Use for non-Amex merchants while Platinum handles travel.
- Best For: Beginners or those rebuilding credit (target 670+ FICO after 6 months).
- Drawback: Requires refundable deposit ($200–$2,500).
5. United Quest℠ Card (Best 2nd Credit Card for Travel)
- Welcome Bonus: 70,000 miles + 500 PQPs after $4,000 in 3 months ($980 value at 1.4 cents per mile).
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Why Pair?: 3X on United purchases, 2X on dining/travel; free checked bags and priority boarding. Complements Amex’s Delta Sky Club access for United flyers.
- Best For: United loyalists flying 4+ times/year.
- Drawback: Niche benefits; Chase 5/24 rule applies.
| Card | Welcome Bonus | Annual Fee | Key Perk | Why Pair with Amex Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 60K points | $95 | 3X dining/travel | Dining rewards, global acceptance |
| Citi Premier | 80K points | $95 | 3X gas/supermarkets | Everyday spend coverage |
| Capital One Venture | 75K miles | $95 | 2X all purchases | Simplicity, PreCheck credit |
| Discover it Secured | Cash back match | $0 | Builds credit | Credit score boost |
| United Quest | 70K miles | $250 | United perks | Airline-specific travel |
Table: Best Second Credit Cards for 2025. Sources: TPG, WalletHub.
How to Choose the Best Card to Pair with Amex Platinum
Selecting the best second credit card depends on your spending habits and goals. Here’s a framework I’ve refined over 15 years of rewards analysis:
- Travel Enthusiasts: Chase Sapphire Preferred or United Quest adds dining and airline rewards to Amex’s flight and lounge perks. An X user raved, “Chase + Amex funded my Europe trip.”
- Everyday Spenders: Citi Premier excels for gas, groceries, and dining—ideal for $2,000+/month non-travel spenders.
- Credit Builders: Discover it Secured boosts your FICO score with no fees. An X post noted, “Discover raised my score 50 points in 6 months.”
- Simplicity Seekers: Capital One Venture offers 2X miles on everything, no category juggling.
Key Tip: Avoid perk overlap (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $300 travel credit duplicates Amex’s). Analyze your budget: $1,500/month on dining? Go Chase. Frequent United flyer? Pick United Quest.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your Second Credit Card
1. Check Pre-Approval (5 Minutes, No Hard Pull)
- Visit to see offers without impacting your credit.
- Pro Tip: Use incognito mode—5–10% of users see higher bonuses (e.g., 70,000 vs. 60,000 for Chase Sapphire Preferred).
2. Explore CardMatch for Targeted Offers
- Go to and input details for instant pre-approvals. Recent data shows 15% of users get 80,000-point offers for Citi Premier.
3. Navigate Chase’s 5/24 Rule
- Chase denies applicants with 5+ new cards in 24 months. . Over 5/24? Opt for Citi, Capital One, or Discover.
4. Apply and Spend Strategically
- Apply via issuer sites . Once approved, hit the $4,000 spend with dining (Chase/Citi), bills (Discover), or travel (United). Track via issuer apps to avoid flags.
- X Insight: A user paired Citi Premier with Amex, saying, “Gas and dining points covered a $1,200 vacation.”
Maximizing Rewards: Combining Your Second Card with Amex Platinum
Pairing rewards systems multiplies value. Here’s how top picks sync with Amex Platinum’s Membership Rewards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Combine Ultimate Rewards with Amex MR for 1:1 transfers to shared partners (e.g., 50,000 points to British Airways for a Europe flight).
- Citi Premier: ThankYou points transfer to 16 partners, complementing Amex’s 20. Use Citi for gas/groceries, Amex for flights.
- United Quest: Earn United miles for award flights; Amex covers Delta Sky Club. Combine for a 80,000-mile United business-class ticket.
- Discover it Secured: Build credit with small charges while Amex earns travel points.
Example: Spend $2,000 on dining (Chase: 6,000 points) and $2,000 on flights (Amex: 10,000 points). Pool for a 60,000-point Delta award to Asia.
FAQ: Your Second Credit Card Questions Answered
Can I get a second card with Amex Platinum?
Yes, if your credit supports it (670+ FICO, <30% utilization). Pre-qualify to avoid hard inquiries.
What’s the best card to pair with Amex Platinum?
Chase Sapphire Preferred for dining/travel; Citi Premier for everyday spend; Discover it Secured for credit building.
How does a second card improve my credit?
It lowers utilization and diversifies credit history, potentially boosting FICO by 20–50 points with timely payments.
Can I combine points with Amex Platinum?
Yes, with Chase or Citi via shared transfer partners (e.g., Chase + Amex to Delta for one award).
