There are so many credit cards on the market that offer valuable benefits and rewards, so deciding which one is worth applying for can be challenging.
At TPG, we know this first-hand, as our employees often take stock of their setup and weigh whether they should add a new card to their wallet. Decisions aren’t always simple, considering a variety of factors.
From generous welcome bonuses to updated benefits, many factors will influence your decision. Here’s a quick look at the cards TPG employees are currently applying for and why.
American Express Platinum Card (Mehdi Sijelmassi)
Welcome offer: new American Express Platinum Card® Members can learn about their offers and may be eligible for up to 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in purchases within the first six months of membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not qualify for one.)
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
Senior product analyst Mehdi Sijelmassi said he is eligible for the 175,000-point welcome offer American Express Platinum Card was an important driving factor in his decision to apply. He calculated the number of card benefits he had spent money on and planned to use, and found that he was making a profit.
The stated credits that constitute the majority of Mehdi’s value are:
Additionally, he said he looks forward to gaining access to the Centurion Lounge and further enhancing his travel experience.
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To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
*Certain benefits require registration.
#Pay with your Amex Platinum at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants; no reservations required.
^Applicable to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the United States. When you add Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem using any Amex card, Uber Cash will only be credited to one Uber account.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card (Ben Smithson)
Welcome offer: New applicants who spend $4,000 or more within 90 days of account opening will receive 80,000 bonus points and a 25,000 Global Companion Award.
Annual fee: $395
this Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card is at the top of senior points and miles writer Ben Smithson’s wish list, even though he’s never flown Alaska Airlines (and says he probably never will).
Ben was hoping to earn some of the most valuable airline points with a big welcome bonus. He also sees value in the flexible 25,000-point Global Companion Award, which can be redeemed on all of Alaska’s airline partners, including American Airlines and British Airways. This benefit is ideal even for someone like Ben who lives in London and doesn’t fly with Alaska Airlines.
To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit
Citi Strata Premier Card (Julie Hong)
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Julie Hong, Senior Communications Manager for Citi Strata Premier® Card (See Rates & Fees) Because she was eager to start transferring Citi Thank You Rewards points to American Airlines.
In addition, she has Citi Double Cash® Card (see Rates and Fees) and will be able to combine the card’s rewards with those of Strata Premier for better transfer ratios.
For just double the cash, Jolie can transfer her Thank You Points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a ratio of 1:0.7, meaning 1,000 Thank You Points will translate into 700 American Airlines miles. However, by pairing Strata Premier with Double Cash, she’ll unlock a higher 1:1 transfer ratio and earn 1,000 American Airlines miles for every 1,000 ThankYou points transferred.
To learn more, read our full review of Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premium
United Explorer Card (Rachel Craft)
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: Introductory annual fee is $0 for the first year ($150 thereafter)
Travel writer Rachel Craft has been following United℠Discover Card (see rates and fees) for a while because it was a contender for her next airline card when she broke up with Southwest.
She finally pulled the trigger because she wanted to take a trip next year, and United Airlines had 80,000-mile business-class award flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) to various cities in Africa. She also received a slightly higher personalized welcome offer (80,000 miles), which only covered the cost of one of her flights.
To learn more, read our full review of United Explorer.
Apply here: joint explorers
World of Hyatt Credit Card (Olivia Mittak)
Welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points:
- Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months after opening an account
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent within the first six months of account opening, plus an additional 30,000 Bonus Points (purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point; up to $15,000 spent)
Additionally, you can earn two points totaling tier-qualifying stays toward Hyatt elite status (for each qualifying night at a Hyatt hotel between October 16, 2025, and January 31, 2026, up to a maximum of 15 nights).
Annual fee: $95
By Olivia Mittak, Credit Card Editor World of Hyatt Credit Card (See Rates and Fees) Its Category 1-4 Free Night Certificate and the ability to earn points on qualifying stays.
Olivia can easily offset the $95 annual fee by redeeming the card’s annual free night credits, since any stay that costs at least $96 per night puts her ahead.
To learn more, read our full review of the World of Hyatt Card.
Apply here: World of Hyatt Card
bottom line
TPG staff approaches each new card strategically. They’ll consider existing cards, upcoming travel and which new benefits will provide the best value.
There’s no single best strategy, but by reviewing your cards and goals, you can work like our experts and build a setup that supports your travel ambitions.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
For American Express Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
