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Side-by-side

American Express Schwab Investor Card vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Schwab Investor Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa from Upgrade at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAmerican Express Schwab Investor CardUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus10,000 Membership Rewards points$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)$110$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressUpgrade
Card categorytravelcash-back
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
    Read the full review
    American Express Schwab Investor Card
    $0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

    The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

    Editorial take: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Schwab Investor Card or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa has the bigger bonus, $200 statement bonus, worth roughly $200, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Is the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Can I have both the American Express Schwab Investor Card and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Upgrade) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the American Express Schwab Investor Card or the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.