BECU Cash Back Credit Card vs TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Cash Back Credit Card comes from BECU at $0/yr; the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card from Cardless at $79/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
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.
| Feature | BECU Cash Back Credit Card | TAP Miles and Go American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $79 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 cash back after $2,000 spend in 3 months | 40,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $2,000 in 3 mo | $2,500 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | BECU | Cardless |
| Card category | cashback | airline |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
The only US co-branded card for a European Star Alliance carrier. Useful if you fly TAP to Lisbon or onward Europe several times a year, since the lounge passes, free extra bag, and Premium Boarding can each be worth more than the $79 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, BECU Cash Back Credit Card or TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
- The BECU Cash Back Credit Card has a public bonus ($200 cash back after $2,000 spend in 3 months, worth roughly $200), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the BECU Cash Back Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
- The BECU Cash Back Credit Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's $79 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's benefits to clear $79 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the BECU Cash Back Credit Card.
- Can I have both the BECU Cash Back Credit Card and TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (BECU and Cardless) 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 BECU Cash Back Credit Card or the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. BECU Cash Back Credit Card: $2,000 spend in 3 months. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 in 3 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.
