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Side-by-side

BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card vs TAP Miles and Go American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Secured 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.

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.

FeatureBECU Secured Cash Back Credit CardTAP Miles and Go American Express Card
Annual fee$0$79
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus40,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$0-
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$2,500 in 3 mo
IssuerBECUCardless
Card categorycashbackairline
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • 3x miles on TAP purchases
    • 2 Lisbon lounge passes per year
    • Free extra checked bag
    • Star Alliance redemptions
    Read the full review
    BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus
    Read the full review
    TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
    $79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles

    Editorial take: BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card

    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 Secured Cash Back Credit Card or TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
    The BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card has a public bonus (No welcome bonus, worth roughly $0), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card?
    The BECU Secured 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 Secured Cash Back Credit Card.
    Can I have both the BECU Secured 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 Secured 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 Secured Cash Back Credit Card: $0 spend in 0 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.