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Side-by-side

TAP Miles and Go American Express Card vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

Both are well-respected travel cards. The TAP Miles and Go American Express Card comes from Cardless at $79/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.

FeatureTAP Miles and Go American Express CardUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$79$0
Sign-up bonus40,000 bonus miles$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)-$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,500 in 3 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerCardlessUpgrade
Card categoryairlinecash-back
Best earning category (Tap_air_portugal)3x1x
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
    TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
    $79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    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.

    Editorial take: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa has a public bonus ($200 statement bonus, worth roughly $200), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's $79 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    At $79/yr, the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 spend in 3 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.