Card Strategy for Two Players
Opening your first credit card after discovering the world of points and miles is a bit like opening Pandora's box. One day you're just a regular person using credit periodically for everyday purchases. The next, you're strategically thinking about how you can earn as many points as possible for every swipe. You start talking about it incessantly. Your friends and family maybe think you're obsessed. You find internet friends in our Facebook group and think maybe you'll meet them one day at a meetup. You start convincing people they're missing out (and they are), and invite them to join you. How do you decide what to do next? How do you build a card strategy once you've convinced someone else to come along on this wild ride? We'll cover the answers to those questions about building a card strategy for two players in this article.
A Little Background
Before we dive into what and why, I thought it might be helpful to provide some background information. My husband Derrick and I are the Co-Founders of Travel on Point(s). We started this business in 2019 and now devote our full-time energy to it along with our fabulous team.
But before that, we were just two typical married people in suburbia dreaming of traveling more often and more luxuriously. That's when we found this amazing hobby. I was ready to dive right in and open cards, while Derrick was more skeptical that we might ruin our credit or end up in debt. Over time, and with some gentle persuasion, he acquiesced. But look at him now! I have to convince people that he is actually the P2 in our household, not me! Maybe your P2 was the same way. And if they still have reservations, check out this guide we created to overcoming obstacles to get your P2 in the game.
Along the way, we had to decide how to build our card strategy for two players. What that looks like for us might look different than it does for you. And that's okay!
Who is Player 2?
As I have jokingly noted on many Beginner Zoom sessions, we don't ask you to define the relationship. Maybe your Player 2 (“P2“) is your spouse or significant other. Or maybe they're a family member like your child or parent. Maybe they're a friend and frequent travel companion. Regardless of the social definition, in this context your P2 is simply someone who works alongside you to earn and redeem points and miles. This person should have an understanding of the basics and an awareness of the financial implications. A P2 relationship is based on mutual trust and mutual benefit.
In practical terms, Player 2 will be opening their own credit cards and earning their own points and miles. At various times, depending on your arrangement, you may combine points or use them to redeem for travel for each other whether you are traveling together or not.
Building a Two-Player Card Strategy
One of the best benefits of having a Player 2 is that you have double the points-earning potential. In fact, it might even be more than double when you start to consider the points you can earn from leveraging referrals between Player 1 and Player 2.
While choosing a card strategy for multiple players might seem challenging at first, it really is quite simple. Each player should follow the same general card opening strategy: starting with cards that can only be opened while you are under 5/24. (i.e., cards issued by Chase). Prioritizing transferable points first, then moving on to airline and hotel co-branded cards to meet specific needs. Mixing in business cards, if eligible, to earn other kinds of transferable points outside of Ultimate Rewards. Keeping in mind the potential impact of the 3/24 rule for sole-proprietor business card applications.
Strategy Examples
Here are some examples of card strategy for two players. These are just examples – feel free to design a strategy around your own priorities.
One strategy is to have Player 2 mirror all of Player 1's steps like this:
| Player 1 Cards | Player 2 Cards |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Chase Sapphire Preferred (referral from P1) |
| Chase Ink Business Cash | Chase Ink Business Unlimited (referral from P1) |
| Chase World of Hyatt Personal Card | Chase World of Hyatt Personal Card (referral from P1) |
| Chase United Explorer | Chase United Quest (referral from P1) |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Performance | Southwest Rapid Rewards card via referral from P1 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card (via referral from P2) to optimize for the Companion Pass |
Another strategy is to have Player 1 and Player 2 swap referrals to maximize earnings:
| Player 1 Cards | Player 2 Cards |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
| Chase Ink Business Cash (referral from P2) | Chase Sapphire Preferred (referral from P1) |
| Chase United Explorer | Chase World of Hyatt Personal Card |
| Chase World of Hyatt Personal Card (referral from P2) | Chase United Quest (referral from P1) |
Of course when there are not referral opportunities available, we always appreciate your support by using our links.
Two Player Mode: Additional Considerations
When we move beyond the basics you may need to consider how to optimize each player's card choices in a two player strategy:
- Does 1 player frequently travel without the other? If so, they may need to have a card in their own name that offers certain travel perks like lounge access or hotel status.
- Is hotel status a priority? If so, you may want to have one person focused on earning the night credits while the other person can earn points to share.
- Is airline status a priority? If so, focusing the credit card spend and energy with that airline on one player might be the most efficient approach while having the other player focus on transferable points or other pursuits.
- Do player 1 and player 2 live in the same household? If so, combining points may be easier. If not, making sure each player has enough points to transfer to redeem separately can be essential for programs like American Express and Citi that do not allow you to combine.
- Is one player closer to being over 5/24 than the other? If so, the priority list of under-5/24 cards might look different for the player with only one or two slots left versus the player with plenty of capacity.
Card Strategy for Two Players: ToP Thoughts
Ultimately, there is more than one way to approach card strategy for two players. The most important things are the same whether you have one player or several: focus on transferable points earning possibilities first. Make a plan to use each player's 5/24 slots by choosing which Chase cards are the priority. Consider your actual travel patterns and needs, so that the player that is redeeming the points has access to the points and benefits that are most useful to them.
Are you in two player mode? Tell us how you handle your card strategy decisions in the ToP Facebook group.
