If I could only have 3, I'd take:
BoA PR - for traveling, dining, and decent catch all (with Preferred Rewards)
A hotel card - good for free night every year
Freedom Flex - good to have a 5% rotator
If the hotel card is a HH Surpass/Aspire, this would also give you a Visa, MC and Amex.
@Anonymous wrote:
@fatcomic wrote:1. AOD 3% cash back card
- Dont have, it but this is a wish list right
2. Discover
- 5% rotating categories
3. Chase Freedom Flex
- 5% rotating categories
In all honestly, the AOD would be sufficient. I would take the ease of 3% on everything vs keeping up with which cards to use when and where.
I would second @fatcomic list.
It's very simplistic and no annual fees, which I prefer.
Do not mind the AMEX Gold in my signature
If Chase Freedom or Discover is not giving you the 5%, just use the 3%.
You just would need to remember what quarter you are on. Sometimes I would forget and drop down to the Unicorn Card (AOD), by just convenience. Then punch myself not getting that 5%.
Now if you hate them rotating categories, you can simply replace the Chase Freedom and Discover It with.
1.) US Bank Cash+
2.) A Elan "Max Cash" Card ( You can reference @Aim_High post https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Elan-quot-Max-Cash-quot-vs-US-Bank-Cash/td-p/6198795 Very informative post on that)
Currently I am using:
1. Navy Flagship
2. Freedom
3. Discover
Agree with having AOD, Freedom and Discover for the average/most of the population including myself, if I already had an AOD signature.
I was just thinking about this topic this past weekend.
My first preference would be the above since I already have Discover and the Freedom. I will app for the AOD Signature card next followed by a Chase Sapphire card (most likey CSR) to increase the value of my freedom rewards - I usually fly the family out for 3 get-aways each year. That usually come to 4 seats and 3 large luggage bags
I am still on the fence about Amex as far as the best way to accumulate and use MR points but I'd probably choose
1. AOD Signature
2. Schwab Amex Platinum (and open a brokerage account with them)
3. ...and I guess the BCP. I would need help with this 3rd selection choice, if anyone is willing 
... I know, more reasearch and use the search bar 
Anyway, those are what I have in mind. If going with the Amex setup I will still keep and use my 5% cards where possible.
(only considering the cards I have)
1. NFCU More Rewards- 3x/3% on basically 80% of what my money is spend on: food and gas.
2. Apple Card- Apple fangirl
3. NFCU Cash Rewards- it's my highest limit; she ain't going nowhere haha
Schwab AmEx Platinum
AmEx Gold
Citi Costco
As a variation I mentioned on my "Ultimate 2-card combo" thread in Smorgasboard, and if I wasn't concerned about lack of lender diversity, I'll throw in a hard-to-beat triad. With Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program with Platinum Honors ($100K+ invested), card earnings are multiplied by 1.75. So I would choose the Bank of America Premium Rewards card and (2) Customized Cash Rewards cards.
So with just (3) cards, you would earn:
- 5.25% on (2) selected categories:
* gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings
* Your selected category can be changed as often as monthly
- 3.50% on grocery stores and warehouse clubs
(*Capped at $5K/quarter or $20K annually for above areas combined on (2) Customized Cash Rewards)
- 3.50% on dining and travel, uncapped on Premium Rewards
- 2.625% on everything else, uncapped on Premium Rewards
... and just one $95 AF that is completely reimbursed with TSA Global Entry credit ($100/4 years or average $25/year) plus $100 annual airline fee credit. Effectively, they are paying you $30 a year on average to carry the card! 
