If you have been following my journey for some time, you know that my travel expense funding strategy is multi-faceted (including using Luxury Travel Rewards Cards) but did you know that at least 50% of the expenses for my trips are funded with Points/Miles.

In this 2-part blog series, I want to share with you the Travel Rewards Credit Cards that I use to upgrade the way I travel (including through earning points/miles). In part 1, I’m sharing why the American Express Platinum Credit Card has taken up permanent residence in my wallet. If you are interested in my synopsis of the other credit cards in my wallet, you can access Part 2 below.

Part 2 – Chase Freedom Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Before I do a deep dive into it, know that there are several ways to earn miles and points without a credit card so you should still be actively trying to up your points game even if you are not about the Credit Card Life. If you need more help with learning how to earn enough points for your dream trips (even without credit cards), you should check out the Points Earning Projection Workshop. 

Resources Shared In This Luxury Travel Rewards Credit Cards Blog Post:

• Points Earning Projection Workshop
• Secrets of a Travel Expert: Advanced Luxe Travel Strategies

My Luxury Travel Rewards Card Strategy

As you all know by now, I have a strong preference for luxury travel so my credit card strategy is laser focused on ways I can upgrade my travel experience and the travel rewards credit cards I have help me accomplish that in a variety of ways. Let’s get started with the first Credit Card I have in my wallet.

The American Express Platinum®

This is credit card comes with a hefty annual fee of $550 but if you are a frequently luxury traveler like I am then the $550 quickly begins to look like a nominal fee. Here are the benefits I use most often:

• Complimentary Lounge Access: Priority Pass® Member lounges, American Express Centurion® Lounges and if you are flying Delta Airlines®, Delta Sky® Lounges are all accessible to you. These lounges all entitle you to complimentary snacks, drinks and WiFi.

• Complimentary Upgrades with Several Car Rental Companies: There are several different companies that give you elite status just for being a card holder. Elite status entitles you to complimentary upgrades and in some cases complimentary amenities. 

• Complimentary Hotel Room Upgrades in Marriott and Hilton Properties: Say goodbye to minimum stay requirements for Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite and Hilton Honors® Gold Program Tiers with the AMEX Platinum. Cardholders immediately get access to complimentary room upgrades, complimentary WiFi and late check out. 

• Earn 5x Points on Airfare for tickets purchased on the airline website and Airfare or Hotels booked through the AMEX travel portal: AMEX has one of the most generous points earning programs for airfare and hotels when booked through an airline website or through AMEX’s travel rewards portal. That’s why I love taking advantage of purchasing with this card whenever I can because the points earning purchases help boost my non-recourses for travel. 

• $15 a month UBER Credits (Jan. through November) and $20 Credit in December: I live in NYC and have UBER in heavy rotation lol so this $15-$20 Credit is well worth it for me!

• Rotating 5% to 30% cash back or points earning opportunities: AMEX releases promotions with retailers from time to time. If there is a promotion for a retailer I frequent, I just enroll in the promotion for extra savings or points. 

• Transfers of Points to Travel Partners or direct redemption of Travel Services: I use the points I earn to pay for travel expenses either by redeeming them directly through AMEX’s Travel booking site or by transferring to AMEX travel service provider partners. This helps me to cut down the costs of Luxury Travel with airlines, hotels and car rental companies.

OTHER CARDHOLDER BENEFITS I USE LESS OFTEN

• $200 credit for Designated Partner Airline incidentals – Honestly, I almost never use the full $200 because if I’m spending money with an airline it is usually just airfare (or for seat upgrades), which does not qualify for reimbursement but this has come in handy a time or two for overweight luggage. 🤷🏾‍♀️

• International Airline Program (IAP): This program gives you access to exclusive discounts on business class and first class seats. I don’t use this benefit too often because I use other strategies that I’ll share in my upcoming course “Secrets of a Travel Expert: Advanced Luxe Travel Strategies Edition”. With these strategies, I usually end up with getting better pricing then the IAP program.

• TSA / Global Entry Fee Reimbursement: If you read my blog post on Facial Scan Technology, then you know I am not a fan of exchanging my biometric for convenience but if I was going to do it at least I could get the cost comped.

That’s it for the AMEX Platinum. Click here to continue on to Part 2 to hear about the Chase Freedom Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.

What are your favorite card benefits? Let us know in the comments.