American Express’ Membership Rewards program has one of the most valuable point currencies you can earn. They rank high on my list of points to earn because they can be used in so many different ways. In a world where airlines and hotels are constantly devaluing their points, the more options you have to use them, the better.

card_name charges a annual_fees annual fee, see rates and fees.  To offset that fee, the card comes with a good welcome offer, excellent bonus categories and a couple annual credits that are designed with the foodie in mind.  If you’ve been eyeing this card, let’s take a look and see if it’s right for you.

Welcome Offer

Currently, the card_name comes with a valuable welcome offer. bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

If you don’t want to hassle with transfers, the welcome offer for these points can be quickly redeemed for $600 dollars in free travel.  Although I would never recommend you do that, it does give you an idea of what these points can be worth. If you transfer the points to one of American Express’ 22 transfer partners (see below), you can easily unlock even more value.

Earning Points

When you make purchases with the card_name you’ll earn Membership Rewards points on every qualifying purchase.  These points are arguably some of the best transferable points currencies out there.  Fortunately, this card has some great bonus categories so you can earn them quickly if you spend a lot in those categories.

Dining – This is where the card shines.  You’ll earn 4x points on purchases made at restaurants worldwide.  The bonus points earned on restaurant purchases are limited to the first $50,000 you spend each year.  Regardless, that’s a lot of potential bonus points.

U.S. Supermarkets – You’ll also earn 4x points on purchases made at supermarkets within the U.S.  The bonus points on U.S. supermarket purchases are limited to the first $25,000 you spend each year.  Again, that’s still a lot of potential bonus points.

Flights – You’ll earn 3x points on all flights purchased directly from an airline or if you book your flights through amextravel.com.

Prepaid Hotels – You will also earn 2x points on all prepaid hotel reservations made through Amextravel.com.

Other Purchases – You’ll ear 1 point for every dollar spent on all other qualifying purchases.

Card Perks

The card_name also comes with several benefits just for having the card.  Included in these benefits are two credits that can help offset the annual_fees annual fee.  This is where you’ll be able to quickly determine if this card is right for you.

Dining Credit – Each month you can earn up to a $10 credit for purchases made with the card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys locations, enrollment required.  If you maximize these credits, that can save you $120 per year.

Hotel Collection Credit – If you book a stay (minimum of 2 nights) through the AMEX Hotel Collection, you can get a $100 credit towards spa treatments or dining at the resort.  Plus, you’ll earn 2x points on those hotel stays.

Dunkin Donuts Credit – Each month you can up to a $7 statement credit for purchases made using the card at Dunkin Donuts locations, enrollment required.

Resy Credit – You can also get up to $50 back semi-annually in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with your card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases, enrollment required.

Trip Delay Insurance – This is a new benefit I really like that was added to the card in 2020.  Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Extended Warranty Coverage – How many times have you had something break soon after you buy it or stop working right after their warranty expires?  If you purchased it with this card, you don’t have to worry about it.  Your purchases are covered by the purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.  I’ve used this benefit repeatedly and this alone has more than covered the cost of the annual fee.

When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

No Foreign Transaction Fees – You will not be charged any purchases made with the card worldwide, See Rates and Fees.

Baggage Insurance – If you purchase your ticket with the card_name, you are eligible for baggage insurance.  Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Redeeming Chase Points

Membership Rewards points are one of my favorite point currencies because there’s so many ways to use them.  I would only recommend transferring them to one of AMEX’s travel partners because that’s where you’ll get the most value.  However, there are a few other ways that are easy and straightforward.  Here’s a quick breakdown of the different options.

Shopping – You can redeem your points for one of several different store gift cards.  You can also redeem your points for purchases while shopping at Amazon.com or BestBuy.com.

AMEX Travel – You can use your points to pay for travel purchases made directly through American Express Travel.  You use your points for travel with almost any airline or hotel.

Travel Partners – This is where you can unlock some excellent value with your points.  You can use Avios points to book flights to Hawaii from the West Coast, Mexico or short domestic flights, all on American Airlines.  Delta frequently offers flash sales around the globe and AMEX is the only way you can transfer points to Delta.  There are so many other great options but this should give you an idea of what’s possible.

Transfer Partners

As I mentioned above, here is a list (in alphabetical order) of the travel partners you can transfer your Membership Rewards points to.  Except where noted below, your MR points will transfer to these programs at a 1:1 ratio.

Airline Partners

• Aer Lingus
• Aeromexico – Transfer Ratio 1:1.6
• Air Canada
• Alitalia
• All Nippon
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta
• El Al – Transfer Ratio 50:1
• Emirates
• Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue – Transfer Ratio 1.25:1
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Hotel Transfer Partners

• Choice Hotels
• Hilton – Transfer Ratio 1:2
• Marriott

Which Cards Are Similar To The AMEX Gold

It’s hard to compare the card_name to just one other card.  It’s unique in that the annual_fees annual fee is higher than other entry level travel cards.  Along with the higher annual fee comes a few credits those cards don’t offer.  Then, when you compare the benefits of the Gold card to a premium card, they don’t quite measure up .  However, those premium cards also charge a much higher annual fee than the card_name.  While there’s no great comparison, here are a few options to consider.

card_name – This is one of my favorite entry level travel cards to recommend.  The card has a low annual fee but doesn’t have any annual statement credits.  You do earn 2x points on travel and dining purchases.  It also comes with a solid welcome offer. bonus_miles_full  You can read all about the card here.

card_name – This is another good travel card for beginners.  bonus_miles_full You can learn more about the card here.

card_name – This card is a great premium card option.  bonus_miles_full The Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee but comes with a $300 annual credit for travel purchases.  Plus, it comes with a credit for one TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every 4 years.  You will earn 3x on all dining and travel purchases.  Here’s more information on this card.

card_name – The AMEX Platinum card is another great option for a premium travel card.  This one also has a $695 annual fee, see rates and fees.  bonus_miles_full  Terms apply. Each year you can get up to a $200 airline fee credit and a $100 credit to Saks Fifth Avenue (enrollment required).  You’ll also get access to the Global Lounge Collection, enrollment required, which includes The Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Clubs.

Final Thoughts

If you love eating out or spend a lot of money at grocery stores, the card_name could be an excellent option for you.  Membership Rewards points are a great point currency to earn and you can earn them quickly with this card.  The one thing I don’t like about this card, is the credits are very focused so they can be inconvenient and sometimes difficult to use.  Therefore, if you are able to take full advantage of these credits, then maybe it deserves a spot in your wallet.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, See Rates and Fees

For rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees.

The post American Express® Gold Card Review appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

All you need to do is bookmark this page and you will have all of the best credit card offers at your fingertips anytime you need them.  Without further ado, here are my favorite options right now.

card_name

My Take – While the card_name isn’t co-branded with a specific airline, you can transfer the points earned with this card to several airlines.  With the flexibility this card provides, it’s my top choice for the best airline credit card.  You can read why this is the card I recommend most often here.

The card_name is my favorite starter card. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend you start with this card 99% of the time. The points are easy to redeem so it makes that first award redemption a slam dunk.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full This welcome bonus is higher than it usually is, so this really is a phenomenal offer!

Highlights – These points can easily be redeem through the book through the Chase travel portal.  If you want to unlock more value, you can also transfer the points to one of several airlines and take advantage of some of the redemption sweet spots like this for flying to Hawaii.  This card also offers great travel insurance that covers a lot of those unexpected events that come up while traveling.

Annual Fee – $95 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – Capital One recently launched a brand new premium card with a great offer. With the recent improvement of their redemption ratio, and the addition of some great travel partners like Turkish Airline’s Miles & Smiles, the card_name definitely warrants some serious consideration.

This card comes with some solid benefits like lounge access and Hertz elite status that I use all the time. For anyone who is a frequent traveler, you should definitely give this card a closer look.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Get up to a $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel. Cardmembers will also get get a Priority Pass membership and access to Capital One lounges. You also get complimentary access to Hertz President’s Circle which allows you to skip the line and pick your car. Plus, get up to a $120 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. On top of all of that, you’ll 2x miles on all other purchases.

Annual Fee – $395 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus and no annual fee. Plus, it has a few great bonus categories that can help you earn points quickly. I also love this card because it pairs great with other Chase cards, so it’s easy to get more out of the points you earn.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This business card earns 5% back on the first $25,000 spent on combined purchases at office supply stores and internet, phone and cable companies each anniversary year. Plus, earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined restaurant and gas station purchases each anniversary year.

Annual Fee – $0

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I like this card because it comes with a valuable welcome bonus, a low annual fee and is packed with some great benefits. I think everyone should have TSA PreCheck, so why not get it for free? Plus, there are some very easy ways to use your miles, so redeeming them on a fun vacation should be a breeze.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – These points can be redeemed for $750 in travel or the miles can be transferred to one of Capital One’s travel partners.  You’ll receive up to a $120 fee credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 years.  There are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus and no annual fee. And if you want a simple earning structure, this card is perfect for you. I also love that this card pairs great with other Chase cards, so it’s easy to get more out of all the points you be earning.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This business card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases made with the card. The cash back is awarded using Ultimate Rewards points. If you have one of Chase’s premium cards, you can combine all of your Chase points together to unlock even more value.

Annual Fee – $0

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I think this card is perfect for those road warriors out there. This card has a lot of great travel benefits that help make life on the road easier. Plus, the travel credit this card comes with can be used on a lot of things so it should be super easy to use. You’re also able to earn extra points on dining and travel purchases, so if you’re on the road a lot, these points will add up quickly.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Receive up to an annual $300 credit towards travel purchases each year.  Plus, every 4 years you’ll receive up to a $120 statement credit for either TSA Pre Check, Global Entry or NEXUS fees.  If redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal, these points are worth $900!  These points can also be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners.  You’ll also receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership for participating airport lounges as long as you hold the card.

Annual Fee – $550 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This card is a simple and easy to use card for everyday spending that has no annual fee. If you’re looking for a cash back card, I think this is an excellent option. I’ve had the card for years and use it all the time.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This card is one of my favorites for everyday spending that isn’t part of a bonus category. This card is a great companion to use with other Chase cards.

Annual Fee – $0

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I think this card is excellent if you love American Express Membership Rewards® points. What I love most about this card is the ability to earn extra points at U.S. supermarkets. Having a large family, I earn a lot of points with this card.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply. I love that American Express is giving you twice the normal amount of time to hit the spending threshold to qualify for the bonus!

Highlights – You will earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants (limited to the first $50,000 in purchases). You will also earn 4x points on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets (limited to the first $25,000 in purchases). This card also comes with annual dining credits, enrollment required, and airline fee credits. You can read my full review of the American Express Gold card here.

Annual Fee – annual_fees See rates and fees.

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I think this card is perfect for those who love staying at IHG hotels. This card comes with a great welcome bonus and you get a free award night each year. This award night you get each year easily offsets the cost of paying the annual fee, in my opinion. Add in the complimentary elite status and this one becomes an easy decision for IHG loyalists.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – You’ll earn a free award night after each card anniversary year at eligible properties.  This card also comes with up to a $120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fees.  You’ll also earn 26 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels.  Plus, you get complimentary IHG platinum elite status with this card.

Annual Fee – $99 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I think the Bilt Mastercard is a great option for those who pay rent. Living expenses are typically our highest expense each month and normally you can’t earn any points paying your rent without being charged a fee. This is a great way to earn a lot of points for expenses you already incur.

Plus, in my opinion, Bilt has the best list of transfer partners than any other bank out there. There are so many great options that you can really get some amazing redemptions for your hard earned points. Plus, with monthly “Rent Day” promotions (see below), there is a lot of value you can get from this card.

Bonus – This card does not offer a welcome bonus for new cardmembers.

Highlights – bonus_miles_full. Plus, on the first of every month is “Rent Day” and they offer some great promotions on that day. Some of the past promotions have included higher than normal transfer bonuses to some of their amazing travel partners. Plus, on the first of every month, you number of points you earn on each qualifying purchase is doubled.

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This card is another great option if you love American Express and you travel a lot. The travel perks that come with this card are top-notch, in my opinion. Yes, the annual fee is higher than most, but the benefits you get can easily offset the cost. Add in the welcome bonus you can earn and I think this is a great option for those who travel a lot.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – You’ll receive an annual credit of up to $200 towards baggage fees on one airline of your choice.  Access to Global Lounge Collection airport lounges throughout the world.  Receive an annual credit of up to $100 for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue (enrollment in the offer is required).  Receive up to a $120 credit every 4.5 years for the TSA PreCheck® application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider) and every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee.

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This is a great card for those who love to fly Southwest Airlines. Especially if you’re traveling as a family. The thing I love most about Southwest’s programs, is the points are super easy to use. As long as there’s an open seat on the flight, you can book it with your miles. So when you’re traveling as a family, you don’t need to worry about trying to find enough award seats for everyone.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 2x on Southwest purchases, internet, cable and phone purchases. Earn 3,000 bonus points each anniversary year. Plus get 2 free Early Bird check-ins each year.

Annual Fee – $69 (not waived during the first year)

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – The card_name is a great card for those who fly Air Canada frequently or those who like to redeem their Aeroplan miles to fly on other Star Alliance airlines. There are some great redemption options that are available on their partner airlines. For example, I recently booked a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Houston in business class for 87,500 miles plus fees!

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 3x points on every dollar spent when you use this card at grocery stores, restaurants and purchases made directly with Air Canada. Plus, you can earn a bonus 500 points for every $2,000 you spend on this card in a calendar month (limited to 1,500 bonus miles per month).

Annual Fee – annual_fees

Learn How To Apply

Final Thoughts

There are other offers out there but in my opinion, these are the best credit card offers on the market.  I know there’s not a single credit card that’s perfect for everyone.  If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or email me with a specific question.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, See Rates and Fees.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees.

The post The Best Credit Card Offers Right Now appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

In 2021, Capital One stepped into the premium travel card space when it launched the card_name. This card directly competes with card_name and the card_name. In my opinion, it’s definitely giving both of these cards a run for their money.

Welcome Bonus

Currently, the card_name comes with a solid welcome bonus. bonus_miles_full

These miles can be worth $750 if you redeem them for travel directly through Capital One. However, these miles can be worth significantly more if you transfer them to one of Capital One’s travel partners. I’ll list our the transfer partners down below.

Annual Fee

This card comes with a $395 annual fee. This is significantly less than other premium rewards cards and comes with comparable benefits. Like all cards with annual fees, you should be getting more in benefits than the cost of the fee. So let’s get into the benefits.

Venture X Benefits

This card_name comes with some fantastic benefits. This isn’t a comprehensive list but here are several of my favorite benefits.

Travel Credit – You will get up to $300 in statement credits each year for travel booked directly with Capital One Travel. In my opinion, getting the full $300 credit is super easy to do.

Anniversary Bonus – Starting on your first card anniversary, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles each year. If you use these miles as a statement credit, their worth $100.

Lounge Access – With this card, you’ll get a free Priority Pass membership to airport lounges around the world and Capital One lounges. This give access for both you and 2 guests. of all the lounges I’ve visited, the Capital One lounge in DFW is by far my favorite!

Hertz Status – You’ll get free Hertz President’s Club status just by having the card. I love this benefit! When you rent with Hertz, you can pick any car from the President’s Circle row when you rent a midsize car or above. Plus, you can skip the rental counter and go straight to your car which can save so much time!

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck – You get up to a $120 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Cell Phone Protection – If you pay your monthly wireless phone bill with your card_name, you’re eligible for up to $800 in coverage per claim with a maximum of two claims and $1,600 per 12-month period. There is a $50 deductible applies per occurrence.

There are other free benefits, like trip delay insurance, primary car rental insurance and extended warranty coverage and others as well.

Earning More Miles

Earning more miles with the card is pretty straightforward. You can earn more miles with the card_name in the following ways:

10X – You’ll earn 10 times the miles on every dollar you spend on hotels and car rentals when booked directly with Capital One Travel.

5X – You’ll also earn 5 times the miles on all airfare purchases made directly with Capital One Travel.

2X – Finally, you’ll earn 2x miles on all other purchases you make with the card.

Redeeming Your Miles

Transferring Miles – Capital One has several fantastic travel partners you can transfer your miles to. Typically, this is the best way to get the most value out of your miles.

Statement Credits – You can also redeem your miles to offset travel purchases via statement credits. You can offset any purchase the codes as travel using your miles at a rate of 1 cent per point. This is a simple way to redeem your miles.

Future Travel – You can book travel directly with Capital One Travel and use your miles to pay for it. Again, you can redeem your points at a flat 1 cent per point for this as well.

Gift Cards – You can redeem your miles for a variety of gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Cash Back – If you want straight cash back, you can request it at a rate of 0.5 cents per point. Please don’t do this. If you want the cash, just get a bunch of gift cards to stores where you shop.

Capital One Transfer Partners

All miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio with the respective partners, with the exceptions noted below. You can transfer the miles you earn with the card_name to the following travel partners:

• Aeromexico Club Premier – Miles transfer instantly
• Air Canada Aeroplan – Miles transfer instantly
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue – Miles transfer instantly
• Avianca LifeMiles – Miles transfer instantly
• Accor Live Limitless (2:1) – Miles transfer in 1 day
• British Airways – Miles transfer instantly
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles – Miles transfer in 5 days
• Choice Privileges – TBD Transfer Time
• Emirates Skywards – Miles transfer instantly
• Etihad Guest – Miles transfer within 24 hours
• Eva Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5) – Miles transfer within 36 hours
• Finnair Plus – Miles transfer instantly
• Qantas Frequent Flyer – Miles transfer within 24 hours
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – Miles transfer within 36 hours
• Tap Portugal – Miles transfer instantly
• Turkish Airlines – Miles transfer instantly
• Virgin Atlantic Red – Miles transfer instantly
• Wyndham Rewards – Miles transfer instantly

Some of my favorite ways to use my Capital One miles are to transfer to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles program to take advantage of their sweet spots. I also like us British Airways for flights to Mexico and nonstop domestic routes.

Final Thoughts

The card_name is one of my favorite travel rewards cards. In fact, both my wife and I have this card in our wallets. I think the benefits are top-tier and easy to use. I think most people can easily get enough value out of this card to make it worth paying the annual fee each year. If you don’t have this card, I would strongly recommend you taking a closer look to see if it’s right for you.

The post Capital One Venture X Credit Card Review appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire credit card is arguably one of the best hotel credit cards on the market.  This card does carry a higher annual fee than most other cards.  However, if you regularly stay at Hilton hotels, this card has a lot of benefits that can easily offset the cost.

Hotel cobranded credit cards are a great way to compliment other travel credit cards already in your wallet.  Simply put, they can provide some excellent perks that other cards just can’t.

Welcome Bonus & Annual Fee

Currently, the American Express Aspire card is offering 150,000 Hilton Honors points to new cardmembers who spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of opening their account.  These bonus can used on your next vacation towards free nights at Hilton properties worldwide.  Keep in mind this welcome offer is only good for those who have never had this card before.

The Hilton Aspire card is considered a premium card and does come with a higher annual fee of $450 per year.  The card also comes with statement credits, a free night certificate, status and other benefits that can easily offset the cost.  If you love staying at Hilton properties, the AMEX Hilton Aspire card could be perfect for you.

Benefits & Perks

This AMEX Hilton Aspire card comes with a lot of excellent perks just for having the card.  Everyone’s situation and travel preferences are different but this is where you can easily decide if this card is right for your.  If you’re able to get more value from these benefits than the cost of the annual fee, then you should strongly considering applying for this card.  While this isn’t an exhaustive, here are some of the best perks this card has to offer.

Hilton Honors Diamond Status – This is my favorite perk.  The AMEX Aspire card gives you complimentary Diamond status just for having the card.  No other cobranded hotel card just gives you their highest level of elite status.  Diamond status gives you free breakfast for two, upgrades, lounge access and so much more!

Hilton Resort Credits – This card will give you up to $250 in statement credits, each cardmember year, for incidental charges made at participating Hilton resorts.  These credits will be applied to things like dining and spa purchases.  These can also be used for room purchases as long as they are not nonrefundable or advanced-purchased rates.

Free Reward Nights – You’ll get a free weekend award night when your account is opened and another after each year after your cardmember anniversary.  Plus, if you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, you can earn an additional free weekend night reward.  These award nights have be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide.

Priority Pass Membership – The Aspire card also gives you a free unlimited Priority Pass membership.  This membership give you and 2 guests access to select airport lounges worldwide.

Airline Fee Credit – This card gives you up to $250 in statement credits for incidental airline fees.  The tough part about these credits is that you have to designate one airline each year and only fees associated with that airline will be credited.  If you consistently fly one airline, the savings can quickly add up.  The credits can be used towards things like lounge access, checked bag fees and change fees.

Earning Points

Hilton dynamically prices their award redemptions, so the number of points it can take for your itinerary can be quite high.  Fortunately, the American Express Aspire card has a couple of great bonus spend categories that can really add up.

Hilton Purchases – You’ll earn 14x Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent at Hilton hotels.  However, because you have Diamond status with the card, you also earn a 100% points bonus.  That can be up to an additional 20 points per dollar spent depending on where you stay.  Earning up to 34x Honors points on Hilton stays is an incredible value.

Other Bonus Purchases – You will also earn 7x Hilton Honors points on airfare purchases made directly through AMEX Travel, dining purchases made at U.S. restaurants and car rental purchases made directly with select car rental companies.

All Other Purchases – Every other purchase you make with the AMEX Aspire card will hear 3x Hilton Honors points.

Redeeming Points

Hilton Award Nights – The tough part about the Hilton Honors program is that there is no fixed award chart.  Redemption rates can vary from one day to the next so it can be tough to know how many points you’ll need for your next vacation.  I would recommend using Hilton’s points explorer tool which will give you an idea of what it might cost.  Keep in mind Hilton does not charge resort fees if you book your stay with points.

Points & Cash – Hilton also allows you to book rooms using a combination of points and cash.  This can be decent value if you’re a little short on points when you need to book your room.

Other Redemptions – The Hilton Honors program also lets you redeem your points for gift cards and other items but I wouldn’t recommend doing that.  You’ll get a better value from your points by using them at a Hilton property.

Other Hotel Credit Cards

Keep in mind the AMEX Hilton Aspire card is a premium card that carries premium benefits.  Other premium travel cards that are have similar premium benefits would be the card_name or the card_name.  However, if you’re interested in other hotel specific cards, here are a few other options to consider.  Even though they don’t have the same premium benefits as the Aspire card, they are definitely worth considering.

Hilton – The card_name is a similar card but doesn’t have a lot of the benefits of the Aspire card.  bonus_miles_full  There is a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) with this card.

Hyatt – card_name is another good option and one that I have in my wallet.  bonus_miles_full  The annual fee for this card is $199.

Marriott – For those of you who enjoy staying at Marriott properties, there’s the card_name.  bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

IHG – The card_name is great for staying at IHG properties.  bonus_miles_full

Final Thoughts

I think the American Express Hilton Aspire card is an excellent option for those who stay at Hilton properties.  This card comes with valuable benefits that can easily offset the cost of the annual fee.  Frequent travelers should have no problem getting a lot of value from this card.  Between the welcome bonus and the incredible benefits, I wouldn’t hesitate to add this card to my wallet.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/hilton-american-express-aspire-review/feed/ 0 https://easytravelpoints.com/ultimate-guide-to-visiting-antelope-canyon/ https://easytravelpoints.com/ultimate-guide-to-visiting-antelope-canyon/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 23:00:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=2178 Antelope Canyon is an incredible slot canyon in northern Arizona. With two canyons to choose from, both make for...

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]]> Antelope Canyon is an incredible slot canyon in northern Arizona. With two canyons to choose from, both make for an experience you’ll never forget.

Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket list for a long time. Seeing pictures of the gorgeous canyons all over the internet has only made me want to visit more. For various reasons, we’ve never been able to fit a visit in our schedule. Finally, last week, we had the chance to take the family and it was even better than I expected.

First, I’ll give you all of the information you’ll need to know about visiting. Then keep reading until the end to see how I used points to offset a lot of the cost.

Where Is Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Indian reservation in northern Arizona just outside the city of Page. The location is definitely what makes visiting the canyon a challenge. Unfortunately, none of the major airlines fly into Page, so it’ll be a drive no matter where you’re coming from.

The closest major airports are Phoenix (PHX) or Las Vegas (LAS). Both airports are about a 4.5 hour drive. If you fly in and rent a car, be sure to use Autoslash to save some money.

Booking A Tour

There are two different canyons you can visit; Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Regardless of which on you visit, you will need to book a tour in order to visit the canyon.

We decided to visit the lower Antelope Canyon and booked our tour with Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. Our tour guide Stacy was the absolute best! She made our visit the best it could be! At the time of publishing, the price was ~$60 for adults and ~$30 for children.

I would recommend booking directly with Dixie (or the other companies). I’ve seen tours on other sites but they were always more expensive.

Which Canyon Should I Visit

A lot of people ask what the difference is between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Here’s what I’ve found based on my research and by talking with our tour guide.

Upper Antelope Canyon – The upper canyon is the more popular of the two canyons because of the light beams that can be seen during the spring and summer. While both canyon tours last about the same amount of time, the length of the upper canyon is about half the size of the lower canyon.

The upper canyon doesn’t have any stairs, so this could be a factor for those with mobility restrictions. We had young kids in our group and climbing the stairs wasn’t an issue, so I wouldn’t let that be a deterrent for those visiting with small children.

Lower Antelope Canyon – The lower canyon is located right next to the visitor’s center, so it’s only a 5 minute walk to the entrance. If you visit the upper canyon, your tour company will drive you to the canyon entrance.

The lower canyon is also more narrow along the canyon floor and wider at the top. This will allow more sunshine to enter the canyon and really highlight the color of the canyon walls.

FAQs

How Far In Advance Should I Book My Tour – Antelope Canyon has definitely become more popular lately, so I would recommend booking as soon as you can. Right now tours are operating at 50% capacity, so they’ll fill up even quicker. Dixie had a very generous cancellation policy, so there really isn’t any risk to booking far in advance.

When Should I Visit – The summer time is the most popular because of the light beams that can been seen from about March thru October. Summer is just a popular time for travel, so it will also be more crowded. Keep in mind there can be a line to enter the canyon, so if you go in the summer it can get hot. We visited in December and had an incredible experience.

What Time Of Day Should I Visit – If seeing the light beams is a must, then I would recommend visiting between 10 – 1 to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

What Should I Bring On The Tour – Right now, they don’t allow you to take backpacks, purses or other bags. Really, the only thing you can bring is water and your camera.

Where To Stay

You’ll find several hotel options from all of the major chains in Page. No matter which hotel points you have, you’ll be able to find a property to stay at. Just book your stay as soon as you can to give yourself the best chance of finding availability.

Hyatt – We stayed at the Hyatt Place which only cost about 12k points per night. Two of my favorite credit cards that earn Hyatt points are the card_name and the card_name.

Marriott – If you like Marriott properties, they have a Courtyard hotel that will run about 30k points per night. There are a couple Marriott credit cards like the card_name that can help you earn points quickly.

Hilton – Hilton also has a couple locations in Page to choose from that will cost approximately 25k points per night. The card_name has a welcome offer can earn you a chunk of points fast.

IHG – There’s a Holiday Inn Express in the middle of town that costs a modest 12k points a night. If IHG is the brand you prefer, I’d recommend the card_name as a way to earn more points for your trip.

Final Thoughts

If Antelope Canyon hasn’t been on your travel bucket list, it should be. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever been and it’s perfect for all ages and abilities. If you ever find yourself near northern Arizona, I’d highly recommend you plan to stop and spend a day or two here and enjoy these incredible sites.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/ultimate-guide-to-visiting-antelope-canyon/feed/ 0 https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-cards-travel-insurance/ https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-cards-travel-insurance/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 21:32:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=1560 One of the most underrated benefits some credit cards provide is travel insurance.  These protections can help you save...

The post The Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

]]> One of the most underrated benefits some credit cards provide is travel insurance.  These protections can help you save a lot of money in the event something goes wrong while you’re traveling.

We’ve all experienced various delays and mishaps while traveling.  From flight delays, to lost luggage, these things happen to all of us.  Sometimes these events are significant enough that we’ll incur additional expenses as we navigate through the problem.  Fortunately, there are several credit cards that offer various travel insurances that will reimburse you for a lot of these expenses.

Each credit card has its own set of rules for which expenses qualify and which items are excluded or limited.  Be sure to read your card’s benefits guide so you’re familiar with what’s covered before you run into any problems.

General Guidelines

Each credit card has their own travel insurance rules and limitation.  However, there are two items that are pretty standard across the board.

Pay For Travel With The Card – In order for your trip to be covered by the travel insurance, you have to pay for at least part of your travel with the credit card that offers it.  Long before I knew anything about credit cards, we decided to take a Mediterranean cruise.  Our trip happened to be during the time when the Icelandic volcano was erupting and causing a lot of problems.

We were connecting in London but when we landed our flight to Barcelona was cancelled.  In order to make our cruise the next day, we opted to fly to Madrid and then take a train to Barcelona.  The train tickets cost us a couple hundred dollars but we didn’t get reimbursed for them because I didn’t pay for our flights with the right credit card.

Reasonable Expenses – Every card benefits guide I’ve ever read states that it will reimburse you for “reasonable” expenses associated with the covered event.   This basically means that if you’re stranded overnight and you decide to stay at a high-end luxury hotel when other options are available, you may not get reimbursed.

However, I have seen someone get reimbursed for a $1,000/night hotel room before.  Their flight was cancelled because of a snow storm, the roads were closed and that was the only room available in the city.  A “reasonable” expense can vary by situation, so just keep that in mind should something happen.

Types Of Travel Insurance

Credit cards can offer a wide range of different travel insurance benefits.  Here are some of the most popular types of coverages that are offered.  Some cards offer all of these, while others only provide some of them.

• Trip delay reimbursement coverage
• Trip cancellation or interruption insurance
• Protection against lost or damaged baggage
• Delayed baggage protection
• Rental car insurance
• Travel accident insurance

I am a huge fan of these travel protections.  They can save you a lot of money if something unexpected happens.  Here is a list of my favorite cards that offer excellent travel insurance benefits for free.  We’ll start with the personal cards first and then further down we’ll dive into business cards.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 3x points on all travel and dining purchases plus 1x on everything else.

Review – You can read why I think this is the best credit card for frequent travelers here.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $550 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get up to $75,000 in primary rental car insurance that covers damage from collisions or theft on rentals of 31 days or less.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 6 hours or an overnight stay is required.  This is the best trip delay coverage from any credit card.
• Baggage Delay – If your bags are delays for more than 6 hours, you can get reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to 5 days.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – You can get reimbursed for up to $3,000 per passenger.  Electronic equipment, jewelry, cameras and watches are limited to $500.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 for each trip.
• Other Coverages – This card also offers an emergency medical and dental benefit, travel accident insurance and a medical evacuation benefit.  Please read the benefits guide for the details associated with these coverages.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 2x points on all travel and dining purchases plus 1x on everything else.

Review – You can read why I think this is the best starter rewards credit card.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get primary rental car insurance that covers damage from collisions or theft on rentals of 31 days or less up to the actual cash value of most rental cars.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed more than 6 hours or an overnight stay is required.  This is the best trip delay coverage from any credit card.
• Baggage Delay – If your bags are delays for more than 12 hours, you can get reimbursed up to $100 per day for up to 5 days.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – You can get reimbursed for up to $3,000 per passenger.  Electronic equipment, jewelry, cameras and watches are limited to $500.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 for each trip.
• Travel Accident Insurance – Accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $500,000 for common carrier travel).

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – Earn a generous 5x points on up to $500,000 in flights booked directly with the airline or through AMEX travel each calendar year and on all eligible prepaid hotel stays booked through American Express Travel.  You’ll also earn 1x on other eligible purchases.

Review – You can read my full review of The Platinum Card from American Express here.

Award Travel – card_name will cover you on award travel as long as your pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. erms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per covered trip if you’re delayed more than 6 hours.  You are limited to 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.  In order for your trip to be covered, you have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered with a maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. You have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – You will earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 dollars spent each year on all travel, shipping, Internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases you make with social media sites and search engines.

Award Travel – The card_name will cover you on award travel as long as you pay for the taxes and fees with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (Not waived the first year)

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – You get primary rental car coverage that covers damage from collisions or theft up to the full cash value of most rental cars on rentals, that are for business purposes, of 31 days or less.  If you’re renting the car for personal reasons in your country of residence, then the coverage becomes secondary.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per ticket if you’re delayed as a result of a covered hazard for more than 12 hours or an overnight stay is required.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered up to $5,000 per person and $10,000 for each trip.

card_name

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – Earn a generous 5x points on all flights and pre-paid hotels booked directly with American Express Travel.  You can also earn 1.5x points on all eligible purchases that are $5,000 or more on up to 2 million dollars of these purchases each calendar year.  You’ll also earn 1x on other eligible purchases.

Award Travel – To be covered on award travel you must pay for the taxes and fees with card_name

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

Travel Insurance

• Rental Car – Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. erms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Trip Delay Reimbursement – You can get reimbursed up to $500 per covered trip if you’re delayed more than 6 hours.  You are limited to 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.  In order for your trip to be covered, you have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Lost or Damaged Baggage – Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip.  For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption – Pre-paid, nonrefundable travel expenses are covered with a maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. You have to pay for the entire round-trip ticket with your card. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

How To File A Claim

Each credit card has a slightly different process for filing a claim.  Start by calling the toll free number on the back of your credit card.  The representative will connect you with a benefits administrator who will then explain the process.  When I have filed a claim in the past, everything was done online.

You will need to gather copies of your receipts and any other documentation they need.  Once you have everything, you’ll upload them to a secure online portal.  Once your claim is approved, they’ll issue you a reimbursement payment.  Be sure to start your claim as soon as you so you don’t miss the window to file a claim.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion the card_name is the best credit card that offers travel insurance.  They have the best set of protections, with the least amount of restrictions.  If you’re a frequent traveler, this would be the card I would strongly recommend.  If you don’t travel a lot, the card_name is another solid option with a much lower annual fee.  American Express cards also offer great protections while you’re traveling.  My only complaint is they have a few more restrictions than other travel cards.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-cards-travel-insurance/feed/ 0 https://easytravelpoints.com/american-express-platinum-card-review/ https://easytravelpoints.com/american-express-platinum-card-review/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 20:57:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=1534 card_name is one of the best premium rewards cards you can have.  It comes with a great welcome bonus...

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]]> card_name is one of the best premium rewards cards you can have.  It comes with a great welcome bonus and some fantastic perks; especially if you’re a frequent traveler.  If you’re in the market for a new premium card, you need to give this one a good look and see if it’s right for you.

American Express has always been synonymous with luxury.  This card definitely reenforces that image.  Just by having this card, you will gain access to some fantastic airport lounges, elevated status with select brands and access to the Fine Hotels and Resorts collection.   Plus, you’ll be able to earn valuable Membership Rewards points with every qualifying purchase.

Along with these fantastic perks, the card_name charges a higher annual fee of $695, see rates and fees.  This is right in line with another excellent premium rewards card, the card_name.  Yes, the annual fee is a lot but the benefits can easily be worth more than the cost.  Let’s dive in and see if this card is right for you.

The Welcome Bonus

Currently American Express is offering new card_name members a solid welcome bonus. bonus_miles_full  Terms apply. Keep in mind that American Express only allows you to earn one welcome bonus in your lifetime per card.  If you have already applied for this card in the past and received a bonus, you won’t be eligible to earn another one.

Occasionally, American Express will also offer targeted offers with a higher bonus for this card.  I will keep this page updated with the most current public offer that’s available to everyone.  However, if you happen to see an elevated offer show up in your mailbox, you’ll want to take a closer look.

The Benefits & Perks

card_name comes with several incredible benefits that includes statement credits on select purchases.  This is where the rubber meets the road when you’re deciding if this card is right for you.  If you can get more value out of these benefits than the cost of the annual fee, then this is a no-brainer.  The quickest way to getting value is through the several credits this card offers.  Let’s take a look at top benefits that come with this card.

Global Entry – You get up to a $100 statement credit towards TSA PreCheck ($85) or Global Entry ($100) fees when you charge them to the card, enrollment required.  After applying for one of the programs, you will again be eligible for this credit once every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.  If you’re already enrolled, you can use the credit towards a family member or friend’s application.

Airline Fee Credits – Each year you can receive up to $200 in statement credits good towards airline incidental fees.  This credit is only good for one airline that you select each year.

Saks Credit – Each year you’ll get up to $100 in credits towards purchases made at Saks, enrollment required.  These credits are split into two $50 credits that are valid in each half of the year.

Airport Lounges – card_name gives you access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, enrollment required.  This includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass lounges and others.  This is an excellent perk if you’re a frequent traveler.

AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts – You’ll have access to book hotel stays with this program.  Each stay booked through this program comes with great perks like free breakfast for two and spa credits.

Hotel Status – You’ll get complimentary Gold status with both the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs.

Earning Membership Rewards Points

card_name offers two excellent bonus categories for earning Membership Rewards points.  You can earn 5x points on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with the airlines or through AMEX travel.  You will also earn 5x points on all prepaid hotel stays booked through AMEX travel.  Terms apply. If you book most of your travel this way, the points can really add up quickly.

While other cards let you earn 2x or 3x on a broader range of travel purchases, these categories can still be very lucrative.   If you travel a lot, you can easily earn significantly more points with this card. 

In addition to the bonus categories, you will also earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases.

Redeeming Your Points

Membership Rewards points are some of the best out there because they are so flexible to use.  If you want to get the most value, the best way to redeem them is by transferring them to one of AMEX’s 19 travel partners.  If you love to fly Delta, AMEX is their exclusive transfer partner so this is one way to quickly boost your SkyMiles account.

In most cases, these points transfer immediately but others can take a day or two.  You can see a full list of AMEX’s transfer partners and the time it takes to transfer your points here.  When you transfer your points, you can take advantage of some really great redemption options.

American Express also gives you another easy redemption option.  You can use your points to book flights and hotels through AMEX Travel.  Your points are worth 1 cent per point when redeemed for airfare and less than that for hotels when booked directly with AMEX Travel.  Compared to value you can get by transferring your points, I would never recommend doing this but it is an option.

However, if you also have card_name you can get a 35% rebate on your points when you book your airfare through American Express Travel.

Other Considerations

Chase 5/24 – If you are below the Chase 5/24 Rule, I would recommend waiting to get this card.  My favorite way to earn points quickly is through the Chase Trifecta, so I would prioritize getting these cards first.  Once you have that established, then I would move on to this card.

Your Travel Schedule – If you travel infrequently, this card may not be the best option for you.  The majority of the benefits and perks that come with this card cater to the frequent traveler.  If you aren’t able to take advantage of these, then it’s probably worth looking at a different card until you can utilize these benefits.

Final Thoughts

card_name is an excellent choice for frequent travelers.  With a high earning rate on select travel purchases and so many great perks, it can make traveling even more enjoyable and rewarding.  If you’re going to pay the high annual fee, just make sure you’re able to get sufficient value out of the credits and other benefits.  If you can, this card could be perfect for you.  However, if you don’t travel very often but love American Express, you may want to look at the card_name.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/american-express-platinum-card-review/feed/ 0 https://easytravelpoints.com/american-express-platinum-active-duty-military/ https://easytravelpoints.com/american-express-platinum-active-duty-military/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 14:10:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=1110 We are all incredibly thankful to those who serve in our military to protect our freedoms.  American Express is...

The post Why The Platinum Card® by American Express Is Great For Active Duty Military appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

]]> We are all incredibly thankful to those who serve in our military to protect our freedoms.  American Express is going the extra mile by waiving credit card annual fees for all active duty service members.  That’s why The Platinum Card® from American Express is an excellent option for those who are on active duty in the military.

The Platinum Card® from American Express normally comes with a $695 annual fee, see rates and fees.  Thanks to the fee waiver, active duty military service members can have all of the phenomenal benefits for free! 

Plus, The Platinum Card® from American Express is currently offering new card holders a valuable welcome bonus. bonus_miles_full Terms apply. When you combine the welcome bonus, card benefits and no annual fee, this quickly becomes an easy decision.  Now I’ll show you how easily it is to take advantage of this offer.

How To Qualify

American Express has generously waived the annual fees on their personal credit cards for active duty personnel.  While not required by the the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), American Express has chosen to go the extra mile for military members.  To qualify for these benefits, you have to be on active duty for at least 30 days with any of the major branches of the military

There are a couple ways to have these benefits applied to your account.  Log into your American Express account, under Account Services, then SCRA, and then submit the required documentation.  You can also submit a request, or ask any additional questions, by calling them at 1-800-253-1720.  You can also call them collect at 1-336-393-1111 if you are out of the country.  American Express will issue you a statement credit for the annual fee within a few weeks after confirming eligibility.

Which Card Should I Get

In my opinion, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (which also waives the annual fee for active duty military) barely edges out the The Platinum Card® from American Express.  Don’t get me wrong, the AMEX Platinum is an excellent card with fantastic benefits.  Especially when you don’t have to pay the annual fee.  It really comes down to which benefits you think you’ll use the most.  I would review the perks and benefits that come with each card and choose the one you value the most.

There’s no rule that says you can’t have both cards in your wallet.  If you decide to get both, be sure to give yourself enough time to earn each welcome bonus.  I would recommend prioritizing the Chase cards you want because of their infamous 5/24 rule.  You don’t want to be declined for a card you like just because you didn’t apply for them in the right order.   Now let’s review a lot of the incredible benefits of the The Platinum Card® from American Express.

American Express Platinum Card Benefits

Centurion Lounge Access – I am a huge fan of the Centurion lounges so this is one of my favorite benefits of the The Platinum Card® from American Express.  There aren’t many of these lounges but if you can find one, they’re fantastic!

Delta Sky Club – The AMEX Platinum card also gives you free access to the Delta Sky Clubs.  Access is restricted only to the cardholder on the day you’re flying on Delta.  If you’re traveling with a companion, up to 2 companions can join you in the club for an additional fee.

Airline Fee Credit – Each year you get up to $200 in statement credits towards fees charged by an airline that you choose.  These credits can be used towards baggage fees, food and other eligible items.  Since you didn’t have to pay the annual fee for this card, that’s just free money!

PreCheck or Global Entry Fee Credit – The Platinum Card® from American Express also comes with an fee credit worth up to $100 on your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application.  Simply pay for the application fee with your Platinum card and a credit will issued to your account.  That’s right, more free money!  If you already PreCheck, you can also use the credit for someone else’s application fee.

Priority Pass Membership – When you have the Sapphire Reserve card you also get a free membership to Priority Pass lounges.  There are over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide you can access for free.  Plus, you are able to bring guests traveling with you into the lounges for free as well.  There are also several airport restaurants that give you a food credit as part of your membership.

Hotel Status – Just for having The Platinum Card® from American Express in your wallet, you’ll get gold status at both Marriott and Hilton.  This perk will make traveling for work a little more enjoyable.

There are several other benefits that accompany this card just for having it.  Be sure to look those over as well when you apply for the card so you can get the most out of using it.

More American Express Cards To Consider

American Express® Gold Card – bonus_miles_full Terms apply. You’ll receive 4x Membership Rewards points on purchases at U.S. supermarkets and dining on the first $25,000 spent each year and then 1x after that.   Plus you’ll earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines.

Each month you’ll also receive a $10 credit when you use your card with Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory and other select restaurants. 

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – This card is great if you enjoy flying with Delta.  bonus_miles_full  Terms apply. This card comes with excellent benefits like a free Sky Club membership and a free companion certificate each anniversary year.

Final Thoughts

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great option for those who are on active duty in the military.  There are so many fantastic benefits that come with the card.  When you’re not paying the annual fee it should be easy to extract a lot of value from the card.  This deal is so good, be sure to share it will all of your friends who serve alongside you.  Thank you all for your service!

The post Why The Platinum Card® by American Express Is Great For Active Duty Military appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

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