As a full-time travel influencer who's journeyed to over 35 countries in the past three years, averaging at least one international trip every two months, I've become an expert in maximizing travel rewards. What sets my experience apart is my unique approach to partnerships: I've negotiated contracts that allow me to book my own travel, giving me the freedom to maximize credit card points while still collaborating with brands. This strategy has not only enhanced my travels but also deepened my understanding of reward systems.

My extensive experience has taught me that the right credit card strategy can transform your travel game, turning everyday spending into extraordinary adventures. I've carefully curated a lineup of credit cards that have consistently proven their worth across diverse global destinations. These aren't just pieces of plastic in my wallet; they're powerful tools that have opened doors to premium travel experiences I never thought possible.

In this guide, I'm excited to share the credit card strategy that's been the backbone of my globe-trotting lifestyle. Whether you're a frequent traveler or just starting to explore the world of travel rewards, my insights can help you make the most of your spending and elevate your travel experiences.

American Express Business Platinum Card

⚡ Updated for 2026

The Amex Business Platinum just went through its biggest refresh in years — and yes, the annual fee is now $895/year. But with the new credit stack I'm consistently getting over $1,500 in real value back. If you're a business owner who travels, this card still makes sense.

💰 Annual Fee: $895/year

🎁 Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months — worth ~$4,000 in travel at current valuations.

Key Perks:

5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com

1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million/year)

$600 annual hotel credit — $300 every 6 months on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection through Amex Travel

35% flight rebate on your selected airline — now includes economy class, not just business and first

Access to 1,550+ airport lounges in 140+ countries (more than any other card)

$209 CLEAR+ membership credit

$250 Adobe credit (when you spend $600+ on Adobe)

$200 annual Hilton credit

Up to $150 Dell Technologies credit + $1,000 credit after $5,000+ Dell spend

Complimentary Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World

My take: I lined up new tech purchases with my card opening to hit the 200K welcome offer — it funded two international business class flights. The $600 hotel credit alone more than covers the $200 annual fee increase.

get yours

Chase Sapphire Reserve – Updated for 2025

⚡ Updated for 2026

The CSR went through a complete overhaul in 2025 — the annual fee is now $795 (up from $550), but the new benefits package is genuinely one of the best lineups I've seen on any travel card. This is still my daily driver for travel and dining.

💰 Annual Fee: $795/year

Key Perks:

$500 annual Edit credit for luxury shopping (was $250 — doubled)

$300 annual dining credit ($150 bi-annually through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable)

$300 StubHub credit every six months for live events and concerts

$250 Apple credit — covers Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions

$120 annual Lyft credits ($10/month) + 5X points on Lyft rides

10X points on Peloton equipment + $120 annual Peloton membership credit

Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges (unlimited guests) + 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide

Points Boost: Redeem points at up to 2X value on select flights and hotels through Chase Travel

3X on travel and dining, 10X on Chase Travel bookings

My take: The $500 Edit credit + $300 dining credit together nearly offset the annual fee before I even count travel. For a card you actually use every day, this is unbeatable right now.

Get Yours

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

⚡ Updated for 2026

If you fly Delta regularly, this card basically pays for itself. The annual companion certificate is the headline — I use mine every year without fail on a Caribbean trip, and it's always worth more than the annual fee.

💰 Annual Fee: $350/year

🎁 Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first few months, plus an additional 20,000 miles after spending another $2,000.

Key Perks:

3X miles on Delta purchases and hotel bookings

2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets

Annual companion certificate for a domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round trip (taxes/fees $22–$250 apply)

First checked bag free for you + up to 8 companions on the same reservation

Priority boarding on Delta flights

$200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in annual card spend

$2,500 MQD Headstart each Medallion year + earn $1 MQD per $20 spent toward elite status

20% savings on in-flight food, beverages, and audio headsets

My take: Five round-trip bags cover the annual fee. The companion certificate turns a solo trip into a couple's trip for the cost of taxes — I plan an annual Caribbean getaway entirely around it.

get yours

How to Stack All Three Cards to Maximize Every Dollar

My allocation system for 2026 — figured this out after years of juggling all three:

Use the Amex Business Platinum for: Large purchases ($5K+) to hit the 1.5X tier, all flights and hotels booked through amextravel.com for 5X, and any Adobe or Dell tech spend

Use the Chase Sapphire Reserve for: All dining, everyday travel, Lyft rides, and anything you'll book through Chase Travel to take advantage of Points Boost

Use the Delta SkyMiles Platinum for: Every Delta flight and hotel booking for 3X, plus restaurants and grocery runs for 2X

As always — pay your balance in full every month. Interest charges erase every point you earn.

Happy travels and happy stacking! 🌍

Should I Only Book Travel Through the Dedicated Bank Portals?

Short answer: not always, and I've tested this extensively.

Booking through the Amex or Chase travel portals earns you bonus points (5X on Amex, up to 10X on Chase Travel), but you often lose the hotel or airline's own loyalty benefits — points, elite night credits, status upgrades, and free breakfast if you have status.

My rule of thumb: use the portal for flights when the price is the same or close (you keep your frequent flyer miles and earn card points). For hotels, I compare: if I don't have status at that property, the portal often wins. If I have Hilton Gold or Marriott status, I book direct every time.

The exception is the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program — those must be booked through Amex Travel to get the $600 credit and FHR perks. That's one case where the portal is clearly the right call.

How Do You Find Out About Flight Point Deals?

This is how I find business class flights to Asia for 50K points when they should cost 120K. A few sources I check religiously:

Secret Flying & Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights): Email alerts for mistake fares and flash sales on paid tickets — great for when you want to pay cash but at a fraction of the price.

Thrifty Traveler Premium: Specifically covers points and miles deals — alerts you when airlines release saver award space. This is how I found a business class deal to Tokyo for under 60K points.

The Points Guy + One Mile at a Time: Both publish posts within hours when airlines drop transfer bonuses. Amex and Chase both do periodic transfer bonuses to airline partners (up to 30% more miles) — these are time-limited and easy to miss if you're not watching.

Google Flights date grid: When you're flexible on dates, the calendar view shows the cheapest days at a glance. I pair this with the award calendar on the airline's own site.

The biggest secret: set up price alerts on Google Flights for routes you actually want to fly. When cash prices drop, award availability often follows.

Do Credit Card Points Ever Expire?

Yes — but it depends on the program, and this trips people up more than anything else.

Amex Membership Rewards: Points do not expire as long as your card account is open and in good standing. The moment you cancel your last Amex card that earns MR points, they're gone permanently. I keep at least one no-annual-fee Amex card open specifically to protect my points balance.

Chase Ultimate Rewards: Same deal — points are valid as long as you have an active card that earns UR points. Cancel your last UR-earning card, lose your points. Transfer them to a travel partner first if you're closing an account.

Delta SkyMiles: SkyMiles never expire as long as your SkyMiles account is active, which just means logging in periodically. This is one of the most generous expiration policies in the industry.

Bottom line: points don't expire while you hold the card, but they can vanish the second you close it. Always transfer to an airline or hotel partner before closing any card — once they're in the partner program (United MileagePlus, Hyatt, etc.) they follow that program's own rules.