Excessive Rewards Realized through High-end Credit Card Use - Case Study of a Satisfied Customer
Taking Advantage of Premium Travel Credit Cards: A Real-life Scenario
Hey there,
I'm sharing a story from TPG reader Samantha, who made the most out of her premium travel credit card during a trip to the stunning Maldives. Here's what she had to say:
My boyfriend and I stayed in an overwater villa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in April. I booked five consecutive nights at the standard room reward rate (with the fifth night free), and for the sixth night, I used a free weekend night certificate from my Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
I got this card about a year ago, tempted by the attractive travel benefits. I had no idea it would prove so essential for my Maldives adventure.
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First, elite status really came in handy. Because we landed early in the morning, we were offered early check-in. Then, we were upgraded to a top-tier Water Villa with a private infinity pool and breathtaking sunset views! As anyone who has visited the Conrad Maldives knows, drinks there are pricey, so this upgrade alone saved us over $150!
Speaking of savings, elite members also get perks like free breakfast, complimentary tea time, daily happy hour with snacks and unlimited drinks, and dining discounts. We also used our $300 annual travel credit on lunch at the Conrad's acclaimed underwater restaurant, which would have been out of reach otherwise.
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The best part (aside from the pool) was that by bringing the card with us, we racked up enough points to cover our next getaway. Between the expensive food at the Conrad and the $500 per person seaplane charges, we easily met the spending requirement for the 100,000-point welcome bonus. Plus, earning 3 points per dollar on such a large bill was fantastic.
Premium credit cards are filled with valuable travel-related perks, but their true value lies in using them. If you're considering applying for a new card, think about how likely you are to utilize each benefit, both within the first year and long-term. Getting the card is a smart move if you expect to get full value (or close to it) like Samantha did. If the card offers a substantial bonus, it can still be worthwhile, even if you won't regularly use the perks. Many options offer plenty of middle ground, so carefully evaluate your travel habits and upcoming plans before committing.
Another significant factor is timing your application. Now is an excellent time to snag the Chase Sapphire Reserve or any of the co-branded Chase cards, as Chase has recently increased welcome bonuses across the board. However, even if Samantha had known the bonus would go up by 50,000 points, applying when she did would've still been a wise choice. I value those points at $500, but the savings and experiences she enjoyed during her stay far outweighed that value.
I adore this story and can't wait to hear more like it! To thank Samantha for sharing her experience (and for giving me permission to post it online), I'm sending her a $200 airline gift card for future trips, and I'd love to do the same for you. Share your award travel triumphs or travel blunders with us at our email, with "Reader Success Story" in the subject line. If your story is published, I'll treat you to a $200 airline gift card to kick-start your next adventure.
Happy and safe travels to all, and I can't wait to hear from you!
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- Learn More about The Chase Sapphire ReserveSee Terms and ConditionsBEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CARDThe Chase Sapphire ReserveEarn 60,000 points + $300 statement credit
- Learn More about Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardSee Terms and ConditionsBEST CARD FOR EARNING FLAT-RATE MILESCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardEarn 75,000 miles
- Learn More about The Platinum Card from American ExpressSee Terms and ConditionsBEST LUXURY TRAVEL REWARDS CARDThe Platinum Card from American ExpressWelcome offer varies
- Learn More about The Business Platinum Card from American ExpressSee Terms and ConditionsBEST BUSINESS TRAVEL CARDThe Business Platinum Card from American Express Earn 150,000 points + $500 statement credit
- Learn More about American Express® Gold CardSee Terms and Conditions BEST CARD FOR DINING AT RESTAURANTSAmerican Express® Gold CardEarn 60,000 points
Stay Current with the Latest Developments:- Check out the latest news about the Chase Sapphire Reserve- Take a peek at the most recent JetBlue route cuts and plane parking strategies- Explore the benefits of using Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card- Here’s how you can get a 65% bonus when transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy- Check back for the exciting Hot Deals and Best Offers for all our partners
References:1. The Best Travel Credit Cards for 20232. The Complete Guide to Using the Chase Sapphire Reserve3. How to Maximize the American Express Platinum Card Benefits in 20234. The Best Travel Perks from Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses5. Summer in the Maldives: A Family Fun Guide
- Premium travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, and American Express® Gold Card offer valuable travel-related perks and benefits.
- These credit cards can help travelers save money on expensive destinations like the Maldives, as demonstrated by Samantha's experience where she utilized her Chase Sapphire Reserve card for a free weekend night certificate, earning travel rewards, and using the annual travel credit.
- Elite status, available through some premium travel credit cards, can offer perks such as early check-in, upgrades, free breakfast, and dining discounts, which can save travelers money on their trips.
- Maximizing the benefits of premium travel credit cards requires careful evaluation of travel habits and upcoming plans to ensure full value is gained from the card.
- Timing the application of premium travel credit cards is crucial, as Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, currently offers increased welcome bonuses.
- Dining at restaurants is another area where premium travel credit cards like the American Express® Gold Card can offer rewards.
- The value of travel credit cards extends beyond monetary rewards, as they can provide unique experiences, such as the luxurious stay Samantha had at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.
