The Top 3 Credit Card Benefits We Consider When Booking Travel
I guess we just really miss our Amex Platinum Card
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Editor’s Note
Before we jump in, a quick shout out to ChatGPT to being a guest editor on this post. We had a straight-forward and informative post and asked ChatGPT to make it more entertaining. We may have gone a little overboard, but it’s been a fun exercise nonetheless. Let us know what you think!
Bonjour from the French Riviera!
Have you ever been on a high-speed train, racing across France, and found yourself thinking, "Hmm, it's no Shinkansen, but I'll take this over a Northeast Corridor Amtrak journey any day"? Well, that's exactly what we're doing right now as we're hurtling from Paris to Cannes, nearly a month into our European adventure!
Lately, our minds have been drifting back to the glossy brochures that came with our premium credit cards. You know, those shiny pieces of plastic with an annual fee equivalent to a week's worth of artisanal croissants! They enticed us with their long list of benefits that seemed to promise a life of luxury and convenience:
Got a lost luggage horror story? They've got insurance for that.
Fancy being a high-roller at hotels and car rental agencies? Consider it done.
Need a personal genie, a.k.a. concierge services? Your wish is their command.
Enjoy Uber and Lyft privileges as if you were a celebrity.
Stuck in Timbuktu and need a magic carpet? They’ve got you covered.
But here's the catch: Many of these sparkling promises are akin to hidden treasures - they can be hard to find, and some of them even harder to claim. The bureaucracy alone can be a minotaur's maze that makes you consider swallowing the cost of a delayed flight or a lost suitcase. But fear not, brave explorers! While we can't tame the paperwork beast, we can certainly help you navigate the labyrinth. Let us unveil the top 3 benefits that have proven to be worth their weight in gold:
Your Own Personal Genie: The Global Concierge
Most of these 'premium' cards boast of concierge services. But in our adventures, the Platinum Card from American Express has always waved the magic wand in securing impossible-to-get reservations at foodie heaven places like Carbone in NYC or Jiro Sushi in Tokyo. Pro tip? Let them do the heavy lifting. All you need to do is grant them a generous window of dates and times, and voila, your table at the best sushi joint in town awaits! This is one wish you won't regret making!The Magic Shield: Purchase Protection
Once upon a time, when smartphone cameras weren’t as proficient as paparazzi, your humble narrator fancied himself a bit of a shutterbug. But technology, much like a dragon, can breathe fire on your wallet when that shiny new lens is damaged or lost. This is where Purchase Protection steps in, your magical shield against such fiery burns. It’s a little-known charm offered by most credit card companies that refunds or replaces your item if that item was paid for in full with your premium card. The American Express Gold card offers some of the most generous benefits. Be sure to wield this shield wisely and remember that sometimes it’s well worth using a premium card for an expensive purchase even if that card doesn’t get you the best point multiplier at the time. Also note how long your purchase protection is in place, and consider that timeline when purchasing something. For example if you’re buying a drone for a trip to a national park, perhaps wait to buy it a week before your trip instead of months, so the protection is still active.The Magic Carpet: Global Emergency Transport
If a wicked spell of illness or injury strikes while you're gallivanting around the globe, some credit cards transform into a magic carpet, whisking you away to safety. Cards like the American Express Platinum, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X have your back, covering costs of air ambulance services and evacuation to a well-equipped medical facility, even your return home once you're ready. The magic varies by card, so it’s always wise to know your incantations (read the fine print). This could be the hero of your journey, so keep it at the ready during your international escapades.
Don't forget, these magical cards also conjure up car rental insurance, warding off additional costs. Simply decline the rental company's coverage and charge the entire rental to your card. Don’t forget to compare prices ahead of time and use portals like Rakuten or BeFrugal to save more.
So, dear adventurer, the key to unlocking your credit card's full magic is to know your spells and when to cast them. While the annual fee may seem like a dragon's hoard, the benefits can prove to be the priceless treasures of your journey.
À bientôt,
❤️ A&A
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