Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914 aimed to be the first to cross the snowy mass of Antarctica, passing through the South Pole on the way. But he never even got started on that epic journey—and embarked on another instead—when his ship to the White Continent, the Endurance, sank in the Weddell Sea before reaching its base on Antarctica. Shackleton then had to figure out how to get his crew safely home from where they were stranded on the ice. He succeeded against all odds, and became a legend in the process, but the shipwreck itself was never found, the aura of mystery and intrigue only growing greater with time.
Is the Amex Platinum worth it for a points and miles newbie? I booked a trip to find out
23.10.2024 - 15:35 / thepointsguy.com
Welcome to the first installment of a year-long series where Tarah Chieffi, TPG's family travel reporter, shares her experience using various points, benefits, credits and access from her first-ever premium rewards credit card, The Platinum Card® from American Express.
A few years ago, when my husband suggested we apply for a premium travel rewards card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, I immediately scoffed at the idea.
Why in the world would we need a card with an annual fee upward of $500? (see rates and fees)
After digging deeper into the world of points and miles (a common side effect of writing for TPG) and reading about the room upgrades, airport lounge access and free breakfasts that I could enjoy with a premium travel card, I decided to swallow my pride and tell my husband he was right. We should try out a premium rewards card after all.
But $500 is still $500, and I didn't take the decision to apply for a premium card lightly. I researched each card and its benefits to ensure I would get back at least the full amount of the card's annual fee using the various perks (travel and otherwise) that came along with the card itself.
After hours of reading TPG articles on the subject, we decided to go with the Amex Platinum.
My husband and I had been planning a visit to New Orleans, and with my shiny new card in hand, it was time to test its capabilities by finally booking that trip.
Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
I started by searching all New Orleans hotels in the American Express Travel portal that were available on the dates we planned to visit. We did need to pay in advance via the Amex Travel portal, but we earned 5 points per dollar spent in the process.
During my search, I noticed that certain properties were flagged as part of the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts collection or The Hotel Collection, both of which come with additional perks when you book through Amex Travel. (Keep in mind that The Hotel Collection benefits are only available when you book a stay lasting two or more nights.)
With only two days to explore the city, we wouldn't spend enough time at the hotel to justify the higher-priced hotels in the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts collection, which helped me narrow my search.
After a round of analyzing potential properties, I went with The Eliza Jane, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
The location was walkable to the French Quarter yet far enough away to quiet the raucous noise of Bourbon Street. The historical building's industrial-chic style won me over at first glance.
I knew I'd receive a $100 credit to spend on qualifying on-site expenses like drinks and dining and a room upgrade at check-in (if
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