Reader success story: How this reader visited 8 countries in 3 years using points and miles

15.07.2024 - 22:34 / thepointsguy.com

At TPG, one of our main missions is to teach our readers how to use points and miles to secure dream trips they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford. Often, we don't hear about the trips that our readers end up taking, but every now and again, we're gifted with tales of special experiences.

Recently, a longtime reader of TPG, Doug M., came to us with just that. He took us through his journey with points and miles, highlighting how they allowed him and his fiancee (now wife) to travel worldwide. Here are the highlights of his globe-trotting and the advice he wishes to pass on to readers looking to use points and miles for aspirational travel.

Related: How I strategize my award redemptions

Doug was once in the shoes of many beginners, wanting to see the world but not sure how to do it with just cash. Through TPG, Doug learned how to use points and miles to afford the trips he wanted to take. All of his time spent combing TPG articles for information paid off when he booked his first major international trip to the Swiss Alps and London in 2022.

Doug earned American Express Membership Rewards points with his American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. By transferring approximately 124,000 Membership Rewards points to Emirates, Doug was able to book two business-class tickets for himself and his fiancee from New York City to Milan.

Doug also transferred 35,000 Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic, so he and his partner could fly in premium economy from London to New York City. Doug estimated that these two flights would have cost him $13,000, meaning he secured a fantastic deal. Note that redemption rates for these flights vary.

The welcome offers on the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum can help you quickly acquire Membership Rewards points so you can take trips like Doug's. Currently, the Amex Gold offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.

The Amex Platinum offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. Note that you could be targeted for a 125,000-point or 150,000-point welcome bonus by using the CardMatch tool. However, these offers are subject to change at any time.

Based on TPG's July 2024 valuations, these welcome offers are worth $1,200 and $1,600, respectively.

Related: These apps and websites make award redemptions easier to find

Doug's trip to the Swiss Alps and London with points and miles opened Pandora's box. He and his fiancee had a dream trip in mind: New Zealand and Australia. With the aid of points and miles, they were able to turn this dream into a reality in 2023. By quickly taking advantage of an award-booking