A client recently asked me something I hear a lot from people with premium credit cards:
"Should I book my flights through you, or should I use my American Express Platinum Card to get the points? What's the difference?"
It's a fair question. And my answer might surprise you, because it wasn't “book everything through me."
I carry an Amex Platinum too. I know how much value is built into that card when you use it well. I also know how much value gets left on the table when nobody takes the time to figure out the best way to use it. So instead of pushing every booking my way, we sat down and built a plan around what would actually be best for this client's trip to Paris and Florence.
Here's how it worked.
Step One: Flights Went Direct to the Airline
The Amex Platinum earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with the airline. That's one of the strongest earning rates out there for airfare, and those points add up fast. They can go toward future flights, transfers to airline and hotel partners or upgrades on your next trip.
If I booked the airfare through my business, the client would lose that bonus. On international tickets to Europe, that's a lot of points to give up.
So my advice was simple: book your flights directly with the airline and put them on your Platinum card.
I still helped with the flights. We talked through routing, timing and which options made sense for the trip. The client just completed the purchase themselves so every dollar earned the full 5x. Advice doesn't need a booking attached to be valuable.
Step Two: We Compared Hotels Side by Side
Hotels are where it got interesting.
The Platinum card includes a $300 hotel credit for eligible bookings made through American Express Travel's hotel programs. That's real money, and it would be a waste to let it go unused.
As a travel advisor powered by Fora, I also have access to preferred hotel programs. Depending on the property, that can mean daily breakfast, room upgrades when available, property credits or late checkout. Sometimes those perks are worth more than a card credit. Sometimes they aren't.
The only way to know is to compare. So that's what we did.
For both cities, I looked at:
The total cost booked through Amex with the $300 credit applied
The total cost booked through Appleton Travel, including the perks
What those perks were actually worth to this traveler, based on how they travel
That last point matters. Free breakfast is worth a lot to someone who eats breakfast every day. It's worth nothing to someone who grabs an espresso and heads out the door. A property credit only helps if you'll actually use it.
What We Found: Paris and Florence Had Different Answers
The results were split, and I think that's the best part of this story.
In Paris, Amex was the better deal. The $300 hotel credit saved my client $300 on their stay. Nothing I could offer at that property beat it. So I told them to book Paris through Amex, and that's what they did.
In Florence, I could do better. Booking through Appleton Travel got my client:
Daily breakfast
A room upgrade
A $100 on-site credit
Late checkout
For a traveler who loves a slow Italian breakfast and wanted to make the most of their last day before moving on, that package was worth far more than the card could offer. So we booked Florence through my business.
In the end, the client had:
Full 5x points on every flight
$300 saved in Paris with their Amex hotel credit
Breakfast, an upgrade, a $100 credit and late checkout in Florence
A trip plan built around what they care about
And I ended up with one booking and a very happy client.
Why I Work This Way
I'll be honest, I could have tried to book everything. Flights, Paris, Florence, the whole trip. That would have meant more revenue for me on this one trip.
But that's not the business I want to run.
Appleton Travel is built on relationships. I'd rather earn your trust and plan your next five trips than squeeze every dollar out of this one. When I give you a straight answer, even when that answer is “book this one yourself," you can trust the rest of my advice too.
That's also why I take time at the start to learn:
Which programs you're part of. Credit cards, airline status and hotel loyalty programs all affect where your booking should go.
How you like to travel. Boutique or big brand? Breakfast and upgrades or the lowest price and points?
Where your benefits overlap. Many travelers have credits and perks they've forgotten about. My job is to help you use them.
I don't just research travel. I live it. I've ridden the climbs in France, chased the Tour de France in person and planned complex trips for friends and clients across continents. I use the same card you might have in your wallet, and I want you to get the same value from it that I do.
Do You Have a Premium Credit Card? Here's My Advice
If you carry an Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve or another premium travel card, keep these in mind:
Know your earning categories. Some cards reward booking directly with airlines. Others reward booking through their own travel portal. The difference can be thousands of points a year.
Track your credits. Hotel, airline and travel credits often reset on a schedule. Plan trips around them when you can.
Don't assume the card always wins. Paris and Florence proved that the best choice can change from one hotel to the next.
Compare total value, not just price. Breakfast for two, an upgrade and a $100 credit can easily beat a lower nightly rate.
Work with someone who will tell you the truth. A good advisor will tell you when booking direct is the better choice.
Let's Make Your Card Work Harder
If you have a premium credit card and a trip coming up, let's talk. I'll look at your programs, your travel style and your plans, then help you decide where each piece of your trip should be booked.
Sometimes that will be with me. Sometimes it won't. Either way, you'll travel smarter.
Plan your trip with me or email [email protected].
