Beau Spends Earns Travels
Beau Spends Earns Travels
We all have bills to pay. Why not use the right credit cards to maximize your earnings and rewards for travel?
Join me and we'll dive into the world of credit cards and using the best payment methods to unlock incredible real-life travel redemptions.
I'll share my experiences and hopefully help you create your own.
Get ready to discover the strategies and tips that will take your credit card rewards game to the next level, enabling you to explore the world for less.
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Some of my most used cards today (Referral Links Below):
AMEX Gold & Platinum
Capital One Venture X
Marriott Ritz Carlton
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Ink (Business - Cash & Unlimited)
Пікірлер
I'm currently chilling on a road trip and this video popped up. I'm using the AA Hotels portal to book all my hotels, it's slightly pricier than booking directly, but just on the hotel spend over 2 weeks I'm getting about 30,000 points. With the flights I took this spring that should put me just into status. I'm going to take a look at some of your other suggestions to reach a higher tier. Great info!
Awesome! Use that eshopping portal and you’ll be at platinum in no time. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Beau, I like your Channel, your content and how you project your voice. I do find the background music/ instrumental somewhat distracting (that’s just my 2-cents) … for myself, I truly believe you don’t need the music 😊
Noted thanks!
Definitely loved our 5 free night certificate used at JW Marriott Singapore which was close to $3,000. The executive lounge was the best one we’ve ever seen, food and alcohol all day! I do see your point of getting the points instead of nights since the 5 FNC expires within 12 months
Awesome! Seems like asia is the play for the 50-65k reward level. Appreciate you sharing - sounds like an amazing trip with massive savings!
Your the first person ive seen agree that the 125k points are worth more then the 5 FNC’s. Its almost impossible to find super nice stays for 50k -65k PPN. Im also considering the 125k offer if i manage to get out of pop up jail in time.
Appreciate it! Have you signed up for multiple Amex cards recently?
@@beaunoonan510 not recently but i am maxed out at the 5 card limit. 1 delta reserve 1 marriott brillaint 2 Hilton aspire’s And 1 hilton business Im going to cancel the business card on the 10th and apply for the Marriott business card
Just redeemed my 5 FNCs in Bali, got suite upgraded plus 3 people daily buffet breakfast and cocktails tickets. Geez probably over $2k in value for $95 AF on boundless card. Now im in Japan.
Yesssir! We used 5FNC at JW Marriott Singapore that was worth close to $3,000, definitely love the free night
Great video Beau. I don't have any Marriott cards yet and I'm currently at 4/24. I have this card on my radar as I need to replenish my Marriott points after booking the Marriott Cancun. I was approved for the BBP in April, so I'm not sure if its too early to apply for another card with AMEX. I'm with you, I'd rather earn the points than the 5 days. I don't care for the points cap.
Appreciate the comment! AMEX has the two and 90 rule, so you should be fine for this one or another AMEX card. I believe Marriott still has their points purchase bonus going on right now, so if you’re looking to replenish, use this card to purchase Marriott points and watch them stack up!
I don’t blame you for wanting the points over the FNC’s. Being limited to a points cap is lame! This limits where you can use them so I would rather get the points as well. 👍🏼
Okay Beau, you know you’re my guy,…I hope I don’t disappoint you with my take,….I personally will take the 5 FNCs (50k pts each) and add the extra 15k pts to each. Also, I rather go to the Caribbean instead of the Maldives. Lastly, I will definitely take my kids with us instead of just wife. Happy Friday, cheers 🍻. Btw, I was approve for the Amex Delta Platinum two days ago.
haha - I knew i'd catch some comments for taking the points.. I just struggle to find 65k /night properties worth the value to me.. typically in those cases, I find a Hyatt or Hilton that better meets the need.. We're taking the kids back to Mexico in August..but for the longer travel, they stayin at home! Appreciate the comment and perspective!
@@beaunoonan510 😂 Got it brother 👍
Its almost impossible to find a nice resort at 50k per night (even with the extra 15k) At least in the Caribbean. Thats where i travel to the most and DR and PR is too expensive. The 125k offer is the better offer unless the person wants to stay in a cheap old hotel but i think most of us are in the game for nice luxury free stays
@@DCGEMINI202 Agree with you for the most part. I guess I was thinking more in the line of non Caribbean resorts but major cities properties. I had stay in Ritz Carlton in DC for 65k points, W Hotel Boston for 65k points, Marriott Marquis Times Square for 65j points. But yes, nice resorts in the Caribbean is way more than 65k points. Cheers brother 🥂
How are you able to receive a sign-up bonus after having Ritz-Carlton card? I thought the Ritz-Carlton card made you ineligible for another Marriott bonus.
Check the Frequent Miler Marriott chart: frequentmiler.com/marriott-card-eligible/ Also, I called AMEX to confirm.
This is a business card. He wouldn’t b able to get it for other chase Marriott cards or the amex marriott brilliant card
You don't have to be concerned you're in pop-up jail, you are. You, as in business you, are not (obviously).
Heaven forbid 😂😂
trash card
If I fly two times a year, would the Citi AAdvanatage Executive card be better than the Platinum Elite? Is it wise to have both? Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive card better than the AMEX Platinum knowing that I primarily fly AA?
Not sure any airline card is worth it if you fly twice per year, def not a high annual fee card. Platinum elite gets you free checked bags.. executive also does, plus group 4 boarding. Still, I’d recommend a general travel card vs airline specific
What happened to being Mr. AAdvantage?? Lmao jk but solid review of the delta plat and I like how you pointed out that it was a quick decision for a large expense and that your card roadmap can constantly change
lol.. I think a lot of people jump at the ‘popular’ cards without having a strategy. Tried to explain a bit about the strategy and ROI
Nice breakdown! Looking at the different airline cards with getting checked bags covered depending on how much you fly can recoup the annual fee alone. Glad you evaded pop up jail and were able to pick this one up.
Appreciate the comment! Never thought I’d have a delta card, but the free checked bags are a hidden benefit for those of us that travel often..
well explained breakdown!
Thanks Lani!
Did your FNC changed from 35k to 85K? I would assume it stayed at 35K and one year later you will get the 85k one. Curious if that was the case for you.
Nope - it kept the 35k FNA and added the 85k FNA within a few weeks of opening the Ritz card.
Oh so you were able to double dip and receive 2 certs for one annual fee?
So true! Once you go to the lounges, it kind of made me into a diva and it's hard to go back to not having lounge access especially in layovers lol
Capital One Lounge in DFW is 💎💎💎. Alaska Airlines Flagship Lounge in SEA is pretty 🔥🔥🔥 as well. Thanks for the info + video!
Appreciate the comment! Haven’t been to that Alaska lounge - east coast mostly for me. I see some negative stuff on the C1 lounges..no idea what these people expect.
@@beaunoonan510 Yeah - expectations get crazy for sure! Opinions vary so much - my wife feels like Delta Sky Clubs set the standard for all other lounges 🤣🤣🤣
My top lounge is the Cap One in Denver. Great food, decent views and great location in Terminal A. Spot on analysis of LGA. They did wonders with that airport. Newark did a nice upgrade on Terminal A and I think another terminal upgrade is happening soon. They just need better lounges.
That C1 lounge Denver is good! Much better than the Centurion lounge @ DEN, just a matter of the location..a little out of the way if you’re flying out of terminal C
My first time at a lounge will be the Cap1 Lounge at DFW en route to the meet up. Looking forward to it! I’ll have to try that drink 👍🏼
Appreciate the comment! Enjoy the lounge!
The guy playing the video game without headphones 😂
😎
Sapphire lounges (BOS, LGA, IAD, etc.) are my favorites. Centurion, Polaris, and Flagship lounges are so boring and cookie cutter, especially the food. I love the LAX *A lounges.
Haven’t been to the LAX lounges..mostly east coast travel for me. Appreciate the comment!
I’ve been to capital one in DFW and the food is nowhere near the quality of centurion lounges. All capital one lounges are instantly out of my top 5 because of the HORRIBLE logistics of the bathrooms. Idk who they consulted about that but they are an idiot lol
Haha the bathroom setup is trash..I agree. But I think the food is better than Centurion lounges, and the crowds are better at C1 plus the grab & go is a nice touch.
Great video Beau! My #1 lounge I have been is the new Amex Centurion Lounge in ATL. I have been at the Capital One Lounges in DFW and IAD and I still will put the Centurion Lounge at ATL #1. I haven’t been yet at the Sapphire Lounges in BOS or LGA. Will be at the one in Boston soon. Oh, and will visit the Sapphire (Etihad) Lounge in IAD next week for the first time.
Appreciate the comment! I agree the ATL Centurion lounge is nice, love the outdoor space to see the wide bodies and the multiple bars, but the crowds/line..my goodness.
@@beaunoonan510 i guess I got lucky when I went to the Centurion Lounge in ATL. No lines to get in. Actually, same luck with the Centurion Lounge in JFK, no lines. 😂 Between you and me, I honestly won’t mind an increase to AF on the Platinum. May help with overcrowding. I’ll pay $1,000 AF. Cheers 🥂
No The Club @BWI????? LoL!!! Nice list sir, that Cap1 DFW is fantastic!!!!!
I don’t ever fly thru BWI..no spirit or southwest flights for me!
Clarifying question: Let's say you have the Citi AAdvantage Executive Credit Card and purchase a flight using that card, you get 4x miles on the purchase. Does that also mean you get 4x Loyalty Points? I've heard conflicting answers online and it makes a huge difference in deciding whether or not the card is worth it.
Appreciate the question. For every eligible mile you earn, you’ll also earn a LP, regardless of the card. So for a flight, 4x miles would mean 4x lp’s. Keep in mind you earn more miles/LP’s based on your level of status. On top of that, you earn 1 loyalty point per dollar spent on the card, plus the lp bonuses for hitting 50k and 90k lp’s. Also additional 5x+ for AAdvantage hotels for having the credit card.
Before product changing did you use your free night from the boundless or did you wait after product change so it can be 85k?
No I didn’t use it and still have it to use by next Feb. they didn’t cancel it out
You mentioned that I can use the $50 Hotel credit from the Chase Preferred by buying a gift card? How can I do that? Can you walk me through the steps? My credit is expiring in two weeks already.
I don’t think I mentioned buying a gift card with that credit..I used it for a pretty inexpensive hotel.
@@beaunoonan510 ah ok. Thanks. I guess I misunderstood
i just watched you video and agree. for the right customer american express MR cards can bring great value! ive seen many vids on canceling the Gold, but for me its definitely a keeper. We easily spend $2000 - $2500 on food per month! plus we do alot of grocery shopping at neighborhood walmart which counts as 4x on the gold card, but only 1x on my chase & citi cards. Plus, i love transferrable currency. i literally just booked a round trip for me & the misses to London by transferring my MRs to delta. It was only moddest 1.4 cpp, but i got the exact date/flight/upgraded seats that i wanted. So in this case im getting over 5x on my grocery/dining expenses! So unless they really nerf the gold at the next revamp, im keeping it!
Let’s go! Love it, and I love how you redeemed points the way you wanted to versus so many that just go with some big CPP redemption but not the dates or flight/aircraft they really wanted. As for the AMEX Gold - people can keep chasing views and talk about canceling it..but I’m def keeping it. You going to London only, or other places?
I found a 175k Points Welcome Bonus for the Platinum Card by using a referral link that was posted by other Amex cardholders on the Amex subreddit.
This is my new strategy. I just product changed to the Ritz. I have a few international trips this summer and I’m staying at Marriotts so I’ll use the airline credits on baggage, lounge access for my whole family, charge hotel purchases to the card, then next summer redeem my free night at the Disney Swan hotel, meanwhile using my Sapphire for my daily spend! This was very reassuring to come across this!
Love it! I saw that Amex Marriott biz card you can get 125k points or 5 free nights (50k /night). Think I’m gonna add that card for the 125k points. A super cheap way to buy points. Appreciate the comment!
Nice!
Thanks!
10X on hotel is fantastic but I am conflicted booking Hilton via AA portal bc I am Gold member at Hilton and I think I lose my benefits by booking via AA portal? Or is that a way to double dipping earn pts at Hilton and earn points with AA 😂
I don’t think you can double dip. I hear of people calling to leverage their status or mentioning it upon check in, but if I’m booking a nice Marriott , I’m going thru Marriott to get my status
@@beaunoonan510 yeah I don’t think double dipping is possible but at they could accommodate the free breakfast or dinning credit I have as a Gold member benefits - is this reasonable?
Beau, this is a great video! It makes a hell of a lot of sense! There are many people who just apply with no thought or plan behind it! Thank you !
Joe - thanks so much for the kind words! Means a lot coming from you. Awesome channel btw
@@beaunoonan510 thank you so much my friend for the kind words! Your content is amazing!
I guess ill comment it again. Points play travel was the first to bring this up
A lot of people talk about this card..simply sharing my opinion.
Your Amex gold was only 60k, not 75k reward.
My friend said the same thing, then he tried a few more times and got 75k. You may need to try incognito browser. Appreciate the feedback!
Spot on info. Being willing to spend $50 to $100 in fees unlocks to much potential in meeting MSR. Have to think of it as spending $100 for $500 hotel stay or a $1000 flight
100%!! Appreciate the comment
Good info here , Beau!
Glad you think so, Lani! You’re the man!
Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers
I think I have a better way to elevate your lifestyle on top of US cards benefits. Eliminate all home impro projects, prop taxes, insurance, home maintenance cost, car, gas, utilities etc... all cost, by living in a hotel oversea like Japan, SEA, South America etc.. hand-free, freedom to live anywhere, etc... for less than $2k per month w/ your hotels pts/FNCs/buy points/status for lounge access etc... still can do the same thing whatever you're doing now at home in the US for a fraction of the cost. Why not do the big spend on the sub by buying a ton of Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt etc... points, rather than paying for an inflated prices at home (a roof over your head), $15 burger combo, $5 gas, unnecessary insurance, etc... Slow travel globally is your ticket to escape the rat race.
Sounds amazing - but having 2 young kids and an established network, that’s not a reality for me.
This! The new American dream is to leave. Stack cash and invest in US, while slow traveling and having a better quality of life abroad vs at home. Or some variation of this.
I have the Gold and Venture X in my core set up. So far has earned me a good amount of points 👍🏼👍🏼
You're off about Capital One I have three cards with Capital One. There's no two card limit anymore.
I’ve heard a few people say that but most often they’ve had a card for a long time or one of the cards is co-branded. Which 3 do you have ?
Also many DPs online of people getting the 2nd card after only 3 months instead of 6 now.
Have the savor one Venture one Quicksilver I also have 2 checking accounts and savings and cd and a car loan with them
FYI - Chase will be losing restaurant access through their PP starting July 2024
Appreciate the comment! Im not too disappointed about that - I’ve only used it a few times and it’s not really something I value.
The first person I've seen mention this. You can get insane value out of Bonvoy and Hyatt points transferring to AA at 3:1 and 5:2 ratio respectively. If you have the Hyatt CC status you can link your AA account with Hyatt and earn Hyatt points on AA flights and AA points on Hyatt stays.
What are the rumors you’re hearing about the Ritz card? Was just considering product changing to that for some upcoming trips this summer. Do you think it’s better to be grandfathered in to any changes or wait to get it?
Q3 relaunch is what I’ve heard but if you can get value out of the card in its current form, I’d go for it.
Honestly I have both the C1 Duo and Amex Duo (I want the platinum but I'm in pop up jail with no bond apparently)
Hi! Great video , can you please do a video on how to book flights and get points ? I’m so lost I just booked a flight but I’m not sure if I’m suppose to use advantage number or just my card to get the perks? I’m traveling to California and just open the card and don’t understand how to get my free check in luggage , can you please help
Hi - if you have a card that gets you free checked bags, your AA # needs to be in your credit card account profile and you’ll be all set.
Brand new to credit cards but started with the Gold, Savor, BILT and Citi DC. I’m going to wait awhile before I apply for a VX or Platinum or Sapphire Reserve.
Thanks for the comment. Curious - why’d you get the gold and savor?
@@beaunoonan510 the Savor was upgraded from an old Quicksilver and it was a toss up between the regular Venture.
If you were limited to one no annual fee card for all spending what card would u use?
Great question. Probably the SoFi 2% card since that’s who I bank with. Since I’d have no transfer partners at that point, might as well keep it simple. You?