Hey there! I’m a regional sales manager who’s always on the go for work and personal trips. Now, let me tell you about my travel-rewards game plan. So, here’s the deal: I can’t rack up personal credit-card rewards on my company expenses because they go on the Amex Business Gold card, and the points belong to the company. But hey, I’m not letting that stop me from scoring some sweet rewards for myself!
When it comes to work travel, my focus is on stacking up airline miles and elite status. My go-to moves include snagging Delta SkyMiles by booking Uber in advance and earning BILT or United miles with Lyft. For flights, I prefer booking directly with airlines like Southwest, Delta, American, United, or Alaska, depending on where I’m headed. And for hotels, I stick with Hyatt to maintain my Explorist status. When it comes to rental cars, I’m all about maximizing points by booking through BILT or airline portals.
I always make sure to check Rakuten for any portal bonuses before making purchases. Sometimes I route through Rakuten to earn Amex Membership Rewards or BILT points if the numbers add up. For my personal trips, I switch gears and use Amex Platinum for flights and lounge access, Chase Sapphire Reserve for hotels and rental cars, and Amex Gold for everything else. I’m fluent in both the Amex and Chase worlds, so I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to make the most of my work travel, even with the corporate card restrictions.
Now, let’s talk strategy. Since I can’t cash in on credit-card points for work expenses, I’m considering booking flights through BILT to rack up BILT points along with airline miles and MQDs. Sure, using online travel agencies (OTAs) can complicate things when it comes to cancellations and changes, but I’m curious if the trade-off is worth it. I’m also eager to hear about any other sneaky tactics, programs, or partnerships you’ve used to supercharge your rewards game when your company holds onto those precious card points, especially for frequent domestic business travel.
So, there you have it — my travel-rewards hustle in a nutshell. It’s all about making the most of every trip, whether it’s for work or play. And hey, if you’ve got any tips or tricks up your sleeve for maximizing rewards in similar situations, I’m all ears. Let’s keep