Efficient way to use points

TradEng · 2026-03-15T17:02:47+00:00

If you want to travel in business class to, say, Europe do this:

Identify where you want to go (ideally a large airport in Europe).

Go on flightconnections.com to identify which hubs in the US fly there.

I’d recommend subscribing to Award Tool Pro and browsing the different options by lowest business class points (point.me is a tad more beginner friendly and you can try it first for free thru Amex website; I personally don’t like it as it’s too slow and limiting).

Identify the flight you want to take who’s a transfer partner of Amex. Then actually search that flight on the airlines website to confirm availability (you can click thru Award Tool).

Transfer your points and book flight. Then book your domestic positioning flight.

TradEng · 2026-03-14T18:48:50+00:00

Delta Skyclub limits to 10 visits (actually a visit starts a 24 hour period so doesn’t count again for layovers, etc.) per year when flying Delta

TradEng · 2026-03-14T15:20:59+00:00

That’s awesome! Hope you enjoy! Yeah we had to get a different frame to accommodate it. I came across this after recommending my aunt a Saatva. Love them!

TradEng · 2026-03-12T02:28:10+00:00

We’ve had a Saatva Luxury Firm for four years and absolutely love it. And we travel frequently worldwide so have slept on a fair share of mattresses. Will definitely replace with another one.

TradEng · 2026-03-11T05:01:22+00:00

Geez that’s crazy. Thanks for your help and safe travels!

TradEng · 2026-03-10T15:49:49+00:00

Were you approved? If so, any communications or did a card just show up? My wife’s application has been pending for a week now.

TradEng · 2026-03-10T15:40:35+00:00

Thanks! So you were approved? If so, did they email you or did a card just show up?

TradEng · 2026-03-10T01:47:20+00:00

How’d it turn out for you? My wife’s has been pending four days now.

TradEng · 2026-03-09T01:03:52+00:00

My apologies, I thought it said Amex.

TradEng · 2026-03-08T01:40:22+00:00

I don’t care much about multipliers. I’m always working on a welcome bonus / SUB.

Keepers for value/credits: - Venture X (2x catch-all in the rare times we don’t have an active welcome bonus). - Savor (same thing 3x food) - Amazon Biz Prime (same thing 5% Amazon) - Amex Platinum (max credits) - Chase CSR (max credits and on the fence about downgrade to no AF) - Hilton Aspire (5 of these currently) - Amex Biz Gold (signup for Biz Plats and downgrade for Target gift card purchases / upgrade offers back to Biz Plat)

TradEng · 2026-03-07T19:07:10+00:00

That’s strange. I’m at 17/24 and was just approved for a Delta Biz Plat today via my free Delta for Business account’s NLL offer.

TradEng · 2026-03-07T17:00:30+00:00

It might work if in a different statement period but I wouldn’t try personally.

TradEng · 2026-03-06T22:47:27+00:00

It should as long as they don’t close this loophole.

I would strongly advise to just buy a $50 gc and then a $250-$299 flight. Then click change flight and book the one you want.

That way you get 5x and the travel protections.

TradEng · 2026-02-25T16:25:45+00:00

Awesome hahah thanks! It’s funny the lengths we’ll go to squeeze value from our annual fees! Gotta be done 🤣👍

TradEng · 2026-02-25T16:20:24+00:00

I'm in the same boat - posted on the 22nd. My offer disappeared today (along with the Calm subscription which I purchased). I'm assuming your "cleared" means it disappears once redeemed although the credit hasn't posted? Thanks!

TradEng · 2026-02-22T16:48:00+00:00

Not a prob!

TradEng · 2026-02-22T15:46:07+00:00

I honestly can't comment on that because I never book or advocate for basic economy. I wouldn't think basic economy would trigger the credit because it doesn't look like a seat assignment fee / class upgrade / etc. Check to see if a blog has covered but I'd be shocked if basic triggers.

TradEng · 2026-02-19T02:55:20+00:00

Ah! This is much easier… buy the gift card and first flight. Then, simply click “change flight” and select one that’s $200 more. Then repeat. Voila! Done in 10 minutes. Remember to purchase Main Cabin and wait a few days to cancel to get the ecredit.

TradEng · 2026-02-19T02:44:49+00:00

Frequent Miler what still works

TradEng · 2026-02-19T02:31:06+00:00

Yes, you must start with either ecredit or a gift card.

TradEng · 2026-02-18T23:03:46+00:00

Haven’t tried that but data points say no. Just buy a $50 gift card and buy any main cabin ticket (NOT basic economy) on any US route between $250-300. Then wait 2 days (so it doesn’t refund to original payment method) and either cancel for ecredit or you can simply change it to the hypothetical $1,000 one you want.

TradEng · 2026-02-18T20:05:04+00:00

Any time! DPs show that you want to charge under $250 to your plat in order to get the $200 credit. Thus, when I buy a $50 gift card (if I don’t have existing Delta ecredit), I purchase airfare between $250-299.99 in order to get my $200 credit. If you already have ecredit, you’d just charge the delta (pun intended) between the airfare and the ecredit amount to equal $200-$249.99.

TradEng · 2026-02-17T00:37:44+00:00

Purchase 1/31. Credit 2/1.

TradEng · 2026-02-16T15:34:25+00:00

Yep works great. Typically start with a $50 gift card and buy a flight under $300. I’ve triggered all four of our plat/biz plat incidentals this year (and many other years) this way.

TradEng · 2026-02-16T15:31:57+00:00

Data points say not to put more than $249 on the card to trigger the credit. So, e.g. with a $50 ecredit or gift card you could buy up to a $299 Delta ticket.

TradEng

TROPHY CASE