A First-Class Trip to Wine Country — Reader Success Story
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Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Michael, who used points to pay for flights and hotels on an anniversary trip to Napa. Here’s what he had to say:

The Platinum Card is known for premium perks (like Centurion Lounge access and hotel elite status), but it features a variety of less renowned benefits that also offer a lot of value. Michael and his wife took advantage of the Global Dining Collection, which gives you VIP access to a selection of restaurants and culinary events. Others like premium road assistance, purchase protection and the Platinum Concierge are benefits you probably won’t use often, but they’re a great asset when you need them.
The same goes for most travel rewards cards. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve (among others) offers emergency medical and dental benefits, while Citi Prestige offers trip delay reimbursement up to $500 after just three hours (compared to 12 hours for most other cards). Even non-premium cards have unheralded perks that can come in handy, like the free museum entry offered by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cards. The takeaway is that it’s worth digging into your card benefits to see what’s available; it’s better to know you have them and not need them than to need them and not know you have them.
I love this story and I want to hear more like it! To thank Michael for sharing his experience (and for allowing me to post it online), I’m sending him a $200 airline gift card to enjoy on future travels, and I’d like to do the same for you. Please email your own award travel success stories to info@thepointsguy.com; be sure to include details about how you earned and redeemed your rewards, and put “Reader Success Story” in the subject line. Feel free to also submit your most woeful travel mistakes. If your story is published in either case, I’ll send you a gift to jump-start your next adventure.
Safe and happy travels to all, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Feature photo of a Napa Valley vineyard by @karen.kardatzke via Twenty20
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.