In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with Nick Serati, co-founder of Thrifty Traveler, to unpack how the Amex Platinum Card has evolved — and what that means for travelers today. Once a symbol of luxury travel, the Platinum card has shifted toward a membership and lifestyle experience, packed with perks that go far beyond the airport.

DeAndre and Nick explore how this transformation compares to other premium travel cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X, and how card issuers are adapting to changing consumer behavior. The conversation highlights strategies for maximizing benefits, avoiding wasted credits, and understanding your personal travel habits to extract real value.

Nick also introduces a new Thrifty Traveler tool that helps users track and manage credit card perks, ensuring that every subscription, statement credit, and lounge access counts. It’s an insightful discussion for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of premium travel cards in 2025.

Key Highlights:

• Amex Platinum’s evolution: From travel card to lifestyle membership.
• Changing priorities: Card benefits now cater to daily life, not just travel.
• Consumer insight: Personal travel habits determine a card’s real value.
• Card comparisons: How Platinum stacks up against Sapphire Reserve and Venture X.
• Maximization strategy: Practical ways to use every benefit before it expires.
• Behavior shift: Why lifestyle perks are shaping the next generation of premium cards.
• Transparency trend: How clearer value tracking improves cardholder decisions.
• New Thrifty Traveler tool: Streamlines benefit management and redemption reminders.
• Card fatigue: Why more options aren’t always better without strategy.
• Future outlook: Premium credit cards as ecosystems, not just rewards programs.

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Resources:

• Free Card-Tracking Tool by Thrifty Traveler
• Book a Free 30 minute points & miles consultation
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Interested in Financial Planning?

• Truicity Wealth Management

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: 
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: 

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world 
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGo.Travels

Connect with Nick Serati: 

• Instagram: Nick Serati
• Thrifty Traveler Podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

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This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast