I Earned 100,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points With a Simple Idea for a Side Hustle

January 20, 2019 By Meghan Hunter

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My wife and I have been able to travel extensively in the past few years because of points and miles. Since we started dating ~3.5 years ago, we have traveled to 7 countries and made numerous trips within the US. In talking with our friends and family members about our travels, we have found ourselves helping them travel for less. If you’re interested in learning these same secrets, then take a second and sign-up for the Million Mile Secrets email newsletter and we’ll send you travel tricks and deals every day.

I woke up one morning, and told my wife we should start a travel consultancy. It made sense because we were already doing it anyway – so we did. And in the process we have earned 100,000+ AMEX Membership Rewards points and counting, just from a little side hustle! Here are all the ways to earn AMEX Membership Rewards points.

There isn’t a limit to the number of miles & points you can earn if you’re willing to be creative. Hopefully this inspires you to step out and give your idea a shot!

We Help People Travel and Earn AMEX Membership Rewards Points in the Process

How We Help Others Travel

We all have those friends or family that pay a ridiculous amount of money for an economy flight and pay with a debit card. It makes you die a little on the inside, right?

We started Life Is Short Travel with the idea to promote wanderlust, curiosity, and adventure for all travelers. In an age where our time is our most precious asset, many people don’t want to take the time to search for and book the best deal. And that is where we come in to assist!

We find cheap flights, our clients send us cash via Venmo, we book it. Simple as that!

While we have contemplated many different pricing models, we came up with the simplest one. FREE! We want travel to be as accessible as possible to everyone.

We do not charge for our time, however we do accept tips.

How We Earn the AMEX Membership Rewards Points

Read all the ways to earn AMEX Membership Rewards points in 2019

After a ton of analysis, we decided the The Platinum Card® from American Express would be the best for booking flights & maximizing our time.

For example, let’s say we book $1,000 in flights. If we book direct with the airline, we earn 5,000 American Express Membership Rewards points. At an average value of 2 cents per point, that is $100 in value! So the hourly “rate” on this flight is pretty solid! Yes, we aren’t putting actual dollars in our pocket, but it is saving us money in the long run.

Along with loads of points for booking with the American Express Platinum Card, my wife and I are able to access lounges all over the world throughout our travels. So it’s probably a card that we’d have applied for even without our side hustle.

In addition to the AMEX Platinum card, there are plenty of other cards that earn AMEX Membership Rewards points:

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Bottom Line

We are living through the gig economy right now. There are SO many different things you can do to earn cash and points through day-to-day spending! My wife and I are also experimenting with a online reselling business to earn extra money and miles & points too!

We want to keep our wanderlust alive by any means necessary, and earning more AMEX points will help continue that. And helping other people travel is a true joy of ours.

Do you have a side hustle you use to generate extra income or credit card rewards? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

If you’re interested in learning how to make the most of your miles & points, then subscribe to our email newsletter.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
$189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
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