Our recent trip to New York City was a perfect blend of travel hacking, financial optimization, and unforgettable experiences—all made possible through strategic credit card usage. This trip was largely motivated by the perks from signing up for the American Express Platinum card, which offers incredible travel benefits, including hotel statement credits, upgrades, and more.

Hotel Perks: Park Lane Hotel

Using the Amex Travel Portal, we booked a stay at the Park Lane Hotel, part of the AmEx Fine Hotels + Resorts collection. Thanks to the card’s benefits, we received a $200 statement credit, early check-in, room upgrade, $100 hotel credit, late checkout, and even complimentary glasses of wine upon arrival.

Flights: Southwest Airlines Strategy

We primarily fly Southwest Airlines because of its generous rewards program. My wife and I both have personal Southwest credit cards, allowing us to accumulate points. Additionally, we transfer points from our fixed expenses using either my wife’s Chase Sapphire Preferred or my Chase Sapphire Reserve. This keeps our travel costs low. However, with upcoming changes to Southwest’s policies—introducing fees for seat selection and luggage—we’ll reassess our strategy. For now, it remains a great option.

Airport Lounge Access: Capital One Lounge

Before our early Thursday morning flight, we made our first stop at the Capital One Lounge in Denver, thanks to my Capital One Venture X card. This lounge has been a game-changer—it never feels overcrowded, and the food and drink selection never disappoints. We’ve started arriving at the airport two hours before boarding just to maximize our time there. The only downside? Our kids are now spoiled and expect lounge access everywhere we travel!

Uber Credits & Arrival in NYC

Upon landing at LaGuardia, we used Uber credits from my AmEx Platinum to cover part of our ride to the hotel. The check-in process was seamless, and the glasses of wine waiting in our room were a nice surprise.

Navigating NYC Dining with Travel Hacks

Choosing where to eat in NYC can be overwhelming—like trying to pick a Netflix show with unlimited options. Fortunately, two apps have simplified this process for us:

• Capital One Dining: As a Venture X cardholder, I discovered Capital One’s exclusive restaurant partnerships. Reservations through the app often come with perks like complimentary drinks, desserts, or preferred seating.
• InKind: This app offers 20% cashback when dining at partner restaurants. It has transformed the way we explore dining in Denver and beyond. We even found deals to buy discounted InKind cash on Costco, recently securing $505 in credit for just $349! Using InKind meant we saved money on every meal in NYC.

Thursday Highlights: Rooftop Views & Late-Night Drinks

After a late lunch at Jams at 1 Hotel Central Park (highly recommended!), we enjoyed rooftop drinks at Nubeluz at the Ritz-Carlton. This José Andrés bar (available through Capital One Dining and InKind) delivered incredible views and top-notch cocktails—definitely a trip highlight!

Friday: Central Park & Off-Broadway Fun

We kicked off the morning with breakfast at Sarabeth’s (InKind partner), followed by a three-hour walk through Central Park—one of our favorite ways to experience the city. Along the way, we grabbed coffee at Bluestone Lane.

Later, we met my cousin for dinner at Roberta’s in Brooklyn, followed by an incredible burlesque performance by Company XIV—a unique and unforgettable experience.

Saturday: Exploring Our Happy Places

We started with brunch at Haven Rooftop before heading to Battery Park to take in views of the Statue of Liberty (though ongoing renovations impacted the sightlines). From there, we subway-hopped to Brooklyn Bridge Park, grabbed coffee at % Arabica, and walked back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge.

Next stops:

• Chelsea Market for exploring
• The High Line to Hudson Yards
• Tapas at La Barra (InKind partner) at Little Mercado Spain

For dinner, we went to Bazaar by José Andrés (Capital One Dining & InKind partner), a fascinating blend of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine. The food and service were phenomenal, and we even got to meet the chef!

Sunday: Final NYC Moments

Our last day started with brunch at La Grande Boucherie, which was good but not great—there’s always another spot to try in NYC! Afterward, we attended mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, then met up with our financial advisor, Jeremy from Abundo Wealth, at Urban Hawker for coffee at Kopifellas. We discussed financial independence, travel, and future plans—a conversation that left us inspired.

Final Lounge Stop: Chase Sapphire Lounge

Before flying home, we made time for the Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia, where we enjoyed à la carte dining and complimentary facials—a fantastic way to end the trip.

Final Thoughts: Travel as an Investment

Traveling is a core pillar of fulfillment for us. While it’s a significant part of our budget, we view it as an investment in memory dividends (as discussed in the book Die With Zero). That said, travel doesn’t have to be expensive—with the right credit card strategy and tools like InKind, you can significantly optimize costs.

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you have any questions about our trip or travel hacking strategies.