Nick La Galle's AMEX Platinum Card creates special moments

As an avid traveller for both business and leisure, Nick La Galle is no stranger to the ‘cost vs. benefit’ metric, either when running his company The Image Vision Group – which specialises in cloud storage and backup solutions – or deciding which cards to make room for in his wallet.

This article is sponsored by American Express

When it comes to leisure, the Melbournian makes good use of his American Express® Platinum Card benefits like the annual travel credit¹, hotel loyalty status² and exclusive travel deals on journeys that see him spending several weeks away from home every year.

With a number of those hotel loyalty status boosts on offer, Nick makes good use of the Marriott Bonvoy Gold² scheme (formerly SPG Gold), and occasionally, Hilton Honors Gold².

With Marriott Bonvoy, his Gold membership offers complimentary room upgrades and bonus points², among other perks.

But when a special occasion calls for something even better, Nick puts American Express’ Fine Hotels and Resorts³ program to best use, such as on his wedding night in 2018.

“We stayed at The Langham in Melbourne, and booked all the rooms (for us and parents) through American Express Travel Online,” he recounts.

“We looked at prices, including not only through American Express but also what the hotel quoted directly, and the pricing on the American Express website was around the same: not far above what I would have paid by booking direct,” but with a US$100 credit included as part of the package with every room.

“We all had breakfast included as part of our booking, so we invited some of the bridal party down to breakfast the next morning as well, which we offset by using that credit, as we obviously didn’t have time for a massage or anything like that.”

Nick also makes good use of the $450 Platinum Travel Credit¹ provided each year with his Platinum Card.

The credit can be applied towards the cost of a travel booking made direct with American Express Travel Online or with Platinum Travel Service⁴ – for flights, hotels, car hire or experiences.

“It gives us a good excuse to take a holiday each year.”

On those voyages, his family holiday snaps are sure to remain safe: as Director of The Image Vision Group, backing up both personal and professional photographs is one of his company’s most popular services.

“We’re a Microsoft Solution Provider as well,” Nick adds, hinting at the company’s broader cloud storage services for larger businesses, but he saves that for when he’s back at the office, where simpler features like Apple Pay also have their place.

“I keep all my American Express Cards in Apple Pay. I’ve left my wallet at my desk a few times at lunch, but with Apple Pay, I could still use my phone or my watch to pay for my meal.”

To learn more about the American Express Platinum Card, click here.

This article is sponsored by American Express

Disclaimers

1. Platinum Travel Credit. Fine Hotels & Resorts and Hotel Collection bookings are excluded. Benefit available for the Primary Card Member only to redeem in a single booking. For bookings less than the total travel credit value, any unused portion of the Travel Credit will be forfeited. The Travel Credit cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year. No refunds, including cancelled bookings. For full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions visit americanexpress.com/australia/platinumtravelcreditterms.

2. Hotel Elite Status – Marriott Bonvoy Gold. As a Platinum Card Member you are eligible to enrol in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status. Once you request enrolment within the Marriott Bonvoy Program at the Gold Elite Status level, American Express will share your enrolment information with The Marriott Bonvoy™ Program. Marriott Bonvoy may use this information in accordance with its privacy statement available at marriott.com/privacy. You will maintain Gold Elite Status without meeting otherwise required Marriott Bonvoy criteria as long as you remain an eligible American Express Card Member or until American Express notifies you that the benefit is terminated. Marriott Bonvoy member benefits are subject to change, availability and certain eligibility requirements. Reservations booked through third parties and online booking sources are not eligible. For complete Marriott Bonvoy Program terms visit marriott.com/signInOverlay.mi. Marriott Bonvoy program amenities may not be combined with the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. Upgrades are based upon availability and will vary by property. Hilton Honors Gold Status. As a Platinum Card Member you are eligible to enrol in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Offer available only to Platinum Card Members and is not transferable. Full details of Gold status can be found at HiltonHonors.com/MemberBenefits and are subject to change by Hilton. Gold status benefits are subject to availability at participating hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. Once you request enrolment in Hilton Honors Gold status, American Express will share your enrolment information with Hilton. Hilton may use this information in accordance with its privacy policy available at Hilton.com/PrivacyPolicy If you already have Hilton Honors Gold status, you can maintain the benefit in the future because you don’t need to meet any stay requirements. You maintain Gold status without meeting otherwise required criteria only while an eligible Platinum Card Member or until American Express notifies you that the benefit is terminated. Hilton Honors membership, earning of Points & Miles™ when booking direct and redemption of Points are subject to Hilton Honors Terms and Conditions. Visit HiltonHonors.com/Terms for more details.

3. Fine Hotels & Resorts. Valid only for new Fine Hotels & Resorts bookings made through Platinum Travel Service or American Express Travel Online. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Card in the Platinum Card Member’s name. Card Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in and room upgrades are based on availability and are provided at check-in. Three-room limit per Platinum Card Member, per stay. Participating Fine Hotels & Resorts properties and benefits are subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit americanexpress.com.au/fhr.

4. Platinum Travel Service. All fees or amounts payable in relation to the services are inclusive of GST where applicable. All fees, taxes and charges levied by the travel providers and/or air travel suppliers still apply and these are subject to change without notice until such time as tickets are issued. Domestic ticketing includes New Zealand. Travel services provided by American Express International, Inc. ABN 15 000 618 208. Incorporated with Limited Liability in Delaware, USA.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Pay and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc.

American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085. ®Registered Trademark of American Express Company.