Amex Platinum + Chase Sapphire Reserve: the definitive US premium combo 2026, when it pays off
Amex Platinum alone fails on transit, small merchants overseas, and Visa-only travel partners. Chase Sapphire Reserve alone misses the Fine Hotels & Resorts upgrade game, Centurion lounges, and a deeper transfer partner roster. Together they list at $1,245/year ($695 Platinum + $550 Reserve) and return $3,500-7,800/year in real value — if you travel 3+ times internationally. This is the exact math, the break-even points, and the scenarios where the combo wastes money.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 23
Debit or credit abroad: when each one wins (the real math)
Credit pays 3.5% IOF (Brazilian foreign exchange tax), debit pays 1.1% — but that calculation alone decides nothing. Bank spread, foreign ATM fee, revolving credit interest, and hidden benefits (travel insurance, points, fraud dispute) change the result. This guide does the real math, compares a R$ 500 withdrawal against a R$ 500 credit purchase, and shows which scenario each wins. No magic formula. Just numbers.
Curadoria Voyspark · May 11
2 articles · #cartao