I swear by my AmEx card with a hefty annual fee. I get tons of travel perks and over $1,000 in credits for Uber, hotels, stores, and more.

As a full-time, on-the-go content creator, I practically live at airports and am always looking for ways to make my travel experience easier.

From trying out the latest packing cubes to looking for flight deals, I’m all about efficiency and saving money.

That’s why it may be surprising to learn that one of my biggest travel game-changers involves spending money with a travel credit card. Like the 41% of Americans with a travel card, I use mine to save money on hotels, flights, and more.

Although the $695 annual fee for my American Express Platinum Card seems steep at first glance, it’s actually saved me money in the long run. And, more importantly, it’s made my travels much smoother.