LA IN A NEW WAY

Neal and I love to travel to different locations to bring something fresh to our outfit shoots. We love to explore and find the cutest spots in each city. Planning trips can feel overwhelming when we are juggling e-mails, shoots, meetings, etc. and so this time around we used the American Express Platinum Card Travel Service and Platinum Concierge to book our trip from start to finish. They helped us book flights, hotels and even recommended great spots for lunch and dinner (they even made reservations for us!). We made one call, and the next thing you know, we were off on a trip to sunny Los Angeles…

They say life’s about the journey-not the destination. Well it’s hard to enjoy the journey when the destination is sunny LA! Sometimes the journey can be a little exhausting; rushing to get to the airport, through the check-in and security, and of course the anxious anticipation of waiting for your flight to board. Well this time around I can honestly say the journey was just as great as the destination. It was a bit of a scramble to arrive at Toronto Pearson airport, but we breezed through the security line with our Amex Cloud10™ benefits – no delays, no stress! We had some time before our flight, so we decided to check out the Plaza Premium Lounge. I usually dislike waiting around before a flight because I am so excited to get to my destination, but relaxing in the lounge felt like we had started our vacation early! Our visit to the lounge was complimentary with the flash of our Amex Platinum Card- bonus!

We stayed at The London West Hollywood as it was central to everywhere we wanted to go and see. A quick walk or uber drive away from the sights, restaurants etc. We found our hotel through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program with American Express Travel. It worked out perfectly, because as a Platinum Cardmember we got the fourth night free and a $100 USD food and beverage credit to use toward much needed late night room service after long days of shooting. As Cardmembers, we also got a complimentary room upgrade upon check-in to a higher floor with a better balcony view and complimentary daily breakfast. So many amazing benefits that made our travel nice and comfortable, which is what you want to feel when you are working away from home.

Neal and I travel often, and have been to LA in the past, but going this time as newlyweds and as Amex Platinum Cardmembers felt like it was the first time all over again! It’s just one of many firsts as a married couple, and we’re discovering even easier ways to make travel seamless whether it’s for business or pleasure. We got to check out the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, be kids at Disneyland for the day, and discover new restaurants we had never been to before.

As I mentioned, the Amex Platinum Concierge team arranged for reservations at restaurants that are usually difficult to get a table, and even scored us great seats we couldn’t get last time we were in LA! The second night we were celebrating Neal’s belated birthday at STK, and the concierge made a note so the waitress would send out a complimentary dessert after dinner — so sweet! When I called to book, Concierge asked us if we were celebrating anything, and Neal’s birthday had just passed. I love that they really personalize the experience if you are going away for a birthday, bachelorette, anniversary etc.

Another favourite of ours was The Butcher’s Daughter in Venice Beach. You literally cannot grab a free seat in this place! It is packed, and for good reason, the food is absolutely delicious! Our concierge was able to get us a spot on the patio facing the boulevard and it was just the best way to take in Venice.

We loved our experience booking with the Amex Travel team and Platinum Concierge and will definitely be traveling this way in the future! So easy, seamless and relaxing, from the start in the Plaza Premium Lounge at Pearson Airport, to our amazing Amex Fine Hotels & Resort property, and all of the great restaurants, it totally enhances your experience so you can spend more time enjoying your trip than having to plan it! Where should we go next? What travel do you want us to feature next? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank You to American Express Canada for partnering on this post. All opinions expressed are my own.