Insider Letter #028
The best hotel credit card, a checklist of credit card benefits so you never forget to use a perk and a dive into the creative process of creating compelling photos.
š Hey friends,
Welcome to Travelling Lens Insider Letter, where every weekend I send you a carefully curated letter of all things travel, photography and points optimisation.
Quick announcementā¦
I started a fun little 30-day project!
If that sounds interesting to you, follow along!
Now, onto this weekās letterā¦
āļø Travel, Points and Photography
š© I have both the business and personal IHG Premier credit cardsātwo of the most value-for-money hotel credit cards on the market with itās free night certificate, platinum IHG status and itās currently offering one of the highest welcome offer deals.
š³ As we kick off Q4 of 2025, donāt forget about your monthly and quarterly US credit card benefits. Hereās a helpful and comprehensive checklist of all the popular US cards.
In case you missed it š
š· There are a lot of elements that make up the creative process of capturing a photo. Andy Mumford shares how he thinks about the process when capturing compelling landscape and travel photos.
š³ A shocking $895 card revamp that actually adds value, not take it away. Hereās how to maximise the value of your Amex Platinum card. Weāre planning to keep ours for another year!
šŗļøCurious about real time delays in major hubs around the US, try out this aptly named map out, misery map!
šø Photo Throwback
Your credit cards, points, and miles. All in one place.
If youāre a frequent flyer or are just getting into the points and miles game so you can travel for cheap, keeping track of your points and miles can feel overwhelming.
Iāve been using Notion to easily organise everything related to points and miles. So, if youāre looking a simple and flexible system to do just that, join the waitlist to be the first to know when my Points Hub PRO in Notion becomes available.
š Substack Finds
Fall is here. Benjamin Williamson shares how he takes stunning fall photographs. Fall is one of my favourite seasons to take photos. The weather is nice. The crowds have thinned out. The colours are stunning.
Unfortunately, Iāve had to use the EU compensation rule twice in the last two years. In 2024 British Airways cancelled our flight to London. And in 2025 KLM cancelled our flights to Amsterdam! Christopher Elliott breaks down how itās a shame that a similar rule has been canned in the US.
Very insightful read from Claire Polders on how to travel the world responsibly as the privilege class.
š Travel Reading
I recently finished reading Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin.
It was a fun, philosophical and easy read.
Only 176 pages!
She draws on her observations of life and personal experiences to curate a book of aphorismsātruths shared in a few pithy words that are easy to remember.
A short little book to pick up for your next trip.
š¬ Final Words
Creating memorable experiences is a smart use of your time and money.
Iām on a mission to help you create memorable travel experiences, capture personal documentary-style travel photos and get the most out of your points & miles so you can see the world more often (and in comfort!)
If you enjoyed this, comment, restack or share it with one personāthatās the best compliment I could receive from you.
Your friend,
Janice
I'm a Travel writer, points & miles optimiser, photographer and Notion Consultant. To get in touch, email hello@travellinglens.co.
p.s. Want to an easy & organised way to plan your next trip? Get my free Travel Hub trip planning system in Notion.
Thank you for including my post, Janice! And for the book recommendation. Secrets of Adulthood sounds right for me!