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A store cashier’s jaw dropped after seeing a pizza influencer’s 45-million-point balance as he casually swiped his American Express Centurion card to pay for a $2 pack of gum. With the points he could fly Emirates First Class from NYC to Milan, have pizza, and return 220 times.

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Image - X / Barstool Sports


Just as many of the wealthy hoard their cash, plenty of American Express card holders hoard their Membership Rewards, letting points pile up instead of putting them to work. American businessman and social media personality Dave Portnoy, a holder of the coveted Centurion card, appeared in a viral clip sliding his Amex into a reader to buy a $1.59 pack of gum at a Rite Aid. Yes, multi millionaires do buy chewing gum, but what comes next is truly interesting.


The drama unfolds when the reader reveals his Amex points balance, much to the shock of the employee at checkout. Portnoy allegedly carries around 45 million Amex points, which is jaw-dropping. Redeemed through Amex Travel, those points are worth around $450,000. But with the Business Centurion card’s 50% rebate perk, the effective value could reach $900,000, nearly doubling the return.

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According to Onemileatatime, the unassuming employee could only muster (perhaps amid her shock), “You probably could go on a trip,” to which Portnoy replied, “I definitely can, I’ve gotta be a league leader with points, I hoard them.” Clearly a hoarder of card points, he could’ve used them for serious advantages.


While not all redemption paths yield maximum value, point values typically range from 1¢ to 2¢ apiece, depending on strategy. The Centurion (Black card) offers a host of elite perks. These include complimentary companion airline tickets, personal shoppers at Gucci, Escada, and Saks Fifth Avenue, access to top-tier lounge services, and more.

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The Emirates first class suite. Image – Emirates

In the case of Dave, he could literally fly 220 times in Emirates First Class to Milan, have pizza, and fly back, while doing his signature “One Bite Pizza Reviews” on board. The New York Times has called him “one of the most influential people in the world of food social media,” with the ability to “change the fate of a pizzeria with a single utterance.”

The shower onboard the Emirates A380. Image – Emirates

He truly could enjoy a very elite experience aboard an Emirates A380 First Class, complete with shower spa and lounge bar, many times over, if only he didn’t hoard his points. Why keep all that power under wraps when high-end dining at 30,000 feet could become your regular reality?

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