Luis Enrique Lan 💳's Linkedin Analytics

I used to work at a startup, and every morning There was a sleek, brand new Porsche Parked in the same spot Naturally, I assumed it belonged to one of the C suite execs. But I could never catch them getting in or out of it. One evening, I was leaving the office with a few coworkers. We were chatting about the car and casually asked, "So anyone know who actually owns it?" That's when the security guard with the biggest grin pops out of his office and says. "Oh, that's mine." We all just looked at each other, clearly surprised. Of course, he noticed our disbelief, smiled again, and pulled out his key fob. The car lights blinked. The door unlocked. He then launched into a full breakdown. → Why he picked that specific model → The rare features it had → How it was the last year they offered them We ended up chatting cars for a bit. He was incredibly proud, not just of the car But of the work and decisions that got him there. I frequently still think about that interaction. We thought we knew who the car “should” belong to. But success doesn’t always wear a suit. And value doesn’t always come with a title. It's a great reminder that. Sometimes, the person you least expect is the one who's been quietly winning on their own terms. A good lesson in how we view success, status, and the stories we tell ourselves. While the picture isn't the exact car he had. Let me know what's special about this one 😎

Still paying 100K+ points for a 6 hour domestic flight? Here's a better way. Most people don’t realize you can book the same coast to coast flight for a lot less. You just have to know where to look. For example, LAX/SAN -> JFK ❌ American Flagship Business via AA: 100,000 miles ✅ Same seat via Qatar Airways: 43,000 Avios ❌ JetBlue Mint via JetBlue: 100,000 points ✅ Book Alaska First via Qatar: 38,750 Avios Qatar Avios work in the U.S. because they’re in the Oneworld alliance. This means you can book flights on American or Alaska for a fraction of the cost. It gets even better if you stack it with a transfer bonus from Amex, Citi, or Capital One. You could book these flights for even less. Same seat. Less stress. Fewer points. If you liked this, my weekly newsletter is going out tonight and it has a few secrets you don’t want to miss 🤫 Link to subscribe is in my profile. ☝️

You can either be cheap or pay for peace of mind. For most of my life, I chose cheap. It felt smart. Frugal. Efficient. But the older I get and the more people who depend on me. I’ve realized that cheap often costs more than peace of mind. One moment really drove this home. The first time my wife and I flew with our 4 month old daughter. We were coming back from a wedding. And of course, I defaulted to my usual habit Don’t pay for seats → save the money. Except the flight was full. We weren’t sitting together. We were both stuck in middle seats far apart. And now my wife had to juggle a baby, bags, and a 4 hour flight solo. When it’s just you, cheap might work. But when other people are counting on you, peace of mind matters more. Luckily, I was able to convince the guy next to her to leave his family. And trade his isle seat for a middle one. Since then, I’ve noticed this lesson keeps repeating itself. → Pay extra to sit together on flights. → Pay a professional to solve a problem faster. → Pay for guidance that shortcuts the learning curve. In the long run, peace of mind almost always wins. So next time you’re deciding Should I go the cheap route? Ask yourself. Would spending a little more save stress, time, or relationships? If yes → pay for the peace of mind. It’s almost always worth it.

Two elderly men shared a room in hospice. One had his bed next to the window. Every day, he would describe the outside world to the man across the room. Children playing, sunsets fading, birds in the trees. The other man would listen quietly. Letting those vivid descriptions paint a world far beyond their four walls. Then, one day, the man by the window passed away. The old man asked the nurse if he could be moved closer to the window. He couldn’t wait to finally see the beauty for himself. But when he looked out. All he saw was a brick wall. The view had never changed. What we choose to see and how we choose to show up shapes everything Perspective isn’t passive. It’s a decision. This week, you can focus on what’s missing. Or you can choose to create beauty for yourself and for others.

I thought I killed this plant. Turns out, it was just in the wrong environment. A couple months ago, my wife bought this massive elephant ear plant from Costco. Huge leaves. Looked amazing. But after a few weeks. It started to droop. Then the leaves shriveled. Then they all fell off. I figured it was done for. So I moved the dirt pot into the back porch. Didn’t think much of it. Didn’t water it. Just left it there. Fast forward to this week. While watering the other plants, I saw them. New leaves. Growing strong. No effort on my part. Just doing their own thing. Sometimes it’s not about how hard you’re trying. It’s about whether you’re in the right environment to begin with. Inside the house wasn’t working, no matter how much I wanted it to. But outside. In its natural element. It’s thriving. Kind of like life. The wrong environment will drain you. The right one will help you grow. Even when you’re not forcing it. Resiliency isn’t always about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about finding where you actually belong.

If you have 200,000+ Amex points, read this. This one move could unlock amazing flights. But the window is closing fast. Right now, there’s a rare points transfer loophole. → You can transfer Amex points to Hawaiian → Then convert Hawaiian miles to Alaska miles But here's the reason it matters. Alaska Airlines miles are incredibly valuable but one of the hardest currencies to earn. With them, you're able to book. → American Airlines First Class → Japan Airlines Business Class to Asia → And other redemptions worth 4–5x what most people get from their points This workaround is getting closed this summer. If you’re sitting on a big Amex balance? Consider converting up to 80% of your points now before it’s gone. Because once this door closes, earning Alaska miles gets tougher again.

Still overpaying for United flights? You might be missing out on these 5 hidden gems. These programs can help you book the same United flights for fewer points In some cases, get better award space too. Here’s how smart travelers do it. 𝗔𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 → From 6K in economy, 15K in first → Easy online booking and often mirrors United availability 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 → Also starts at 6K economy / 15K first → Sometimes shows space other sites don’t 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗲𝗿 → Fixed pricing (14K economy / 26K business) → Great for cross-country U.S. routes like NYC → SFO 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 → 10K economy / 15K business → Tricky to book but powerful for flights to Hawaii and Alaska 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 → From 5K economy / 30K business → Easy to use, but prices can vary a lot Stop burning points the wrong way. Start using the right programs to unlock serious value. I'm on a mission to help smart travelers travel better. If you want more, follow Luis Enrique Lan 💳 And repost to help others travel better too.

Life is a game. Most people just don’t realize they’re playing. “No” is the easiest response in the world. It takes zero effort, no risk. And it keeps things exactly the same. But there's a game behind every no. Life isn’t always about working harder. It’s about learning which levers to pull. Most people keep sending the same resume. ↳ You build a custom pitch deck. Most people scroll for hours. ↳ You post, test, and build an audience. Most people wait for opportunity. ↳ You create it. Once you understand the rules, You start playing different games. Better ones. Smarter ones. Where the no’s are just the first door. And the wins compound. You don’t have to outwork everyone. Just out hustle the ones sleepwalking through the game. So ask yourself Are you playing to win Or just trying not to lose?

What's something you'll always keep. No one can steal it, no one can see. Tucked inside, both shallow and deep? Memories. So make sure you're taking the time to make them. That's all.

Boiling water softens a potato. But it hardens an egg. The same environment. But different outcome. You can’t always choose what life throws at you. But you can choose how you respond. But more importantly. You can choose the arena where your natural traits give you an edge. Some people are better in order. Others thrive in chaos. Some shine in the spotlight. Others build magic behind the scenes. There’s no right or wrong. Just alignment. If life feels harder than it should be, You're probably not broken You might just be playing the wrong game. Find the place where your personality, skills, and style compound. Not clash. That’s where you'll grow. That’s where you win.

Stop overpaying for flights. Here are 5 ways to fly to Europe in first class using points. British Airways First Class ↳ 67,500 miles via Alaska Airlines ↳ 80,000 miles via Qatar Airways Privilege Club → Great availability, classic British luxury. Emirates First Class ↳ 102,000 miles via Emirates Skywards → Private suite, shower spa, and next-level service. → Best booked through Emirates (Silver status required) or partners like Qantas and Aeroplan. Lufthansa First Class ↳ 90,000–100,000 miles via Aeroplan ↳ 140,000–165,000 miles via United → Includes a limousine tarmac transfer & first class terminal in Frankfurt. → Typically released just 3 days before departure. Singapore Suites ↳ 97,000 miles via KrisFlyer → A true suite in the sky with full privacy and elegance. Swiss First Class (Hack) ↳ Book biz class for 60–70K via Aeroplan ↳ Upgrade to first for ~$1,000–$2,000 → Not bookable directly, but upgrades can be a great value. Want to fly in style without paying cash? Start using your points right. I'm on a mission to help smart travelers travel better. If you want more, follow Luis Enrique Lan 💳 And repost to help others travel better too.

Moms need more credit. I went to try to find a birthday card for my wife. Only 3 options. While husbands? Easily 10x With whole displays. Where's the love?

Bamboo barely grows at all in its first five years. To most, it looks like nothing is happening. Just a patch of dirt. But underground is a different story. Bamboo is spending those years building an extensive root system. Laying down the foundation, strengthening its base. Preparing for the weight of everything that’s about to grow above it. Then one day. It shoots up. Growing up to 3 feet in a single day. Not because it’s lucky. But because it was ready. Your effort today might not look like progress to the outside world. But that doesn’t mean you’re not growing. You’re building roots. Deep ones. So when that moment comes. The opportunity, the momentum, the breakthrough. You’ll be ready. Keep going. Your day is coming.

"20 years from now, the only people who will remember that you worked late are your kids." While this is true, three things come to mind. 1. When you're with your kids, being present with them is what matters most. 2. Having your kids grow up seeing you working hard for a clear purpose teaches them values. 3. If you don't set time aside for your family and trips first, that’s the time that will get sacrificed. It's easy to just focus on the first one and forget about the other two. When growing up, I saw how hard my mom worked to get us what we needed, and from a young age, that mindset of working hard for your family was instilled in me. Understanding and balancing them isn't easy but I understood those long nights she worked as a single mother of three for those years were to provide for us. Working long hours to build something not just for her, but to get us ahead in life. Focus on what you can control. Knowing why my mom worked so hard made me grateful for what we had and eternally grateful for all the hard work she's done to get us where we are. While I'm far from perfect, I make it a point to be present when I'm with the little one. Saying yes and giving her my full attention. And setting that time aside, where we can travel as a family. Even if she’s too young to remember these memories, we will and cement that routine into our lives. Because it's a lot easier to start this habit as a family now than later. At the end of the day: You won’t find a perfect balance. But being aligned on what kind of life you want for your family, that’s what truly matters.

I tried to get scuba certification in Hawaii. But I ended up getting seasick while doing it. Not exactly how I imagined it. The water was rough that day. Rougher than I expected. I managed to get through the first dive, but I came up dizzy and seasick. I was bent over the side of the boat, feeding the fish seconds after taking my gear off. Everyone else suited up for the next dive. I sat out. At that point, I had two choices. Say screw it and quit Come back the next day better prepared I couldn't let my wife be the only one who got certified. So I chose the second option. I took Dramamine. Ate the right foods. And mentally braced myself for round two. It wasn’t fun. It wasn’t perfect. But I finished. I got certified. And while I still don’t love scuba diving (it forces me to surrender control), This experience taught me something. Not everything worth doing is easy. But if you know it’s going to be hard, you can prepare for it. With the right tools, mindset, or support system (thanks wife) You give yourself a shot at pushing through.

Dear beehiiv I like you But you did me dirty.... My payment on my account lapsed And I was downgraded to the free plan Which is understandable I updated my payment But now my monthly pricing has increased Please honor my grandfathered pricing, I was paying for a year+ Oh, and turning all the automations off was understandable But having me turn each step one by one was not cool Sincerely Someone who likes using y'all UPDATE Crisis Averted Our one and only savor Daniel Berk 🐝 saved the day

My stepdad was white. It made for a lot of interesting conversations. And a lot of learning on both sides. He raised me through my teenage years, and in doing so, he had to confront a version of the world that he hadn’t experienced before. Being the white parent of a black son forced him to see things differently. And being the black son of a white dad had it's ups and downs. It gave me the perspective I wouldn’t have had otherwise. We came from different cultures. Different upbringings. And met in the middle. And in honor of Father’s Day, Here are three lessons he taught me: 1. Never say you're bored. Because if I did, I’d end up sweeping the kitchen or mowing the lawn. 2. Know how to connect with anyone. Before he retired, he spent years at a car dealership, where he mastered building relationships with strangers which I guess rubbed off on me. If my wife ever loses me in a crowd, I've inevitably started a conversation with a stranger. 3. There’s always a way, if you ask the right questions. Once, he got a speeding ticket. But instead of paying it, he somehow convinced the judge to let him donate the amount to a nonprofit he volunteered at. With no dings to his driving record. Just creative problem solving. He passed away a few years ago, but the lessons stuck. He helped shape the way I connect, think, and talk today. Happy Father’s Day, old man.

Today is our daughter’s first birthday. But right now, I want to celebrate the parents who made it through year one. When you’re a first time parent, the advice starts rolling in fast. From every corner of the Internet. From Friends. From Family. It’s overwhelming. And honestly, a lot of it isn’t helpful. What we realized very quickly is. Our parenting journey is our own. It looks nothing like what we see online. And it certainly looks nothing like the experience our parents had raising us. This past year has been filled with trials and curveballs we never saw coming. But through it all, my wife has been incredibly resilient, rolling with the punches, adapting every day. Being a first time parent is like playing life on hard mode. You don’t know what’s right. You don’t know what’s wrong. You’re figuring it out in real time while this tiny human is counting on you. And you’re learning about yourself and your partner along the way. Every. Single. Day. So today, and this weekend. While we celebrate our little one. I also want to celebrate my wife. For making it through this first wild, beautiful, exhausting year. And to give a shout out to all the first time parents out there who are in it too. You’re doing better than you think. Here’s to many more milestones ahead. One day (and one diaper) at a time.

I took my own advice and booked a $3,000 staycation. It was only 2 nights. And I paid way less than you’d think. Earlier this week was both my wife’s and my birthday. So we packed up the baby, grabbed the dog, And drove down the road to Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa for a little getaway. We stayed at a resort where summer suite rates hover around $1,500 per night. But I paid nothing. Just points. Most of the people there? Probably had no idea how to leverage points. But I wish they did, they would’ve saved a lot. Spent the last three days relaxing, walking the dog, and sitting poolside. Big thanks to Ryan for the Guest of Honor cert that helped with the room upgrade. If you’re curious how I pulled this off. Paid no money, and used credit card points. I’m breaking it down in tonight’s newsletter. And trust me, there are some secrets you don’t want to miss. 🤫