VP of Operations at Firstbase.io | We are hiring!

I write for 30,000+ COO’s and operators at TheBottleneck.io.

Every business hits an operations bottleneck. Maybe you’re drowning in admin work (payroll, HR, compliance), or maybe you’re trying to systemize your company so it runs without you. Either way, the goal is the same

📍 Join 30K+ operators & building learning how to scale: https://shorturl.at/buc7L

Rameel Sheikh

Luis Enrique Lan

Better Than Points

"It’s annoying that every time I fly, I see empty business class seats I could have gotten if I knew how to play the system."

"It's frustrating knowing my credit cards could be doing more for me, but I don’t have the time to figure it out."

"I’m embarrassed that after all these years of spending, I still don’t know how to make the most of my credit card points."

These are real concerns for high revenue entrepreneurs.

You work hard and spend a lot, your points should work just as hard.

- You want to maximize your travel without lifting a finger.
- You want to stop leaving points and rewards on the table.
- You want to finally unlock those luxury flights and five-star hotels.

That’s where I come in.

I help entrepreneurs turn their everyday spend into points that open the door to first-class travel.

Ready to stop missing out?

Let’s make your spending work for you.

My booking link: https://betterthanpoints.com/book-call/

Or DM me on LinkedIn. Just say "Hey Luis"! ✈️

Founder

Pavilion

First rule of Pavilion? We don’t talk about Pavilion.

But since you’re here, I’ll let you in on a little secret.

see more...

Member

Prince of Travel

So, you want to learn how to fly first class using points and miles?

Well, you’ve come to the right place.

I break down miles and points, analyze them, and transform them into delectable amuse bouche that anyone can savor.

From credit card quirks to insider hacks, I make sense of the numbers so you can take off in style.

Writer, Technical Points & Miles

Atmosphere

I sharpened my selling chops.

From talking to business owners to building ad partnerships, I was in the thick of it.

It was our own little corner of Wolf of Wall Street.

Given that it was a startup, absolute chaos, but that’s where I thrived.

Things moved fast, but I moved faster.

It pumped me up but slowed me down, and I looked forward to the thrill of it all.

Through all the twists and turns, I adapted, delivered, and kept chugging along.

Choo Choo!

Account Executive

U.S. Risk, LLC

Now that I’d proven myself, I worked my way up the ranks.

Took charge of a $28 million book of business, generating $3 million in annual revenue.

And boy, did I grow it!

10% year over year was nothing to scoff at.

Like Batman and Robin, I reported directly to the VP, monitoring account performance.

But, alas, all things must come to an end.

I rode off into the sunset after U.S. Risk was acquired by USI Insurance Services.

Underwriter

I was the guy behind the scenes.

Every policy started with gathering and analyzing data, making sure clients met all insurance requirements.

It wasn’t just about the numbers, though. Each case required precision and care.

One of my main roles was handling backend responsibilities. Processing endorsements and issuing policies.

Behind every policy, there s guy making sure everything is right, and I made sure no detail was missed.

Associate Underwriter

Progressive Insurance

It’s like being the calm oasis within the storm.

Handling insurance claims, you’re often the first person people speak to after something goes wrong.

I remember one family, shaken after a major accident.

They were overwhelmed, not sure what to do next.

I guided them through the process, from starting a claim to helping them understand their coverage. Every step, I made sure they felt supported.

At Progressive, it wasn’t just about the paperwork. It was about giving people back peace of mind.

Central Loss Representative - Bilingual 

Hyatt Regency

Cocktail Server

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa

Server

Girl Dad | Building Relationships and Driving Growth | Credit Card Points | Bilingual Sales Professional | Helping Businesses Grow 🤙🏿 | Open to New Opportunities

I can’t stand paying full price for travel.

So I started learning how to fly first class and stay in luxury hotels using points.

Travel is amazing.
It opens your mind and gives you unforgettable experiences. 
But let’s be real: it’s too expensive, stressful, and uncomfortable. 

That’s where I come in.

To help turn your points into:

First and business class flights.
Amazing hotel stays around the world.
Luxury experiences you didn’t think possible. 

I’ve spent years figuring out how to unlock free travel using credit card points, and I’m here to share it all with you.

My newsletter will help you:

Travel more, for less.
Maximize your points and miles.
Experience the world traveling in comfort.

From booking two weeks in Japan with points to discovering hidden gems like Rarotonga. 

I live the points life, and you can too.

Ready to make travel easier and cheaper? 

Subscribe to my newsletter below and let’s make it happen. 🇵🇦

Pavilion formally known as (Revenue Collective) is a private, invitation-only community of sales and marketing executives at growth-focused companies

The power of live events is real.

But in Austin it's amplified, and here's why.

There's something awesome in this city and you can't explain it until you feel it.

Yesterday was a perfect example.

I went to Kit's live podcast recording with Nathan Barry & Ryan Holiday.

Cool event and great insights. 

But the real magic was the people in the room.

I got to meet Brandon Turner, someone whose real estate content helped me buy my first property at 23.

Years of listening to him online and I'd never imagined actually running into him, yet we're both standing in Austin talking about his multifamily project in town he's checking on.

I also met Tristan, who funny enough also lives in Maui.
His company Ultraspeaking hosted a workshop before the event on becoming a stronger speaker and presenter.

Sitting in and hearing from him and Michael on becoming a better communicator doesn't just help you speak.
It makes you better in so many other skills.

And that's the thing about live events.
You can't predict them.
You can't script them.
You can't replicate them over Zoom.
You just show up and serendipity takes care of the rest.

The people you meet.
The conversations you have.
The ideas that spark.
You can't get that through a screen.

Austin takes that to a whole different level.
People fly here.
Founders show up.
Creators build here.
And when you put yourself in the room, things happen.

If life has taught me anything, it's this.
You never know who you'll sit next to, what conversation will change your direction, or who you'll end up learning from if you just show up.

Put yourself in the room.
Luck will take care of the rest.

Luis Enrique Lan 💳

Brand Partnerships for Newsletters | Simplifying credit card points to help you book unforgettable trips | Girl Dad | Helping Smart Travelers Travel Better 🤙🏿

This is Saleem

He gave me a great networking tip when you meet someone in person.

Take a selfie with them and send it to them.

It does 3 things

1) Helps remind them what event it was

2) Cuts through all the messages they probably get

3) You have photo evidence to use as blackmail later

A quick and easy way to help people you're connecting with do less work.

20 years from now, the only people who will remember that you worked late are your kids.

Before my daughter was born, I faced a really hard decision.

Would I take a higher paying job that meant long hours?
Or would I take the riskier path?

A career that gave me more freedom to be there for my wife and daughter
To watch her grow.

I chose freedom. 

And while I'll admit it's a struggle.
It was the right choice for me.

It’s given me the chance to not only be present for the moments that matter.
But also to use points and miles to show my daughter the world.

From weekend getaways to bucket list trips.

We’re already starting to create memories that will last us a lifetime.

Those moments are priceless.

It’s easy to get caught up in the grind and put off creating memories for “someday” 

But someday isn’t guaranteed.

Make the moments. 
Take the trips. 
Be there.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.

When I was 22, all I wanted was to move up in insurance.

I stayed late, took the ugly accounts, did the work no one wanted, because I was promised that one day I’d run my own part of the business.

When another agency approached me, my boss suddenly had all the right words.
Don’t go. We’ll move you up. Bigger bonus. Higher pay. You’re next.

So I stayed.

Bonus time came.
No promotion. No big jump. Just,

Well, it’s better than what you got last year.
Around the same time, we got acquired by a bigger company.
Every email said the same thing:
Nothing will change.

Then people started getting let go.

That was the first time I really 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 it.
You can give a company 110%.
They can offer you the moon.
And they will have no problem taking it away.

And you getting fired was not a reflection of your effort or work ethic.

After many short stents at companies getting hit with restructures, running out of money to pay employees, SEO changes tanking revenue. I was lost. 

I didn’t start my business because it sounded fun or because I always dreamed of being an entrepreneur.

I did dream of it, but not under these terms. 

I started it because I needed to.

I needed to build 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 that couldn’t be taken away from me in a single reorg, a single acquisition, or a single “we’ve decided to go in a different direction” email.

Along the way, I kept getting passed over for roles I was overqualified for.

The feedback?
• “You’re not professional enough.”
• “You don’t have enough startup experience.”
• “We’re looking for more of a lone wolf mentality.”
I’ve watched jobs go to people not because of skill or results, but because of relationships and optics.

I’ve seen wave after wave of layoffs hit good, loyal people who did everything right.

So here’s where I’ve landed.

Yes, keep applying. Go after the job. Negotiate. Learn the game.

But don’t let that be your only plan.

Use this time to 𝗯𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳:

• Learn new skills.
• Build something on the side.
• Use the tools and information we have now that didn’t exist decades ago.
• Create work that 𝘺𝘰𝘶 own, not just work that lives on a company server.
Because titles, bonuses, and promises can disappear overnight.

The skills you build and the things you create for yourself?
Those are a lot harder to take away.

P.S. The job market is crazy right now, give yourself some slack. It will work out, but you have to stay persistent.

I tossed the dog in the car and drove straight from Austin up north to visit my wife's family for the holiday.
1,400 miles, 26 hours, and one dog. 

The drive was long, but it went smoothly.

And honestly… I look forward to it.

There’s something about a long road trip that forces you to slow down and sit with your thoughts.

No distractions.
No rushing.

Just you, the road, and whatever’s been swirling around in your head that you haven’t had time to unpack.

It’s the only time when:

• You can learn
• You can actually reflect 
• You can catch up on podcasts
• You can think without being interrupted
• You can finish the drive a little smarter than when you started

We don’t give ourselves enough space for that kind of quiet.

But it’s amazing what a few hundred miles can do for your clarity.

And while spending hours in the car isn't glamorous.
What waits on the other side is family, connection, time away.

Sometimes the journey is the lesson.
Sometimes the silence is the teacher.

And sometimes… the dog is the best travel partner you could ask for.

For so long I didn't think my knowledge was valuable or worth sharing.
Imposter syndrome ruled my thoughts.

I don't know enough to help other people.

When I'm an expert that's when I'll do it.

The truth is, I don't know if I'll ever feel ready.

Having my name attached to something brings me so much joy. 
But held me back from releasing it out into the world.

I felt like it needed to be perfect.

It never will be, but I can always update and improve it.

That's the power of just putting it out into the world and getting feedback on it.

And while I'll be the first one to admit that I was scared putting it out there. 

It's good to know that my book, something I've been slowly working on for years is already being so well received.

My hope is just that people will read it and start to implement it to take trips they never would have thought possible.

Neighbors stopped by to say hi.
Don't think they realized what day it is.

You don’t need permission to start.
Or to try.
Or to become who you want to be.

Most people wait for the perfect moment to make a career move, start a new project, or try something they’ve been thinking about for years.

But the truth is, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.
You have to make your own openings.
You have to create your own opportunities.

If you start doing something well enough, people 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 notice.

Look at Casey Neistat.
He didn’t wait for Nike or Mercedes or a huge brand to hire him.
He just started making videos he liked consistently, obsessively, creatively.
And eventually the work spoke so loudly
that the companies came to him.

He didn’t ask for permission.
He just 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

If you keep waiting for someone to give you permission.
Your turn will never come.

Start messy.
Start small.
Start unqualified.

Just start.
Because the moment you’re waiting for might already be passing you by.

From getting thanks for helping a family of 5 get to Kauai for Thanksgiving.
To finding flights for a husband sending his wife and her friends to Scotland.
That’s how my morning started.

Two completely different trips.
Two completely different stories.
But the same reminder I needed:

What I do actually 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 to people.

Life has had its ups and downs lately.
With plenty of days feeling heavy and chaotic.
But every once in a while, you get a moment that hits, and these were some of them.
The kind that makes you pause and think.

“Yeah… I'm helpful.”

It’s not just about booking flights.

It’s about helping people create memories that become part of their family’s story.

It’s about the dad who wants to remember experiences with his kids by taking them to Hawaii.

It’s about the wife who will remember her Scotland trip for the rest of her life.

It’s about giving people access to experiences they didn’t think were possible.

Those moments make the work worth it.

And today was one of those mornings.

It's been almost a decade since my last in person interview.
And to be honest, I was anxious, stressed, and excited all at the same time.
But here's why.

There’s something about being face to face that you forget after years of Zoom calls.

You can’t hide.

Every handshake, every expression, every pause is part of the conversation.
It moves fast.

What would’ve taken a week to schedule over video happened in a single afternoon.

And as stressful as it was, it reminded me how good it feels to make real human connections.

But that part that stuck out the most was.

I wouldn’t have been in that room if it weren’t for the connections I’d built and the value I’d provided to others along the way.

That’s what brought me back to this idea I keep coming back to.

What you are supposed to have will come to you when you are supposed to have it.

Life throws challenges our way, not to break us, but to prepare us.

The moments that test you are often the ones that shape you into the person ready for the next opportunity.

Sometimes the things that stress us the most are exactly what we need to grow into what’s next.

Steve Jobs said it best.

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨.

Black Friday.
The one day a year all the companies that have my email reach out.
Where I then unsubscribe.

Effective Friday, US airlines are cancelling up to 4,000 flights a day.

Here is everything you need to know.

The US Department of Transportation is mandating airlines cancel 10% of flights from the top 40 US cities starting November 7.

This is due to rolling staffing shortages across TSA and air traffic control, and an effort to keep air travel as safe as possible.

With cancellations rising, make sure your contact information is up to date.

If you can, avoid travel.

If you do have to fly, book the earliest flight of the day since late day flights are more likely to get delayed and cancelled.

Some airlines are starting to release statements confirming that passengers will be able to rebook flights, even on basic economy tickets. 

If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, you have the right to a full refund.

Do not accept vouchers unless you actually want one.

Compensation is unlikely since these disruptions are not the airline’s fault, but your refund rights still apply.

I break down everything in today’s newsletter.

If you want that full breakdown, subscribe using the blue link under my name.

I had two drastically different conversations this morning.

The first one went like this:

I call a store looking for a specific item.

The guy picks up.
“What do you need?” he says.
I tell him I’m looking for something,
and before I can even say what it is, he cuts in:
“Sorry, we don’t have that.”

Confused, I told him.
“But I didn’t even tell you what I was looking for.”
He says, “Okay, what is it?”
I tell him. (I already knew where this was going)
A few seconds of silence.
“Yeah… we don’t have that.”

I thank him, hang up, and call the store down the street.

This time, completely different.
The guy answers with energy, happy to help.
He listens, checks inventory,
and a few minutes later says,
“Yep, we’ve got it in stock.”

Guess which store got my business.

Even if the first store didn't actually have it.
You think I would believe him? 

The moral?
You can’t always control who crosses your path,
but you can control the energy you bring into an interaction.

The first guy wasn’t interested in helping.
Or frankly, came across like he didn't even want my business.

The second guy showed a little effort.
And that made all the difference.

Sometimes it’s not about how much effort you give.
It’s just about showing up like you care.

P.S. Check out this set I passed by in Austin, I wonder what they're filming

5 Things to Know Before Applying for Your First Card

1️⃣ Applying for a card will lower your credit score, but not by much.

Many people avoid credit cards, fearing they’ll ruin their credit.
But only 10% of your FICO score is based on new credit.
Opening a new card might lower your score temporarily,
But it also increases your credit utilization ratio, which is a good thing.

2️⃣ More credit cards won’t lower your credit score.

Yes, there’s a slight hit when you open a card,
But the benefits, like more credit, a better credit mix,
And showing banks you’re responsible, outweigh the temporary hit.

3️⃣ Avoid co branded credit cards as your first card.

Too many people come to me with only Delta or United points,
And they’re stuck with one flavor of ice cream.
Instead, start with a card that transfers points to multiple programs,
Giving you flexibility when it’s time to book.

4️⃣ Keep it simple, start with one card.

Don’t overwhelm yourself.
Start with one card, use it responsibly,
And only apply for more when you’re confident.
Credit cards are powerful tools, but they can be dangerous without financial literacy.

5️⃣ Leverage where you spend the most money.

The average American spends $10k a year on food.
Cards like the Amex Gold, Bilt, or Capital One Savor maximize those expenses.
If housing is your biggest expense, the Bilt Card could be a smart choice.

What did I miss?

Are you on a rowboat or a sailboat?
Both get you to the same destination.
But how you get there makes all the difference.

A rowboat forces you to grind your way forward.
Every inch is effort.
Every mile requires strength.
And while you'll arrive a little faster.
You’ll be exhausted when you get there.

A sailboat, on the other hand, moves with the wind.
It lets momentum carry it.
And while the wind might take it on a detour.
It ends up getting to the destination,
Arriving energized and ready to take on what's ahead.

Most people think success is about rowing harder.
But sometimes the real skill is learning how to catch the wind.

Effort alone gets you somewhere.
But aligned effort gets you where you’re meant to be.

Even when you know the path.
That doesn’t make the journey any easier.

A roadmap can tell you where to go.
But it can’t prepare you for what the road actually feels like.

Last year, I flew to Oregon for a friend’s wedding.
During some downtime, I took the family to visit the Skylight Cave.

We had the directions.
We knew exactly where it was.

But what the map didn’t show was the reality of getting there.

Miles of unmaintained roads.
Loose gravel.
Backroads that looked like no one had touched them.
A route that made us question whether we were still going the right way.

But we kept going.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Trusting the path, even when it didn’t make sense.

But when we were leaving, we found a much easier route out, smooth, simple, obvious.

It only felt easy because we had taken the harder path first.

Life works the same way.

Sometimes you’re handed the map and the tough road.

Not to punish you, but to prepare you.

The challenges make the easier routes feel like a walk in the park later.

The hard path builds clarity, confidence, and resilience you’ll need for what comes next.

A roadmap is helpful.
But the hard miles are what shape you.

taplio

The Battle

Rameel Sheikh

Luis Enrique Lan

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The Battle

Rameel Sheikh

Luis Enrique Lan

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Luis Enrique Lan's LinkedIn Performance

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