hotel strategy

Choosing, valuing, and optimising hotel stays across cash, points, status benefits, credits, upgrades, and tradeoffs.

IHG

What IHG’s Card Changes Mean for Our Five-Card Portfolio

Oct 2, 2026

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6 min read

What IHG’s Card Changes Mean for Our Five-Card Portfolio

Five cards, higher fees, and what the new benefits add to our portfolio.

ExpatVista

Hilton Aspire

Sep 20, 2026

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2 min read

Hilton Credits: What Actually Triggers

Amex Business Platinum Hilton Credits and Aspire Resort Credits. What posts when there is no hotel stay attached.

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

The 16-Hour Singapore Hotel Plan: How’d That Work Out?

Sep 14, 2026

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6 min read

The 16-Hour Singapore Hotel Plan: How’d That Work Out?

I chose the Capitol Kempinski by treating a short Singapore layover as an evening to optimize rather than just a hotel stay. Did my assumptions hold up?

ExpatVista

Netherlands

Three Expiring Marriott Certificates: A Different Optimization Problem

Aug 26, 2026

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7 min read

Three Expiring Marriott Certificates: A Different Optimization Problem

Three certificates nearing expiry, one Amsterdam weekend, and a new way to measure the value an expiring FNC is actually delivering.

ExpatVista

Rideshare

Should I Renew My Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

Aug 9, 2026

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4 min read

Should I Renew My Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

The Decision Came Down to $50.

ExpatVista

IHG

Jul 28, 2026

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4 min read

How I Built My Baltimore Rugby Weekend

What began as a hotel comparison gradually became a trip assembled from free-night certificates, Amex credits, statement offers and award opportunities.

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

How I Chose a Luxury Hotel for a 16-Hour Layover

Jul 16, 2026

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8 min read

How I Chose a Luxury Hotel for a 16-Hour Layover

Comparing the Capitol Kempinski, Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, Singapore EDITION and Shangri-La for a 16-hour layover using Fine Hotels + Resorts, loyalty earnings and total trip cost.

ExpatVista

hotel strategy

Jul 3, 2026

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2 min read

Prague in January

AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION

ExpatVista

Family Travel

Jun 25, 2026

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2 min read

Oslo in May

AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION

ExpatVista

IHG

Jun 19, 2026

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5 min read

Crowne Plaza Managua Review

A former InterContinental overlooking Lake Managua, and our base for exploring Managua after Calala Island.

ExpatVista

IHG

Jun 15, 2026

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3 min read

An IHG Award as an Insurance Policy

Using IHG Points & Cash to solve a housing problem before an internship starts.

ExpatVista

Family Travel

Jun 4, 2026

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4 min read

Scandic Solli Oslo Review

A practical family base in expensive Oslo, with strong breakfast value, workable room economics, and a better location than expected.

ExpatVista

IHG

May 31, 2026

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3 min read

IHG Free Night Certificate Mistake

A rebooking error changed the redemption decision months later

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

May 26, 2026

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4 min read

Oslo Hotel Math

Why the expensive hotel belonged on the cheaper nights, why the family hotel handled the expensive ones, and why this was never going to be a one-hotel trip.

ExpatVista

Hotel Reviews

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale, Revisited

May 24, 2026

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2 min read

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale, Revisited

We needed to be in northwest London anyway. The question became whether a nearby apartment, dinner, drinks, breakfast, and revision space could beat the normal weekend spend.

ExpatVista

Portfolio Management