hotel strategy

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

Amex Platinum

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

Sep 14, 2026

•

7 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

•

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

•

4 min read

Should I Renew My Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

The Decision Came Down to $50.

ExpatVista

IHG

Jul 28, 2026

•

3 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

•

9 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

•

2 min read

THE PRAGUE COLLECTION

One January trip, and the articles it inspired.

ExpatVista

Family Travel

Jun 25, 2026

•

1 min read

THE OSLO COLLECTION

Five Stories from One Trip

ExpatVista

IHG

Jun 19, 2026

•

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

•

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

•

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

•

3 min read

IHG Free Night Certificate Mistake

A rebooking error changed the redemption decision months later

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

May 26, 2026

•

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

•

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

The Maida Vale Pub-Substitution Trade: How’d That Work Out?

May 11, 2026

•

4 min read

The Maida Vale Pub-Substitution Trade: How’d That Work Out?

The math worked on paper. A week later, where we stand on all the rebates, points, and the stay experience itself.

ExpatVista

Hotel Reviews

May 9, 2026

•

3 min read

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale Review

An upgraded Executive Apartment with far more usable space than expected

ExpatVista

Miles & Points

Free Night Certificates: How to Use Them Well

May 2, 2026

•

2 min read

Free Night Certificates: How to Use Them Well

Across Marriott, Hilton, and IHG

ExpatVista

Portfolio Management

Closing the Loop: Selling at 240k, Buying Back at 95k

Apr 7, 2026

•

2 min read

Closing the Loop: Selling at 240k, Buying Back at 95k

An Arbitrage in Hilton Aspire Free Night Certificates

ExpatVista

IHG

Crowne Plaza Utrecht Review: Next to the Station, Built for Short Stays

Apr 4, 2026

•

3 min read

Crowne Plaza Utrecht Review: Next to the Station, Built for Short Stays

A one-night stay around a hockey schedule, and what this hotel delivers

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

Mar 30, 2026

•

3 min read

Hilton Credits in London: What Triggers

Testing how payments are processed across hotel bars and restaurants

ExpatVista

Hilton

Mar 25, 2026

•

4 min read

The 240k Hilton Point / FNC Swap Actually Worked

What was required, and what Hilton’s system allows

ExpatVista

IHG

Feb 25, 2026

•

4 min read

IHG and Me

A quiet but essential part of the hotel portfolio

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

Feb 5, 2026

•

3 min read

Siem Reap: Using FHR as a Capped Rebate

Three nights, two tools, and why stopping early was optimal

ExpatVista

IHG

Kimpton Fitzroy London Review: IHG Platinum Benefits, Rooms, Breakfast and Location

Jan 31, 2026

•

6 min read

Kimpton Fitzroy London Review: IHG Platinum Benefits, Rooms, Breakfast and Location

An expiring IHG Free Night Certificate finally got us through the door. The building, quiet rooms and little touches gave us reasons to return.

ExpatVista

IHG

IHG Awards: When Better Rooms Cost the Same Points

Jan 26, 2026

•

4 min read

IHG Awards: When Better Rooms Cost the Same Points

Using the Kimpton Fitzroy to illustrate a common pricing quirk

ExpatVista

hotel strategy

Jan 23, 2026

•

4 min read

Berlin, Planned Around One Fixed Date

East, centre, and west over three days

ExpatVista

hotel strategy

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

Three Expiring Marriott Certificates: A Different Optimization Problem

Should I Renew My Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

How I Built My Baltimore Rugby Weekend

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

THE PRAGUE COLLECTION

THE OSLO COLLECTION

Crowne Plaza Managua Review

An IHG Award as an Insurance Policy

Scandic Solli Oslo Review

IHG Free Night Certificate Mistake

Oslo Hotel Math

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale, Revisited

The Maida Vale Pub-Substitution Trade: How’d That Work Out?

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale Review

Free Night Certificates: How to Use Them Well

Closing the Loop: Selling at 240k, Buying Back at 95k

Crowne Plaza Utrecht Review: Next to the Station, Built for Short Stays

Hilton Credits in London: What Triggers

The 240k Hilton Point / FNC Swap Actually Worked

IHG and Me

Siem Reap: Using FHR as a Capped Rebate

Kimpton Fitzroy London Review: IHG Platinum Benefits, Rooms, Breakfast and Location

IHG Awards: When Better Rooms Cost the Same Points

Berlin, Planned Around One Fixed Date

About

Account

Legal