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The Lab
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Hotel Programs
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Hotel Reviews
16 Hours in Singapore
Amsterdam in August
East, Central & West Berlin
A Miami Stopover
Oslo in May
Prague in January
A Week in Melbourne
Q3 2026
Q2 2026
Q1 2026
Hyatt
Amex Platinum
+4
Oct 12, 2026
•
7 min read
A grand Philadelphia hotel, an enormous Sporting Club and $175 in Amex FHR dining benefits with some specific rules.
+5
Sep 29, 2026
1 min read
AN EXPATVISTA COLLECTION
Sep 27, 2026
3 min read
I booked Magma Resort Santorini through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. The stay still earned World of Hyatt points, qualifying spend and a qualifying night.
Sep 24, 2026
5 min read
Amex FHR benefits changed the economics of a $405.94 Park Hyatt stay.
+6
Sep 15, 2026
9 min read
Our final Santorini stop traded the caldera for a private pool, a quieter setting and a resort we were happy to keep coming back to.
Aug 1, 2026
6 min read
A chance visit to Hyatt Regency London Olympia led to Idalia, historic Pillar Hall and the hidden Pepperbird speakeasy as London’s Olympia district continues its transformation.
IHG
Jul 28, 2026
4 min read
What began as a hotel comparison gradually became a trip assembled from free-night certificates, Amex credits, statement offers and award opportunities.
+7
Jul 16, 2026
Why we chose three Fine Hotels + Resorts properties instead of one, and how pricing, loyalty programs and a little optimization shaped the weekend.
+3
Mar 6, 2026
How the FHR booking plan played out
+2
Mar 5, 2026
2 min read
We stayed at Hyatt’s Me and All Berlin East Side. Here’s how the small rooms, Friedrichshain location and public transport connections worked in practice.
Mar 4, 2026
A spacious room just off Kurfürstendamm, close to Zoologischer Garten
Feb 5, 2026
Three nights, two tools, and why stopping early was optimal
Dec 20, 2025
Why I passed, even though the math was excellent
