London

Airports

Aug 22, 2026

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6 min read

LHR: From Gateside to Curbside

How long does it take to arrive at London Heathrow? On this early-morning arrival at Terminal 2, I was through the airport 21 minutes after stepping off the aircraft, and on an Elizabeth line train 11 minutes later.

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Hilton Aspire

Hilton Credits in London: Chelsea to Kensington

Aug 15, 2026

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3 min read

Hilton Credits in London: Chelsea to Kensington

Fifteen London tests in, the pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. Along the way I’ve rediscovered some surprisingly good hotels I’d long forgotten.

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Hyatt

Aug 1, 2026

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6 min read

Beyond the Hyatt

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.

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Amex Platinum

Hilton Credits in London: Five More Tests

Jul 27, 2026

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2 min read

Hilton Credits in London: Five More Tests

Building a clearer picture of what triggers the Hilton credit.

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

Does Amex Uber Credit Work Internationally? What I Do From London

Jul 9, 2026

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3 min read

Does Amex Uber Credit Work Internationally? What I Do From London

The Amex Gold and Platinum Uber credits are US-only. Being abroad doesn’t necessarily mean you have to waste them.

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Expat Logistics

Everyman Cinema Membership: Everyman vs Everyicon vs Everywhere

Jun 16, 2026

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7 min read

Everyman Cinema Membership: Everyman vs Everyicon vs Everywhere

How many visits does it take to justify Everyman Cinema’s £95, £350 and £680 UK memberships?

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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

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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.

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IHG

Hotel Indigo London Kensington Review: A Surprisingly Solid Earl’s Court Redemption

May 14, 2026

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4 min read

Hotel Indigo London Kensington Review: A Surprisingly Solid Earl’s Court Redemption

A short-notice IHG redemption that turned out better than expected

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Portfolio Management

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

May 11, 2026

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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.

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Hotel Reviews

May 9, 2026

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3 min read

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale Review

An upgraded Executive Apartment with far more usable space than expected

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Loyalty Programs

Turning a £70 Thursday Pub Habit Into Two Marriott Elite Night Credits

May 1, 2026

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2 min read

Turning a £70 Thursday Pub Habit Into Two Marriott Elite Night Credits

How a £249 cash rate (no points, no certificates) became a net-positive stay after stacking Amex offers, Marriott promos, and our existing routine.

ExpatVista

Amex Platinum

Mar 30, 2026

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3 min read

Hilton Credits in London: What Triggers

Testing how payments are processed across hotel bars and restaurants

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Expat Logistics

You CAN Use Amex Abroad. We Didn’t Even Need to Try.

Mar 19, 2026

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2 min read

You CAN Use Amex Abroad. We Didn’t Even Need to Try.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant dining credit in London, tracked over 41 months

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Amex Offers

Can You Buy Marriott Gift Cards at Hotels? I Tried Four in London

Mar 7, 2026

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3 min read

Can You Buy Marriott Gift Cards at Hotels? I Tried Four in London

I visited four Marriott hotels to see whether I could buy a gift card at the front desk and trigger an Amex hotel offer. None would sell me one.

ExpatVista

IHG

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

Jan 31, 2026

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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

London

LHR: From Gateside to Curbside

Hilton Credits in London: Chelsea to Kensington

Beyond the Hyatt

Hilton Credits in London: Five More Tests

Does Amex Uber Credit Work Internationally? What I Do From London

Everyman Cinema Membership: Everyman vs Everyicon vs Everywhere

IHG Free Night Certificate Mistake

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale, Revisited

Hotel Indigo London Kensington Review: A Surprisingly Solid Earl’s Court Redemption

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

London Marriott Hotel Maida Vale Review

Turning a £70 Thursday Pub Habit Into Two Marriott Elite Night Credits

Hilton Credits in London: What Triggers

You CAN Use Amex Abroad. We Didn’t Even Need to Try.

Can You Buy Marriott Gift Cards at Hotels? I Tried Four in London

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

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