In 2025, our Amex Platinum fee rose to $895, but the expanded perks now claim more than $3,500 in value. We use the card for daily purchases instead of our debit card, and we hope to take advantage of all the benefits. Many readers may feel the same—wondering if the higher fee is worth it. The truth is, it depends on how much you use what’s offered. If you travel often, dine out, or enjoy the lifestyle perks, the Platinum can deliver far more than it costs. If not, it risks becoming an expensive card that sits in your wallet.
Category: TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
Thailand is Planning to Give Away Thousands of Free Domestic Flights
Thailand plans to launch the Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” campaign, offering 200,000 free flights to international travelers. The program, awaiting approval, aims to ease access to regions beyond Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. If approved, it will run during the shoulder season, boosting tourism recovery and encouraging visitors to explore less-visited parts of the country.
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
BRICS and Travel Costs: What Americans Should Know Right Now
BRICS is changing global trade, which could affect travel costs, payment methods, and routes. Currency shifts may raise prices for Americans, while new airline connections and upgraded infrastructure could improve travel within BRICS countries. Travelers should watch exchange rates, visas, and local payment systems as these changes unfold.
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
How to Shop Chiang Mai’s Markets—And Always Leave With Something Unexpected
Chiang Mai’s markets aren’t about souvenirs. They’re about life moving at full speed—unfiltered, unscripted. You walk in and get swallowed by motion. A man fixes a fan with one hand and counts change with the other. A woman stacks woven baskets while yelling prices over the hum of scooters. Nothing is quiet, nothing is staged. It’s part trade, part theater, part heartbeat. And if you pay attention, if you stay long enough, you stop being a visitor. You become part of the noise.
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
Kakao Taxi App: Your Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Ridesharing
If you live in Korea, you probably already know how essential the Kakao Taxi app is for getting around the busy streets. Since I recently shipped my car, I’ve been using Kakao Taxi more. I love how convenient it is to have door-to-door service. Who doesn’t like the flexibility and reduced anxiety of driving, parking, or looking for parking? Kakao Taxi is a must-have app besides Naver and Kakao Talk.
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
Shinhan Debit Card: The Best Solution for Foreigners
Living in South Korea as a foreigner without a local debit card is possible, but it can be a challenging experience, especially if you prefer immersing yourself in the local culture. Without a Korean debit card, accessing basic necessities like shopping, transportation, cafe hopping, and other essential services can become a bit time consuming. While many businesses in South Korea accept cash and American credit cards, some may not.
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
Top 6 Must Haves for Booking a Quality Budget Hotel
Budget Singapore Hotel: The Village Albert Court Hotel We don’t exclusively search for “budget” hotels, I look for a quality hotel at a certain price point. We’re all about smart spending, but I am not easy to please. The idea is to free up more of our budget to spend…
TRAVEL MONEY & PLANNING
Read more
Beijing Shopping Secrets: Finding Real Deals in the Middle of the Madness
High-pressure markets. Forced factory stops. Knockoff bags inches from your face. Beijing’s mandatory shopping tours feel chaotic, scripted, and impossible to escape. Yet somewhere between jade factories, silk pitches, and relentless bargaining, real deals appear—and so does a deeper lesson about power, pricing, and how tourism really works.