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
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.