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February 18, 2025 | View Online |
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The White Lotus is officially back on HBO for a third season! While I’m loving the first episode so far, I fear I’m just like everyone else and now desperately want to go to Thailand.
Fun fact to impress your friends: The hotel in the show isn’t a real place; it’s four different ones. Here’s what they’re all like, aside from the Four Seasons one.
In today’s edition:
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Iberostar resort stays at half price for a limited time
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What to do about Uber’s sneaky currency fee
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Don’t let Wave Season pass you by with cruises up to 84% off
Caught the jet-set bug,
Kaylen
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| HOTELS |
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Iberostar Resorts Offering 50% Off Stays
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How coincidental that I was talking to my friends yesterday about booking a group all-inclusive stay, and now IHG Hotels & Resorts has a flash sale of up to 50% off stays at select Iberostar Beachfront Resorts in beach destinations. The catch is that you’ll need to book quickly because this sale ends February 19 for travel between April 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026, so you can start planning next year’s trip now.
Paradise stays to choose from:
🇦🇼 Joia Aruba by Iberostar on Aruba’s Eagle Beach welcomes guests with a 5-star experience. It features 240 rooms and suites, seven restaurants and bars, three pools (one rooftop infinity pool), and an 18-hole championship golf course.
🇲🇽 Iberostar Selection Playa Mita in Mexico is a beachfront resort offering world-class dining, a variety of fun water activities, an impressive spa, and spacious accommodations on the scenic shores of the Riviera Nayarit area. Whether you’re after adventure or relaxation, this resort has so much to offer.
🇩🇴 Joia Bavaro in the Dominican Republic blends modern luxury with eco-friendly accents, offering trendy rooms, delicious dining experiences, and access to stunning Caribbean beaches.
🇧🇷 Iberostar Waves Bahia in Brazil is an all-inclusive paradise with pools, beach vibes, tasty Brazilian and international eats, and tons of activities right on Bahia’s gorgeous coast. It’s perfect for families, couples, or friends looking to relax and reconnect.
Browse the rest of the dreamy resorts on sale and book a vacation to look forward to.
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| CREDIT CARDS |
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Adventure Awaits: Maximize Points on Every Spend |
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This card transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, rewarding every aspect of your travel and dining experiences.
With a generous 5x points on travel booked through designated partners, your anticipation for adventure begins with booking. Enjoy 3x points on dining, streaming services, and groceries, perfect for those who love to explore culinary delights or indulge in a night in. For other travel necessities, 2x points ensure that every journey is twice as rewarding, while 1x points on all other purchases keeps your rewards pool constantly growing.
A bespoke $50 annual hotel credit ensures each trip is just that bit more special. Beyond the impressive rewards, travelers can journey with peace of mind thanks to a suite of insurance benefits, protecting against trip cancellations, baggage delays, and rental car mishaps.
The $95 annual fee is a small price for the $750 in travel benefits available to new cardholders who meet initial spending criteria. And with the ability to transfer points at a balanced rate to top airline and hotel loyalty programs, this card offers unparalleled flexibility and value, making it a quintessential tool for those aiming to maximize their travel experiences without compromise.
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| UBER |
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Watch Out for Uber’s Sneaky Currency Fee— What to Do
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If you frequently use Uber when you travel, just a heads-up: the rideshare app is adding a 1.5% fee on most international rides. Uber claims it wants to help customers by offering more transparent pricing and ensuring drivers are fairly compensated for international trips. The good news is that you can opt out of the fee if you don’t want to pay it.
Starting February 27, Uber will show prices in your home currency by default when traveling to certain countries. While this makes it easier to know what you’re paying, there’s a 1.5% conversion fee that will soon be the default, meaning you’ll be paying extra unless you opt-out. It won’t help with Uber Cash or foreign transaction fees on your card.
📱 How can I opt out?
To avoid Uber’s 1.5% fee for default currency pricing, you can opt-out in your account settings. In the wallet section, click “Set preferred currency” and select “No preferred currency” to remove the fee. If you have a card with no foreign transaction fees, it’s better to update this setting instead of using the default pricing. It’s a simple fix to keep your rides more affordable while traveling and only takes a few seconds.
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| CRUISES |
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Wave Season Brings Cruise Deals Up to 84% Off |
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If you're planning to book a cruise, now’s the time during Wave Season, with sailings up to 84% off on certain cruise lines. It’s the best time to lock in a deal before prices go back up and you start regretting your past self’s decision-making skills.
🛳️ Best cruise deals to book:
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Holland America: 7-day Alaska Explorer, Eastern Caribbean, and Norwegian Fjords (kids sail free, balcony upgrades, free premium perks)
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Celebrity Cruises: St. Maarten, St. Thomas & Bahamas (save up to $600 and get 75% off the second guest)
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Celebrity Cruises: Italian Riviera & France (save up to $600, 75% off the second guest)
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Princess Cruises: 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico, 8-day European Explorer, and 7-day trip along the California coast (save up to 40%, plus more upgrades)
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Royal Caribbean: Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay trip (save up to $800)
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Disney Cruise Line: 4-night Bahamian, 5-night Mediterranean, 15-night South Pacific (50% off deposits, 20% off select itineraries)
There’s so much more I haven’t included because you’d be reading for quite a while, but check out all the Wave Season deals and dive into the savings before they sail away! |
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| TALES OF TIME OFF |
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Fort Lauderdale, often overshadowed by its glitzy neighbor Miami, is a place I visit often to see family. It’s my favorite winter escape in the States to break out my flip-flops, soak up some humidity, and lounge out on Las Olas Beach like it's July. The city has colorful waterfront dining, cool local bars, a family-friendly pier, and a downtown that’s perfect for strolling about.
Just 30 minutes north of Miami, the Fort Lauderdale Airport is my airport of choice since it's much smaller and has fewer delays than Miami. Normally, I’d rent a car for my stay to get to Miami or West Palm Beach, but with the new Brightline train, it’s probably the best option if you want to skip traffic, zip between cities, and get your steps in.
As a bit of an expert in the city, I’m sharing my most recommended spots if you’re visiting for the first time or headed back for some R&R.
My favorite picks in Fort Lauderdale:
🥐 Cafe Bastille is a downtown gem, perfect for brunch and mimosas with a Parisian vibe.
🍽️ The Katherine Restaurant is around the corner from Cafe Bastille, this chic restaurant serves up small plates of global cuisine and is a good option for lunch or dinner. If the weather allows, pick a table outside!
🍷 Wine Garden or Twice Removed for drinks shareable plates over conversation to unwind from the day.
🍜 Craving Asian cuisine? I love Larb Tha-isan, and Kub Kao Thai & Sushi Bar.
🚤 Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier for a sunset walk or a sightseeing riverboat for $31 a person through Fort Lauderdale along Millionaire's Row to sneak a peek of lavish homes and mega yachts. |
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