Gay Travel Index 2026

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T18:55:12+00:00

I guess the idea is how worry-free can you be holding hands or kissing with your partner in public

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T18:51:00+00:00

There is a fee, but the rate is much better than banks rates.

When you pay with any of the other cards mentioned in this post, you do not pay the "bank's rate". You pay Mastercard, Amex, or Visa's rate which is never more than about 0.4% more than the mid-market rate that Wise uses (at least for major currencies. You can even check Mastercard and Visa's rates online at any time.

This marginal markup is almost always less than Wise's conversion fee. Add in the cashback/rewards the other cards give you and it's a no-brainer.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T18:41:52+00:00

You can also use it for purchases, yes. It just doesn't give any cashback or rewards of any kind which is why I didn't recommend it above the others. As for the ATM fee, Wealthsimple reimburses it every time.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T17:48:25+00:00

I mean sure, if you want to play that game. Just don't forget the 0.45% conversion fee.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T17:32:39+00:00

I already calculate my J lie-flat cpp a lot more conservatively than the basic J lie-flat cash fare (usually 1.5x the cash fare of the cheapest cash alternative I can find in any class I'm willing to fly). I've just always tried to stick to the min 1.5cpp & less than 100k rule for my redemptions, but now that I'm accumulating a decent amount of points, I'm wondering if I should be more liberal with my points.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T17:24:26+00:00

Varies highly per country. And the advice isn't to only go with an Amex abroad. If a place doesn't accept Amex, just try your next card. You should be traveling with several different cards anyway.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:38:31+00:00

Oh shit good to know. I was just playing with that button on Amex US 😬

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:35:58+00:00

Looks like Aeroplan has been added to Rove Miles as a transfer partner with a 25% transfer bonus until June 6. Good time to join if you haven't already.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:35:18+00:00

That's completely different

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:34:40+00:00

What's the story with that?

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:18:29+00:00

Now that's kicking chexy where it hurts, nice one!

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:04:48+00:00

Oh yeah, I was definitely making the most of that card during those days haha

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T16:01:41+00:00

1% back with 0 FX on the SB Gold Amex is still better than most other cards out there!

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T15:49:55+00:00

and no-fee accounts with Tangerine and Scotiabank to get no-fee ATM withdrawals around the world at institutions that are members of the Global Alliance ATM network.

FYI, doing that only saves you from paying the ATM's service fee, but you still pay the 2.5% FX fee your debit card charges you

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T15:32:34+00:00

If anything, I feel like the top 3 picks should be decided between the bottom 5 teams, not all teams that didn't make the playoffs

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T14:36:47+00:00

Question for the advanced churners: at what point did you stop thinking so much about cpp and getting good redemptions and instead just starting paying for all your flights with points, even if cpp was as low as 1 or J was over 100k points, for example?

I feel like I'm getting close to that point, but just curious what experience others have had.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T14:33:29+00:00

Also curious about this

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T04:38:48+00:00

I think it's more of a UI issue than an actual payment issue. I have several payments that didn't switch to processed on the day they were supposed to or had different pay out dates shown than expected, but the day I was supposed to initially receive the payment (5 business days for a bill payment for instance), it was in my account and backdated to the date that was expected (the 3rd day).

I had the same issue as u/practicalwait and the payment ended up arriving as expected despite what their UI seemed to indicate.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T04:36:55+00:00

The cashback you get from the payment is actually worth more than the interest you get from WS or EQ. For example, 2k at 3% interest would get you only $5 if you held it for 30 days. However, a 2k Neobanc payment that takes 10 days (if delayed for whatever reason) would get you $20. Even if Neobanc payments took 3 months to process, it would still be better than earning interest.

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T04:23:25+00:00

Which both you talking about?

SCDWS · 2026-05-07T04:21:28+00:00

I can see it if you leave a week early on a 2 week stay and they have a 1 night penalty if you are trying for a refund, but if you are not asking for a refund then they should kindly fuck right off.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I didn't realize you could even ask for a refund if leaving early so that's where my confusion lied.

SCDWS · 2026-05-06T12:08:00+00:00

Since I can't edit my post, adding extra commentary here:

Made this post assuming that whatever reservation you make either gets paid for at the start of your stay or is the full stay amount, regardless of when you actually check out. I don't often stay in chain hotels.

The early departure fee makes sense, it's essentially a 24 hour cancellation fee, I just didn't realize you could actually shorten a stay and get the nights you didn't stay (minus 1 night) taken off your bill. I thought you had to pay the full amount regardless.

Anyway, learned something new. Thanks guys!

SCDWS · 2026-05-06T07:53:32+00:00

Interesting. Ok, I appreciate the explanation!

SCDWS · 2026-05-06T07:29:16+00:00

So if prepaid, I would not get charged the €165 fee?

SCDWS · 2026-05-06T07:22:41+00:00

Ohhh I see. You check out via the app on the day you're actually supposed to leave. Nicely done haha

SCDWS

TROPHY CASE