How To Do Laundry On A Cruise
On our 15th anniversary Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise , we were soo happy to have laundry included in our fare as we were granted elite status on the line. |
Where is my hilton free night certificate?Once a Hilton free night certificate has been awarded to you, whether as a credit card sign up bonus or for your brand loyalty in some other way, you will receive an email from Hilton Honors (mine was from [email protected]) with instructions on how to redeem. What is the hilton honors customer care phone number?Call Hilton Honors Customer Care at 1-800-446-6677 Can i redeem my hilton free night reward online?While you currently cannot redeem the free night by yourself on the website, there is a way to redeem it online. |
Are there exclusions with the hilton free reward nights?
Surprisingly, Hilton has very few restrictions and exclusions on using these certificates. There are no black out dates and you can book any night of the week. You can get a free night at any Hilton property (standard room, double occupancy) with the exception of these properties.
What is the value of a hilton free night certificate?
You may be wondering what a free Hilton award night is actually worth. The truth is, it varies. You can use this (foolishly) on a cheap hotel night costing $50 or you can take advantage of the opportunity to use it for a hotel like Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam that would normally cost upwards of $900 a night!
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do i have to travel before the expiration date or just make the reservation in time?
can someone else use my hilton free night certificate?
Yes and no. So the Free Night Reward is not transferable to another person. You can't send the certificate to another Hilton Honors account. But what you can do is contact Hilton and redeem free night award certificates for someone else. Simply have them book the stay in the other person's name. A free night at a nice hotel can be a great gift!
Hotel Reviews:
Hilton Distinctive Properties List
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Distinctive Properties:Conrad Koh Samui Residences
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Kingston Plantation Condos
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DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo Residences
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Hilton Club The Bay Forest Odawara
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Hilton Club The District Washington D.C.
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Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Hilton Hawaiian Village
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Hilton Grand Vacations Riviera Beach & Shores, CA
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Hilton Vacation Club Bent Creek Golf Village Gatlinburg
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Hilton Vacation Club Cabo Azul Los Cabos
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Hilton Vacation Club Crescent on South Beach Miami
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Hilton Vacation Club Greensprings Williamsburg
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Hilton Vacation Club Ka'anapali Beach Maui
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Hilton Vacation Club Oceanaire Virginia Beach
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Hilton Vacation Club Palm Canyon Palm Springs
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Hilton Vacation Club Rancho Manana Phoenix/Cave Creek
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Hilton Vacation Club Royal Palm St. Maarten
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Hilton Vacation Club San Luis Bay Avila Beach
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Hilton Vacation Club The Modern Honolulu
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Hilton Vacation Club The Point at Poipu Kauai
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The Hilton Club - New York
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The Liming Bequia
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Hilton Honolulu Alii Towers @ Hawaiian Village
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Royale Palms Condominiums
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The Vista at Hilton Tel Aviv
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Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Casitas at the Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Shore House at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Ho'olei at Grand Wailea
In addition to historical castles, charming villages, and spectacular cliff beaches, eating out in Portugal is going to be a highlight of your trip to Portugal, for sure.
If it's your first time visiting Portugal, you may be wondering things:
I'm going to help you navigate your first restaurant experience with a few insights that should prove helpful! |
In this post:
Looking for something specific? Jump ahead:
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1. The bread is not free.
When you go to a restaurant, if there is bread and butter on the table it is complimentary. In fact, you can often get free refills on the free bread and butter at a restaurant.
If that is your background and you arrive at a restaurant in Portugal to see a lovely display of bread, butter, olives, and the like at your table, you will naturally assume it is complimentary.
It isn't.
This is called the Couvert and it may be on your table when you arrive or presented to you shortly after seating. The idea is to provide you with some little bites right away while you peruse the menu and then wait for your food.
The price for each item will be shown in the menu and you may be surprised at how it is itemized. Literally each pad of butter has a set price. To an American this can be a bit jarring the first time, but it really does promote a more intentional way of eating and less waste.
What if i don't want the Couvert?
If you've already taken some bites, I'm sorry to tell you that you will be charged for the entirety even if you thought it was free. Tourist Tax. :)
The good news is it's usually only a few dollars and in a region known for bread and olives you're more than likely going to love it! Some areas will also include things like sardine pate or algarvian cenouras (carrots).
If you want the olives but not the sardine paste, just let them know and they will remove it and charge you just for the items you want.
2. How to get a glass of water at a restaurant in portugal
This practice is not common in Portugal. In some cases you may be able to request and receive "Tap water"[in Portuguese: "Um copo de água da torneira, por favor" meaning "a cup of water from the faucet, please".
However, generally speaking water is served here in bottles. You can order a large bottle for sharing or smaller bottles and you will always be asked "com gás?" In Portugal, sparkling mineral water is very Popular so if you want one you ask for "agua com gás" and if you want regular still water you say "agua sem gás"
Portuguese Lesson :
Agua means "water"
Com means "with"
Sem means "without"
3. How to order a beer in portugal?
There are a few ways to order beer in Portugal.
You can simply ask for a "Sagres" or a "Super Bock". Think of it like asking for "Coke" or "Pepsi". You may have a personal preference for Coca-cola, but some establishments only carry Pepsi. If you order a Sagres and the restaurant doesn't carry it they may just reply "Super Bock?" and you can say "Sim" for "yes" or nod and say, "Está bom", as if to say "it's good!"
Beer Sizes in Portugal
If you're ordering a draft you can get a Caneca (mug) or my favorite, an imperial, which is a 20 cl beer. For me it's the perfect size to cool down and you can drink it before it gets warm in one of the 300+ days of sun in Portugal. Apparently in Porto this is also known as fino.
How much is a small beer in portugal?
Needless to say if you are at a fancy restaurant or you're at a cafe on the beach prices will be higher, but still feel like a great value for most Americans.
4. How to avoid blood in Portuguese food
- Portuguese Feijoada is a pork and bean stew that sometimes includes blood sausage
- Morcela is Portuguese Blood Sausage
- Cabidela or arroz de cabidela is typical of Minho in the north of Portugal and is a rice dish made with blood.
If you are unsure, it's a good idea to ask if a dish has blood in it before ordering. The Portuguese word for blood is "sangue".
You could ask something like "isso tem sangue?" meaning "does this have blood?"
You can clarify your concern by adding "I do not eat blood" - "eu não como sangue"
Of course in the end you can say thank you with the word "Obrigado" for guys and "Obrigada" for girls.
Side note: We have noticed some other food products containing blood in the grocery. So do take a moment to scan the ingredients of any sausage or chouriço whether whole or sliced and especially if the color is dark, as well as pasta sauce! Yes you read that correctly. We have actually seen sangue, blood, as an ingredient in pre-made tomato sauce. It's not common, but it happens. So if it's important to you, just keep your eyes peeled. =)
PSA: watch for bones!
5. Prato do dia Lunch deals in portugal
Typically these set menus are offered on week days during lunch so the Portuguese can have an economical, well rounded, and "efficient" meal during their work day.
What is included in prato do dia?
Again it varies a lot. You may find a place offering all of this for under 10 euros in a smaller town or you may find Prato do dia under 10 euros that is more simple like one main dish, one drink, and a coffee a the end, but no matter how you slice it these are almost always an excellent value and way to try Portuguese fare along side locals for an authentic experience.
6. you don't have to rush in portugal
This is soooo different in Portugal. The pace of life in many ways is a lot slower than the US and dining out is included. Aside from a few popular restaurants that imply (but idk if they truly enforce) a table limit like this great pizza place in Lisbon, you are welcome to take your time at a restaurant.
This is time to relax and enjoy both the food and the company who you have chosen to be around the table with. In many cases you will need to ask for the bill to signal you are ready to leave.
Relevant side note: Do keep in mind that many restaurants in Portugal will close at 3 and re-open for dinner anytime between 5 and 7 pm. So be sure to get in to a restaurant before 3 or you will have to wait a few hours and hangry scaries can set in fast...
7. How to ask for the bill in portuguese
There are many ways to ask for the bill after eating a meal at a restaurant in Portugal. One common expression is "A conta, por favor" or "The bill, please".
You can also say "Queria pagar" for "I would like to pay"
To sound even more Portuguese, and informal, you can simply say "a continha" (con-teen-yah).
If the restaurant is loud and busy you can also gesture in the air as if you're writing with a pen and they will know you want the check.
On some occasions a bill will be left on your table sooner, but you do not need to take it as a hint to leave. It's more for convenience and you can then take it to the till to pay when you're ready.
8. Tipping culture in Portugal
In some cases it could be offensive, I'm told. In most cases a small rounding up to the nearest bill would be welcomed and appreciated. Overall, however, tipping at a restaurant is not expected. If you have the means and someone did something great, go for it! But at the same time, not leaving a tip in Portugal is not seen as rude, cheap, unappreciative, or ripping off the staff. I know it's hard to wrap your head around, but remember this is a different culture.
9. Can you use credit cards in portugal?
One final and important tip about eating out in Portugal. You may be wondering if you can use your credit card in Portugal.
It depends.
Portugal overall is a cash culture. but if you are spending time in touristy areas like Lisbon, Porto, or Algarve, for example, it is most likely that many places will accept credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express.
You'll want to look at the door of the restaurant. If it says "Multibanco" with an X through it, that means they do not accept card. If they accept cards you will usually see on the door which cards they accept (Visa, etc) See the photo above for an example. The arrow points to the "Visa" logo on the door of Pastelaria Versailles in Lisbon. (PS they have one of the best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon, and all of Portugal in our opinion so far!)
How to ask if you can pay with a credit card in portuguese
Usually they will bring the card reader right to your seat and you can use tap to pay in Portugal right from your phone.
Be sure to use a card that has no foreign transaction fees.
When the machine asks you if you want the bill to be charged in USD or Euro, always pick Euro!! When you choose Euro (the local currency) your credit card company will do the conversion at a better rate. When you choose USD then the establishment can mark up the conversion and your end bill can be more than expected. This applies in any country, by the way.
-> Our recommended travel cards <-
Enjoy your meal!
Book a cruise to portugal!
Are you ready to come to Portugal and eat all the delicious foods?! Did you know you can stop in Lisbon, Porto, or Algarve on a cruise? Tap below and ask for Portugal Cruise Deals! |
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eating out in portugal
Portugal restaurant etiquette Portugal restaurant tipping Portugal restaurant menu Portugal restaurant reservations how to order food in portuguese how to order a beer in portuguese |
So you've earned enough Chase Ultimate Rewards points for a free flight and you're ready to transfer them to United to get it booked - congratulations! Few things are more exciting than getting free travel.
It really is not difficult to send your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to your United MileagePlus Account. In this simple tutorial I will show you one of the ways to do this! |
Step One: Log into your Chase Account and Click "Ultimate Rewards Points"
Step two: Select Which card you want to see
Step Three: Select Transfer points to partners
Step four: Scroll down to select united airlines
Step five: Click transfer points
Step six: Confirm Your Mileageplus account
Step seven: Confirm how many points
Example: If you need 38,500 points you will need to round up and transfer 39,000 points.
Click next on the bottom right when you're ready.
Step eight: Confirm details and submit
How long will it take for my chase points to show in my united account?
In my personal experience, the points have shown up nearly instantaneously - it's amazing! If you are logged into your United account you will need to log out and then log back in to see the points.
You may have a different experience, but all I can do is share what has happened to me 100% of the time in the past 8+ years doing this. I hope you have the same experience I have had so far! :)
Tips for transferring chase UR points to United
- I always recommend transferring your chase points directly to a travel partner like United as opposed to booking through their travel platform. You are almost always going to get a better value from your points that way :)
- Wait until you're sure you will be booking United flights and know exactly how many points you will need to transfer. Once you make a transfer it is final and you're locked in to that travel partner (airline, hotel etc) so I always do it right before I'm ready to book my flight! :)
how do i get these amazing points for free flights?
Are travel agents worth it?
Read Next: HELPING MY ALASKA CRUISE CLIENTS (& YOU!) GET FREE FLIGHTS | MARISSA BOOKS TRAVEL BLOG
READ NEXT: Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 1
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Over the past month I have had the privilege to work with a lovely family on a very special Alaska cruise to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary - isn't that amazing?! What a great way to honor such a landmark and truly inspirational example of working hard to preserve this sacred union. :) |
While the cruise is still more than a year out and it's too early to book flights, I decided to take a proactive peak at what the prevailing rates were for this year so I could match my clients with a money-saving strategy that worked for them.
I quickly realized that Southwest Airlines does not fly into Anchorage, where their cruise will depart. However, my old standby United sure does! ;)
As you can see below, I did a search paying with miles instead of money and there is potentially for flights at 15k + 5.60 taxes/fees. :) |
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The United card is one I highly recommend, but in this case I recommended it along with an alternative (actually my top favorite travel card!) because there is a limited time offer of a 75,000 point sign up bonus with this card right now. It's rare to see the bonus tip over 60k so this is perfect timing! These universal travel points can be transferred to United at a 1:1 ratio. Meaning my clients have a very real potential of getting all 5 of their flights free if they choose to take advantage of this offer!
•> SEE OUR CURRENT TRAVEL BONUS RECOMMENDATIONS HERE! <•
How Much My Clients Can Save
This is a huge advantage of booking travel early. You have time to take advantage of these opportunities at a reasonable pace. ;) This is also the advantage of booking with a travel agent who loves travel and can help you find out-of-the-box ways to save on your trip! :)
Related timeless Wisdom
- Who of you wanting to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers would start to ridicule him, saying: ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish. (Proverbs 22:7)
- The borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 21:17)
Basically, taking advantage of these opportunities requires planning and responsible credit card use. If you cannot meet the threshold to receive the bonus, or you cannot pay the balance of your card each month then it's not wise to try this because the amount of fees you will incur will far outweigh the "benefits".
However, if you are in a position to leverage these opportunities financially it can really open up opportunities for you to enjoy both "a handful of rest" and display a "Here I Am! Send Me!" spirit. ;)
•> See our current travel bonus recommendations here! <•
Pin For Later & Share With a Friend!
I want you to travel for free too. So I'm sharing this sign up bonus on a card I personally use!
How many flights can 60,000 airline miles get you?
I recently booked 2 flights between the US and Europe for 58,000 United Miles
So it is reasonable that you can find flights to Europe and back with your sign up bonus, let alone domestic flights! Slick, right?
My favorite benefit of the United Explorer Card is that the sign up bonus lets me travel roundtrip to Europe for free lol. Beyond that, you will enjoy a free checked bag on United flights, 2 free passes to United Club lounges at the airport (airport lounges are so great) and some other benefits you can read about. But let's be honest, you're here for free flights and the lounge access is a bonus. :) United actually has several travel credit cards available so you may want to compare them to see what suits your needs best at this time. Each has its own unique perks and sign up bonuses. Check them out below! |
What's your favorite travel credit card?
We would love to hear what your favorite travel credit card is or your favorite trip where you got free flights from a travel credit card! :)
Oh, Hey!
We're Justin and Marissa
We love to travel and eat!
Traveling Through Food is a place to share some of our adventures in travel and food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's around the world or down the freezer aisle at the grocery store. :p
Check out this recent cruise post:
Check out this recent Restaurant Review:
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