How to Avoid Price Hikes Using Uber Abroad to Save on Rides

Uber is often the top choice for Americans when it comes to ride shares, both at home and internationally.

I don’t usually recommend Uber for travelers headed abroad because it’s been banned in some countries and has been allowed-then-banned-then-back-again in others.

Italy, France, Germany, and Finland, for example, outright banned the app in the past. Since then, many countries have backtracked, allowing locals to hail an Uber at their leisure. In other places, like Japan and Australia, it’s sort of legal depending on the jurisdiction and use cases.

In other words, Uber isn’t always transparently legal or illegal. For that reason, it’s easier to point people toward other ridesharing apps that are clearly regulated and meet local laws.

Still, there are plenty of places around the world where Uber is a great go-to. At least, if you’re okay with paying higher prices than other taxi services and ride shares.

If you’ve ever seen major price hikes and mysterious add-on fees for your Uber rides when traveling, you aren’t alone. Some travelers have even pointed out that Uber recently rolled out its own currency conversions that automatically take a 1.5% fee.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Uber doesn’t just hike prices based on demand. It also quietly charges you pricey conversions when you hail a car in a country that uses the euro, Canadian dollar, or another foreign currency.

Keep in mind that this is a new feature that’s still being launched. So if you aren’t able to apply the changes below to your Uber account now, check back soon. The update is coming, and it’s going to start charging you conversion fees… amongst other things, too.

Here’s how to avoid price hikes when using Uber while abroad.

How to avoid price hikes using Uber abroad

To stop paying 1.5% conversion fees, head to your Uber app and make the changes listed below.

This will prevent Uber from automatically exchanging the local currency for dollars and tacking on that fee. Instead, you’ll be paying in local currency.

If you’ve got a travel credit card, now would be a great time to connect that to your account. You’ll earn with every ride since Uber is charging you in local currency.

Here’s how to change your selected currency to avoid conversion fees:

Open Wallet
Head to Preferred Currency
Select No Preferred Currency
Confirm your selection

To stop paying surge pricing, book ahead or change your pickup location.

With little recourse, tourists often end up paying the price of surge demands, especially at airports and popular venues. If you want to avoid surge pricing, you have two options.

First, use my one-stop rule. That means that you need to move away from the busy zone and re-order your Uber from there. Usually, the exchange here is time for savings; you might be walking around 15-20 minutes to clear the surge pricing area, but I’ve seen prices halve just by getting out of ‘dodge’, so to speak.

Additionally, the one-stop rule is great for airports because when you use Uber to hail a ride from an airport (or another rideshare app), they often charge a hefty airport fee. Unlike official taxi services, those airport fees aren’t subject to regulation, meaning they can get really exorbitant.

Second, schedule your pickup beforehand. Obviously, this is a little harder to organize. You might face delays at the airport, meaning you could miss your pickup. Airports aside, this rule also works for large events in busy areas.

If you know that you’re heading to a popular spot during rush hour or will be exiting a large venue at a certain time slot, you can schedule an Uber ahead of time. This will help you avoid surge pricing. Remember, surge pricing is based on current demand.

Spain Just Delisted 66,000 Rentals—Here’s the Down-Low

Remember when Barcelona made headlines last year because angry locals shot tourists with water guns?

It looks like there’s finally been a comeuppance.

Let me break down last year’s shocking headline for you. Locals took to the streets to beam water at unsuspecting tourists to protest rising housing costs, among other tourism-related issues.

Like many people pointed out, the protests seemed a little misplaced—after all, isn’t the local government responsible for regulating Airbnb and other private rental companies? Why focus the brunt of frustration on innocent tourists?

It’s a fair point.

However, the reason tourists carried the brunt of that particular demonstration is because locals have—for well over a decade now—regularly protested rising housing costs and city projects that seem to overwhelmingly benefit visitors over locals.

In an act of guerrilla protesting, locals in Barcelona shifted tactics, targeting tourists instead of their city councilors. From water gun drive-bys to massive signs reading tourists go home, it’s been a campaign designed to make visitors uncomfortable and dissuade a return trip.

The craziest part? It looks like it worked, meaning the private rental landscape in Barcelona and other parts of Spain is changing in a big way.

66,000 Airbnbs have been delisted in Spain

For years, Barcelona has pledged to minimize the number of Airbnb licenses and similar private, short-term rentals to improve the housing crisis. This process was slated to begin in 2027, when no new private, short-term rental licenses would be sold.

It was a bit of a moot point.

Historically, having the right short-term rental licenses wasn’t actually necessary. Up until now, anyone with an empty apartment could list it on Airbnb and start earning money. So long as tourists didn’t ask about the license and neighbors wouldn’t make a fuss (or even if they did), no one cared.

Then, in March 2025, Spain’s Constitutional Court upheld Barcelona’s plan to eliminate all short-term rental licenses by 2028.

In late May, news hit the airwaves that the nation had already delisted over 66,000 illegal Airbnb rentals in the city, with thousands of those focused on the Barcelona area.

Originally, I was prepared to see how that headline would actually pan out.

Were the listings really taken down?

If they were, would they stay down?

And how long would it take for savvier businesspeople to find a legal loophole?

I didn’t wait long for an answer. The day after the news broke, someone rang my doorbell. It was an official from Barcelona’s city government. They showed up at my building on the hunt for an illegal Airbnb. He’d located it from the website, then worked by identifying the balcony in the photos. (Impressive detective work.)

You should have seen the way my jaw dropped when I realized my neighbor had listed his apartment on Airbnb.

Illegally, of course.

So, the crackdown is happening, and at lightning speed, it seems.

Now what? Should you rebook your Spain rental on another rental site?

I’m overjoyed that Barcelona is taking its Airbnb and private rental licensing seriously.

At the same time, I understand how frustrating it must be for travelers who have already booked their trips to Barcelona and other parts of Spain.

Along with Barcelona, other tourist-heavy spots have seen large crackdowns, meaning Airbnbs that were once live (and available for bookings) might no longer be listed.

If you had booked an illegal rental on Airbnb (as in, there’s no official license number listed) for your Barcelona trip this year, it’s most likely already been de-listed and taken down from the site.

Worst case scenario, you no longer have the rental reserved and need to find a new place to stay. If that’s the case, Airbnb will refund your booking. If you’re in this boat, I highly recommend following up on your refunds; this is a very unprecedented case given just how many rentals have been taken off the site.

Here’s the bigger question: once your refund hits, where should you look for lodging in Spain?

Other platforms like Booking and VRBO are also up for review—so this isn’t an issue that’s only for Airbnb users. If your Airbnb is canceled, you’re better off booking a hotel instead of rebooking on another rental platform site. Consider it your chance to fall in love with hotels again.

Tourists Face New Rules in Venice in 2025: What to Know

Venice might not be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World like Peru’s Machu Picchu, but local authorities are working overtime to spare the city from the destructive grip of overtourism.

Around 30 million visitors shuffle through the city of canals each year… but only around three million will actually stay the night.

And let’s not forget that Venice is only around three square miles, with much of that space occupied by canals. (By contrast, Venice’s population has shrunk from 170,000 in the 1950s to around 50,000 today.)

That’s the crux of Venice’s tourism problem: day-trippers who pass through the city for a few short and sweet hours, spend little, and then head home.

Given its small size, historic constructions, and battles against water and air pollution, Venice is in a unique position to disappear faster than other Italian destinations. In other words, swift action is needed in order to preserve and maintain the city’s current state.

The big question is… how can authorities regulate tourism in Venice without compromising the city’s tourist economy?

Last year, Venice kicked off a round of new travel requirements for its visitors, including boosted fees for day-trippers. Since then, it’s already rolled out a new series of measures, once again targeting day-trippers and large tour groups.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why are the rules in Venice changing?

Like I outlined above, Venice is changing its approach to tourism in order to better preserve the city that tourists (and locals) adore.

But let me paint a stronger picture as someone who has only visited Venice once, for a few short hours, as part of a day trip. (It’s me—I’m in the problem.)

On a road trip back from a music festival in Croatia (I live a blessed life here in Europe), my friends and I stayed the night at a cute eco rental outside Venice.

The next day, we drove in, parked our car, and took the ferry into the city. From there, we boarded another public ferry to get to Venice’s hotspots.

It was one of the worst travel experiences of my life. The heat and the crowds were bad enough, but the entire city felt like a museum. A cheap museum devoid of deeper meaning, which is a travesty in a place with so much meaningful history.

The only thing I remember about the Rialto Bridge is being absolutely desperate to get off of it and find a piazza where I’d have room to breathe.

So, the new rules in Venice are designed to respect the city, its residents, and travelers who might not understand that they’re heading into a madhouse. Or, in my case, contributing to the problem.

The goal is to make Venice a place people want to visit, while also honoring its incredible history.

Inside the 2024 Venice updates

Here’s the cool thing about Venice’s new rules: they’re setting a precedent in Italy, one of the most-touristed places in the world.

The case study in Venice is likely to be replicated across the country as more and more of Italy’s historic centers become overrun with well-intentioned, culture-hungry visitors. So pay attention to similar announcements from other cities in the coming years.

Before I cover the latest rules in Venice, let’s quickly cover the new norms introduced in Spring 2024:

Tour groups cannot exceed 25 people
Guides can no longer use loudspeakers
Music cannot be played through loudspeakers, either
On 29 high-traffic days, day trippers must pay a €5 fee to enter the city between 8:30am and 4:00pm

What are the new rules in Venice for tourists in 2025?

As of April 18, 2025, Venice is instating a new and stricter set of rules. If you’re visiting Venice this year, expect these changes.

In Spring 2025, Venice instated these new rules:

The number of high-traffic days has been increased from 29 to 54 calendar days
Day trippers who have made their booking four days from their arrival will pay a €5 fee to enter the city
Day trippers who have made their booking within three days of arrival will pay a €10 fee to enter the city

However, you are exempt from these new rules if:

You’re under 14 years old
You’re staying the night in the city (Venice doesn’t mind if you stay overnight!)
You’re enrolled in a school or university in Venice
You’re local or you work in Venice

How can you buy tickets to enter Venice?

Head straight to the Venice Unica website and buy tickets from the city. Remember that even if you’re traveling with people who are exempt from paying the entry fee, they still need to be registered and receive a QR code to enter.

Boarding Planes First vs Last: Why You Should Try to Board First

The travel world has a few whipping boys. By whipping boys, I mean traveler tropes and habits that are viewed with disdain.

One of the most consistent whipping boys is the traveler who gets in line to board the plane rather than sitting and waiting until the line has shortened.

Those who line up first are viewed as impatient, anxious, and even silly.

After all, why board the plane just to sit on there longer? Especially when seats are already assigned and bag allowance is hammered out?

Well, they might be the nervous type, and standing in place ready to go lets them relax a little. (No harm there.)

They might be worried about whether their carry-on will fit and hope to hide their slightly oversized suitcase amid the masses. (It’s just good sense.)

Maybe they’re worried that space in the overhead cabins will fill up, meaning they need to check their carry-on. (It happens more often than we’d like.)

For the most part, boarding planes first vs last is a matter of personality and past experiences. But there are two serious reasons you might want to board the plane sooner rather than later.

The first covers domestic travel, while the second is geared toward international flights.

Why you should try to board the plane first for domestic flights

If you know anything about overbooked flights, then you might be ahead of me on this one: the last to board are the first to get the cut when a flight is overbooked.

Pretty much the only reason you need to get in line to board a domestic flight (aside from soothing anxiety and ensuring your carry-on has a place in the overhead bins), is to avoid getting the axe when push comes to shove.

The most common reason you’ll be cut from a flight is overbooking, but weight issues can also be a problem. If a plane has crossed the weight limit threshold, then passengers in the back rows are usually the first to be removed from the flight list.

However, if you’ve already boarded, you might be one of the few back-row passengers actually allowed to stay onboard.

Remember this golden rule for gate agents: they’d rather deny boarding to a passenger than pull someone off the plane who already took their seat. When you board first, you ensure your place on the flight in the event its overweight or overbooked.

The other reason you might want to board your plane first on international flights

The likelihood of you being denied boarding on a domestic flight due to overbooking or weight limits is pretty small—but if it’s happened to you before, you know that it’s a devastating delay.

On international flights, you need to board earlier rather than later for cultural reasons.

Things like seat assignments are taken as law in countries where rulebooks are long and rules are taken seriously. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan are four places where you can expect a seat assignment to hold weight.

That’s not the case in other places around the world.

I’ve personally experienced and know other travelers who have had their seats reassigned willy-nilly for groups and families. Instead of officially transferring seats, passengers who board first can sometimes claim the seats around them, especially if they have children.

If you show up to your seat late on an international flight in a place where rules are more lax, you might be shuffled off to a new seat with no recourse.

In fact, flight attendants might not see the problem with this, which means you making a scene on a plane suddenly makes you the problem.

Travel isn’t always fair, my friends, so if you’re worried about losing your assigned seat to another traveler, and you’re in a place where rules seem up for debate, board that plane and settle in!

Airport Tips & Tricks: Overbooked Flights, Lost Luggage, Missed Connections, & More

The airport is one of life’s most unforgiving spaces.

Though some airports are works of art, the vast majority are designed with utility in mind. And not just general utility—the type of no-frills efficiency that can manage the identification of thousands of passengers while coordinating flight paths, take-offs, and arrivals.

In other words, though airports are often cold and uncomfortable, it’s understandable. Aesthetics come second to safety, and rightfully so.

But there’s a time when the sterility of the airport feels like an offense. When things go wrong with your flight, your luggage, or your overall travel plans at an airport, the atmosphere can suddenly feel biting.

When we’re at our most vulnerable, and when we have questions that often involve pricey answers, it’s easy to lose our cool.

It’s even easier to feel baffled about what to do next when things at the airport go awry.

Need an airport disaster guide? Though I can’t help you sort through things like tornadoes or major security threats, I can help you navigate slightly less serious airport mishaps, from knowing what to do about an overbooked flight to managing long layovers and missed connections.

Here’s your game plan for the most common airport disasters out there.

Airport tips: What to do if you miss your connecting flight

With more flight delays and multi-leg travel journeys than ever before, missing connecting flights isn’t nearly as rare as it once was. When it comes to finding solutions to missed connections, you need to think about who caused the delay, along with where you missed the flight.

In the United States, airlines are not legally required to help you manage missed connections. Even when domestic airlines are the cause of a delay (as in, your original departing flight was delayed), they aren’t (usually) required to help.

That’s because the vast majority of delays are outside of their control, from inclement weather to Air Traffic Control issues to safety checks.

That being said, airlines want to protect their reputations, meaning they’ll likely offer you rebooking and vouchers if they are partly responsible for the delay. If not, you might be eating those costs, which is why some travelers insist on purchasing travel insurance.

Here’s how to rebook a missed connecting flight:

Speak with an agent at the counter to reschedule your flight
Use the airline’s app to reschedule the flight
Purchase a new flight from a different airline if your original airline can’t accommodate your new plans

There’s an important caveat here. In Europe, you have more rights if your flight is delayed.

In the European Union, domestic flight delays over three hours can earn you compensation. The same is true for domestic flights that are delayed longer than six hours. These airlines are legally bound to provide compensation, especially if the delay caused you to miss another flight.

However, you need to submit a claim to get reimbursed. The easiest way to do that is with the help of a third-party company like AirHelp. I highly recommend bookmarking AirHelp and keeping this company in your back pocket.

AirHelp has helped me submit successful claims that have earned me around half (or more, in some cases) of my original plane fare. If you’re going to fly with a budget airline in Europe, I highly suggest you keep an eye on that three-hour marker. Document it once it has lapsed, then submit your AirHelp claim over the next few weeks when you’re able to.

Airport advice: What to do if your luggage is lost

The first thing you need to know about lost luggage is that it’s actually the airport ground crew’s responsibility to get your suitcase into the cargo hold—not the airline.

Airlines are only responsible for transporting your luggage between destinations, but it’s the ground crew that ferries your suitcase from Point A to Point B at the airport.

If you’re using a geolocator tag on your luggage or if you’re able to track your luggage through an airline’s app, then you can usually triangulate the location of any lost items. If that’s the case, head to the baggage claim area and speak with the staff there.

Usually, airlines have separate booths at baggage claim where you can present your luggage tracking data. Staff will help you coordinate a solution from there. Just know that you may need to return at a later time to prove your identity and pick up the bag from another agent.

What happens if you don’t have any way of locating your lost luggage?

Unfortunately, your best bet is to file a claim with the airline. I recommend working overtime to call and follow up on your claim. The more pressure you apply, the more likely someone is to follow up on your claim. (Politely and firmly follow up without getting angry.)

If you can prove that your suitcase had valuables, you might be refunded—but if you can’t actually prove what was in your bag and how much those items were worth, you might never receive compensation.

Worse, your bag might be sold off to the highest bidder. Literally.

Airport tips: What to do if your flight is overbooked

In the United States, airlines are allowed to overbook flights in order to make up for the estimated number of no-shows.

In other words, airlines rely on algorithms that predict how many empty seats they’re likely to have for a flight. If the algorithm says there are likely to be five no-shows, the airline will sell an extra five seats.

So, what should you do if you’re waiting at the gate only to hear the agent announce that the flight has been overbooked? Because it’s not illegal, you don’t have many options.

But you do need to know that you have a choice.

You can accept an airline’s offer to skip out on the flight and receive some type of compensation. This is for voluntarily giving up your seat. If no one volunteers, the airline will bump you, meaning you miss the flight and get on the next one and otherwise receive no compensation.

Here are your choices if your flight is overbooked:

Try to board as soon as possible; gate agents will rarely pull people off the plane to get bumped. Instead, the last to board often get bumped.
Volunteer to take a later flight, and push hard for your compensation—especially if you’re the only volunteer. Agents recommend negotiating for higher compensation. Always push for cash, too. Airlines would rather pay you off than bump an unsuspecting passenger.

Airport advice: What to do if you get stranded

You might get stranded at the airport for a number of reasons, whether inclement weather, major air traffic control problems, or another beautiful surprise.

Unfortunately, getting stranded at the airport (especially overnight) is often a confusing and uncomfortable experience, especially if you can’t readily book a new flight.

So, what should you do if you’re stranded at the airport? My first piece of advice is to stay calm and buckle in for the long haul. Like you might already know, some airport disasters aren’t easily fixed, especially if multiple delays are wreaking havoc on an airport’s flight schedule.

The calmer you are, the more likely you are to stay in high spirits, and staying in high spirits can help you woo the exhausted, battered employees around you. (I’m not joking—a sunshine-y attitude can get you unexpected perks, from better seats to snacks to lounge access.)

Aside from keeping your cool, here’s what to do:

Get familiar with your rights by taking a closer look at your airline’s policy
Document exactly what’s happening with receipts, just in case you need to prove your case later on
Make allies at the airport with fellow passengers who are in the same boat; you can keep each other updated on news and share insights
If you need to calm down, look for a prayer or meditation room (many airports have them, and they’re designated quiet spots)
If you need to pass the time, FaceTime or video call a loved one—nothing will keep your spirits high like a little convo with your favorite person (or people) on earth
If you’re facing a really long layover, check out what to do in the next section

Airport tips: What to do if you have a really long layover

Whether you have a long layover because you’re stranded unexpectedly or you wanted to save big on your ticket, knowing how to manage over seven-hour layovers is an art. But you have more options than you might think—even if you aren’t a loyal airline member.

If you have a layover that’s over seven hours, here’s how I suggest you pass the time:

Look for an airport lounge. Once again, you don’t need to be a loyal airline member to gain access to many lounges. In fact, you might already be part of the Priority Pass network. If not, you can usually pay between $50-100 to gain day access to a lounge.
Look for a hotel near the airport with a day rate. Many airport hotels offer day rates for passengers who are facing long layovers. That means you can check into a room for a few hours (and even visit the hotel pool) before returning to the airport for your connecting flight.
Take a day trip. The truly intrepid traveler might actually want to turn their long layover into a day trip. While that might sound crazy, it’s becoming more common for budget travelers who take on those hefty layovers. Just check your luggage into a locker, then head out on the adventure of a lifetime.

9 Facts About Argentina’s Asado Barbecue Culture

Barbecue culture feels deeply American, but we aren’t the only nation that enjoys roasted meats. Far from it, in fact.

Around the world, almost every culture has a tried-and-true approach to fire-grilled cuts of steak, chicken, lamb, pork, and beyond. Other meats are often on the table, from rabbit to venison.

Though the main star is (usually) red meat, veggies and distinct side salads are also served up at barbecues. Sauces are regional, as are carbs like bread, rice, or roti.

Despite the focus on eating well, the art of grilling meat is only partly about food.

The humble barbecue, no matter where it’s found, is also about community. Think about the barbecues that we like to enjoy on the Fourth of July or Memorial Day—they’re also important social gatherings. We reconnect with family and friends over delicious food, usually for half a day, if not longer.

Just think about the phrase ‘getting invited to the barbecue’—it signals respect and acceptance, not just an invitation to stuff yourself with food.

And while every country (and even region) has its own beloved approach to communal dining, Argentina’s asado barbecue culture is bound to feel familiar to Americans who get an invitation.

The next time you’re heading down south, try your best to make it to an Argentinian asado. Here’s your crash course.

Crash course: Argentina’s asado barbecue culture

Argentinian style BBQ of lamb meat (Getty)

It’s formally known as asado Argentino

Barbecue is a big deal in Argentina, where it’s known as asado and sometimes parrillada, which I’ll discuss below. It’s not the only South American country with big love for grilled meats. In Brazil, barbecue is known as churrasco. In Uruguay, it’s known as asado uruguayo.

The difference between churrasco and asado is linguistic; Brazilians speak Portuguese, while Argentinians and Uruguayans speak Spanish. The culture between these barbecue traditions is similar, but distinct in a few ways, from grill methods to seasoning.

Think of it like the difference between barbecue traditions in Texas, Missouri, South Carolina, and so on.

Barbecue is grilled on parillas

The grill is known as the parilla, which is truly just a metal grill that’s held over open flame. Usually, asados Argentinos take a more rustic approach. Rather than use an actual grill, especially one that runs on propane, grill masters prefer to tame the open flame for added flavor and sealed-in juices.

You’ll also notice that some asados involve intact animals that are stretched out over a natural fire. It can be a little jarring for those who have never seen a whole animal roasted and/or don’t eat meat, so be prepared. Lamb is commonly roasted this way, known as cordero al palo, translated loosely to lamb on a stick.

Parillada is also an experience

Asado Argentino is sometimes called parillada, which is another way of talking about barbecues. Usually, the parillada touches on the overall social and cultural texture of the gathering. While the grill master focuses on churning out perfectly cooked meats and other dishes, guests are chatting, catching up, telling stories, and otherwise bonding. In other words, it’s about spending time together just as much as it is dining.

Traditional Argentine ribs grilled with charcoal and fire (Getty)

Chorizo is a star of the show

Americans are no stranger to slapping a pork chop or a sausage onto the grill—but asado Argentino usually focuses more heavily on chorizo, or spiced sausages. In fact, they’re often the first meat to be tossed onto the grill. Once cooked, chorizo is often served on an open sandwich and is the first treat to whet everyone’s appetite for the day.

Argentina has a big beef industry

Chorizo aside, there’s one reason that barbecue culture has taken off in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil—and it’s the same as in the States. There’s a lot of world-class beef around, and plenty of space to make an open-flame grill. Argentina is up there when it comes to beef-producing nations, including the United States, China, and Australia.

Potato and egg salad are on the menu

Side dishes are a big deal for asados in South America, just like in the United States. Along with grilled vegetables and empanadas, Argentinians also eat a lot of potato and egg salad.

They’re often combined into a single light dish, but are sometimes split up. Usually, the combined dish is called ensalada rusa or Russian salad. Don’t miss out on locro, either. It’s a hearty bean stew that’s sort of like chili.

Short ribs, strips, and ribeye steaks are top cuts

The most popular cuts tossed onto the parilla in an asado are short ribs, strip steaks, and ribeye steaks. T-bones are also popular and usually slow-roasted, along with brisket. Usually, brisket is slow-cooked over embers, giving it a distinctly smoky flavor.

A delicious medium rare fire grilled argentina style steak with chimichurri verde sauce (Getty)

Chimichurri is the most popular seasoning

Don’t bring barbecue sauce to the asado Argentino—they prefer dry rubs, especially seasonings like chimichurri. Chimichurri is a blend of parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. It’s a more traditional herbal flavor that you might expect to find in European steakhouses.

All hail the Asador

The last thing you need to know about asados Argentinos is that the grill master is called the Asador—and this person shouldn’t be bothered, distracted, or otherwise harangued while they do their job. It’s a sacred work to tend to the flames, meats, and other dishes, and compromising the Asador’s work will undermine the entire operation.