Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Monday!

Today we have a simple but extremely useful travel tip, a disappointing Etihad update, and a very good Qatar Airways award opportunity.

Here's what's inside today's post:

I am going to assume some people already know this. But I did not, and I think it is useful enough that I had to share it.

If you have an iPhone, the Calculator app has a built-in currency converter. And I assume other brands have their own type of converter.

You do not need to download a separate app, open Google, or do mental math every time you are traveling. You just open the Calculator app, tap the mode button, turn on Convert, and you can switch between currencies, measurements, temperatures, weights, and more.

For travel, the currency part is the real winner.

Imagine you are in Japan, Thailand, Turkey, or Argentina, and your brain is constantly trying to convert prices. Instead of guessing whether something is expensive or not, you type the number and instantly see the converted amount.

I know this is not the most glamorous tip in the world. But it might be one of the most practical ones I have shared in a while. These are the kinds of small things that make every trip a little easier, even if they have nothing to do with award space or mileage charts.

Open the Calculator app before your next trip and try it.

Now for something less fun.

Etihad has significantly increased the upgrade cost to The Residence.

For anyone who does not know, The Residence is Etihad's famous three-room suite on the Airbus A380. A living room, bedroom, and private bathroom. It is probably the most extravagant commercial airline product ever created.

The catch is that it is also absurdly expensive at full retail, often costing tens of thousands of dollars one-way.

But there has been a more realistic way to experience it for aviation fans. If you booked Etihad First Class, including with Etihad Guest miles, you could sometimes pay a cash upgrade to move from First Class Apartments into The Residence. That was one of the only semi-accessible ways to experience it without paying the full price.

Still expensive? Yes. But in the realm of "this is crazy, but maybe once in a lifetime."

Now those upgrade costs have gone up significantly.

Upgrading from First Class to The Residence between Abu Dhabi and Paris has increased 100%, now around AED 11,720 or approximately $3,200. Between Abu Dhabi and London, the upgrade has increased about 50%, now around AED 13,190 or approximately $3,600.

The upgrade path was one of the best, and for many people the only realistic, ways to try The Residence. When you combine a miles redemption for First Class with a cash upgrade, the whole thing felt achievable. Still a splurge, but a very special one.

Now the numbers are harder to justify.

I still think The Residence is one of the most extraordinary aviation experiences in the world. But when the upgrade alone starts costing more than many business class roundtrips, the equation changes for most people.

Now for the good news.

There is plenty of Qatar Airways award availability between Doha and Bangkok, and the pricing is very good.

Business class: around 50,000 Avios plus taxes one-way First class: around 75,000 Avios plus taxes one-way on select dates.

That is a good redemption. The Doha-to-Bangkok flight is long enough to properly enjoy the experience, and Bangkok is one of the best gateways into Southeast Asia. From there you can continue to Thailand's islands, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, or almost anywhere in the region.

The First Class availability is especially interesting if the flight is on the Airbus A380.

One important thing to keep in mind: not all these flights are operated with Qsuites. Some are on the A380 and 787-8, others are on Qatar's former Cathay Pacific 777s, and neither cabin has Qsuites. So calibrate your expectations accordingly.

That said, Qatar Airways is still Qatar Airways. Even without Qsuites, the overall experience can be excellent: the Doha lounge, warm service, good food, and a polished premium cabin product.

My simple advice: check the aircraft before booking. If you can find First Class on a convenient date, 75,000 Avios could be a very fun redemption. If business class works for your dates, 50,000 Avios is very reasonable for this route.

If you have Avios and Southeast Asia is on your radar, this is worth checking now.

That's it for today. A tiny iPhone tip that might save you confusion on every future trip, an Etihad update that makes The Residence a lot harder to justify, and a Qatar award opportunity to Bangkok that is worth a look if Southeast Asia is in your plans.

More deals, news, and trip ideas coming your way on Wednesday.

Catch you in the clouds,

Tomi from Points Master