Our Methodology
Last updated: February 2026
riiiich.me publishes pricing data, ratings, comparisons, and analysis across multiple luxury categories. This page explains exactly how we collect, verify, and present our data.
Product Pricing Data
How we collect prices:
- Retail prices are sourced from official brand websites and authorized dealer networks
- Where official prices are not publicly listed, we contact brand representatives or authorized retailers directly
- For products sold through multiple retailers, we use the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) as the baseline
How we verify prices:
- Every price published on riiiich.me includes the currency, the source, and the date it was last verified
- Prices are rechecked against primary sources on a quarterly basis at minimum
- When a price changes, we update the article and note the change
Price Tracker methodology:
- Our price tracker monitors the retail and secondary market prices of selected luxury items over time
- Retail prices are sourced from official channels
- Secondary market and resale prices are sourced from established resale platforms including Chrono24, The RealReal, StockX, and Vestiaire Collective
- Price history is recorded monthly and displayed as a trend chart on each tracked item's page
- Percentage changes are calculated on a year-over-year basis
Limitations:
- Prices vary by region, retailer, and availability
- Some luxury brands (notably Hermès, Patek Philippe, and certain fashion houses) restrict pricing information and may require in-store inquiries. In these cases, we note that the listed price is approximate and based on the most recent verifiable data
- Exchange rate fluctuations can affect prices displayed in currencies other than the original listing currency. We use daily exchange rates from the European Central Bank or Open Exchange Rates for conversions
- Sale prices, promotions, and negotiated discounts are not reflected in our standard pricing data
Hotel and Travel Pricing
How we collect hotel rates:
- Nightly rates are sourced from major booking platforms including Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and direct hotel websites
- We quote the standard rate for the base luxury room category (typically a Deluxe Room or equivalent) unless otherwise specified
- Rates are quoted for a standard midweek night in moderate season to provide a representative baseline
How we handle rate variability:
- Hotel rates fluctuate significantly by season, day of week, booking lead time, and availability
- We clearly note when quoted rates represent peak season, off-season, or average pricing
- Where possible, we provide a price range (e.g., "$800–$1,400 per night depending on season")
Flight pricing:
- Airline ticket prices are sourced from airline websites and major flight search engines
- Cash prices represent round-trip fares on the most common routes for each cabin class
- Points and miles redemption values are sourced from airline loyalty program published charts
- We note when pricing is based on award availability versus standard revenue fares
Trip cost breakdowns:
- Our "What It Actually Costs" articles estimate total trip costs by combining individually sourced prices for flights, hotels, dining, transport, and activities
- Each line item includes its individual source
- We present costs at multiple tiers (e.g., "Luxury," "Ultra Luxury," "No Budget") to reflect different spending levels
Restaurant and Dining Data
How we collect dining prices:
- Tasting menu prices are sourced from official restaurant websites and reservation platforms including OpenTable, TheFork, and Resy
- À la carte price estimates are based on typical three-course meals including appetizer, main course, and dessert, excluding beverages unless noted
- Wine pairing prices are listed separately when available
How we handle variability:
- Restaurant prices change with menu updates, typically seasonally
- Michelin star status is verified against the current Michelin Guide at the time of publication
- We note the date of our most recent verification on every restaurant review and dining guide
Our Review and Comparison Methodology
Individual reviews:
- Scored on a 1-10 scale across four criteria (Quality, Value, Experience, Competition) as detailed in our Editorial Policy
- The final score is an equally weighted average of the four criteria scores
- Scores are accompanied by a written verdict explaining the reasoning
Comparison articles:
- Both items or experiences are evaluated using the same criteria and the same process
- Comparison tables display specifications and features side by side using data sourced from official channels
- We declare a recommended choice in every comparison based on our analysis, with clear reasoning for the recommendation
- When neither option is clearly superior, we specify which use cases or preferences favor each option
Ranked lists:
- Items are ranked based on our composite score and editorial judgment
- Ranking criteria are stated at the top of every list article
- Lists are updated at least annually and more frequently when significant new products, hotels, or experiences enter the market
Data Update Schedule
| Data Type | Update Frequency |
|---|---|
| Product retail prices | Quarterly |
| Product resale/secondary prices | Monthly |
| Hotel nightly rates | Quarterly |
| Restaurant menu prices | Every 6 months |
| Airline ticket prices | Quarterly |
| Points and miles valuations | Every 6 months |
| City luxury guides | Annually (with interim updates for major changes) |
| Product reviews | Updated when new models release or prices change significantly |
| Comparison articles | Updated when either product is refreshed or pricing changes |
How to Report Data Errors
We strive for accuracy but we are not infallible. If you notice incorrect pricing, outdated information, or any factual error in our data:
- Email: editorial@riiiich.me
- Include the article URL, the specific data point in question, and the correct information with a source if available
- We investigate all reported errors and aim to resolve confirmed inaccuracies within 48 hours
Transparency Commitment
We believe the methodology behind our data is as important as the data itself. If you have questions about how we source, verify, or present any information on riiiich.me, contact us at editorial@riiiich.me and we will explain our process for the specific data point in question.