General Travel

There is currently a very enticing promotion with Singsaver this month where you can receive a brand new Tilt 500 XS 14 Folding Bike (Silver) (worth S$360) or Apple Watch SE (worth S$419) or S$350 cash via Paynow. New HSBC credit cardholders (those who have not held an HSBC card in the past 12 months) who apply for a credit card and get approved can choose to receive one of the abovementioned gifts. This is also stackable with HSBC’s current cash reward of S$30 for applications made with MyInfo thru Singpass. Effectively this makes the cash reward as much as S$380. If you are an existing HSBC cardholder, you can get S$30 (additional S$30 with MyInfo) for a total of S$60. This promotion is valid if you sign up from 14th April 2022 until 4th May 2022 11:59pm.

In terms of the cash reward, the current S$350 is the highest that HSBC has ever offered for new sign-ups.

Annual fee is waived for the first year for all the cards listed below except for the HSBC Revolution Card which has its annual fee waived perpetually. For the other cards, HSBC usually waives the annual fee for succeeding years as long as you actively use the card but if not, you can always cancel to avoid paying the annual fee. You can even cancel the credit card after receiving the sign-up gift or cash reward if you wish.

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with HSBC doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and affiliate partner for HSBC cards and from time to time, Singsaver and HSBC may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them. 

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. For HSBC cards, the reference number is the last 4 digits of your mobile number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered. If you choose to get the cash gift, do ensure that the phone number you fill out in the form is the same as the mobile number for you to receive PayNow payments.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$800 (can be in multiple transactions) within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the gift or cash reward. You will get an email within 120 to 150 days with instructions on how to claim your gift. If you are looking for ways to spend S$800 within a month, there’s that time-honored method of buying vouchers from NTUC Fairprice and paying for it with your credit card.

Here are the HSBC cards that qualify for the promotion:

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Many of my long trips over the past five years have been in Europe and since I require a Schengen visa to enter most countries in the continent, I have applied in various embassies here in Singapore. Generally, my experiences applying for a Schengen tourist visa have been very procedural. Several documents are required for presentation but as long as one manages to fulfill them, there are barely any questions asked — unlike the application process for other countries for example.

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Pelago is a travel experiences platform launched by Singapore Airlines in 2021 with more than 450 curated experiences under its wing. Many of the travel activities they offer were carefully chosen and a large chunk can’t be found in other major travel booking platforms. In Singapore for instance, some of the notable experiences include a Nyonya heritage tour led by an actual SIA cabin crew or an eye-opening tour around the back streets of Geylang. 

As they form the online travel arm of Singapore Airlines, one can expect the bulk of the carrier’s routes peppered with similarly carefully chosen activities – from an in depth tour of Kuala Lumpur’s last centrally located kampong to a sunrise trek to Bali’s Mount Batur or even a tour of Phillip Island in Australia’s Victoria state by helicopter.

Booking is straightforward. Activities are grouped by destination and travelers get to choose the date and time (where applicable) for the experience of their choice. Do note that for first-time bookings, Pelago offers a 10% discount with the promo code: PELAGOWELCOME10

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Singapore is smartly positioned as one of the most convenient places to visit in the world. With this kind of reputation, many travelers might be quick to dismiss by making little preparation or advance research before visiting the country. 

As a resident here, I have noted of the nuances which I think might benefit first-time visitors if they knew these points beforehand.

So without further ado, here are things to consider when coming to Singapore, from hotels to the type of clothes to bring. I tried my best to highlight those things which are not so obvious to travelers, especially first-timers.

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There is currently a very enticing promotion with Singsaver this month where you can receive a brand new Apple AirPods Gen 3 (worth S$269) or S$250 cash via Paynow. This is stackable with HSBC’s current S$30 cashback given away for those who apply via MyInfo on SingPass. New HSBC credit cardholders (those who have not held an HSBC card in the past 12 months) who apply for a credit card and get approved can choose to receive one of the abovementioned gifts. Existing HSBC cardholders will get S$30. This promotion is valid if you sign up until 31st March 2022 11:59pm.

Annual fee is waived for the first year for all the cards listed below. HSBC usually waives the annual fee for succeeding years as long as you actively use the card but if not, you can always cancel to avoid paying the annual fee. You can even cancel the credit card after receiving the robot vacuum cleaner or cash reward if you wish.

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with HSBC doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and affiliate partner for HSBC cards and from time to time, Singsaver and HSBC may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them. 

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$500 (can be in multiple transactions) within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the gift or cash reward. You will get an email within 60 to 90 days with instructions on how to claim your gift.

Here are the HSBC cards that qualify for the promotion:

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Update: The Standard Chartered Smart Card sign up promotion has been amended. Instead, receive either S$300 cash or Apple AirPods Pro (worth S$379) when you sign up for their Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card as a new cardholder and spend S$350 within 30 days. This credit card gives 6% cashback for MRT/bus rides, Toast Box, McDonald’s, Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Netflix and Disney+ with no monthly minimum spend required. This offer is valid until 4th May 2022 (11:59PM)

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Standard Chartered has an Ergotune promotion this month. Receive either S$300 cash or Ergotune Classic Ergonomic Chair (worth S$399) when you sign up for their new Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card as a new cardholder and spend S$350 within 30 days. This credit card gives 6% cashback for MRT/bus rides, Toast Box, McDonald’s, Ya Kun Kaya Toast, Netflix and Disney+ with no monthly minimum spend required. 

The SCB offer is valid until 14th February 2022 (11:59PM). 

If you are already an existing Standard Chartered cardholder, fret not. You still get to have S$30 cash with your successful application.

If you choose to get the cash reward, it will be paid to you via PayNow within 90 days from fulfilling the spend criteria.

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with SCB doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and affiliate partner for SCB cards and from time to time, Singsaver and Standard Chartered may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them.

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$350 (can be in multiple transactions) within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the reward. You will get an email within 60 to 90 days with instructions on how to claim your gift.

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Update: The Citibank Dyson promotion has been revised as follows. There is a new promotion where you can receive an Apple Watch SE (worth S$419) or Dyson V8 Fluffy (worth S$549) or S$400 cash via PayNow when you apply as a new Citibank cardholder. You can apply here or thru the individual card links below. Promotion is valid until 31st May 2022 (11:59PM).

Historically, S$400 is the highest ever cash reward offered by Citi for new card sign-ups.

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There is currently a Singsaver credit card promotion where you can get yourself either a brand new Dyson AM07 Tower Fan (UP S$499) or S$300 cash via Paynow. New Citibank cardholders (those who have not held a Citibank card in the past 12 months) who apply for a credit card and get approved can choose to receive one of the abovementioned gifts. This promotion is valid from now until 13th January 2022 (11:59PM).Annual fee is waived for the first year for all the cards listed below except for the Citi Prestige. Citibank usually waives the annual fee for succeeding years as long as you actively use the card but if not, you can always cancel to avoid paying the annual fee. You can even cancel the card after receiving the gift if you wish.

If you are already an existing Citibank cardholder, fret not. You still get to have S$30 with your successful application.

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with Citibank doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and affiliate partner for Citibank cards and from time to time, Singsaver and Citibank may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them.

Similar offers have been running for the past couple of months, with the gift going as low as S$200. The current S$300 cash offer is above average, historically, for the cash sign-up reward.

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$500 (can be in multiple transactions) within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the reward. You will get an email within 60 to 90 days with instructions on how to claim your gift.

Here are the Citibank cards that qualify for the promotion:

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From 1st December 2021 to 2nd January 2022, Lazada is launching a limited-time pop-up in Orchard Road showcasing some of their exclusive items for year-end shopping. The pop-up also has a vending machine that churns out surprise items to visitors.

As part of the pop-up, Lazada showcases their LazMall Prestige which houses a number of luxury brands such as Vertu, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Moet Hennessy, Bacha Coffee and more. LazMall Prestige shoppers can also head to the gifting station and pick from a selection of curated wrapping materials and cards to personalize their gifts for free. Every Friday to Sunday from 2 to 6pm, there will also be workshops for shoppers including Furoshiki cloth wrapping and calligraphy workshops. Some of the exclusive deals on display here include the Miffy and Dan Black Tote, BB Orange Book Pouch and Miffy in the Snow Pouch. There is also a curated gift hamper from Bacha Coffee that is sold exclusively on Lazada. All of these deals will also participate in Lazada’s 12.12 sale.

To complete the Christmas experience, shoppers can take a photo with family and friends at the Instagram- and TikTok-friendly heart-gram display or take a break after shopping with the best F&B deals using the ‘Deals Nearby’ function on the Lazada app. Simply open the app, swipe the main icons to the right, select ‘more’ and shoppers will see the ‘Deals Nearby’ option for a list of F&B choices in the area. Offers available around the pop-up showcase include 2x bubble tea from Chi Cha San Chen for just S$8, Jollibean Mee Chaing Kueh + Soy Milk Set for just S$2 and Pezzo Classic Thin Crust Pan for just S$16.50.

A personal highlight of the pop-up is the vending machine that churns out mystery items to visitors. To redeem an item, visitors just need to purchase a ticket from the Lazada app (you can buy here) for S$2. Each redemption will involve a sure-win item that is worth much more than S$2. Items include some premium items from well-known brands. I personally received a skincare product from Clinique worth S$22.

The pop-up is located on the sidewalk in between Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria.