To celebrate 20 years of partnership, American Express (“Amex”) and Singapore Airlines (“SIA”) are holding “The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw”. 20 lucky Card Members will win a 2D1N themed staycation at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore or The Barracks Hotel, 20,000 KrisFlyer miles, and a welcome bag filled with Amex and SIA merchandise to bring home^. Here’s how you can participate in The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw.

Apply for an American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card

To participate in the Perfect Vacation at Home Draw, start by applying and receiving approval for an American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card between 1 Dec 2020 and 31 Jan 2021. All American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards award 2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent (with no cap) on Singapore Airlines and KrisShop. Moreover, receive 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first spend for first-time applicants of the Amex – SIA Credit Card. This is a precious head start in your miles collection journey and one that is not to be underestimated. You can redeem a return to flight to Bali starting from 15,000 KrisFlyer miles!

Without further ado, here are the 4 iconic American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards, each with their unique SIA benefits, that you can apply for:

The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card

Receive S$150 Cashback for use on your next purchase on singaporeair.com when you spend S$12,000 on eligible purchases with your American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.

The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

Card Members of American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card enjoy an accelerated upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold Membership tier. Simply spend above S$15,000 on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com within the first 12 months upon Card approval to be automatically upgraded to the KrisFlyer Elite Gold Membership tier. This paves the way for more privileges and faster accumulation of your miles.

The American Express® Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card (Exclusively for existing Singapore Airlines PPS Club members)

Card Members of American Express Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card will receive a 50% KrisFlyer miles Redemption Voucher when they spend S$75,000 or more on eligible purchases from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. This voucher entitles the Card Member to a one-off 50% saving (capped at 50,000 KrisFlyer miles) when he/she redeems the KrisFlyer miles for an eligible redemption award booking. It gets even better as Card Members can receive a Double KrisFlyer miles Accrual Voucher simply by spending S$15,000 or more on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com with their Cards during the same period (capped at 10,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles).

The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card (Exclusively for existing Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Club members)

The one Card worth its weight in gold is the American Express Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card. Enjoy a complimentary one-sector upgrade from Business class to the Singapore Airlines Suites or First Class by spending S$50,000 or more on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. This is in addition to receiving a 50% KrisFlyer miles Redemption Voucher (capped at 50,000 KrisFlyer miles) when they spend S$75,000 or more on eligible purchases during the same period.

How to Further Maximise Your Lucky Draw Chances

Since there is no limit to the number of chances you can earn, here’s how you can maximise your chances at The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw. Upon receiving approval for your Credit Card, every cumulative spend of $50 on eligible transactions (local and overseas spend included) earns you 1 chance at the lucky draw.

Receive upsized chances by spending on Singapore Airlines and KrisShop.com (2 chances for every cumulative spend of $50). Furthermore, tell your friends about the amazing benefits and every successful referral nets you 10 chances. Sharing is indeed caring!

There is no need to register for this draw as enrolment is automatic. Who knows you could be one of the lucky 20 winners on 5 March 2021*? Click here to find out more^!

^Restrictions, Terms and Conditions apply.

*All winners will receive a call on 5 March 2021 or within 7 business days for more details on how to redeem The Perfect Vacation at Home Prize. Card members can also revisit this site to see if you have won.

A look at the timeline of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project from 2013 to 2021

What a cold and wet start to 2021. You’ve probably heard or seen from the news that Singapore and Malaysia will not proceed with the HSR project after a lapse in agreement on Dec 31, 2020. The Prime Ministers of both countries revealed in a joint statement on the first day of the new year.

“In light of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Malaysian economy, the government of Malaysia had proposed several changes to the HSR Project. Both governments had conducted several discussions with regard to these changes and had not been able to reach an agreement. Therefore, the HSR Agreement had lapsed on Dec 31, 2020,” the leaders said.

Following the termination, Malaysia will have to compensate for costs already incurred by Singapore in delivering its obligations under the HSR Bilateral Agreement. Here’s a look at the HSR project timeline since ideation from 2013 to termination in 2021.

February 2013

At the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and then Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak in February 2013, the public first knew of the HSR project.

In 2016

Image Credits: CNA

Under the witnesses of both premiers, Singapore and Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in July 2016.

At the end of 2016, a legally binding bilateral project deal opened the way for its execution. Under the pact, the HSR’s express service would commence by Dec 31, 2026.

The agreement also asserted that the production, installation, and management of civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries would be both governments’ responsibility.

In 2017

The Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary – SG HSR – to execute the project and the development, ownership, funding, and maintenance of civil infrastructure in Singapore.

It will then partner its Malaysian counterpart, MyHSR, in an open international tender to mutually select the venture’s assets company and the international contractor.

The project was set to operate for eight stops over 350km: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Melaka, Seremban, Sepang-Putrajaya, and Kuala Lumpur. Proposed terminus stations were for Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and Jurong East in Singapore.

For the initiative, the Singapore government acquired both Raffles Country Club and Jurong Country Club to host the HSR terminus.

May 2018

Image Credits: CNA

In a media conference on May 28, 2020, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced that Malaysia would cancel the HSR project, saying the venture would not favour his country.

“It’s not beneficial. It’s going to cost us a huge sum of money. We’ll make no money at all from this arrangement,” Dr Mahathir said. He also commented on how the HSR project would cost Malaysia RM110 billion in an interview with the Financial Times, but would not gain a single penny for his nation.

July 2018

Roughly two months from his statement, Dr Mahathir responded by saying his government would aim to discuss the project’s postponement with Singapore. “When we looked at the financial situation of the country we thought that we couldn’t go ahead (with the HSR),” he told reporters.

“But having studied it and the implication of unilaterally discarding the contract, we decided we may have to do it at a later date, we may have to reduce the price. But (the) reduction of the price is very difficult as far as we can make out. So it has to be deferred.”

September 2018

Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan (left) and Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali exchange documents in Putrajaya on Sep 5, 2018

Image Credits: CNA

Both countries signed a new deal to officially consent to delay development of the HSR until the end of May 2020. Under the new arrangement, the HSR’s express service would begin by Jan 1, 2031, instead of Dec 31, 2026.

By the end of January 2019, Malaysia had to pay abortive costs amounting to around S$15 million to halt the campaign.

Furthermore, according to a joint declaration by both sides on the issue, Singapore’s negotiated costs in complying with the HSR Bilateral Agreement will also be borne by Malaysia if they did not continue with the project by May 31, 2020.

May 2020

Following Dr Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister, the two countries reached a consensus to delay the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project until the end of 2020.

Khaw Boon Wan, then Singapore’s transport minister, said that Singapore yielded to the suspension considering the context of international ties, but clarified that it would be the last extension of the suspension period.

November 2020

Malaysian Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz

Image Credits: Bernama

Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Malaysian finance minister, said the Malaysian government wanted to continue the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project as it was likely to generate a good ripple effect on the national economy. He stated, however, that this was also contingent on ongoing negotiations with Singapore.

December 2020

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin communicated via video-conference about the action plan forward.

Shortly after, Malaysian media claimed that without Singapore’s participation, Putrajaya could pursue the project. Therefore, instead of Jurong East in Singapore, the track could end in Johor in Malaysia.

January 2021

The concept design for Malacca station along the KL-Singapore HSR

Image Credits: MyHSR

We bid farewell to the highly anticipated HSR goal that could cut down travelling time between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by train to 90 minutes.

Singapore’s government will provide S$84 million to support the aviation sector amid COVID-19

You may have come across in the news that earlier this year in February and August, the S$112 million Aviation Sector Assistance Package and S$187 million Enhanced Aviation Support Package were rolled out respectively.

But more monetary help for the aviation sector is on its way. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced on Tuesday (Dec 29) that the government will provide an additional S$84 million to the aviation sector to aid workers and businesses affected by the pandemic.

Aviation sector remains badly affected

Image Credits: The Business Times

There is no doubt that the aviation sector is one of the hardest-hit sectors in Singapore and abroad due to COVID-19. To give you an idea, we have some numbers. The report has it that the number of passenger traffic movements at Changi Airport last month saw a 98 per cent year-on-year decline.

“Given ongoing border restrictions and the resurgence of COVID-19 in many countries over winter, air travel will not recover soon. It is therefore critical that we maintain our support for the sector to help aviation companies and workers tide through the crisis,” said the CAAS.

Also, with selected aviation firms putting in place safety measures to enable air travel, many may require additional infrastructure, equipment, and workforce aid. The authority highlighted that firms would not be able to recoup these costs from passengers at the moment.

Government funding & rebates to calm the storm

Image Credits: The Straits Times

“To help mitigate some of these costs, the Government will provide funding to support the development, adoption and deployment of innovative technologies and measures to protect our airport workers and aircrew from contracting COVID-19,” added CAAS in its media release.

There will also be some rebates between Apr 1 this year and Mar 31 next year to appease the situation. Specifically, the CAAS will not charge Certificates of Airworthiness fees for Singapore-based airlines.

On top of the abovementioned, they will also drop licence charges for those providing scheduled air services. Licence fees for ground handling and catering services at Changi and Seletar airports can also enjoy a 50 per cent deduction.

CAAS noted that such measures would cost about S$39 million in full.

Sustenance of aviation workers

Image Credits: todayonline.com

With the ongoing pandemic with no clear end in sight, many aviation workers with lesser working hours have had income drops, while some have to settle with no-pay leaves.

In response, the CAAS mentioned that they would work with SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore, NTUC LearningHub, and the NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster to help these workers build up their skills. In turn, this will enable them to switch to other job openings within the sector.

“Pilots need years to get their licence and certification. To ensure that we have a sufficient number of pilots for the eventual recovery, we will also work with SkillsFuture Singapore to provide funding support to Singapore-based airlines to re-train their pilots and keep their skills current,” CAAS commented.

As for local pilots, Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat said the authorities would help convert their licences to fly other aircraft types from now on.

Mr Chee further remarked that retrenched Singaporean pilots working for foreign airlines who have returned to Singapore could apply for a Singapore pilot licence. This will allow them to work with a local airline in the future.

According to the CAAS, such measures to sustain workers amount to about S$20 million.

“Together, we will tide through this arduous journey and take our place in the skies again,” Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung said in a recent year-end video.

UK travellers won’t be allowed entry to Singapore from 11.59pm today due to a highly infectious strain of COVID-19 in the UK

What a lead-up to Christmas. If you’ve been following the news daily, you should be aware of recent reports on a potentially more contagious strain of the virus happening in the United Kingdom.

On Sunday (Dec 20), British Health Secretary Matt Hancock noted that the coronavirus’s new strain was out of control. In response, our Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Tuesday (Dec 22) that travellers with recent travel to the UK won’t be able to enter Singapore from 11.59pm today (Dec 23).

This newly set border measure applies to long-term pass holders, including short-term visitors who have been to the UK within the last 14 days. “To reduce the risk of spread to Singapore, we are putting in place new border restrictions for travellers from (the) UK for further precaution,” said MOH.

Singapore is not the only country who has taken the move. Hong Kong, India, and many European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, have also banned flights from the UK.

Recap on current rules

Image Credits: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

At the moment, all eligible travellers arriving from the UK have to serve a 14-day stay-home notice at a dedicated facility. Non-residents have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 swab test taken within 72 hours before their flight to Singapore.

Returning citizens and permanent residents

arrival hall of Singapore Changi Airport

Image Credits: sg.news.yahoo.com

Singaporeans awaiting their loved ones to touch down safely from the UK need not worry too much. Singapore citizens and permanent residents returning from the UK will still be able to enter. But they will have to take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival here, at the start of their 14-day stay-home notice.

WHO cautioned against major alarm

Image Credits: NPR

Citing the coronavirus’s new strain as a regular part of a pandemic’s evolution, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged against unnecessary fear. WHO officials added that there is no evidence yet that the variant is more deadly than the existing COVID-19, though they can’t deny that it seems to spread more quickly.

Latest updates on the COVID-19 variant

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Scientists from the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) said on Monday (Dec 21) that the new variant could mean children are as likely to become infected with it as adults.

“There is a hint that it has a higher propensity to infect children,” said Neil Ferguson, a member of NERVTAG and a professor and infectious disease epidemiologist at Imperial College London.

To this, Peter Horby, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at Oxford University and chair of NERVTAG, adds that they have immense confidence that this variant has a higher transmission rate than other virus variants in the UK.

But Ferguson states that they have yet to establish any causality on that, though the data shows it. “We will need to gather more data to see how it behaves going forward,” he remarked.

Celebrating 20 Amazing Years of American Express – Singapore Airlines Partnership

20 Years Of Amazing Partnership

American Express (‘Amex’) and Singapore Airlines (‘SIA’), 2 giants in their respective fields, share a rich and deep history. This relationship started as early as the 1980s, where Amex encouraged Card Members that it was “A Great Way To Fly Around the World with the Card” on SIA.

Source: Advertisement published in 1983

Besides that, in 1983, the Campaign on “Don’t leave on SQ without it” where Card Members can shop in-flight on SIA with Amex Card quickly struck a deep chord with both SIA and Amex’s customers.

Source: Advertisement published in 1983

Besides promoting each other’s products, the relationship deepened into an official partnership with the launch of frequent flyer credit cards.

SIA’s First Cobrand Card Launched in 2000

The start of the millennium marked the launch of the first American Express Singapore Airlines Cobrand Card, The American Express^® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card and the beginning of the 20 years card partnership between the two companies known for its exceptional service.

Its success led to subsequent launches in the following years:

2005- The American Express^® Singapore Airlines PPS Club Platinum Credit Card

(Exclusively for Singapore Airlines PPS Club Members only – for the premium or business travellers who would like to enhance their travel benefits as they fly with Singapore Airlines.)

2009- The American Express^® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card

(Exclusively for Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Club Members only– for the premium or business travellers who would like to enhance their travel benefits as they fly with Singapore Airlines.)

2013- The American Express^® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

For the miles chaser who enjoys added travel privileges like airport lounge access and complimentary hotel stays.

This suite of American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards caters to every consumer from the premium traveller to the millennial adventurer, reaching Singaporeans across all segments of society.

A Major Refresh in 2016

In 2016, SIA and Amex enhanced their 4 credit card products to provide additional exclusive benefits and improve mileage earn rates, offering card members new and faster ways to earn and redeem KrisFlyer rewards.

In 2016, the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card was renamed to American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card with a refreshed Card Face. This is a great Card for Millennials who just stepped into the workforce and would like to start on their KrisFlyer miles collection journey.

This refresh was testament to Amex and SIA’s longstanding commitment to continually enhance the benefits of the Cobrand Cards to better cater to Cobrand Card Member’s needs.

A Card for Small Businesses in 2019

Taking their partnership further, SIA and Amex addressed a gap in the market when they launched the American Express^® Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card in 2019. It was the first SME business travel card in Singapore and exclusive Business Card with SIA, providing Small & Medium Enterprise owners with access to credit terms, greater savings with HighFlyer and travel benefits to support their business ambitions.

A Lucky Draw to celebrate 20 Amazing Years

To celebrate the milestone of reaching 20 years of partnership, Amex and SIA are holding “The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw”. 20 lucky card members will win a 2D1N themed staycation at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore or The Barracks Hotel, 20,000 KrisFlyer miles, and a welcome bag filled with Amex and SIA merchandise to bring home^.

Apply for a personal Amex-SIA Cobrand Credit Card between 1 Dec 2020 to 31 Jan 2021 to receive up to 20 chances when you make a minimum spend of S$1 during the Campaign Period.

Besides applying for a personal Amex-SIA Cobrand Credit Card, earn chances when you make eligible spend and successfully refer a friend. There is no need to register for this draw as enrolment is automatic. You could be one of the lucky 20 winners on 5 March 2021*!

Visit amex.co/moneydigest to find out more^.

^Restrictions, Terms and Conditions apply.