4 Ingenious Travel Scams Singaporeans Should Be Aware Of

Do not taint your vacation by becoming a victim of the latest travel scams targeting unsuspecting tourists. From your expensive belongings to your personal safety, the risks of scams are overwhelming. The finest form of protection in these situations is to be forewarned.

1. THE PHOTOGRAPHY SCAM

The wonderful backdrop of Bali’s serene sunset deserves to be encapsulated forever through a photograph. As quick as you are, you gathered your group to take a special “jumping shot”. Then one of the locals approached you and offered to take your group photo for free. Seconds later, your newfound friend disappears with your expensive camera.

Bustling city attractions are the most vulnerable places for this scam. Do not be fooled! If you have to take a photo, it is best to ask your fellow tourists and return the favor to them.

2. THE PIZZA FLYER SCAM

As a busy tourist with a fully packed schedule, you are bound to forget about your meals at times. A promotional pizza flyer slipped beneath the doors of your hotel room seems like the most convenient choice. So you gave your payment details over the phone and end up waiting for nothing. There was no pizza and you just gave your credit card details away to a stranger! Cue the *panic* music here.

This is why it is best to check with the authorization of the fliers first at the hotel’s concierge.

3. THE FAULTY TAXI METER SCAM

Using the different modes of transportation overseas will make you realize how lucky you are that Singaporean taxi companies are very well-regulated. But in other countries, the taximeter can be faked. Your driver may overcharge you by not stopping the meter while he takes a “toilet break” or by wiring the meter itself. To avoid this you must negotiate the rates beforehand, have your map handy, and ensure that the meter is in tact.

Here are the other taxi tips by Christine Kaaloa :

4. THE BOGUS WIFI HUB SCAM

Modern technology paved way for keeping all your information such as credit card details (via Blogshop sites), savings account details (via internet banking), and school data (via university portal) in one place – your laptop or Smartphone. And as you login through the “free WiFi” at a terminal, you can fall prey to hackers. Hackers may set up unsecured WiFi spots in public locations in order to access of your device and steal important information.

Avoid this by asking which WiFi connection belongs to the establishment and by bringing your own pocket router while you travel. Consider the affordable portable WiFi Router available at Changi Recommends.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Score Great Deals At Hotels In Just 6 Ways

1. BE FLEXIBLE

The quickest way to save money on your next hotel booking is to shake up your travel dates. If you are flexible enough to travel a few days earlier or later especially in the midweek, you will be able to avoid the hefty prices of the weekend rooms. Also, traveling during the off-peak season is usually advantageous. Aside from the lower prices of the hotel rooms, you will be able to indulge more on sightseeing as there is less crowds.

For example, you can host your stag party in Las Vegas on August instead of December to save about 50% off on hotels.

2. INCLUDE THE HOTEL’S PERKS

When choosing a hotel, include the its free perks to your travel budget as they can impact it significantly. For instance, the complimentary breakfast meals help you save a couple of dollars for your whole trip. And if your hotel has a game room, a gym, and a swimming pool, you can spend countless hours on free entertainment. Some hotels even go beyond by offering free drinks at the their bar, discounts at their spa, and free shuttle services.

3. TALK THE “TALK”

Much like any other professions, hotel staff has their own jargons or “lingo” that you must be aware of in order to increase your chances of getting the best price. Instead of asking for the “best deal on a room”, you must ask for the “cheapest non-refundable rate”.  Reduce the ambiguity of your statements.

4. USE CREDIT CARDS WITH HOTEL REWARDS PROGRAMS

When paying for hotel reservations, use a credit card with hotel rewards program. Your credit card can either reward you with points to avail a free hotel room or discounts at the affiliated hotels.

In Singapore, redeem OCBC$ to get free hotel stay packages with your OCBC Titanium MasterCard Credit Card or enjoy 12% savings at several hotels with the American Express Personal Card.

5. DOWNLOAD AN APP

Worry not about your emergency accommodation! HotelQuickly, as the name suggests, allows you to book last-minute discounted hotels within seconds. They bring you exclusive deals on Asia-Pacific’s top-rated hotels located in New Zealand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Laos, and Australia. Keep an eye with their featured accommodation to enjoy discounts up to 70%.

It’s available on Android and iOS.

6. COMPARE PRICES

Most people avail the services of travel agencies thinking that they offer the cheapest prices in town. However, they add service fees to the prices and make it more expensive. On the flip side, some people compare the hotel prices of 2 specific websites thinking it is enough. But it is not! A better option is to use our hotel comparison tool- hotels.moneydigest.sg. It is an extensive tool that helps you narrow down the best deal on various websites such as Expedia, Hotels.com, HotelTravel.com, and so much more.

Hotels-Comparison

Never underestimate the money you will save by comparing hotel prices! It may just boost your travel fund by a lot.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How To Save And Travel Like A Local In Hong Kong With The Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router

Granted with a couple of days of vacation, you chose to travel to Hong Kong. Hong Kong – the bustling country that is home to busy neighborhoods, amazing museums, rich heritage sites, and best shopping malls.

To ensure that you get wireless data connection throughout your stay, equip yourself with Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router. It is a budget-friendly solution to meet all your travel needs!

Here is why:

1. Use Taxi Apps To Get From One Place To Another

Uber

Say it is your first time in Hong Kong and you are not familiar with their public transportation, a better way to reach your accommodation safely is by riding a taxi. But hailing one can be difficult if your arrival is scheduled at inconvenient timings (e.g., at midnight or at rush hour). Fortunately, you can always get a ride with the Uber app and your Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router.

Simply connect your smartphone online and travel around the island anytime and anywhere.

2. Navigate And Never Get Lost With Google Maps

Money Digest X Changi Recommends

If you are a person like me who has absolutely little to no sense of direction, equipping yourself with Google Maps is a must!

Save money and time on transportation by connecting online and finding the shortest way possible. And if you want to maximize your budget even more, you can enjoy the wonderful sceneries by walking as much as possible.

3. Stay Connected Anywhere Even Without Free Wireless Hotspots

mcdz

Some people throw a couple of dollars at the local cafe just to use their free wireless hotspot for a couple of minutes. Do not be one of those people!

Instead of going to the nearby Starbucks or Mcdonalds just to check your work email, accomplish your tasks by connecting your devices to the Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router. Connect securely wherever your itinerary takes you by carrying it inside your bag or pocket.

4. Update Your Social Media Accounts And Have Your Friends Greening With Envy

Causeway Bay Money DIgest

In the era where social media reigns supreme, our generation has embraced the culture of photo sharing. And as you travel in Hong Kong’s religious sites and cityscapes, it is inevitable to take countless selfies and Instagrammable images. Share these images while avoiding the horrific expenses of data roaming by keeping your pocket Wi-Fi device handy at all times.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all of your travel buddies posted your fun memories on the day itself? For as low as S$5 per day Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router lets you connect to 8 devices simultaneously.

5. Search For The Cheapest And Best Local Food With One App

OpenRice2

There is a greater chance that the breakfast from the hotel is expensive. So immerse yourself to the place, the people, and the culture better by trying their local cuisine.

Clueless about what Hong Kong cuisine has to offer? Consider connecting to your OpenRice app online to find the latest food promotions and book a table fast! Keep in mind that locally made food and beverage are often cheaper.

Price Plan
Eager to get your own Changi Recommends’ Wi-Fi Router?

Reserve yours by completing the form at changirecommends.com for at least 3 days prior to your departure. Aside from reserving the unit online, you can call +65 6701 1185 or WhatsApp to +65 9427 6977 to inquire and reserve.

After reserving your set, you can collect it at any Changi Recommends’ 24/7 booth at Changi Airport T1, T2, and T3!

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Be The Best Traveler You Can Be Without Spending A Cent

If you are a seasoned traveler, backpacker, or hiker, you must be aware of the saying: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.”

Sometimes, we get too engrossed with our desire to have a great time that we forget that we responsible for taking care of the environment for the future generations to come. The statement above simply encapsulates that responsibility.

You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to become good stewards of Mother Nature and have unforgettable experiences in return, all you have to do is follow these steps:

1. TAKING NOTHING BUT PICTURES

Bringing a piece of nature’s paradise from your trip may seem like a good idea at first. But it is not! Keeping a bottle of Boracay, Philippines’ glorious white sands would only tarnish its beauty. Commercial establishments had already taken up some of the island’s resources; do you want to continue what they started?

To ensure that untouched destinations such as Penghu Islands (Taiwan) and Yaeyama Islands (Japan) are maintained, it is important to take pictures and nothing else. Besides, getting “souvenirs” without permission can be punishable by the laws of that country. You would not want to pay a hefty fine!

2. LEAVING NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS

In 20 years, I picture a world filled with diverse species that are vividly scattered across the globe! I think you want to share the same vision too. I mean…would you rather see majestic birds fly through the air or birds covered with dirt due to an unfortunate oil spill?

Image Credits: Marine Photobank via Flickr (CC license)

Image Credits: Marine Photobank via Flickr (CC license)

It is our obligation to leave nothing but shoe (not carbon) footprints wherever we go. For instance, if you want to go snorkeling in Thailand’s Ko Lipe, do not forget to throw your trash in the rubbish bin and not in its beautiful waters. Do not carve your “couple name” on the walls either as vandalizing can ruin historical landmarks. Simply, do your best to contribute to the cleanliness of the place you are visiting.

3. KILLING NOTHING BUT TIME

Ambon (Indonesia) was an essential island during the heyday of the Dutch East India Company because it was used as a source of spices. Aside from spices, Ambon is famous for their eels. Imagine if people would pay to kill those eels? Fortunately, they do not!

However, that is not the case in Africa. People pay Africans to get the tusks of the helpless elephants in order to sell them internationally. Believe it or not, thousands of elephants are being killed each year for their tusks! When you purchase ivory necklaces, you may not be the one holding the knife but you just promoted the market for the illegal killings. Let us face it; do you really need that ivory tusk necklace or that tortoise-shell keychain?

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

So please, while enjoying your travels, kill nothing but negativity and time.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Visit The Most Instagrammable Architectures In Singapore

Everyone deserves to take a break from all the urban madness we face on a daily basis. A spontaneous break that does not require you to travel overseas or spend too much money.

I am talking about a day spent on savoring the aesthetically pleasing architectural gems in Singapore!

If you are up for it, spend under S$25 as you visit one of these Instagram-worthy architectures:

1. THE ARTS HOUSE

The Arts House is a creative landscape situated at the Old Parliament building. This longstanding building was inspired by the Palladian architecture – a European style of architecture derived from the designs of Andrea Palladio. Now, it is a home for a museum that presents multidisciplinary programs such as film, performing and visual arts.

Image Credits: alantankenghoe via Flickr (CC License)

Image Credits: alantankenghoe via Flickr (CC License)

Indulge on The Art House’s elegant and historical architecture as well as the amazing art form brought by the “G is for German Giants” show on November 13. Standard tickets are sold for S$20 while students and senior citizens can get it for S$15.

2. KONG SENG ROAD SHOPHOUSES

About 15 minutes away from the Eunos MRT is a vivid architecture that can potentially be a photo-shoot location – the Koon Seng Road. It is filled with traditional Peranakan shophouses that are pastel colored and intricately embellished. Some of them were immaculately restored.

Be in awe with the rich architectural background as you take gorgeous selfies!

3. STADIUM MRT STATION 

Who would have thought that an architectural jewel can reside alongside the public transportation? I did not…until I saw the Stadium MRT station!

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons (Author: Circleline4)

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons (Author: Circleline4)

The station, designed by the popular WOHA Architects, was so masterfully done that it was awarded with the “Design Of The Year of the President’s Design Award” in 2010. Its sleek lines and slashes on top open to a wider space below.

4. ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM

Another museum with an outstanding architecture is the ArtScience Museum located at Marina Bay Sands. You might have seen the building from afar because of its iconic shape that has “10 fingers” anchored by a unique round base in the middle. The modern and exquisite detailing is perfect for the central themes of the museum.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Grab the opportunity to catch the poetic and informative “Hermès Leather Forever” exhibition for free from now until December 13 (T&Cs apply).

5. THE SANDCRAWLER

If you are a fan of Lucasfilm’s massive movie franchise, you would love to see the Sandcrawler in real life! Inspired by the fortresses inhabited by the hooded Jawas in Star Wars films, the Sandcrawler building is the regional headquarters of Lucasfilm Singapore. The eight-story building is made up of metallic glass that curves along its edges, giving it a futuristic feel.

Image Credits: Catriona Ward via Flickr (CC License-Attribution-ShareAlike)

Image Credits: Catriona Ward via Flickr (CC License-Attribution-ShareAlike)

The public can only see its wonderful urban jungle exterior as the building is a working production facility. Nonetheless, you can always apply for a job there. Click here to apply.

May the force be with you! 🙂

Sources: 1,  2, & 3

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