travel Archives | Page 9 of 29

How To Carry Foreign Currency When Traveling

Armed with a debit card and a stack of American dollars, my significant other and I went on a vacation recently. We needed to unwind as we take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the city.

One thing is for sure! It was a good idea for us to research on how to carry foreign currency in a country we have not been before. Consider the following methods to safely convert your money to foreign currency while traveling.

#1: CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are best used for significant purchases such as hotel reservations, car rentals, and airline tickets. Credit card purchases are usually exchanged at the interbank exchange rate, which leans towards your advantage. What’s more? There are credit cards that rub off their rewards such as added travel insurance or airport lounge access.

The only downside with carrying mere credit card is that some restaurants or stores do not accept credit card transactions. While there are advantages in carrying a credit card, keep in mind the charges that can add up quickly as you return home.

#2: DEBIT CARD OR ATM

Arguably the most convenient and cheapest way to get local cash is to swipe your debit card through the ATMs. You will reap the same interbank exchange rate when you make cash withdrawals through your ATM or debit card as you do when you make a credit card purchase. Spend directly from your bank account with your Visa or MasterCard debit card when you go overseas. Simply ensure that you are aware of the in tree international transaction fees that come with it.

The downside to using your debit card is its foreign ATM use and currency conversion fees. Research on this.

#3: CASH

For immediate purchases that you must consume within the first 24 hours, it is a good idea to carry an ample amount of foreign currency. Before you leave Singapore, remember to exchange your SGD to foreign currency to handle expenses such as taking a cab or buying a meal. Use your cash until you can find the nearest ATM.

It goes without saying that you would not get the greatest conversion rate from your home country. However, it provides a cushion for your immediate expenses and prevents you from being stranded. If you are traveling to a major international airport or a well-known city, you probably do not need to hoard cash as ATMs are of access.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

A WORD FOR SAFE KEEPING

When you are traveling or living overseas, it is entirely impossible that you will not need to spend money in the local currency. Whether you are paying for your essentials or sending money back home, there are several ways to secure your funds.

Research is your best-friend! Know where to get or how to convert your funds while you travel. Bring a small amount of foreign currency abroad unless you can guarantee that the conversion rate is favorable to you.

Nonetheless, you may carry your local currency along with your plastic cards as you cross different countries. Convert your local currency periodically when needed.

How To Save Money On Last-Minute Travels

It has been a while since my significant other and I traveled together. For the first time in a long time, we shall be booking an overseas trip at the last-minute. With two weeks to spare, we need to find ways to stretch our dollar.

Conventional wisdom states that you must book months in advance to save money. Last minute purchases usually lead to expensive airline tickets and lodging arrangements. However, this is not always the case.

#1: BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR DESTINATION

Since you are being spontaneous, consider letting the deals decide your destination. Let the fate guide you! Who knows? You may be in Haiti for less S$200.

If you do not have your heart set on a specific place, you may go to websites that enable you to check the best travel deals. For instance, Kayak Explore is a great tool to see which countries offer the best deals at a variety of travel dates.

#2: BOOK A LATE TIME-SLOT

Use the scarcity of time to your favor by booking really late. Interestingly, you may score the cheapest flights by pushing your booking way back. The closer the date, the more desperate airlines are in trying to fill the plane’s capacity. Go big or go home, right?

#3: SEARCH FOR FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATES

One way to maximize your dollar is to compare the Singapore dollar to the rest of the world. If you are eyeing a trip abroad, you may look for a destination with favorable exchange rates. Which local currencies are weaker compared to the Singapore dollar? Perhaps, there are countries experiencing momentary economic instability or other conditions that decline their currency values. Consider traveling to these countries.

#4: OPEN THE INCOGNITO MODE

Keep your searches in private. When you surf the Net in Incognito Mode, your browser does not collect cookies. This means that third parties cannot identify the website you have visited before. Without the ability to track your movements, travel websites will have a harder time guessing your intentions. You see, these websites tend to raise prices to people who are not on “private” mode.

Another option is for you to use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network, which will conceal your geographical location and encrypt the data you send.

#5: PACK THE LIGHT ESSENTIALS

Make minimalist packing your lifestyle by traveling light. No matter how long you plan to be away from the country, it is best to pack no more than a week’s supply of fresh clothes. Packing light basics and weather-appropriate gear ensures that you save money and space.

Do not forget other essential accessories such as travel-sized hygiene items, chargers and USBs, power adapters, and padlocks.

#6: BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE TRAVEL DATES

Aside from the destinations, you can save more money by being flexible with the travel dates. People travel less in these unconventional days. Traveling in the middle of the week is cheaper than traveling towards the end of the week. You will get the best deal by flying on a Tuesday and leaving the following Wednesday as compared to flying on a Friday and leaving next Sunday.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Keep these tips in mind the next time you book a last-minute flight! ?

Sources:1 & 2

Pack Your Bags Now for These 4 Amazing Spring Travel Destinations in Australia

Like filet mignon and fine wine, Australia and spring go well together. Oz is comfortably warm throughout the season of new beginnings. Fun events and cultural celebrations are everywhere you look.

Whether you’re an Aussie traveling within the country or an international visitor, here are four Down Under destinations best experienced when spring is in bloom.

And remember, northern hemisphere dwellers, the Australian spring is your late summer and autumn–September 1 to November 30.

Hunter Valley

There’s no better springtime destination Down Under for foodies and wine lovers than Hunter Valley. Located north of Sydney on the New South Wales coast, Hunter Valley has served as a major wine-producing hub since the early 1800s.

Visitors flock here in September for the Spring Festival of Flowers at Hunter Valley Gardens. The month long seasonal celebration boasts entertainment, wine tastings, tours, and fun activities. With more than 250,000 annuals in bloom, the gardens offer lush vistas of botanical beauty.

November at Hunter Valley features the annual Sculpture of the Vineyards arts and culture fest with guided sculpture and Aboriginal history tours.

The Whitsunday Islands

Situated between the northeast shores of North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a spectacular chain of 74 islands. This is a special kind of paradise, perfect for if you enjoy pristine white sand beaches, hiking through the rainforest, or snorkeling.

September is the perfect time to visit the Whitsundays, when temperatures average a comfortable 26°C / 78.8°F. Humpback Whale watching is also best in September, and it’s awe-inspiring to see these majestic ocean dwellers migrate through the Great Barrier Reef.

Add a seaplane tour to your itinerary for the ultimate Whitsundays viewing experience.

Photo by Chris Phutully / CC BY 2.0

Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Melbourne Cup Carnival is part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is Australia’s most famous Thoroughbred horse racing series.

Each November, four races–The Victoria Derby, The Melbourne Cup, VRC Oaks, and VRC Stakes–serve as the centerpiece to a week long party at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse and surrounding area.

Over 100,000 revelers regularly attend for horse racing, entertainment, high fashion, cuisine, and drink. There are a few customary things to know before you attend–be sure to dress fashionably in the season’s latest trends, and make smart bets trough the Melbourne Cup race odds.

Alice Springs

Set in the heart of the Northern Territory, halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, Alice Springs is a gateway town to Red Centre, Australia’s interior desert. It’s also home to springtime festivals celebrating the indigenous culture of the region.

The Desert Song Festival in September presents concerts, workshops, and choirs of local performers paying homage to the music of Central Australia. The festival culminates with the beloved A Cappella in the Gorge concert.

Held every September and October, Desert Mob is a comprehensive showcase of Aboriginal art. The series boasts art exhibits, symposiums with artists, and a marketplace for purchasing works inspired by Central Australia’s natural beauty.

4 Airline Tips To Live Your Best Travel Life

Maximize your money while traveling by following these four airline tips the next time you book a flight!

SHOP WITHOUT TAX

It’s always a blessing to acquire your favorite perfumes or purses without having to think about the tax attached to it. Try heading to the airport’s duty-free store to enjoy purchasing items without tax. Do this if you want to dispose your leftover foreign currency when traveling internationally.

Without a doubt, prices for certain goods vary by country and airport. This is why you must maximize your savings by doing a price comparison thru the Duty-Free Addict site!

EARN EXTRA MONEY

Many Singaporeans are not aware of the possibility of qualifying for compensation when experiencing flight delay. You read that right! There are certain situations that enable you to get some cash or other benefits. While weather delays or air traffic control issues will not get you any compensation, losing your luggage can get you some cash from the airline company.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

An app called AirHelp can track flight delays and uncover ways to get you compensation. It proclaims to give about US$700 to help both domestic and international passengers.

COMPARE ALL PRICES

When it comes to maximizing your dollar, it pays to shop around. The advancement of technology led to the development of helpful travel apps like Hipmunk.

Hipmunk compares deals on flights, hotels, and cars from several travel websites and airline companies. It gives you all the necessary information to get you started on your journey.

READ THE FINE PRINT

Before you embark on your relaxing holiday, take a few minutes to read the fine print attached on your airline ticket or vehicle rental contract. You will be glad you read any contract the travel industry lays out in front of you. For instance, an airline may not require to keep its flight schedule and you are still expected to check in on time. Read all the important details such as cancellation and refund policies.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

In most times, you are left with the “adhesion contract” whereby you cannot travel without clicking the “accept” button. Take it or leave it!

Sources: 1 & 2

The Ultimate Travel Checklist: Travel Smart With The Right Credit Cards & Insurance

Keep this checklist handy the next time you plan for a holiday

One of the easiest ways to save money on your holiday trip is leveraging on the right credit card rewards. Some cards offer you higher miles for each dollar spent on flight and hotel bookings, whereas some offer better perks for overseas spend. Using the right card for the right spend is the key.

Here we round up some of the best cards for each categories:

Best for Flight booking:

1. UOB KrisFlyer Credit Card

Apply Now

Earn 3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spend on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot and KrisShop purchases
Earn Up to 3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spend on everyday* spend categories with S$5o0 min. annual spend on Singapore Airlines Group.
Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spend on other spend

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

S$50 cash via PayNow
Up to $150 cash credit and 3,000 KrisFlyer miles
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

2. American Express KrisFlyer Ascend

Apply Now

Earn up to 3.2 KrisFlyer miles on your Grab and everyday spend, up to S$200 each calendar month.
Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spend on SingaporeAir.com, SingaporeAir app, silkair.com and KrisShop, with no cap.
Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spend on eligible overseas transactions during the months of June and December.
Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spend on eligible local transactions, with no cap.

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

Up to 49,200 welcome miles
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

3. HSBC Revolution

Apply Now

Earn 5x Rewards on dining, entertainment and online purchases (equivalent to 2 miles for every dollar spent)

No minimum spend required.

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

150 cash back or Samsonite T5 68cm Spinner with built-in scale
$20 Grab vouchers
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

4. DBS Altitude

Apply Now

Earn 4 miles per $1 spend on Singapore Airline tickets booked through DBS Travel MarketPlace
Earn 4 miles per $1 spend when you commute with your DBS Altitude Card This includes your bus, train, taxi rides and even your fuel spend! (From 1 Aug to 31 Dec 2019)
Earn 3 miles per $1 spend on online flight & hotel transactions (capped at S$5,000 per month), such as:
singaporeair.com agoda.com
cathaypacific.com expedia.com.sg
qatarairways.com airbnb.com.sg and more!
Earn 2.4 miles per $1 spend when you re-fuel at Esso (From 1 Aug to 31 Dec 2019)
Earn 2 miles per $1 spend on overseas spend (in foreign currency)
Earn 1.2 miles per $1 spend on local spend

The best part? Your miles never expire.

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

Up to 38,000 welcome miles
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

Best for Hotels:

1. Citi PremierMiles Visa

Apply Now

Agoda: Earn up to 7 Citi Miles per S$1 spent OR Enjoy up to additional 8% off hotel bookings
Expedia: Get 10% off hotel bookings
Kaligo: Earn 10 Citi Miles per S$1 spent on kaligo.com/bonus-miles

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

$250 cash via PayNow
Up to 30,000 welcome miles
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

2. UOB PRVI Visa

Apply Now

Agoda: Earn 6 miles per S$1 spent
Expedia: Earn 6 miles per S$1 spent
UOB Travel: Earn 6 miles per S$1 spent

Apply now and get S$150 cash credit.

Welcome gift, apply now and get:

$50 cash via PayNow
Up to $150 Cash Credit
1 lucky draw chance to win $1,000 cash

3. American Express KrisFlyer Ascend

Apply Now

Complimentary Airport Lounge Access: Four complimentary access each year to any participating SATS Premier Lounge in Singapore and Plaza Premium Lounge around the world.
Complimentary Night Stay at Hilton: One night each year at one of over 160 Hilton Properties in Asia Pacific and complimentary upgrade to Hilton Honors Silver membership tier.

Welcome gift, apply now and get: