Win ‘The Perfect Vacation at Home’ with American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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).

  1. 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.

 

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4 Money-Saving Hacks with McDonald’s 1-for-1 deals!

If your New Year’s resolution is to save money, you gotta make sure you’re spending smartly! You can still visit your fancy restaurants, but here’s our life-changing hack ? You ready?

Just download My McDonald’s App from the App Store or Google Play Store! Yes, it’s that simple. McDonald’s has a lineup of fun and rewards for everyone this year and trust us, this will be your go-to app so you stick to your budgeting plan for 2021.

1. Grab your lunch BFF and redeem 1-for-1 deals with McDonald’s Mega Deals Festival

Starting from 4 January, McDonald’s Mega Deals Festival will run for an entire month! You can expect a range 1-for-1 deals on your favourite bites on the McDonald’s app from 4-27 January.

  • 4-6 Jan: 1-for-1 McSpicy®
  • 11-13 Jan: 1-for-1 Double Filet-O-Fish®
  • 18-20 Jan: $14.50 Breakfast Family Meal (U.P. from $17.70)
  • 25-27 Jan: 1-for-1 Breakfast Deluxe

If you don’t have a lunch BFF yet, you can offer to buy on behalf of a colleague and earn some brownie points for the new year! Better yet, introduce the app to them so that you establish yourself as the savviest person in the office when it comes to great deals.

2. New to the app? Get a $2 McSpicy® Welcome Deal!

If you’ve never heard about the McDonald’s app before, this is your chance to score a McSpicy® burger at only $2, with any purchase (U.P. from $5.50). That’s more than 60% discount, what a deal for new users! Just the mere thought of our favourite McSpicy® is enough to whet our appetite.

3. Happier Mondays

Joining the McDonald’s club is free, and you get new deals every Monday at 8am! Monday blues are tough, but nothing beats waking up to a deal on the food we love. We’ll be setting alarms to check out the McDonald’s app before looking at social media apps or emails, so we don’t miss any deals!

4. $1 Chicken McNuggets® on your birthday month!

Relive fond memories of McDonald’s Birthday Parties as you sink your teeth into Chicken McNuggets® (6pc) for just $1 with any purchase. We’re lovin’ member-exclusive perks like these birthday treats because they never fail to stir up warm, fuzzy feelings!

5. Bonus Hack in Jan: Win More Treats with The McShaker™ Game

Did you know that you can win even more deals on the McDonald’s app? Play the McShaker™ game in the app stand a chance to win the newly launched $1 Mala McShaker™ Fries and other delights such as free Vanilla Cones or Hashbrowns with any purchase.

We promise you will be lovin’ it every step of the way. Cheers to a Happy New Year!

 

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Singapore HDB resale prices and private home prices rose in 2020

HDB flats

The results are out. Based on flash estimates from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on Monday (Jan 4), Singapore HDB resale prices increased by 0.1 per cent in 2019 to 4.8 per cent in 2020.

The HDB calculations also found that the resale price index, which includes statistics on the overall price fluctuations in the resale market for public housing, grew from 133.9 to 137.8.

Most significant quarterly rise in about 10 years

OrangeTee & Tie’s head of research and consultancy Christine Sun shared that the highest quarterly jump in around 10 years was the price spike in the fourth quarter of 2020. With a 3.8 per cent rise, the last peak was reported in the third quarter of 2011.

“The market recovery can be attributed to the slew of policy changes made over the past two years to make public housing more affordable for Singaporeans and enhance the attractiveness of older flats,” said Ms Sun.

She added that numerous new flats that demand higher prices have also been transacted over the past few months. This may have raised the total price index last quarter.

Flat at Pinnacle@Duxton sold at S$1.258 million
Pinnacle@Duxton

Image Credits: The Straits Times

For selected flats, some buyers were willing to fork out large sums. Up till November 2020, a whopping number of 72 resale flats were sold for over S$1 million. This includes one at the Pinnacle@Duxton, which recorded a sale price of S$1.258 million last September.

Ms Sun said that the long time of completion for recent Build-to-Order (BTO) releases and growing private home prices will continue to shift demand to the HDB resale market.

“Couples who are still doing well in their jobs may proceed with their upgrading plans, while those who are still affected by the pandemic may downgrade from private housing to HDB flats,” she noted. “This may result in more flats being put on the market as well as more flats changing hands in the coming months.”

Prices of resale flats are expected to rise further

According to the expert, prices for resale flats are projected to climb further by 2 per cent to 5 per cent this year. HDB said buyers may look forward to more specific data for the fourth quarter of 2020 on Jan 22.

Come February, HDB will offer about 3,700 BTO flats in Bukit Batok, Kallang Whampoa, Tengah, and Toa Payoh. There will also be another 3,800 BTO openings in Bukit Merah, Geylang, Tengah, and Woodlands in May.

“Given the economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, HDB is monitoring the housing market closely and will calibrate the supply if required,” said the board.

With that said, private property prices in Singapore are following suit.

Prices increase by 2.1 per cent in the fourth quarter
Singapore private property

Image Credits: Ohmyhome

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) shared today (Jan 4) that in the fourth quarter of 2020, Singapore’s private property prices increased by 2.1 per cent compared to the third quarter.

Ms Sun said that after the second quarter of 2018 when prices increased 3.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter, the fourth-quarter surge was the highest quarterly rise. This is due to the remainder of the Central Region, which grew by 4.8 per cent in the fourth quarter, and the main Central Region, where prices rose by 3.3 per cent.

“There were a number of new projects launched in the fourth quarter of this year that could have driven prices higher in these regions,” Ms Sun remarked.

Analysts share how buyer sentiments may improve in 2021

A substantial amount of liquidity currently circulating in the financial sector will fuel Singapore’s property market. Buyer sentiments will pick up more on the growing anticipation of the vaccine and reopening under phase 3.

“Phase 3 could reflect potential economic stabilisation and opportunities for longer-term property price appreciation,” said Property analyst Ong Kah Seng.

“Overall private home prices may rise by 1 to 4 per cent while prices of new homes may grow at a faster pace of between 2 and 5 per cent in 2021,” Ms Sun added.

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Some South Koreans seem to be more concerned with this surgery than COVID-19 amid its third wave

park-cheol-woo-a-director-of-wooahin-plastic-surgery-clinic-conducts-a-nose-plastic-surgery

In the last three months, South Korea has seen a 167.3 per cent uptick in the number of COVID-19 infections. But it seems like there’s something of more interest for some South Koreans.

As the land of kimchi battles its third wave of the coronavirus with 1,020 more COVID-19 cases added on Monday (Jan 4), the total caseload now stands at 64,264. But that does not deter some locals like a 20-year-old university student, Ryu Han-na.

Pandemic turned an opportunity for cosmetic surgery

When she had plastic surgery on her nose last month, she took it as the last opportunity to do so discretely before people began taking off masks this year following worldwide vaccinations roll-out.

Ryu said the decision to undergo the 4.4 million won (US$4,013) procedure amid the pandemic included having the capacity to recover at home and wear a mask in public without receiving unnecessary attention.

“I always wanted to get a nose job… I thought it would be the best to get it now before people start taking off masks when vaccines become available in 2021,” she shared. “There will be bruises and swelling from the surgery but since we’ll all be wearing masks I think that should help.”

Ryu is not the only person

In fact, many South Koreans share the same view as Ryu. As such, demand for plastic surgeries amid COVID-19 has contributed to the rise in the industry’s worth in 2020.

According to Gangnam Unni, the country’s largest online cosmetic surgery platform, the market had a worth of roughly US$10.7 billion last year, rising 9.2 per cent year-on-year. It is assumed to remain around US$11.8 billion in 2021.

The face area of interests
Plastic-Surgery-Consultation-in-Korea

Image Credits: Seoulz

Cosmetic surgeons state that all areas of the face are of concern to patients. This includes those that can be covered behind masks, and those that cannot be hidden, which others deem to be appearance standards in the age of COVID-19.

“Both surgical and non-surgical inquiries about eyes, eyebrows, nose bridge and foreheads – the only visible parts – certainly increased,” said Park Cheol-woo, in-charge of Ryu’s operation and surgeon at WooAhIn Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Using the government’s emergency stimulus payment at hospitals

Krismas Plastic Surgery Clinic’s Surgeon Shin Sang-ho said several individuals spent their government emergency stimulus payments at hospitals and clinics, raising sales in the second half of 2020.

“I felt like it’s sort of a revenge spending. I’ve sensed that customers were expressing their pent-up emotions (from the coronavirus) by getting cosmetic procedures,” Shin commented.

Although South Korea did not reveal hospital category specifics, government figures indicate that out of its welfare payments of 14.2 trillion won (US$12.95 billion), locals spent 10.6 per cent in hospitals and pharmacies.

Additionally, Gangnam Unni data suggests that its users rose 63 per cent to around 2.6 million last year from 2019. People sought over one million counselling appointments, twice the number before.

shin-sang-ho-director-of-krismas-plastic-surgery-prepares-to-conduct-botox-injection

Image Credits: Reuters

But as the nation records increased COVID-19 cases daily, the third wave of coronavirus in South Korea remains a threat.

“We’ve seen growing numbers of cancellations in consultation appointments recently as people refrain more from going outside … especially customers from the suburbs mostly postponed their surgeries to 2021,” Park noted.

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This 19-year-old Singapore Polytechnic student is CEO of a US$25 million tech start-up

CEO of Team Labs

It seems like 19-year-olds are doing great things at the prime time of their lives. Yesterday, we wrote about a 19-year-old student who earns up to S$1,320 writing one fanfiction story about BTS. Today, we will be focusing on another 19-year-old student who is a chief executive officer (CEO) of a US$25 million tech start-up company.

Harsh Dalal is the name to note. The Singapore permanent resident is also a student at Singapore Polytechnic (SP), where he studies business administration. He currently heads Team Labs, a software development company, with 120 employees across eight cities.

Harsh’s childhood years
Harsh Dalal during primary school

Image Credits: Harsh Dalal

Harsh frequently moved until a few years ago, when his family purchased an apartment in eastern Singapore. When his family migrated here from India, he was only six years old. As a shy child, he struggled to build and sustain long-term friendships with new neighbourhood children.

“I lost all my friends every time I moved houses. It was daunting for a socially awkward kid to go around looking for friends every time we moved. So instead of being at a playground, I’d be at home on my laptop, coding or doing other stuff,” he remarked.

At 11 years old, he took up coding through watching hours of YouTube videos. After his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), he received a discarded iPhone 4 from his mother which he succeeded in jailbreaking.

“I have an aversion to being controlled. It’s difficult to be myself if I have something constraining me,” Harsh commented.

Fascinated by the iOS system, he began to search Apple Developer discussion boards for further deets. He then found four friends from the United States, Russia, Norway, and Singapore between 14 and 17 years old.

His tech venture started at the age of 13
screen recorder app

Image Credits: CNA

Together with his teenage friends, Harsh created one of the first screen recorder apps in 2014. Though the app recorded five million downloads within a few weeks, it was not profitable.

“We didn’t make any money out of it, foolishly because we didn’t expect it to actually take off,” recalled Harsh. “It was a missed opportunity. We didn’t know how to monetise the app.”

Though his first venture did not bring about income, the app’s popularity set the stage for this tech entrepreneur whose business services clients such as Coca-Cola, Google, and Hilton.

An alternative app store – iDownload Pro
Side view of Harsh Dalal

Image Credits: CNA

With the app’s success, the group went on to create an app store called iDownload Pro. It’s a platform where developers can upload apps rejected by the App Store. Though there were more than 3 million downloads, they eventually shut down iDownload Pro in 2015 due to hefty costs. At that time, Apple was tightening down on third-party app stores as well.

But it did not stop them from advancing.

Started offering web and software development services
web-development

Image Credits: Enginess

With prices from US$99, the group began selling web and software development services they marketed on their website and through Google Ads. 

Since they were too young to incorporate the business officially, one of the teens persuaded his father to do so for them in the United Kingdom, and their first customer offered them US$299 to build a website.

“The profit margin was, like, non-existent,” recollected Harsh. “If I went and worked at McDonald’s for the same amount of hours, I’d probably have earned more.”

Clinched a US$100,000 project to develop a marketing app
Harsh Dalal of Team Labs

Image Credits: CNA

But things got better for them, and they were offered a US$100,000 project to create a marketing app for a multinational company. With the money in, each took home US$10,000 and pumped the remaining funds into the business.

“I’d never seen so many zeros in my life until that point,” said Harsh, who was 16 then. “That was when my mindset shifted also. I was taking my O-Levels and making this kind of money. So I wondered if it made sense to keep studying.”

Maintaining close friendships a challenge
Harsh with his polytechnic friends

Image Credits: Harsh Dalal

Though some of his classmates were contemplating what to do after the O-Levels, Harsh had already drafted his post-secondary school plan. He also earned himself a spot at Singapore Polytechnic through the Early Admissions Exercise.

But maintaining close relationships with his peers was a challenge.

“There’s a level of commitment required for these relationships that I sometimes am not able to live up to,” he said, adding that some of his polytechnic schoolmates are aware that he is the owner of a start-up.

A shift in focus led them to develop their first software platform
Xenon

Image Credits: Team Labs

With all that said, the company turned its attention on software development in 2017. Since staff were in various time zones, the team wanted to build an internal tool to communicate. This thus prompted them to create their first software platform, Xenon.

The platform helps developers to plan, create, and deliver their software products in the cloud collectively. To date, Xenon has around to 70,000 customers.

Raising funds for the company’s growth
Harsh in an interview

Image Credits: CNA

Harsh sent dozens of emails to venture capital companies to generate funds for its development, but only some replied. One venture capitalist even told him that he was too young to be eligible for investment.

“I was crushed and demoralised. I wondered if it was worth struggling this much for funding,” Harsh recalled. But he is no longer troubled by such remarks after the company gained a US investment company’s interest.

Team Labs has received US$9.8 million in Series A funding since 2017 and, for tactical reasons, is currently based in San Francisco. Grand Canyon Capital, Startup Capital Ventures, and the sovereign wealth fund Korea Investment Corporation are among its shareholders.

Harsh is also the remaining co-founder out of the team of five. The others have left for various reasons including for further studies or to start new ventures. The 19-year-old will also be taking time away from his company for two years for National Service after his graduation from SP this year.

“It’s very difficult to even think about leaving everything and doing something else. The good thing is that there are other talented people at the company. The Basic Military Training at least can be a decent break that I deserve after so much time working on the company,” Harsh noted.

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