Currency, as we know it, is a result of a period of evolution. Long time ago, there were no coins, there was only barter – simple exchange of goods for goods. Now, money (i.e., in the form of coins, paper, etc.) around the world has its equivalent value.
When you travel, it is quintessential to find a good place to change the currency of your money. Luckily for travelers, Singapore provides a wide array of reliable and licensed money changers that offer best rates for most foreign currencies. If you are unaware of the best money changers out there, here is a swift list for you…
1. PEER TO PEER – MARCO POLEE (Update: 15 Sep 16)
Since our article has gone out, we’ve discovered Marco Polee – a currency exchange platform that networks people to exchange currency between each other. Customers can create a new listing, which consists of where they’d like to exchange, and the amount. The best bit is that the exchange rate is locked to the market exchange rate (midmarket rate)! With absolutely no fees, no commissions, and the ability to exchange at market rates – this service is definitely worth taking a look at. Marco Polee’s goal is to provide travellers with a better option as they believe the people deserve better than to lose money just to exchange currency.
Do you live around the Katong area? Parkway Parade Shopping Centre, a building with about 300 shops, is the most convenient place for you to change your money. In here, the suggested money changers are located at the Level 1 as it provides the best rates for THB, USD, JPY, MYR, and HKD.
Suggested Money Changers: Sino Money Changer, Yakadir Enterprises, Everpeace Money Changer, and Parkway Money Changer
A busy business center in Singapore, Raffles Place has proven to be a good place for changing your currencies. Offering good rates for USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, THB, MYR, and TWD all year round.
Suggested Money Changers: Arcade Plaza Traders Pte Ltd, Sheen International Exchange, People’s Corner Money Changer, and Arcade Money Changers
Address: The Arcade, 11 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049317
4. PEOPLE’S PARK COMPLEX CHINATOWN
An old building located at the heart of Chinatown, People’s Park Complex, is one the most famous places to exchange your money. The money changers here are numerous that you can compare rates by hopping from shop to shop. Nonetheless they offer good rates for CNY, PHP, THB, HKD, and MYR.
Suggested Money Changers: Today’s Money Exchange, Crante Money Changer, AK Money Changer & Department Store, and Emerald Money Changer
Address: People’s Park Complex 1 Park Road, Singapore 059108
5. LUCKY PLAZA
For tourists that are around the Orchard area, money changers at Lucky Plaza is your most convenient choice. With shopping centers around the area, it is a good place to exchange rates for PHP, MYR, and THB.
Suggested Money Changers: Rahiman Trading, Rabi Trading, Fajar Money Changer, and True Blue Money Changer
Address: Lucky Plaza 304 Orchard Road, Singapore 238863
Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr
Remember to compare the rates in different money changers in the building to get the best rates! Some money changers offer updates via their website so, be aware of that.
(* Now that you’ve get the best of your exchange rate, use our hotels search engine to search for the best price guaranteed hotels: http://hotels.moneydigest.sg)
Heartland Boy recently took a leap of faith to accept a job assignment in the chaotic streets that is Jakarta.
As a recently married and henpecked husband, he agreed voluntarily to fly back to Singapore on weekends so as to spend time with his lovely wife, Ms Heartland Girl. Heartland Boy does not have the luxury of having his company fund his weekly trips home; so minimizing his airfares were a huge priority for him. Therefore, Heartland Boy set out to look for the best cash rebate credit card for frequent travellers, instead of the typical credit cards that issue air flyer miles.
After comparing across various credit cards in the market, the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card is the best cash rebate credit card for frequent travellers due to its headline grabbing 5% cash rebate. In this programme, the cash rebates are awarded in the form of Optimum dollars but essentially, they are effectively as good as cash. Therefore, for simplicity, Heartland Boy shall address Optimum dollars as cash rebates in this article.
HOW ANZ OPTIMUM WORLD MASTERCARD CREDIT CARD WORKS
Select 1 out of these 4 categories. [Dining&Leisure, Travel, Shopping, Groceries]
Table 1: Definitions of the categories under the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card
The selected category, otherwise known as a core category, will earn 5% cash rebate, while the remaining 3 categories (non-core categories) will earn 1% rebate.
The cash rebate is calculated based on every multiple of S$10 where the transaction amount will first be rounded down to the nearest S$10. The table below illustrates the different type of transactions and the cash rebates applicable.
Table 2: Cash rebates applicable on the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card
The cash rebates will accumulate daily and eventually be rounded down to the nearest dollar on your monthly statement. Therefore, assuming that those were the only 2 transactions for the entire month, the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card holder will earn a total of S$11 cash rebate for that particular month.
Once you have accumulated a minimum of $50 in cash rebates, you can choose to “redeem” the cash rebate to offset the cost of your future transactions. Redemption of cash rebates are in multiples of S$50.
What Heartland Boy likes about ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card
With a cash rebate of 5%, it is easily the best cash rebate credit card for frequent travellers.
No minimum spend is required on the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card to earn the cash rebate. Therefore, even if you charge S$20 for your core category on the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card, you already earn S$1 cash rebate for the month.
There is no limit to the amount of cash rebate you can earn in a single month.
Cash rebate earned have a long validity period of 3 years.
Tips on optimizing theANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card (pun intended)
As card holders are allowed to change their core categories every quarter, you may want to switch category in anticipation of some big ticket expenditure. For instance, if you are booking year-end holidays for the family, it will be good to switch to “Travel” category to earn the maximum 5% cash rebate. After completing this big ticket expenditure, card holders can still switch back to their original core category in the next quarter.
Note that the maximum amount of cash rebate awarded per transaction is S$30. This translates to S$600 and S$3000 per transaction for your core and non-core categories respectively. If your transaction exceed the quantum, you may want to break up your transaction into separate receipts and payments to qualify for more cash rebates.
ANZ is having a credit card promotion now whereby new-to-bank customers who apply for the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card and have their credit cards approved by 15 March 2016 and spend at least S$488 on their Credit Card will earn a cash rebate of S$100! Readers who are eligible should take advantage of this credit card promotion!
In reality, the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card is a fantastic credit card as long as one is a “heavy” user of any of the four categories. For instance, a parent with a large family may find the 5% cash rebate on groceries very useful. Heartland Boy also thinks that readers can be creative and utilise a suite of credit cards to leverage on their respective strengths. For instance, Heartland Boy uses the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card to book air tickets and the OCBC 365 Credit Card to pay for bills at restaurants.
Although more and more people are booking their itinerary by themselves, there is still a substantial amount of Singaporeans who firmly believes in services provided by the travel agencies.
If you want to discover new amazing destinations in a cost and time efficient manner, simply pick up the phone and contact these top travel agencies:
1. DYNASTY TRAVEL
Kicking off this list is a travel agency that understands the modern generation. It is none other than the Dynasty Travel. Dynasty Travel continuously improves its service in order to serve their clients better. In fact, its comprehensive website is supplemented with a free smartphone app. Imagine how convenient it is to book a tour with a few taps of a finger!
This well-recognized travel agency boasts with various awards such as Singapore Service Excellence Medallion 2015, Singapore Service Class 2015, TTG Travel Award’s Best Travel Agency Singapore 2014, and Enterprise 50 2013. It was even awarded outside of Singapore as it received the “Top Agent” award from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Dynasty Travel provides a myriad of services including Free & Easy Tours, MICE Tours (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), Group Tours, and Customized Tours. Speaking of Group Tours…there is an going sale to Macao!
Price Comparison: 7D6N Enchanting Korea + Jeju Island Tour starts from S$2083.
2. SA TOURS
Do you want peacefully plan an all-inclusive vacation for your family? Or, do you need to arrange a corporate package for your entire company? All these concerns can be resolved by SA Tours.
SA Tours has an appealing reputation of providing competent travel services to both the individuals and the organizations. They are best known for their reasonably priced “long-haul” tours, which can last for more than 10 days! It is one of the largest tour operators in the country.
Image Credits: facebook.com/SATours.SG
It offers different services such as Group Tours, Free & Easy Tours, China Tours, and Customized Tours. You are sure to find a touring package which suits your needs!
Moreover, it is a good idea to consider SA Tours if you are planning to tour in Europe. Group packages to Europe lasts from 8 to 14 days. In this period, you will be delighted by their sincere staff and their highly knowledgeable tour leaders.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Location: 1 Park Road, #04-62 People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108
Contact: (65) 6535 2611
Website: satours.com
Price Comparison: 8D Korea Discovery + Jeju starts from S$1568.
3. HONG THAI TRAVEL
Hong Thai’s longstanding history and strong experience spans more than 30 years. Said potent experience includes assisting government agencies, schools, community centers, corporations, and individuals. It is affiliated with the renowned Hong Thai Travel in Hong Kong. Other supporting branches are scattered across China, Macao, and Hong Kong.
Hong Thai takes pride in its entertaining tour itineraries, pleasing hotels, and helpful tour leaders. Its sought-after “8D All in Korea Deluxe” package had been awarded as one of the eight “Best Korea Tour Programmes in the World” by Korea Tourism Organisation.
A few months from now, I will be traveling to Bangkok with my beloved friends. I am oozing with excitement as I have never been to this place before nor have I traveled with this group of people. Much like most Singaporeans, I long to explore their indisputable shopping scene! This is why I must employ some strategies to save as much money as I can while traveling.
For this type of trip, you can save money as a group by:
1. CONDUCTING PRIOR RESEARCH
Choosing an affordable destination that is suited to your travel budget is the first step. In our case, we chose Bangkok. If you have a considerable amount of money then, you can go to Europe rather than limiting yourself to Southeast Asian countries.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
After choosing a destination, research on the possible accommodations, activities, transportation modes, and so on. One of the largest discounts come from availing the group rates for all the said expenses. If you are going to a museum, do not be afraid to ask about the group rate. Same rules apply for booking a flight or a hotel.
2. COOKING YOUR OWN FOOD
There is a greater chance that the breakfast from the hotel is expensive. It is better to walk out the door and find a nice local cafe in the mornings. Take some squad #foodporn photos while you are at it! Remember that locally made food and beverage are often cheaper.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Alternatively, you and your friends can cook on several days. Cooking in a new environment can be entertaining especially when you are around with the people you adore!
3. CARPOOLING TOGETHER
Renting a car when traveling alone cannot fully maximize the capacity of your vehicle and your budget. On the flip-side, you can save more money when traveling with others by splitting the car rental costs and by filling all the seats. 4. COMMUNICATING WITH THE LOCALS
Along with your friends, consider talking to the locals to know more about the best places that you can visit. Be honest about whether you are aiming for a lavish or a budget-friendly spot. Some may even offer to let you lodge at their homes.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
5. CLAIM THE REWARDS
A credit card is utilized at the point of sale as means of paying for services or goods. Credit cards come in different looks and sizes, much like assorted chocolates. What’s more? They vary in the rewards they entail. The card that you shall focus on now is the one that offers you travel miles.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Gather up as many miles as you can get by offering to pay for your friends and later reimbursing it with cash. This may help you enjoy a free trip on your next vacation. To put your “power” into good use, utilize your rewards wisely.
The travel search engine KAYAK.sg has identified the best night markets that Singaporeans should discover in Asia and the best travelling days for maximum savings
Singaporean travellers can save up to 55% on a round-trip flight to Phnom Penh when flying on Monday and returning Saturday
The cheapest return flight is from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur with an average price of S$76
When booking a return flight for a trip to Ho Chi Minh city travellers can save up to 33% flying on Wednesday and returning Friday
Singaporean foodies can never get enough of good food and are always on the hunt for the best local gastronomic experiences. KAYAK.sg reveals which destinations have the best local food at the most wallet-friendly prices, as well as which travel daysafford the best flight deals. Knowing which days are the best to fly on when booking a return trip allows Singaporean travellers to better plan their trip, while spending less on their flights and more on local delicacies in Asia’s best night markets.
Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC said “Tasting local food is a highlight on every traveller’s itinerary. To avoid disappointment, travellers should make sure to check the opening hours of night markets as they are not all open daily. Also, Singaporean holidaymakers should come prepared with sufficient loose change as the vendors only accept cash payment.”
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Jalan Alor Food Street
@Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock.com
Jalan Alor is the best local tip when it comes to night markets in Malaysia. Expect to find a smorgasbord of street food; ranging from local Malay and Chinese food to international cuisine and exotic snacks; it is the perfect place for those who want to try all of the famous, local dishes. The famous food street is open until late to cater to party-goers around the area. Everything is on offer, including barbequed chicken wings, grilled seafood, tofu bakar and belacan fried rice. The street market is open every day from 5pm till late. Travellers should note that some of the street’s restaurants have very specific opening times and are not open every day or at all hours, thus they should be sure to check the opening times before visiting them. To get better flight deals, Singaporean foodies are encouraged to travel to Kuala Lumpur on a Sunday and stay until a Tuesday, when the average price for a return trip amounts to S$83, saving travellers an average of 29% when compared to a Saturday to Sunday getaway. If travellers are making frequent trips to Jalan Alor to satisfy their cravings, they should consider their stay at Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur – a 10 minute walk away from the food street.
Adventurous travellers can slip away from the French cafes and tourist heavy spots in District 1 and hop over to District 10 to explore Ky Hoa Night market which offers a wide range of local food. Among the most popular local delicacies, Singaporean foodies can try Vietnamese Com Tam (broken-rice) with grilled pork, bot chien (fried rice flour cake with egg), bun thit nuong (cold rice vermicelli) as well as exotic delicacies including fried insects and arachnids. Travellers should head to Ho Chi Minh City on a Wednesday and return on a Friday, when a return flight costs an average of S$151, saving up to 33% when compared to booking a flight leaving on a Sunday returning Monday. Luckily for Singaporeans, the market is open daily from 5pm to midnight; however, to make the most of it, travellers may consider staying in one of the top 5-star hotels nearby, such as the Windsor Plaza Hotel, and extending their taste-testing spree by couple of days.
Phnom Penh’s only formal night market, Psar Reatrey, overlooks the riverside from the central reservation that separates downtown and northern Phnom Penh. Singaporeans can enjoy live local pop music as they stroll through this less-crowded and less touristy Cambodian night market. Travellers should make sure to taste some specialties from the local cuisine, including Fish Amok (Cambodian style steamed fish), Kuy Teav (noodle soup), and Prahok (crushed and salted mud fish in banana leaves). Holidaymakers searching for novelties should take a seat at the back of the market and try fried cockroaches and salted grasshoppers. Singaporean travellers who want to save up to 55% should leave on a Monday and return on a Saturday when an average price of a return flight amounts to S$208. Moreover, it is perfect timing as the market is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm till midnight. Those who want to extend their stay in the capital and spend more time enjoying the local delicacies may want to consider checking into a 4-star hotel e.g the Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh, located within easy walking distance from the market.
A sea of colourful tents, near the Thailand Cultural Centre, at the BTS station, house row upon row of street food vendors offering travellers everything from stir fried pad thai to barbequed fish and the perennial favourite, mango sticky rice. After eating or when taking a break from it, Singaporeans should head up to the second-story bars, which provide a bird’s eye view of the market below, and enjoy some live music The best days to stay in Bangkok are Monday to Friday, when the average return flight price is around S$173. Also, Singaporean holidaymakers can save up to 27% when booking their flights for these days compared to other booking combinations. For Singaporeans taking advantage of this great deal, take note that the market is only open Thursday to Sunday so book a hotel like the Grand Mercure Bangkok Fortune, just a stone’s throw away from the market, to really make the most of your market dining experience.
Located in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods and near several universities, Shi-Da has a young and vibrant atmosphere. The market can be found along Longquan Street, which runs parallel to ShiDa Road. Apart from tasting such local delicacies as stinky tofu, black pepper buns and grilled squid, Singaporeans should definitely make time to explore the stalls set up by local fashion designers. Travellers can save up to 16% when flying out a Sunday and back on a Tuesday, with an average price of S$337 when compared to holidaying from Tuesday till Sunday. The market is open from 6pm to 11.30pm daily; however, with so much to see and taste Singaporean travellers, wanting to make the most of their time in Taipei may want to consider somewhere like the Rido Hotel, which is a short stroll away from the market.
Data analysis is based on flight searches made on KAYAK.sg from June 2015 until June 2016 for travelling dates between June and December 2016. Average prices are quoted in Singapore dollars and based on a return economy flight for one person. All prices quoted may be subject to change and may no longer be available. Hotels are recommended based on short travel distance from the night markets or food streets, rated at least 4 stars. Searches are made on 18 June 2016 for 1 night stay and 2 guests from 27 June to 25 July 2016.
Table 2: Cash rebates applicable on the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard Credit Card
