travel Archives | Page 21 of 33

How To Travel For Free And Get Paid In The Process

1. WORK AT A CRUISE SHIP

Cruise on the clear blue seas without spending a cent by getting a job at an international cruise line. Cruise lines all over the world are in constant need of staff such as entertainers, waitresses, and housekeepers. Find a job that suits you best to get the free boarding and your desired pay. With few opportunities to spend your money while on the cruise, you are sure to come home with more money than you left with!

2. BE A MYSTERY SHOPPER

Mystery shoppers are individuals that the company hires to pose as regular clients in order to evaluate their services and products. Feedback about their experiences are given to the stores, groceries, and restaurants. In most cases mystery shoppers are hired locally, but there are overseas mystery shopping assignments too. However, these assignments are usually given to experienced mystery shoppers. Work towards it!

3. FIND JOBS AT HOSTELS, RESTAURANTS OR RESORTS

In exchange for free bedroom accommodation, why don’t you work in either the hostel’s front desk or the cleaning services? Hostels are usually looking for new staff and the same goes for resorts. For resorts, you make take on jobs on the front desk, restaurant, and entertainment department.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Lying on the country’s classified ads are cafe or restaurant job opportunities. Flip it open and apply. Explore your options to choose the best working hour that fits your travel itineraries.

4. OPEN A MOVING COMPANY

Get paid to head on a road trip by delivering furniture, animals, and other items from one destination to another by opening your own moving company. Professional movers pack the client’s items carefully and deliver them safely through trucks or vans. If you are up to the task then this is an idea that you must consider.

5. TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD

Hundreds of job opportunities that cater to TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certified individuals, native English speakers or people who are fluent in the said language. A simple way to make a buck is to check out Dave Sperling’s ESL Cafe.

ESL Cafe is a website that is open for people who teach English and provides them students from around the world. You may send your resume or C.V. to schools and individuals in South Korea, China, Japan, and other locations.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

KAYAK.sg reveals travel hacks for visiting the 10 most popular school holiday destinations

The travel search engine shares its wallet-friendly tips for booking a summer family getaway from Singapore

Head to Bangkok for S$187 and stay in a four-star hotel averaging S$133 per night
By booking on the right day of the week, travellers can save up to 33% on flights
KAYAK.sg recommends escaping Singapore’s heat and humidity with a visit to Melbourne and catching the open-air festivals in Paris

Singapore, 26 April 2016: The month-long June school holidays are a great time for a longer trip with the family, but high demand often means inflated flight prices and hotel bills. Parents (and their wallets) deserve a break as much as their kids do this summer, so the travel experts at KAYAK.sg crunched the numbers to reveal when to book flights to the top 10 most popular school break destinations for maximum savings.

Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC said, “School holidays are a peak time for families to travel together and prices tend to increase as a result. By choosing a value-for-money destination and employing a few budget-friendly travel hacks, the whole family can enjoy a summer getaway without breaking the bank. Savvy travellers search for flights and hotels on KAYAK.sg to ensure they are getting the best price and sign up for Price Alerts to receive notifications when the price drops for their desired flight and hotel.”

KAYAK.sg data reveals the top 10 destinations for school holidays based on the average median price for travel between 1 and 30 June 2016. Many families take advantage of the month-long school break in June to visit long-haul cities like Paris and New York, while others escape to nearby destinations in Southeast Asia like Bangkok and Bali. Booking on the right day of the week can save travellers between seven and 33 per cent.

Bangkok, Thailand: Best value destination in Asia

@Travel mania/Shutterstock.com

Among the most popular June school holiday options, Bangkok is the all-around best value destination for both flights and four-star hotels. Round trip flights to the City of Angels in June cost S$187 on average and a four-star hotel stay averages S$133 per night. Travellers booking their flights on a Tuesday up to 15 weeks in advance can save up to 30%. On average, travellers pay S$155 when they book on a Tuesday, while those who book on a Monday pay S$222. June is a great month to visit the Thai capital: there are fewer tourists than at other times of the year and the heavy rains of the monsoon season won’t begin until later in the summer. In addition, many retailers participate in Thailand’s Amazing Grand Sale from 15 June to 15 August, offering discounts on clothes, jewellery and electronics.

Melbourne, Australia: Most affordable long-haul destination

@Gordon Bell/Shutterstock.com

According to KAYAK.sg research, the most affordable long-haul destination in the list is Melbourne, Australia. Despite the Land Down Under’s reputation for being an expensive travel destination, fourstar hotels are only slightly more expensive than in Bangkok, averaging S$143 per night. Round trip flights to Melbourne cost S$584 on average, but travellers can save S$45 by booking on a Monday up to 20 weeks in advance for an average flight price of S$539. Melbourne’s winter temperatures in June (7-14 degrees Celsius) are a nice change from Singapore’s heat and humidity. Animal-loving kids can tap into their wild side with visits to the city’s excellent zoo and Sea Life Aquarium.

Paris, France: Best value ultra long-haul destination

@IM_photo/Shutterstock.com

The City of Light offers great value for a family summer sojourn. With flights averaging S$992 from Singapore and four-star hotels averaging S$324 per night in June, Paris is the most affordable ultra long-haul destination in the top 10. Travellers can save up to 20% by booking flights up to 20 weeks in advance on a Monday (average flight price S$866), versus booking on a Sunday (average flight price S$1076). In June, Paris comes alive with festivals and outdoor events like the Fete de la Musique and open-air film screenings in Parc de la Villette.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

Search the site