Travel hacks to help you save, so you can spend more on the things you want – like shopping, dining and adventure – while on vacation.
TEXT: MORGAN AWYONG
PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK
In the blink of an eye, the year-end holidays are almost upon us once again. Savvy Singaporeans know that the earlier you prepare for your year-end trip, the more you’ll save.
Whether you’re opting for a short getaway to Indonesia, or planning that long-awaited sojourn into Europe, there are always travel hacks to keep that budget manageable.
From the right time to book flights to accommodation alternatives, here are some smart ways to enjoy great savings and stretch that buck on your next holiday.
BOOK FLIGHT TICKETS EARLY
When it comes to booking your flights, the earlier the better. As airlines fill up their seats and hit their minimum capacity, they are less likely to offer attractive rates, especially to popular destinations. Most travel experts recommend securing those seats as early as four months ahead, and at the very latest, three weeks before.
To get the best deals, opt for weekday flights from Monday to Thursday. Budget airlines understand their price-conscious target audience and often indicate the cheapest period to fly on booking previews. Otherwise, platforms like SkyScanner are great for comparing prices and timings. You may even opt in for alerts to price drops as time goes by.
IT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR HOTELS
The competition for hotels is stronger and a lot more factors – such as season, location and handler of the bookings can affect pricing.
For instance, Booking.com and Agoda are from the same parent company but have different operating models. Booking.com uses an agency model and takes a cut from your bookings.
Agoda buys rooms in bulk first. Customers can make a booking with no cancellation fees, and when closer to the date, check Agoda for last-minute sales on unsold units. And HomeTeamNS members get an extra 6 per cent off on Agoda reservations as well. Other localised platforms (e.g. Rakuten Travel for Japan) may have better options and offers.
Memberships with big hotel chains such as Accor, IHG, Ascott, Marriott and Hilton are often free and include EDM subscriptions that notify you of exclusive deals. Many of these hotels have begun to match the prices offered by aggregators and sometimes offer more perks for the same price.
You can move up their membership tiers if you stay with them frequently. This can qualify you for free room upgrades and breakfasts. Pan Pacific’s GHA Discovery programme offers a Platinum membership even if you stay just two nights in one year at different hotel brands.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Travellers in large groups often opt for AirBnB. But the platform’s additional fees have been rising significantly, and with more countries cracking down on them, they can be unreliable.
Ascott properties once catered to serviced residences but their new hotel-in-residence model has emerged as a viable alternative for short-stay travellers. This offers multi-bedroom options with shared common places, and quite a few include kitchenettes and washers. Some, like the newly-opened Ascott Dadonghai Bay Sanya, even boast a resort theme with mermaiding workshops and a dedicated children’s playroom.
Solo travellers will enjoy their lyf brand – a co-living arrangement with lively common spaces. This is an upgrade from hostels offering room privacy but with communal facilities where guests can cook, wash, exercise, work and even share travel tips with others.
NO SURPRISES
We’ve all heard about the luggage situation in Europe and cases of rerouted flights due to weather conditions. Travel insurance can help you save on hefty expenses caused by flight delays, missing luggage or illnesses.
HomeTeamNS members who register their interest will enjoy a complimentary year of travel or home insurance with Singlife. The free plan encompasses the most common travel scenarios, and includes payments of up to S$400 for journey diversions, missed or delayed departures and luggages, with even an additional S$100 for each subsequent 6-hour delay. The best news? You also get a Free 1 year HomeTeamNS membership when you opt-in for this promotion.
If you’ve enjoyed the experience, you can always upgrade to their other plans to enjoy other Singlife travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellations for any reason and even rainfall protection.
STAYING CONNECTED
Travel has been made so much easier with digital applications. From directions to translation, the connected visitor can easily navigate the world.
HomeTeamNS members enjoy a whopping 61 per cent off rental rates at ChangiWiFi. This is convenient for travellers with multiple devices, or large groups so they can save on buying multiple sim cards. With unlimited 4G data running on five separate devices, you can always stay connected online to stay updated on ongoing deals as well.
TOURIST PRIVILEGES
Tourism is an important economic aspect to many countries, so check if your destination offers tourist passes. Benefits can include discounts and perks for transportation, attractions, shopping and dining. Some even double up as payment or transportation cards. Go City is particularly handy when it comes to finding them across the globe.
And don’t forget about your own HomeTeamNS membership perks. Check into Changi Recommends and reserve hotels with a S$40 discount. There are also direct promotions with several merchants such as The Boathouse in Phuket or Hard Rock Hotel in Bali too, so remember to check the benefits when making those bookings.
BOOKMARK THOSE SALE DATES
While it started with just 11:11, all savvy shoppers know that sale dates are now commonplace. So before you make a booking see if that repetitive date (8/8, 9/9, 12/12) is just around the corner.
Most major travel platforms such as Trip.com or Klook have frequent sales. They don’t just happen on the day itself, but can have lead-up activities with equally good offers. Some of these can be timed or limited in quantity, so once you have a destination in mind, it is a good idea to research earlier and bookmark your favourites. With some of the most popular attractions up for sale, some of these can go in minutes, so being prepared goes a long way.
SHAPE UP THOSE MILES
Reward cards which accrue flight mileage have long been used to redeem airline tickets or business class upgrades. Such cards – like the American Express Krisflyer or Citi PremierMiles – lets you earn a mile or more per dollar on common spends. Some, like the HSBC Revolution card, offer the same but don’t have an annual fee, while others like the American Express Ascend Krisflyer even boast a free stay at Hilton plus four lounge passes a year to use.
If you love our national carrier as much as we do, then think about loading up on Krisflyer miles – even without a credit card. The Kris+ app lets you collect miles as you shop and dine, and if you’re thinking of big ticket items or beauty, KrisShop lets you do the same.
VISIT A LESS POPULAR CITY
Visiting smaller, less talked-about cities can offer a more original experience and costs for flights, hotels and food can be considerably lower as well.
Want long, pristine beaches? Choose Danang in Vietnam over the crowded ones in Bali, Indonesia. Love your Japanese food and culture but want a spot of nature? Then head to Nagoya instead of Tokyo.
If you’re not sure where to start, look at the listings under budget airlines such as Scoot, AirAsia, and Jetstar. They often include under-served cities as an option and can be your inspiration to discovering that next great travel gem.
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