Chasing oneworld Emerald took me to Sapporo instead of Fukuoka, and a Marriott Bonvoy points redemption at the Courtyard turned out to be one of the better decisions of the trip.
My stay at The Standard, Singapore, now Category 4 in World of Hyatt. Cool design, great pool, reasonable Globalist perks, but location has trade-offs.
Kimpton makes its Hong Kong debut in Tsim Sha Tsui. Here's an honest look at the harbour view room, bathtub, breakfast at Hillside and daily Social Hour.
Earn up to 7,500 bonus Reward points on eligible stays before 13 September 2026 - bookings must be made by 31 July 2026.
Formerly Studios at Alila, now JdV by Hyatt. Is KLEO Seminyak worth booking over its pricier neighbour Alila Seminyak? A full Terrace Room review.
Chasing oneworld Emerald took me to Sapporo instead of Fukuoka, and a Marriott Bonvoy points redemption at the Courtyard turned out to be one of the better decisions of the trip.
My stay at The Standard, Singapore, now Category 4 in World of Hyatt. Cool design, great pool, reasonable Globalist perks, but location has trade-offs.
Kimpton makes its Hong Kong debut in Tsim Sha Tsui. Here's an honest look at the harbour view room, bathtub, breakfast at Hillside and daily Social Hour.
The Hyatt Regency Tokyo has finally emerged from its most extensive renovation in 45 years. With sleek modern rooms and a completely reimagined Regency Club, this Shinjuku stalwart is once again a top contender for Globalists.
Standing tall in the heart of Jeju City, the Grand Hyatt Jeju impresses with its massive suites and stunning hardware. However, a stay here reveals a style over substance approach, with stingy elite recognition, and a forgettable club lounge experience.
While the Kaohsiung Marriott Hotel impresses with its spacious rooms and modern hardware, the experience is let down by a clinical atmosphere and strict elite benefit policies.
For decades, the Grand Hyatt Taipei stood alone as the primary option for World of Hyatt loyalists in Taiwan. That has finally changed with the arrival of EPISODE Daan Taipei. Part of the JdV by Hyatt collection, this boutique property brings a pulse of retro-modern energy to the Daan District.
Housed within the architectural marvel of the Parc1 complex, the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul is a bold statement of modern luxury in the Yeouido financial district.
Stay three nights at Hyatt's Latin America and Caribbean resorts between January and March 2027 and earn a free night, up to five in total.
Ascott Star Rewards and Cathay have partnered on a complimentary tier match up to ASR Platinum, with a small Asia Miles sweetener. Here is whether the status is worth claiming, and the faster door you may already have.
Amex Shop Small returns to Singapore from 4 to 31 August 2026. Save the offer, spend S$10 in-store at a participating merchant, and get S$3 back, up to five times per registered Card.
World of Hyatt is handing out 2X points on eligible food and beverage spend at participating restaurants and bars across Asia Pacific until 30 September 2026. No registration needed, but there is a catch worth knowing about.
Accor's Greater China Triple Delight campaign pairs 12% off member flexible rates with a 20% bonus points kicker on ALL App and WeChat bookings. A solid, if unspectacular, stack for anyone with a China trip on the cards.
Mövenpick is offering 1,000 bonus ALL Accor Reward points on 2-night stays across Asia Pacific, the Maldives and beyond. Modest, but free points on stays you are taking anyway. Here is how it works, and the date discrepancy you need to watch.
JAL Mileage Bank and Marriott Bonvoy have launched a reciprocal status match programme. Here is how the tiers translate, and who benefits most.
A targeted Marriott Bonvoy x Emirates promotion is offering 5,000 bonus points for your first eligible stay. Here's who qualifies and how to register.
Earn up to 7,500 bonus Reward points on eligible stays before 13 September 2026 - bookings must be made by 31 July 2026.
HSBC is removing the 1% p.a. Everyday+ bonus interest on the Everyday Global Account from 1 July 2026, cutting the headline stacked rate by a full percentage point. Here is what it means for your savings strategy.
The date is confirmed: World of Hyatt's new award chart and 2026 category changes kick in on 20 May 2026. 136 hotels are changing categories. Here is what you need to know and do before the deadline.
The HSBC Revolution just got its most significant upgrade in years. If you are an HSBC customer with S$50,000 sitting in your Everyday Global Account, 8 mpd is now yours - permanently, and for free.
Marriott Bonvoy has increased the points top-up limit for Free Night Awards from 15,000 to 25,000 points. This enhancement allows members to access higher-tier properties and luxury hotels more easily by bridging the gap with their existing points balance.
The end of an era for one of Singapore’s most accessible airport limo perks: UOB will officially discontinue the complimentary airport transfer benefit for the UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card from 1 April 2026.
World of Hyatt has announced a significant update to its award chart structure, expanding from three to five redemption levels starting May 2026. While the program retains its fixed-value system, top-tier redemptions are set to increase in cost.
While I have long advocated for the outsized value of miles (specifically for World of Hyatt redemptions), blind loyalty to a single platform is a mistake. In this article, I compare HeyMax and ShopBack, sharing why I have recently found myself using ShopBack more often.
American Express Singapore has announced a significant devaluation to the Membership Rewards programme effective 23 February 2026. Transfers to major airline partners like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific will require 25% more points, while transfers to Emirates will require 50% more. A temporary foreign currency spending bonus for Platinum Card members has also been announced.
As we bid farewell to 2025, I take a look back at my hotel stay statistics for the year. With 91 nights at Marriott and 70 at Hyatt, I have solidified my top-tier status where it matters most. However, with Hilton’s introduction of Diamond Reserve, my strategy for 2026 is shifting. Here is a breakdown of my nights, status retention plans, and why I am prioritising World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy in the new year.
While seasoned miles chasers often look to foreign carriers for significant cost savings and sweet spots, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer remains the undisputed default for the vast majority of Singaporeans. From the sheer number of credit card transfer partners to the preference for direct flights over stopovers, KrisFlyer is the Ya Kun of the miles game.
As we head into 2026, the miles game has shifted. With tighter caps on key cards like the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa and UOB Lady's Solitaire, optimising spend is more crucial than ever. In this article, I share the six credit cards I will be actively using in the upcoming year.
American Express has unveiled its 2026 roadmap for The Platinum Card, signaling a major shift from statement credits to curated experiences. Effective 2026, the Local Dining, Entertainment, and Fashion credits will cease. In their place, Card Members will receive a complimentary Table for Two dining experience every two months, plus a refreshed S$400 Platinum Wine Credit.
In a sudden move with little advance notice, British Airways has devalued its award chart effective 15 December 2025. Redemption rates for partner airlines like Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, and Japan Airlines have increased significantly. This article analyses the new pricing for key routes from Singapore.
Mandarin Oriental has quietly evolved its guest recognition programme this year, introducing two higher tiers: Silk and Pearl. Discover the benefits of these exclusive levels and how they compare to the standard Fans of M.O. membership.
Even if you hold top-tier status with a major hotel chain, booking a Luxury Travel Advisor rate can unlock significant additional value. From guaranteed US$100 property credits and "Stay 3 Pay 2" offers to freeing up your welcome amenity choice, here is why you should consider using a luxury travel advisor for your next booking to "stack" your benefits.
Following the November 2025 devaluation, the value of a KrisFlyer mile has undoubtedly dropped. While Saver awards remain the gold standard, it is time to revisit a perk that has always existed but is often ignored: the Advantage Award stopover. By leveraging the complimentary stopover on one-way Advantage redemptions, you can effectively book a second holiday for free - provided you travel within 30 days.
It has been three months since the HSBC Premier Mastercard received a massive refresh in August 2025. From earning an uncapped 2.76 mpd to unlocking limousine rides, here is my experience using this card as my daily driver.
Effective 1 December 2025, UOB will lower the interest rates on the UOB One Account for the third time this year. The maximum Effective Interest Rate (EIR) will drop from 2.50% p.a. to 1.90% p.a. for account holders with a balance of S$150,000 who credit their salary and meet the minimum card spend. This revision represents a reduction of S$900 in annual interest for those maximising the account.
Once a powerhouse of perks and flexibility, Accor Plus is about to undergo major changes - and not for the better. From October 2025, discount stacking disappears and status extensions are gone. Here’s why I’ve decided to let my membership lapse.
From 1 October 2025, all Accor Plus members will be “upgraded” to ALL Accor+ Explorer for the remainder of their membership year. Many positive benefits are marketed but the devil is in the details - here’s everything you need to know.
Starting from 01 September 2025, UOB One Account will be reducing the maximum bonus interest from 3.3% p.a. to just 2.5% p.a..
From 1 August 2025, the DBS Woman’s World Card will reduce its monthly bonus cap for 4 MPD on online spend from S$1,500 to S$1,000.
If you’re using Marriott Bonvoy Nightly Upgrade Awards, here’s a heads-up - make sure to remove them before cancelling your booking, even if it’s fully refundable.
From 1 May 2025, UOB will be cutting bonus interest rates on the UOB One Account, reducing the maximum effective interest rate from over 4.0% p.a. to just 3.3% p.a. for most customers.
Looking for the best eSIM for tourists on your next visit to Thailand? The dtac Happy Tourist eSIM allows you to stay connected the moment you land at just USD 9.90 (or USD 6.90 if you are new to Airalo) and it will also unlock free workout classes if you sign-up for a Classpass trial.
Accor's use of an incorrect currency rate led to an 18% reduction in the points awarded after my stay, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of point accruals.
UOB Lady’s Cards will only earn up to 4 miles per dollar from 01 April 2024 - maximum cap on UOB Lady's Solitaire Card (including metal version) will also be reduced from S$3,000 to S$2,000.
Choosing your first Milestone Reward with World of Hyatt at 20 nights - which to pick and what to take note of?
The DBS Woman’s World Card will only award 4 miles per dollar on the first S$1,500 (down from S$2,000) of eligible online spend from March 2024.
Earn up to 37,000 miles as a new customer with DBS Altitude Card - now with higher base earn rates and travel benefits to take advantage of. For a limited time only, earn extra miles with the DBS/POSB Power Up Your Travels and DBS 25 Million Miles Giveaway Promotions. T&Cs apply.
Qantas has tweaked the opening hours at its Singapore Business Lounge at Changi once more. Morning sessions now run on six days a week, but Saturday has quietly lost its early opening.
Cathay Pacific is lifting passenger fuel surcharges from 1 August 2026, with long-haul bands jumping by more than 40%. Ticket before 31 July 2026 to lock in the lower rates.
Air New Zealand's 777-300ER fleet is getting a full cabin overhaul, with reverse herringbone Business Premier suites and refreshed Economy seating from March 2027.
Cathay Pacific has announced another fuel surcharge reduction, effective 16 July 2026. Long-haul rates fall to USD 123.70 per sector - the lowest level since the spike in March 2026.
The "opens every morning" era was short-lived. Qantas has revised the Singapore Business Lounge hours again, and Saturday has lost its morning session entirely.
Cathay Pacific is cutting its fuel surcharges from 1 July 2026 across all route groups. Here is how the new rates compare and what it means for award redemptions.
For the first time the Qantas Singapore Business Lounge at Changi opens in the morning every day of the week. Good news for early Oneworld departures, even if some of those start times are brutal.
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can choose between double Qantas Points or double Status Credits on eligible domestic and Trans-Tasman flights - but you need to register and book by 11 May 2026.
Cathay Pacific is running an Easter promotion offering 2X Asia Miles on Business and Premium Economy fares departing Hong Kong. Here is what you need to know before booking.
Cathay Pacific has quietly doubled its fuel surcharges from today, 18 March 2026. If you are booking award redemptions or paid tickets on CX, here is exactly what the increase means for your wallet.
NoMad is bringing its first Asia Pacific hotel to Orchard Road in late 2026, headlined by three distinct dining and bar concepts. Here is the breakdown.
Waldorf Astoria is finally coming to Malaysia. Here is a first look at what the brand's long-awaited Kuala Lumpur debut has in store.
Hotel Miramar is being reborn as Singapore's first DoubleTree by Hilton, opening along the Singapore River in Q4 2026 - and it is not the only new Hilton property coming to the city.
Plaza Premium has relocated its Langkawi lounge to a larger landside space. Walk-in access starts from RM118, and there's a buy-one-get-one companion offer on now until 7 June 2026.
GHA DISCOVERY members can look forward to more earning and redemption opportunities in Japan as Tokyu Hotels & Resorts officially joins the alliance, bringing over 40 properties across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa into the fold.
With the more brands joining the programme in December 2025, the GHA DISCOVERY Titanium breakfast benefit is now a core feature for 2026. Here is the full list of participating hotels.
One of Singapore’s most iconic heritage hotels is swapping alliances. Starting from January 2026, the InterContinental Singapore will exit IHG One Rewards and reflag as Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore under the Marriott Bonvoy umbrella.
Singapore’s aviation landscape is set for its next major evolution with the upcoming Terminal 5. From 6 January 2026, the public is invited to experience the sheer scale and innovation of this project at the ‘T5 In the Making’ exhibition in Terminal 3. Admission is free, featuring immersive zones, scale models, and interactive AI experiences.
Qantas is set to open its brand-new Auckland International Lounge on 17 December 2025. The expansive space features a dedicated à la carte dining zone for Platinum members, a cocktail bar, and design elements celebrating the New Zealand landscape.
World of Hyatt is significantly expanding its footprint in Vietnam by integrating six Wink Hotels into the Unscripted Collection. Effective 1 December 2025, World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points, as well as accrue elite-qualifying nights at these vibrant, tech-forward properties in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and beyond.
Chocolate Finance is marking SG61 with an extra 1% p.a. on fresh SGD funds for up to 61 days.