Handy Reference to American Express Chillax Partners (Free Cocktails!)

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I'm always searching for the closest American Express Chillax Partner near me for a free cocktail - in case you do not already know, find out how you can get free drinks with an American Express Platinum Credit Card in Singapore! With more than ten handpicked bars around Singapore, you can enjoy either a complimentary beverage or enjoy a 1-for-1 deal on your first beverage by simply presenting your American Express Platinum Credit Card.

Free Welcome Drink with American Express | Photo Credit: Fairmont Singapore

Free Welcome Drink with American Express | Photo Credit: Fairmont Singapore

Since I am generally quite poor with directions, I have decided to plot all the Chillax Merchants on a Google Map with the promotion inside for my personal easy reference - hopefully everyone will find it useful too in Singapore! 

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What does MVP Gold on Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program mean for Someone based in Singapore?
What does MVP Gold on Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program mean for Someone based in Singapore?

After a series of Business Class flights on Emirates, I have finally achieved MVP Gold status on the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. I have previously written about how crediting flights to the right program makes a world of difference - on my Business Class flights from Singapore to New York, I would have gotten only a one-way Economy Class flight from Singapore to Perth if I had credited it to Emirates Skywards. However, since I chose to credit it to my the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, I had almost enough miles for a return-flight (somewhat even though a short detour is required) to Tokyo in Business Class.

Changes to Rewards Points (10X) Cap for Citi Rewards Card from 04 October 2018
Changes to Rewards Points (10X) Cap for Citi Rewards Card from 04 October 2018

The Citi Rewards Card is one of my recommended credit cards to hold in Singapore - up until last month, this credit card was offering a massive 8 miles per dollar on all Apple Pay transactions! Now that the promotion has ended, cardholders are still able to earn up to 10X Rewards (4 miles per dollar) when shopping for clothes, bags or shoes or at department stores or online shopping websites at eligible merchants. As you already know, the 10X Rewards is capped at maximum of 120,000 Rewards points per card anniversary year - this is about to change on 04 October 2018.

Use Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles to Pay for Everyday Spend (e.g. Food, Petrol and Gadgets)
Use Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles to Pay for Everyday Spend (e.g. Food, Petrol and Gadgets)

There has been some speculation for a while now but Singapore Airlines has just officially launched a new digital wallet and allows you to turn your precious KrisFlyer miles into instant purchases. KrisFlyer members are now able to convert their KrisFlyer miles into KrisPay miles to use them on everyday expenses like petrol, food, gadgets or phone bills just to name a few.

BOC Elite Miles World Mastercard offers up to 5 Miles per Dollar (No Cap, No Min) for Foreign Transactions - Should You Get It?
BOC Elite Miles World Mastercard offers up to 5 Miles per Dollar (No Cap, No Min) for Foreign Transactions - Should You Get It?

Anyone who has read The Straits Times today must have seen Bank of China's full-page ad for the brand new BOC Elite Miles World Mastercard that offers up to 5 miles and 2 miles per dollar for foreign and local currency transactions respectively. Now before you get exceedingly excited, do note that these earn rates are promotional and they will only last until 31 December 2018 (your card must also be approved by 15 December 2018). Following the promotional period, the regular earn rates for this card revert to 3 miles and 1.5 miles per dollar for eligible foreign and local currency transactions respectively.

Are Hilton Honors Elite Members Getting Upgraded Prior to Arrival?
Are Hilton Honors Elite Members Getting Upgraded Prior to Arrival?

Even though I have lost my Hilton Honors Diamond status this year, I noticed that my upcoming stays in two Hilton properties - the Hilton Singapore and the Hilton Auckland - have both been pre-upgraded. Even though I was a Diamond member for the past two years, I have never been proactively-upgraded in the system prior to arrival (perhaps I have just been really unlucky?) so it is comforting to see that properties are now starting to do it. I am not sure whether this is a global initiative but having to ask for an upgrade as an elite member annoys me (especially as a Platinum Elite in the Marriott Rewards program).

UOB One Account to offer Higher Interest Rates from 01 August (up to 3.88% p.a.) but You Can Still Earn Less Interest - Here's Why!
UOB One Account to offer Higher Interest Rates from 01 August (up to 3.88% p.a.) but You Can Still Earn Less Interest - Here's Why!

I have compared the differences between the UOB One Account (which current advertises up to 3.33% p.a. interest rates) and the OCBC 360 Account a couple of years ago. Even with the changes that the OCBC 360 has introduced over the years, it is still one of my preferred savings account in Singapore since I can achieve up to 1.85% p.a. of interest (you can earn up to 3.05% p.a. interest if you insure or invest with OCBC), up to S$70,000 fairly easily. The UOB One Account will be introducing some changes from 01 August 2018 and they are quite lucrative (especially if you already use a UOB One credit card which gives you cash rebates) but it may not necessarily be convincing enough for me to make the switch.

Premature Ending of 4MPD for Mobile Payment on OCBC Titanium Rewards Card - until 04 August 2018
Premature Ending of 4MPD for Mobile Payment on OCBC Titanium Rewards Card - until 04 August 2018

It goes without saying that the OCBC Titanium Rewards Card is one of my favourite credit cards in Singapore and it has earned its rightful place in my (digital) wallet since last year. While the card is supposed to offer 10X OCBC$ (which translates into 4 miles per dollar) on all mobile payments (e.g. Apple Pay) until the end of the year, I noticed yesterday that the benefit has been amended to end on 04 August 2018 instead.

How Long does it Take for SPG Platinum Elite Status to Post after Challenge?
How Long does it Take for SPG Platinum Elite Status to Post after Challenge?

I have recently signed-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum Elite Status Challenge which requires me to do 18 eligible nights over a span of 90 days. With the upcoming loyalty program merger which is supposed to happen in August 2018, I wanted to obtain Platinum Elite status since hitting 50 nights might be a little bit of a challenge for me (since I barely travel for work). If you have not done it and would like to qualify on stays instead, Marriott Rewards is offering the opportunity to do 9 stays in 90 days and this will port over to Platinum Premier Elite (instead of a lower-tier Platinum Elite with SPG) in August if your challenge is completed successfully.

Hotels Upselling Breakfast and Club Access after Reservation has been Made - Is it Worthwhile?
Hotels Upselling Breakfast and Club Access after Reservation has been Made - Is it Worthwhile?

I have been on a mission to obtain Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum Status ahead of the upcoming program merger in August 2018. Since I have not really stayed over at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach before, I decided to book myself into a weekend stay - I have booked a Deluxe Room since SPG Platinum Status would give me guaranteed lounge access (which also includes breakfast) for the stay. Last evening, I received an email from the reservations team upselling me breakfast and club lounge access for this stay - this is not the first time that I have actually received this, so I wanted to share a couple of thoughts regarding such upsells.

Upcoming Changes to Asia Miles (22 June 2018) - 'Improved' Earn Rates and Redemption Adjustments
Upcoming Changes to Asia Miles (22 June 2018) - 'Improved' Earn Rates and Redemption Adjustments

Asia Miles will be introducing some new changes to the way miles are being earned and redeemed on 22 June 2018 - everything stays the same until then. If you are unfamiliar with the differences between Asia Miles and The Marco Polo Club, feel free to check out my primer on this subject. Asia Miles is a particularly important subject for Singaporean consumers since most credit card points convert either into KrisFlyer or Asia Miles - this article aims to list the top few changes that would probably affect you the most.