The Shutterwhale's Guide to the Sands Rewards LifeStyle Program by Marina Bay Sands

No one needs further introduction to one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore, the Marina Bay Sands. The property is the largest hotel in Singapore (with 2,561 rooms and suites) and it occupies a position within the 'World’s 100 Largest Hotels' list. What a lot of people do not realise however is the existence of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle membership program which not only allows you to earn up to 9% Destination Dollars (which can be used across all participating stores) but also gives you a plethora of benefits that range from complimentary parking to free museum passes at the higher tier. 

Click HERE to sign-up for the Sands Rewards LifeStyle membership program!

Infinity Pool | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

1. What is the Sands Rewards LifeStyle Membership? 

The Sands Rewards LifeStyle is a free membership program that anyone can (sign-up to enjoy exclusive perks and cashback (through Destination Dollars) for all eligible spend at the Marina Bay Sands. Participating in the Sands Rewards LifeStyle will present to you the opportunity to double (or even triple) dip on promotions to maximise rebates on all eligible spend here. 

Adrift by David Myers | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

2. What are the benefits of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle Membership Program?

2.1.1. Dining Benefits

One of the greatest benefit of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle are the dining benefits that you get with this free membership - you get up to 9% Destination Dollars (which is essentially an instant rebate) across all participating restaurants. At the time of writing, Sands Rewards LifeStyle members will be able to earn 9% Destination Dollars (calculated on base spend) at the following restaurants: 

• The Bird Southern Table and Bar
• Osteria Mozza by Mario Batali
• SweetSpot®
• ADRIFT by David Myers
• Club 55 – Cheese & Chocolate Buffet
• RENKU (Previously RISE Lounge)
• RISE Restaurant

Destination Dollars can then be used over 200 participating outlets (including restaurants and retail stores) - an administrative fee (payable via Destination Dollars) may be applicable for lower-tier members of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program and more will be covered in Section 4: Redemption of Destination Dollars. Remember you will earn Destination Dollars on top of any credit card discounts that you may receive.

	Sands Rewards LifeStyle Member + Citibank Card Holder	Sands Rewards LifeStyle Member	Non-Member
Bill (Adrift by David Myers)	S$200++
Perks	Complimentary Champagne or Prosecco (Prestige or ULTIMA only) 20% Dining Discount: S$40++ Total Destination Dollars: $14.40	Total Destination Dollars: $18	Total Destination Dollars: $0
Total Bill (Effective)	S$173.92 (after Citibank Discount and Destination Dollars savings)	S$217.40 (after Destination Dollars savings)	S$235.40

Let's take a look at the savings one can get if he or she stacks the perks of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program with a credit card promotion. You are essentially looking at a potential 26% discount off dining when double-dip on a credit card promotion and the effective cash rebate (in this case 9%) that you get with the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program - not to mention complimentary Champagne or Prosecco that comes with the mail if you hold one of the higher tier credit cards by Citibank. Remember you don't lose out on anything if you participate in the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program so I really do not see why not. 

Louis Vuitton Island Maison | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

2.1.2. Stacking Dining Loyalty Programs

As you may already know, some of the restaurants that are operating inside of the Marina Bay Sands have their own dining loyalty programs. For instance, the Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine also participates in the Imperial Treasure Club. The good news is that diners can participate in both programs whenever they dine in one of the eligible restaurants - this means to say you will most likely earn 3% Destination Dollars on dining and on top of that, you will also earn 10% in equivalent rebate in the case of the Imperial Treasure Club.

2.2. Shopping Benefits

While dining offers the opportunity to earn up to 9% Destination Dollars on all eligible spend, shopping only gives you a flat 3% across all participating outlets but this includes top-tier fashion labels like Ermenegildo Zegna, PRADA, GUCCI, SAINT LAURENT and even RIMOWA (we all need a great luggage!). Other jewelry and watch stores include Tiffany & Co., BVLGARI and IWC Schaffhausen just to name a few so 3% is quite significant if you are spending a huge sum of money - and there is no cost in participating in the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program so this is essentially free money. Prestige members can enjoy 1-for-1 Personal Shopping sessions (up to 2 complimentary sessions each year) which include a personal shopping experience and a TWG Tea Profiling Session with compliments.

Presidential Suite | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

2.3. Hotel Benefits

Staying at the Marina Bay Sands has got to be on everyone's bucket list and if you are a member of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program, you will get to enjoy complimentary high-speed internet upon check-in as well as savings on selected massages and packages at the Banyan Tree Spa. Some of the benefits that higher-tier members enjoy include: 

• Complimentary Room Upgrade
• Early Check-in and Late Check-out
• Guaranteed Room Availability (72-hour)
• Access to Priority Queue and Private Hotel Lounge (Sands Lounge in Tower 1)
• Complimentary Head and Shoulder Massage and Banyan Tree Spa 
• Greater Savings on Selected Massages and Packages at the Banyan Tree Spa

These hotel benefits do not apply to just reservations that are made directly with the hotel - they are applicable so long there is availability. 

ArtScience Museum | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

2.4. Other Benefits

Apart from dining, shopping and hotel benefits, members of the Sands Rewards LifeStyle program will also be able to benefit from other benefits that range from specially-curated birthday month offers, heavily-discounted parking and huge savings on selected attractions and entertainment options here at the Marina Bay Sands. 

By simply being a LifeStyle (base-tier) member, you will enjoy 10% off SkyPark Observation Deck & Sampan Ride tickets. More importantly, you will also get to enjoy 1-for-1 ArtScience Museum exhibition tickets. If you are a top-tier Elite member, you are looking at six complimentary tickets to either the SkyPark Observation Deck & Sampan Ride tickets as well as two all-access tickets to the ArtScience Museum each calendar month. 

Parking at the Marina Bay Sands can also be a costly affair (especially if you visit on a weekend) - The first-hour rate starts from S$7 and S$8 on a weekday and weekend respectively with a daily cap of S$26 for entry and exit between 7:00AM and 7:00PM. Even as a base-tier Lifestyle member (which is what you are when you first join the program), you will be able to redeem for a 24-hour parking ticket at just $4 Destination Dollars per ticket per day. If you are a top-tier Elite member, you will get a complimentary 24-hour parking ticket per day - amazing perk if you drive! For all members, there is currently a new benefit where you get complimentary parking from Monday to Thursday (10:00AM to 4:00PM) when you spend at least S$100 at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Please refer to this page for a complete list of membership benefits and privileges. 

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

3. Sands Rewards LifeStyle Membership Tiers

3.1. Qualification of Sands Rewards LifeStyle Membership

Members can join Sands Rewards LifeStyle for free and there are three main tiers with the program:

• LifeStyle (base-tier)
• Prestige (mid-tier)
• Elite (top-tier)

Required Spend Amounts - 12 Months
Lifestyle	Prestige	Elite
$0	$2,000	$50,000

3.2. Fast Track to Prestige and Elite Tier

Of course, spending S$50,000 (before applicable taxes) is not an easy feat and it is definitely not one that everyone can think about achieving but thankfully there are fast track offers that members can take advantage of. The Sands Rewards LifeStyle offers a one-time Fast Track Upgrade into Prestige and Elite tiers when you spend S$500 or S$10,000 nett within one day. You will then hold this membership tier for 3 months (instead of the usual 12 months if you qualify for it the usual way) with the opportunity to extend it for a further 9 months. 

Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

Additionally, it is also possible to get upgraded into the Prestige and Elite tier with an eligible ICBC Credit Card from now until 28 February 2018.

Long Chim by David Thompson | Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

4. Redemption of Destination Dollars

Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands