You May Be Losing Money from Credit Card Refunds (in Foreign Currency) - 6% in the Case of Citibank

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I have recently purchased a duvet from The St. Regis Boutique and after being told that I needed to fork out another USD 74.46 (Economy Service) or USD 135.91 (Priority Service) for shipping (on top of the USD 80 shipping fee that I have already paid) due to a miscalculation on their part, I have decided to cancel my order and I have just received a refund on my Citi PremierMiles Visa Card. Now this happened over a period of a week or so I understand that there are currency rate fluctuations but I did not expect them to be that significant.

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Citibank 'Enhances' Limousine Benefit for Citi Prestige Members - Spend S$20,000 (instead of S$1,500) per Quarter for 2 Rides

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The Citi Prestige may require an annual income of S$120,000 in Singapore but it comes with one of the greatest benefits that no other credit cards in the country offer - the complimentary fourth night stay program. In addition to that benefit, cardholders are also able to get two free limousine rides each quarter by simply spending S$1,500 (in non-SGD currency) each quarter. This limousine benefit will change from 01 April 2019 and it will soon require a minimum spend of S$20,000 (SGD or otherwise) each quarter to trigger the same benefit.

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Citi Rebate to Be Discontinued from 25 April 2019 - Citi Rebate will expire on 03 May 2019!

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Citibank Singapore currently offers Citi Rebate of up to 10% on top of all your other card benefits at over 300 locations. With effect from 25 April 2019, transactions at these participating merchants will no longer be awarded Citi Rebate - any Citi Rebate (except for Citi M1 Rebate) that is not redeemed by 03 May 2019 will be forfeited.

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Affordable and Easy to Use Taxi App for Tourists in Japan - Get 1,000 Yen (SGD 12) off First Booking!

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Taxis in Japan are notoriously expensive and most travellers try to avoid them at all cost. There is usually no issue since the buses and trains are amazing but on a few recent trips, I have found myself taking a taxi because I was either rushing for time, or the buses just did not operate at a time that was suitable to my schedule. JapanTaxi is a tourist-friendly app that allows you to estimate your taxi fare in Japan, make a reservation or call a taxi immediately - payment can also be done online with your credit card (including Apple Pay) so you do not have to sweat the small things. If you have not utilised this app before, using my referral code will save you ¥1,000 (approximately SGD 12) on your first ride!

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You Can Now Earn 10 Elite Qualifying Nights Each Year with Marriott Rewarding Events

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With Marriott Bonvoy now in full swing, the terms and conditions of the loyalty have also been updated accordingly. The wording in the refreshed T&Cs now state that ten elite nights per calendar year will be awarded to the Member for his/her first group, event or meeting.

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Upcoming Changes to Hyatt's Award Chart - Most Hotels in Asia Will Require Less Points from 18 March 2019

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Hyatt has just published their annual award chart updates that will take effect on 18 March 2019 - the number of World of Hyatt points required for a free night will change at some hotels. As you may remember, Points + Cash rates are now less attractive as members are required to pay 50% of the Standard Rate for standard rooms. In general, most of the affected hotels in Asia will be experiencing a reduction in hotel category (meaning it will cost you less points for free night) but hotels in Japan and South Korea in particular will see an increase in the number of required points in the near future.

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Are Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite Members Still Getting Suite Upgrades?

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The combined loyalty program of Marriott International properties will soon be relaunching under the new Marriott Bonvoy program name. Ever since the loyalty programs merged back in August 2018, I have not gotten a single suite upgrade (despite being Platinum Elite) on stays where the suites were available at check-in.

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A Quick Guide to Setting-up WeChat Wallet and Using WeChat Pay in China as a Foreigner

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China is one of my favourite countries to visit in recent years and having been there at least five times now in the last couple of years, I have grown to embrace the modern technologies and conveniences that seem to be integral in everyone's lives. There are ways to get around the Great Firewall of China (so you can still access sites like Google and Instagram even when you are there) and honestly, there is just so much to see and do in Beijing particularly. With all that being said, I have always been extremely interested to get my WeChat Wallet set up so I can actually use it while I am actually visiting.

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