Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

OCBC Adjusts Salary Bonus Interest on 360 Account to 2.0% (from 1.5%) for Balances Between S$35,000 and S$70,000

OCBC introduced some changes to the 360 Account back in November 2018 and one month after the new changes took effect, the bank awarded a bonus interest of 2.0% (instead of the 1.6% which was initially advertised) on balances between S$35,000 and S$70,000. This promotional interest rate was supposed to end after March 2019 but it appears that the bank has now made this positive change permanent.

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Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

Should You Renew InterContinental Ambassador for US$200 or 40,000 IHG Rewards Club Points?

A number of changes to the InterContinental Ambassador membership have gone live and it has gotten significantly more expensive (in terms of IHG Rewards Club Points at least) over the years to renew. I am now once again faced with the situation of potentially renewing my membership - the two options that I have on the table are either to pay US$200 or 40,000 IHG Rewards Club Points.

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Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

Guide to Redeeming Your Chope-Dollars for Maximum Value and Dining Pleasure

Chope has a refreshed loyalty program that allows their top-tier members to earn at least 175 Chope-Dollars with each fulfilled reservation. Chope also runs various promotions throughout each month that allows you to earn 400 additional Chope-Dollars at a handful of restaurants. As you may remember, 1,000 Chope-Dollars is worth approximately S$30 and you can easily redeem them for a cash voucher that you can use at selected restaurants. The base way to redeem your Chope-Dollars for maximum value however is to first redeem a Chope Deals Voucher before using it to offset voucher purchases.

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Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

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

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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Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

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

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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Guide Mark Chua Guide Mark Chua

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

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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