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It’s been a while. Singapore’s travel fiends have been chomping at the bit to step foot into the rest of the world. With the recently implemented Vaccination Travel Lanes, Singaporeans must surely have let out whoops of delight, ecstatic to be liberated from seemingly perpetual travel restrictions.
But as in other aspects of life, the new normal pervades: Perhaps a shift to vacation rentals instead of hotels? A greater use of travel insurance? Packing bottles of hand sanitiser?
As we start nurturing our travel imagination and take advantage of our new-found mobility, we take a look at what to expect when we hit the road.
Hello, world!
Start planning now
Travelling now requires immaculate short- and long-term planning. We’re looking at securing flights and accommodations while leaving room for last-minute changes in regulations, flight schedules or coronavirus infection rates.
After all, planning for the unpredictable is now an inevitable part of the itinerary. So, it’s never too early to begin the planning process!
Do your research
The travel landscape is likely to have undergone some change. Before you book a plane ticket and hotel, research the requirements of your destination. Take into consideration the issues that most matter to you, be it privacy, cleanliness or mask mandates.
The most reliable places to find that information are the travel and tourism websites for your destination.
Check up airport lounges
Many airport lounges serving international passengers remain closed, and those that are open offer varying experiences. Look online before leaving for the airport to see if the local lounge is open. Singapore Airlines, for one, does a fine job outlining the accessibility and services of their SilverKris lounges around the world.
And because the airline websites may not always list what they are serving, pack in extra snacks, just in case!
Keep updated on vaccination requirements
Travel these days involves a lot of bureaucracy. But to satiate your wanderlust, grit your teeth and plough your way through the exercise of producing proof of vaccination and results of PCR tests and/or ARTs.
For instance, airlines or governments may require you to present a vaccine passport, digital documentation proving that you have been vaccinated or tested for the coronavirus.
Many countries now also require additional paperwork, health questionnaires, COVID-19 tracking, and all sorts of things that bring out your meticulous administrative streak. In some cases, you need to have these filled out before you check in, and some by the time you land, so you really need to be alert and in the know.
With the ‘new’ things you have to do to prepare for a trip, there are some to-dos that remain the same:
Do your budgeting
Putting together a trip can be stressful anytime, particularly so when you’re trying to make it COVID-safe and resist splurging after being cooped up in Singapore for so long. But being clear-eyed about what you can afford, what you must spend on, and how to avoid overspending can make you feel as good about your finances as you do about your itinerary!
Regardless of how you do up your budget, lodging, transportation, travel insurance, food and drink, activities, and shopping and souvenirs all have a place in your plan. Remember to also keep an eye on FX fluctuations – every dollar saved is a dollar extra for spending!
If a credit card is intended to be your main mode of payment, pick the right one – one that best suits your personal needs and lifestyle, whether it’s saving you money, like cashback, offering attractive points or serving up enticing benefits.
But if you’re reluctant to use your credit card because you fear wild spending sprees, think of it this way: You sound like you have a handle on how to use your credit card responsibly if you’re concerned about spending excessively, so it’s definitely worth looking into those that will earn you rewards on what you will already be spending.
Standard Chartered Bank alone has three credit cards ideal for travelling:
Get 6% cashback in rewards points on your everyday spends. In addition, convert your transactions into 3-month interest free EasyPay instalments with 100% cashback on the service fees.
You’ll earn up to three miles for every S$1 spent in foreign currency with transactions in a statement cycle totalling at least S$2,000. Plus, the earned Rewards Points never expire!
Charge your and/or your spouse’s travel fare to receive complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to S$1,000,000 that covers pandemic diseases like COVID-19. With this feature, you’ll avoid paying for separate travel insurance if COVID-19 coverage is a priority. Make the most of your membership with complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges – little pieces of heaven away from the hectic airport.
Prep your phone
Your travel tech prep should not deviate much from the pre-COVID-19 rigmarole. Spare battery pack? Check. Charging cables? Check. A safety pin to eject your SIM card? Check.
Unlock, then go
Next, unlock your phone. To work with foreign SIM cards, your phone must be unlocked. Newer smart phone models are already unlocked by default, but it’s best to ask you carrier to confirm.
Buy a foreign SIM card
We would want to temporarily use a foreign phone plan to avoid paying unnecessary and expensive international roaming fees. Most of you are already familiar with the rude shock of exorbitant roaming charges, either because you’ve personally experienced the painful twang of forking out hundreds or even thousands of dollars, or you know of someone who has. But since we are somewhat travel rusty, a little reminder might be helpful! Some overseas carriers allow you to order a SIM card, which can then be delivered to your home before you depart or to your hotel.
Alternatively, you can also pick up a foreign SIM card at the airport of your destination or a mobile phone store.
Yet another option: eSIMs. They add a separate phone plan without having to use a physical nano-SIM. However, some travellers have had mixed experiences, including eSIMs that failed to activate.
Download maps before you fly
Why let spotty cell service scupper a pleasant outing? Get around it by downloading offline maps before heading out. This way, your app will still be able show you directions to your destination.
Let’s say you’ll be at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center to ogle the Christmas tree and slip in an ice-skating session. Open Google Maps on your smart phone, key in Rockefeller Center. Tap on the red tear shape, then the ‘More’ button (the icon with three dots) and choose ‘Download offline map’. Select the map area you want to save, and tap ‘Download’. Retrieve your map by tapping on your profile picture.
The long-awaited return to travel has arrived, Complicated entry rules and potential quandaries prompt an extra layer of prep work. The most suitable travel credit card – or cards! – can help keep your budget in line as well as be a way to earn miles, points or perks for your next globe-trotting adventure, while erasing travel-related stress.
Standard Chartered Credit Cards cater to a range of travelling needs and come in handy when you’re putting together a big trip. There will be one that’s perfect for you! Apply for a Standard Chartered Credit Card today to enjoy S$288 cashback or up to 45,000 miles.
Successful Visa Infinite and Journey Credit Card applicants will enjoy a welcome gift of 35,000 or up to 45,000 air miles respectively.
