Simple travel hacks to make vacation so much more affordable (and maybe even free)

Life in fast-paced Singapore can be brutal, and everyone needs time away to recharge. But saving for that long-awaited vacay can be tricky, since it’s not easy to gauge exactly how much everything is going to cost. The good news is that there are ways you can make life a little easier — and cheaper — when it comes to going on holiday.

Let’s break it down—travel costs usually come down to three main things: flights, accommodation, and food. The good news? In each of these areas, there are ways to earn “currency” that can cut your actual spending, so you’re free to enjoy even the most spontaneous getaways, whenever wanderlust strikes.

That’s where a little strategy—and some savvy travel hacks—can go a long way. For more tips on how you can travel without breaking the bank (or sacrificing comfort), here’s what you need to know.

1. Switch to an air miles credit card

Singaporeans are hooked on cashback credit cards. To the average consumer, earning a small kickback everytime they swipe their card is reward enough. But not for you, the smart traveller. You will commit no such folly.

What you want instead is a healthy amount of air miles in your account, which you can then use to redeem free flights and accommodations. That’s two out of the three costs of travel covered.

Start by switching to an air miles credit card, which gives you miles when you spend locally and overseas (you’ll get bonus miles for the latter). Hot tip: UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card gives you 1.4 miles per S$1 spent locally and, they just lowered the card’s salary requirement to just S$30,000 per annum, opening up an air miles bonanza to a good many people.

Next, double up on your points by making full use of promotions, such as booking through Expedia or Agoda to earn 8 miles for every $1 spent or earn 3 miles for every $1 spent overseas.

One more advantage of using an air miles card — you often get complimentary travel insurance, which will come in useful in the face of unlikely events such as losing your luggage or flight cancellations and delays. Coverage varies widely among different air mile cards, so be sure to check before you apply.

2. Choose your hotel loyalty programme carefully 

If you find yourself spread thin trying to cover both flights and accommodation using air miles alone, an alternative would be to invest in a good hotel loyalty programme.  

There are many hotel loyalty programmes out there that can provide a host of benefits, such as free upgrades, welcome services, discounts on — and even free — rooms.

The best loyalty programme may be one that lets you bank up a series of free nights, to be used at any hotel you like, anywhere in the world. We’re talking about Hotels.com. This hotel search and reservations app has a refreshingly simple rewards programme called One Key of which you can get one complimentary night stay when you book 10 nights. The value of your free night is an average across all the 10 nights you’ve booked. The best thing is, you can use the free nights at any eligible hotel.

This reward mechanism would just be so-so if it weren’t for the fantastic member’s prices you’ll unlock as you go along. Use this to your advantage by offering to book friends’ and family’s accommodation using your Hotels.com account, especially if you qualify for a promo price on the hotel they want.

Booking multiple rooms this way will help you reach and fill up your minimum requirement of 10 nights at a quick pace. And, if you’re sharing rooms, you’ll raise the overall value of your eventual free night.

Once you’ve racked up those free nights, redeem them to give yourself a much-needed pampering at that boutique hotel you’ve been eyeing on.

3. Store travel money in a multi-currency account (MCA)

With flights and accommodation taken care of, the next thing you need is to exchange currency for the country you’re visiting.

Between bills and unforeseen expenses, it can be hard to come up with the cash you’ll need for your vacation. And there’s nothing less satisfying than going on holiday without having enough money.

To help prevent this regrettable situation (and to avoid overseas ATM fees), consider applying for a multi-currency account (MCA).  You can then withdraw the currency you need when you get to your holiday destination. Some banks even waive the foreign exchange fees.

You can see how this can be useful: Get an MCA and regularly put aside a small amount in the currency of your top three vacation countries. This will ensure that you have a steady pool of funds that you can use when you’re on vacation.

And because out of sight is out of mind, your travel funds are more likely to be preserved, instead of being frittered away in late-night online shopping binges with the money in your regular account.

Some of the cards that you can consider getting include YouTrip, Instarem’s Amaze, and Revolut.

4. Trade-in your luggage

Thinking about upgrading your travel gear? Samsonite’s latest trade-in programme might just be what you need. For a limited time, you can swap out your old luggage—any brand, any size, any condition—and get 30% off their sleek new Nuon™ and Octolite Neo collections.

The Nuon range is great if you’re after a modern, minimalist look, while the Octolite Neo pieces are all about versatility: roomy, expandable, and perfect for fitting in those just-one-more purchases on your next trip.

Plus, for every trade-in, Samsonite will donate SGD10 to WWF-Singapore’s Earth Hour initiative—so you’re not just travelling smarter, you’re doing good for the planet too.

5. Eat like a local

Forget overpriced tourist traps—some of the best (and cheapest) meals you’ll have are from hawker centres, street food stalls, or neighbourhood joints. Not only will you save money, you’ll also get a more authentic taste of the city. Tip: Check Google Maps or even TikTok for real reviews before you go.

6. Time your trip right

If your schedule’s flexible, try planning your holiday just before or after peak travel season. This “in-between” period usually means better prices on flights and hotels, fewer crowds, and weather that’s still pretty great.

7. Pack smarter, not heavier

Overpacking = extra baggage fees and unnecessary stress. We recommend sticking to the essentials, such as bringing a reusable water bottle and tote bag, and checking your airline’s baggage limits beforehand. Besides, you won’t have to worry much about repacking at the check-in counter.

8. Let the deals come to you

Flight prices change all the time, so set up alerts on platforms like Google Flights to get notified when prices drop. Tools like Skyscanner also help you compare across airlines and dates. Sometimes, a small shift in your travel day (like flying midweek) can save you a surprising amount.