Help Me Plan My Asia Trip, Starting With Singapore!
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
This is an installment in my March 2012 Asia Trip Series which includes: A Birthday Present To Myself: Business Class on the World's Longest Flight for $2.50, Help Me Plan My Asia Trip Starting With Singapore, Flight Review: Singapore Airlines All Business Class Flight From Newark To Singapore, Hotel Review: Intercontinental Singapore, Video Trip Report: Singapore, Hotel Review: Le Meridien Bangkok Avantec Suite, Video Trip Report: Bangkok, Hotel Review: Le Meridien Angkor, Video Trip Report: Siem Reap, Hotel Review: Intercontinental Phnom Penh, Video Trip Report: Phnom Penh and the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, Hotel Review: W Hong Kong.
Like I said when I decided to go to China back in January, one of my resolutions this year is to see more of Asia. That's why for my birthday last week I decided to book myself a ticket in business class on the longest commercial flight in the world: Singapore Airlines flight SQ21 from Newark to Singapore using 60,000 United miles I scored by transferring my Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus of 50,000 points (expired) and the rest I earned on spending and the 7% year-end points dividend plus $2.50 in fees. Not bad for a ticket that would cost over $4,500 otherwise!
I'll be taking you along for the ride with videos of the experience and showing just what it takes to endure a flight that lasts nearly 19 hours.
Meanwhile, this will be my first visit to Singapore and I want your input on where I should go, what I should do and see, and most importantly, where and what I should eat! And if any of you TPG readers are around, I would love to meet up while I'm there.
For those of you who live in other parts of Asia, I'll be asking you for your advice on my next destinations on this trip including Bangkok, Cambodia and Hong Kong so stay tuned. As always - appreciate your advice!
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.