| The following is a sponsored post by DBS Bank. Opinions remain those of The Milelion. |
To mark the expansion of the Vaccinated Traveller Lane (VTL) scheme and the return of leisure travel, DBS has launched the DBS Traveller Kit, a curated set of deals and promotions on flights, accommodation, COVID-19 travel insurance, and more.
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| DBS Traveller Kit |
Some of the highlights include up to 4,000 bonus miles for booking flights and hotels, pre-departure PCR tests from S$128 nett, 55% off travel insurance (with COVID-19 coverage added from early November), and various deals with Klook and Trip.com.
Up to 4,000 bonus miles for booking flights/ hotels
From 18 October to 21 November 2021, customers who book flights or hotels via the DBS Travel & Leisure Marketplace will receive:
- 1,000 DBS points (worth 2,000 miles) if they spend at least S$600
- 2,000 DBS points (worth 4,000 miles) if they spend at least S$1,500
| ✔️ Participating Partners |
| Flights: Singapore Airlines, Travel Trade Marketplace, Price Breaker Hotels (stays outside of Singapore): Agoda, Expedia |
Hotel stays must be completed by 31 December 2021, while flights must depart Singapore by 31 December 2021 and return by 28 February 2022.
In my experience, Singapore Airlines flights price the same whether you book through the official website or DBS Marketplace. For example, a return Economy Class fare to Munich from 16-23 November 2021 prices at S$967, regardless of which platform you choose.
| ✈️ Booking a VTL flight? |
| Do keep in mind that unlike the Singapore Airlines website, the DBS Travel & Leisure Marketplace does not label VTL flights. It’s a good idea to check the flight numbers and operating dates against Singapore Airlines’ dedicated VTL page before booking. |
All bookings for air tickets through the DBS Travel & Leisure Marketplace are eligible for complimentary travel insurance, with the following coverage:
| Key Benefits | Coverage |
| Accidental Death and Disablement | S$200,000 |
| Journey Cancellation | S$1,000 |
| Travel Delay | S$300 |
| Baggage Delay | S$300 |
Complimentary coverage will be extended to include COVID-19 for purchases made from January 2022 onwards, so stay tuned.
Double value for paying with DBS Points
DBS/POSB Credit Cardholders can use DBS Points/Daily$ to offset the cost of their hotel/flight booking on the DBS Travel & Leisure Marketplace.
DBS is giving double the usual value for DBS Points redemptions, i.e. 100 DBS Points= S$2. You’ll still earn DBS Points on the full flight/hotel booking amount, even if you opt for the offset. For example, if your bill is S$100 and you use 1,000 DBS points to offset S$20, you’ll earn DBS Points based on S$100 of spending.
My personal preference, however, would be to save my DBS Points for airline miles redemptions (1 DBS Point= 2 miles). Here’s how the two options compare:
| Pay on DBS Travel Marketplace | Redeem for KrisFlyer miles | |
| Admin Fee | None | S$26.75 per transfer |
| Seat Availability | Any seat available for sale | Award inventory only |
| Miles Required | Depends on cost of ticket | Fixed based on award chart |
| Value Per Mile | 1 cent | Variable |
Up to 55% off travel insurance (with COVID-19 coverage)
From now till 31 December 2021, travellers can enjoy 55% off single trip plans and 25% off annual multi-trip plans with TravellerShield Plus, underwritten by Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited.
TravellerShield Plus will include COVID-19 coverage for purchases from the first half of next month onwards, so look out for more details.
S$50 off VTL flights with Trip.com
From now till 31 December 2021, Trip.com is offering S$50 off all Singapore Airlines VTL flight bookings with a minimum spend of S$450 (excluding taxes or surcharges). This is limited to the first 100 bookings paid for with a DBS/POSB Credit/Debit card.
You’ll still earn KrisFlyer miles and PPS Value as per normal when booking flights with Trip.com; all that matters is your fare class.
Pre-departure PCR test from S$128 nett
If you’re planning to travel to Canada, Italy, South Korea or the United States, you’ll be required to do a pre-departure test, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
| ✈️VTL: PDT Requirements |
||
| Entry To | Testing | |
| 🇨🇦 | Canada | PCR test within 72 hours of departure time of last direct flight to Canada |
| 🇩🇰 | Denmark | N/A |
| 🇫🇷 | France | N/A |
| 🇩🇪 | Germany | N/A |
| 🇮🇹 | Italy | ART or PCR test within 72 hours of arrival time in Italy |
| 🇳🇱 | Netherlands | N/A |
| 🇰🇷 | South Korea | PCR test within 72 hours of departure time of flight to South Korea |
| 🇪🇸 | Spain | N/A |
| 🇬🇧 | UK | N/A (on-arrival test must be done by Day 2) |
| 🇺🇸 | USA | ART or PCR test within 3 days of departure date to USA |
| Note: The above assumes you are fully vaccinated with a recognised vaccine like Moderna and Pfizer. Those vaccinated with Sinovac may still have to undergo pre-departure testing (e.g. Germany) | ||
While PCR tests used to cost up to S$200 per person, DBS has partnered with Healthway Medical and Doctor Anywhere to extend member rates on PCR tests:
- Healthway Medical: S$128 nett
- Doctor Anywhere: S$132 nett
To get these rates, simply present a DBS/POSB Credit or Debit Card at the point of registration and payment.
Klook deals
DBS and POSB Credit or Debit Cardmembers will enjoy S$20 off a purchase of a S$200 Klook e-gift card. Klook e-gift cards have no expiry date, and can be stacked together with Klook credits and other promo codes (including SRV) when paying for purchases. They’re basically as good as cash on the Klook platform.
If you haven’t finished your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV) yet, DBS and POSB Credit or Debit Cardmembers can save S$50 off a minimum spend of S$400 (code: DBS400SRV4) or S$10 off a minimum spend of S$150 (code: DBS150SRV4) on SRV hotel bookings, and S$10 off a minimum spend of S$60 (code: DBS60SRV4) on SRV attractions and experiences bookings.
New users can also enjoy 5% off a minimum spend of S$30 (capped at S$10) with the code DBSNEWKLOOK, limited to the first 200 redemptions.
What card should you use to pay?
When booking hotels and flights on the DBS Travel & Leisure Marketplace (or anywhere online, really), be sure to use the DBS Woman’s World Card or DBS Altitude AMEX/Visa to maximize your rewards.
| Online Flights and Hotel Bookings | ||
| Card | Earn Rate | Cap |
 DBS Woman’s World Card |
4 mpd | S$2K per month |
 DBS Altitude Visa |
3 mpd | S$5K per month |
 DBS Altitude AMEX |
3 mpd | S$5K per month |
 DBS Woman’s Card |
2 mpd | S$2K per month |
DBS Altitude AMEX or Visa cardholders will earn 3 mpd on online hotel and flight bookings, capped at S$5,000 per calendar month. They will also earn 10 mpd on Kaligo bookings and 6 mpd on Expedia bookings. DBS Altitude Visa cardholders will enjoy two complimentary lounge visits through Priority Pass- and yes, the airport lounges at Changi have reopened.
DBS Woman’s World Card cardholders will earn 4 mpd on all online transactions, capped at S$2,000 per calendar month.
DBS Travel Mode
DBS has added a new feature to its app called “Travel Mode”, which provides travellers with useful offers and tips to help them stay safe while traveling during this time.
Travel Mode can be activated by tapping on More ➤ Travel Mode
With Travel Mode activated, Multiplier or Multi-Currency Account customers can easily convert Singapore dollars into 12 different currencies and spend through their linked Visa debit card, with no foreign currency transaction fees.
Travellers will also be able to view a breakdown of their total overseas spending, broken down by category- useful for budget tracking.
Other helpful functions of Travel Mode include:
- Purchasing travel insurance
- Peeking at the balance in the currency wallet relevant to your travel destination
- Activating/deactivating the overseas spend feature on credit/debit cards
- Checking the latest travel rules and advisories by country from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Checklist of necessary processes before arriving in Singapore
- Checking services open by terminal at Changi Airport
Conclusion
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| DBS Traveller Kit |
With year-end travel back on the cards thanks to the expanded VTL agreements, there’s plenty to look forward to as 2021 draws to a close.
Be sure to check out the full range of deals and promotions that DBS has lined up, especially the bonus miles for booking flights and accommodation plus member rates for pre-departure PCR tests.
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TravellerShield Plus is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited (“Chubb”) and distributed by DBS Bank Ltd (“DBS”). It is not an obligation of, deposit in or guaranteed by DBS. This is not a contract of insurance. Full details of the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance are provided in the policy wordings and will be sent to you upon acceptance of your application by Chubb. This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (“SDIC”). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Chubb or visit the General Insurance Association or SDIC websites. |
Are the bonus DBS points also awarded for one-way tickets (e.g. JFK-SIN)?
Is based on total spend regardless of itinerary type.
The screenshot for SGD:USD looks wrong, or rather, too good to be true.
Haha that’s very well spotted indeed. I need to ask the Dbs team how on earth they got that rate
The “receive” is also spelt wrong. (Likely a mock-up rather than an actual screenshot)
Do you recommend taking a pre-departure PCR test if the country you are going to does not need it for entrance?
No reason to take it, really.
Even for travel insurance purposes?
Sompo does not require anymore, nor does ntuc income
is booking changeable on on DBS MarketPlace?