The 10 most read Milelion articles for 2021

2021’s certainly been an eventful year in the miles and points game (aren’t they all), and I’ve covered everything from VTLs to swab tests, jackpot machines on planes to McDonald’s staycations, questionable advertorials to the fall of Diners Club. To date, I’ve published nearly 800 posts, and the year’s not over yet!

For those interested in a greatest hits list, here’s the articles that got the most traffic in 2021.

(1) The Cruise Series (294K views)

Ultimate Cruise to Nowhere Showdown: Dream Cruises vs Royal Caribbean

I never even considered going on a cruise prior to COVID, but with borders remaining shut and staycations delivering diminishing marginal returns, the prospect of getting off the mainland became increasingly appealing.

So I booked my first-ever cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas in January, and all I can say is I’m a convert (thank goodness I did this before World Dream, because had I reversed the order I might not have wanted to ever set foot on a ship again). 

Quantum is like a giant floating theme park, with shows, rides, activities, attractions, and of course, plenty of feasting. It’s the closest you can get to overseas travel without stamping your passport (though you will need to bring it along), and I’d recommend it in an instant to anyone. 

I just wish that Royal Caribbean would hurry up and bring in a new ship; yes I know Spectrum is coming in October 2022, but it’s largely similar to Quantum in terms of layout and attractions. 

For those contemplating life at sea, I’ve attached the full trip report below for your reference- these collectively became the most read articles on The Milelion by far in 2021, and perhaps a Sealion subsidiary shouldn’t be far behind…

(2) Full details: Singapore-South Korea VTL (59K views)

Full Details: Singapore – South Korea VTL

Given the Singapore obsession with all things Korean, it’s no surprise that South Korea was one of the most highly-anticipated VTL countries. 

The VTL kicked off on 16 November, and despite the mother of all scares earlier this month (when South Korea announced a 10-day quarantine on all international arrivals, only to belatedly clarify it wouldn’t apply to those from Singapore), is still holding up amidst Omicron.

I’ve never been a Koreaphile myself, but my trip helped me appreciate why some people are.  If nothing else, I can say that every hotel stay was excellent, from the budget-friendly (but by no means austere) Aloft Myeongdong, to the uberlux Sofitel Ambassador Seoul.

(3) Singapore eases border restrictions for the Maldives, Switzerland, Turkey and more (31K views)

Singapore eases border restrictions for the Maldives, Switzerland, Turkey and more

Back in August, Singapore introduced four border category restrictions in preparation for reopening. Countries and regions were classified into one of four categories, based on factors like vaccination rates and number of new COVID-19 cases. 

It seems the news of a category upgrade for the Maldives got a lot of people excited (I mean, I’m assuming it was the Maldives; the headline also mentioned Switzerland and Turkey), and even better, Maldives was later granted VTL status. 

It makes perfect sense, if you think about it. Travellers spend almost their entire trip on an island, isolated from the local populace. All their interactions take place in a bubble. It’s basically voluntary quarantine, but with more snorkeling.

Given the concerns about Omicron right now, the Maldives is probably the place I’d feel safest visiting. It’s just a shame Singapore Airlines is operating its outdated B737-800 aircraft on this route, and the return flight (SQ437) is a redeye- hardly ideal. 

(4) Great deal: Easy S$200 with a new DBS Takashimaya (30K views)

Great deal: Easy S$200 with a new DBS Takashimaya AMEX (existing customers eligible)

The DBS Takashimaya AMEX acquisition campaign has to go down as one of the deals of the year. I have no idea how they funded this, but it exactly as promised: a free S$200 shopping spree at Takashimaya, open to just about anyone.

I kept expecting the campaign to be pulled early, but not only did DBS see it through, they even extended it till the end of 2021. Sensational stuff. 

(5) Full details: Singapore-Malaysia VTL (28K views)

Full details: Singapore – Malaysia Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)

Before COVID, travel to Malaysia was so routine it was part of some people’s weekend grocery runs. Who’d have dreamed we’d ever get so excited about flights to Kuala Lumpur?

But that’s exactly what happened when tickets for the Singapore-Malaysia VTL opened for sale in November. Phone lines were jammed and websites went down as people scrambled for the opportunity to reunite with family and friends. 

The fact that travellers now need to do up to 15, fifteen (!) COVID-19 tests has done little to dampen demand, and one hopes service is soon expanded beyond the current six daily designated flights in each direction. 

(6) Testing positive for Omicron on arrival in Singapore: One reader’s experience (26K)

[Updated] Testing positive for Omicron on arrival in Singapore: One reader’s experience

The main reason I’m holding off on travel in January is Omicron. Not because I’m worried about the health aspect (as well you shouldn’t, once you’re triple vaxxed), but because of the administrative implications of testing positive. 

Singapore’s current SOP states that home recovery is not an option for Omicron patients. In other words, it’s off to NCID or a quarantine hotel with you, where you may very well be sharing a room with a complete stranger. 

A Milelion reader was unfortunate enough to land up in this situation, and he shares his story and reflections from a 10-day quarantine. 

(7) MSA: Mercury Singapore Airline, or Malaysia says alamak (24K views)

MSA: Mercury Singapore Airlines, or Malaysia Says Alamak

The Singapore Airlines name is world famous today, but if history worked out a little differently, we might be calling our national carrier Mercury Singapore Airlines instead. It could still be the same decorated company, with the same service that other airlines talk about, but it’d have one heck of a weird name. 

The story of how the Mercury Singapore Airlines name was floated, approved and retracted, all within a space of six months is a fascinating one, featuring cross-causeway tensions, name calling, and an ill-advised launch party with models in SIA studded bikinis. 

Worth adding to your weekend reading list, if you don’t mind me saying so.

(8) Singapore border updates: Max SHN cut to 10 days, travel history period shortened (24K views)

Singapore border updates: Max. SHN cut to 10 days; travel history period shortened, USA & UK upgraded and more

In October this year, Singapore announced one of the biggest sets of updates to its border measures. 

In light of the shorter incubation period for the Delta strain, the maximum SHN duration would be shortened from 14 to 10 days, while the travel history assessment period would be shortened from 21 to 14 days. 

The ICA also shortened its “penalty” for a positive COVID-19 test from 21 days to 14 days- a welcome move, but as I argued in my Christmas Wishlist article, still way too punitive. It remains to be seen if 2022 is the year a policy of “negative test = fly” is adopted.

(9) Complete Guide: Singapore VTL Scheme (23K views)

Complete Guide: Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme

After 18 months of closed borders, September marked the return of two-way quarantine-free travel for Singapore residents. I ventured overseas to Munich where I found that life had largely returned to normal, a refreshing change from the straightjacketed ways in Singapore (although the situation in Europe now is a lot less desirable- a harrowing reminder of how fast things can go south). 

As of today, we now have a total of 24 VTL partners (with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE yet to come), each with its own restrictions on pre-departure testing, vaccination certificates and entry procedures. 

To try and cut through the confusion, I put together a VTL guide that summarises what you need to know. It’s a challenge keeping it up to date because the rules are changing all the time, but I do my best. 

(10) Instarem Amaze Card Review: Amazing while it lasts (21K)

Instarem Amaze Card Review: Amazing while it lasts

One of the biggest game changers this year has been the introduction of the Amaze Card by Instarem- an absolute godsend to travellers.

Picture a card that lets you earn 4 mpd + 1% cashback on all your overseas spending, with no foreign currency transaction fees. That’s right, no more getting gouged on exchange rates; it’s all mid-market from here on out.

It launched just in time for the start of the VTLs, and I’ve been using it in Germany, South Korea and Australia without any issues. There’s no knowing how long more the banks will allow Amaze to eat their lunch though (since the banks are footing the 4 mpd but earning nothing in foreign currency fees), so enjoy it while it lasts.

Conclusion

So that’s the top 10 Milelion articles for 2021! It hasn’t been a slow year for content, that’s for sure.

What would you like to read about in 2022? Taking suggestions below.