5 travel tips for an amazing holiday

If you've only got a minute:

• A little advance planning can reduce the chances of your holiday being derailed by unexpected circumstances.
• This includes keeping updated on latest travel restrictions, changes to local attractions at your destination, and having a flexible travel plan to accommodate your preferences.
• It is vital to have adequate travel insurance so that you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
• Make use of a multi-currency debit card to facilitate ease of payments while you are overseas.

Few activities excite people more than travelling. Whether it’s jetting off to exotic destinations for wild adventures, seeking peace in a serene retreat, or going on an epic road trip, each journey promises new memories and plenty of fun.

While spontaneous trips on-the-go can be extremely fun, seasoned travellers understand the value that a little intentional planning can add to their journeys.

With that in mind, here are 5 tips for an amazing holiday!

1. Keep informed of local restrictions

One of the most important tips for an amazing holiday is to always be aware of local regulations and restrictions. These can range from entry requirements into a foreign country to certain restrictions to curb overtourism.

For example, Japan recently imposed a tourist ban on all visitors to Kyoto’s historic Gion District which restricts all access to specified private streets in the neighbourhood. This was put in place to protect the locals from overcrowding and inappropriate conduct by unruly tourists.

Keeping up with the latest local rules and restrictions while travelling can make for a more pleasant experience because you’ll already know what to expect, and how to deal with it. It is always best to check out the travel authority websites of the respective countries for this.

2. Choose a flexible travel plan

Everyone plans their holidays a little differently. Some people prefer the budget route, looking for the cheapest flights and wallet-friendly accommodations. In contrast, some people prioritise travelling in comfort and are willing to spend a little more money for their travel experiences.

The truth is that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. It is more important to be flexible with your travel plans, as there’s always a bit of a tradeoff. Cheap flights cost less, but you might not always be able to choose your ideal flight times. Luxury hotels will make you feel like royalty but will almost certainly leave your wallet a little light.

No matter what you choose, be sure to leave a little wiggle room in your travel plans. Opt for bookings that allow for cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds. Travelling always carries an element of unpredictability, and it always helps to be ready.

3. Get travel insurance

Falling ill while you’re travelling overseas can be a nightmare.

Depending on the ailment, it could mean high medical expenses, hospital confinement, and additional expenses — all of which you’ll need to fork out money for, on top of the initial travel costs. This is where reliable travel insurance comes in to mitigate such risks.

A good travel insurance package, like TravellerShield Plus, offers coverage on common claims such as medical expenses incurred overseas and upon return to Singapore over a specified period. It also covers other travel issues like trip cancellation, loss of or damage to personal property and baggage, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation allowing you to travel with peace of mind.

In addition, while most travel insurance plans only cover travel delays once the aforementioned delay has exceeded a preset duration, TravellerShield Plus is the first in Singapore to provide coverage for travel delays as short as 30 minutes.

What’s even more impressive is that it also provides coverage for frequent flyer miles or loyalty points. Imagine finally getting to use your miles (or points) to buy an airline ticket, only to have your flight cancelled due to an unforeseen circumstance – that would be a real disappointment!

If this happens to you and the loss of such points cannot be recovered from any other sources, TravellerShield Plus may pay out up to the retail price of your air ticket and/or accommodation expense.

Last but not least, TravellerShield Plus covers pre-existing medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions. It even offers coverage for Covid-19.

A great holiday should be built around de-stressing and relaxation. With a comprehensive insurance package, you’ll be able to rediscover the joy of travelling without needing to worry about being unprepared for unexpected circumstances!

Find out more about: Travellershield Plus – Pack for peace of mind this holiday

4. Get a multi-currency card 

Contactless payment is the primary payment mode nowadays, which often applies when you’re travelling too. As such, having a flexible and reliable payment card is essential.

The DBS Travel Wallet taps the convenience of your DBS Visa Debit Card linked to your multi-currency account (Multiplier Account or My Account), making it a one-stop shop for all your overseas expenses.

With it, you can spend in any of the 11 supported foreign currencies without any foreign exchange fees. All you have to do is link your multi-currency account as the primary account to your card and make sure you have the respective currency balances in the account. Your foreign currency transactions/withdrawals will be debited directly from the respective foreign currency pocket in your account.

For example, if you are going to Japan, you can exchange your Singapore Dollars (SGD) to Japanese Yen (JPY) with a few taps via digibank. Once you have JPY in your multi-currency account that your DBS Visa Debit Card is linked to, any payments made will be directly debited from the JPY balances. In the event that you do not have enough JPY in your account, the entire equivalent amount in SGD will be deducted from your SGD funds instead.

What’s more, you can get up to 5% cashback when you spend on foreign currency during your holiday! Think of it as getting something back while you spend and enjoy your holiday, giving you the best of both worlds!

Finally, with DBS Payment Controls, you will have the freedom to set spending limits, temporarily lock your card, and enable/disable card functions via the digibank app.

Read more: Smart ways to manage card security and spending
Find out more about: Stop the phish with DBS Payment Controls

5. Double-check attractions and consider underrated destinations

Making a list of things to see before travelling to your holiday destination is a must. But sometimes, certain tourist attractions may undergo major changes like closures, different operating hours, or relocation. The last thing you want is to have your sights set on an attraction, only to get there and end up disappointed.

For instance, the famous Black Trunk Rock in Taiwan collapsed into the sea in December 2023, causing the formerly popular vista to disappear completely. Sometimes, these changes can involve a returning attraction too. After being badly damaged in a tragic fire 5 years ago, Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral is finally slated for reopening sometime in 2024.

The important thing is, before you travel to a specific location during your trip, make sure to do a quick search online to see if the place is still open or if there’s something newer that you fancy.

In summary

We understand that planning for a perfect holiday isn’t easy, and the anxiety that comes with it can hold back even the most adventurous souls. Hopefully, with these handy travel tips and hacks, you’ll feel a little more confident and get to experience an amazing journey the next time you decide to travel!

Once you’re ready, book your holiday through the DBS Travel and Leisure Marketplace to enjoy attractive perks and offers curated specially for DBS/POSB cardmembers. These include complimentary travel insurance, 2x more value when you offset your purchases using your DBS points, and flexibility to split your payments into instalments of up to 24 months, subject to terms & conditions.

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Disclaimers and Important Notice
This article is meant for information only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Before making any decision to buy, sell or hold any investment or insurance product, you should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding its suitability.