Singapore Slings and Malaysian Dreams
Singapore and Malaysia for Under $1,000 - Part 1 of 3
Singapore - The Lion City
Hello jetsetters and travel enthusiasts, today I'm going to share with you my experience traveling to and through Singapore on a budget. When most people think of Singapore, they imagine a high-end, expensive destination, but with smart planning, I experienced this incredible city for just a fraction of the expected cost. Over 2 and a half weeks in Singapore and Malaysia, I kept my total expenses around $1,000, thanks to points, miles, and budget-friendly choices. Today, I’ll focus on the first Singapore leg of my journey, where I enjoyed luxury for less, indulged in incredible food, and made the most of my travel perks.
Flying in Style for (Almost) Free
My adventure began with a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy on both the Boeing 777-300ER and the Airbus A350-1000. Using miles, I secured a comfortable seat with extra legroom, premium service, and delicious in-flight meals. The 8-hour layover in Hong Kong (HKG) was a comfortable highlight, and I took full advantage of the Priority Pass membership through my American Express Platinum Card. I visited both the Plaza Premium Lounge for breakfast and the Chase Lounge for lunch, where I relaxed, enjoyed free food and drinks, and even freshened up with a shower. The Hong Kong airport’s efficiency, amenities, and shops made the stopover feel like a bonus mini-trip.
Luxury Accommodations for Just Points
Instead of paying Singapore’s notoriously high hotel prices, I stayed at the Peninsula Excelsior (now the Wyndham Singapore Hotel) for just 15,000 Wyndham points per night (taxes and fees included). Considering the cash rate was over $200 a night, this was an incredible steal. The hotel’s central location near Marina Bay made it easy to explore the city on foot, and the comfortable rooms provided a perfect retreat after long days of sightseeing. There were also two pools, restaurants, and bars both on and off-site, making this stay comfortably convenient. Points truly made this stay possible without breaking the bank, and I would recommend this hotel for anyone looking to stay in a more centralized location within Singapore.
Breaking Down the Savings (Points Breakdown)
1. Wyndham Singapore (Jan 16–21, 2025)
Points Used: 75,000 Wyndham Rewards (15,000/night x 5 nights)
Cash Price: $1,500 total ($300/night)
Point Valuation:
At 1 cent/point, 75,000 points = $750 value
Savings: $750 vs. paying cash
Verdict: A solid redemption, and one I recommend, especially since Wyndham points can be harder to maximize.
2. Cathay Pacific Flight (LAX → SIN, One-Way)
Points Used: 75,000 British Airways Avios (transferred from Amex MR)
Cash Price: $1,900
Point Valuation (with 40% Amex Transfer Bonus):
Needed 53,600 Amex points (75,000 ÷ 1.4)
At 1.5 cents/point, 53,600 MR = $804 value
Savings: $1,100 vs. paying cash
Verdict: A fantastic deal, especially with the 40% transfer bonus!
Total Savings:
Cash Cost: $3,400 ($1,500 hotel + $1,900 flight)
Points Cost: 128,600 points (53,600 Amex + 75,000 Wyndham)
Estimated Value: $1,550+ saved!
By leveraging transfer bonuses and strategic redemptions, I cut my costs nearly in half, making this trip significantly more manageable vs. paying cash.
Hawker Centers: A Food Lover’s Paradise
One of the best ways to experience Singapore on a budget is through its legendary hawker centers. Every morning, I started my day with kopi (Singaporean/Malay style of coffee preparation) and kaya butter toast, which is a crispy toast slathered with coconut jam and butter. For dinner, I indulged in nasi lemak, a fragrant coconut rice dish with crispy anchovies, peanuts, spicy sambal, and a fried egg. Meals rarely cost more than $5 USD, proving that you don’t need to splurge to eat like royalty in Singapore. Make sure you take a stop at the Maxwell Hawker Center, this is a necessity when visiting Singapore, and honestly, a major reason I want to go back. This hawker center itself has multiple Michelin-starred hawkers (food vendors) who will leave your taste buds craving more. Also, if you have a chance and want a nice drink after your Hawker delicatessen exploration, go to the Raffles Hotel for a Singapore sling or any of the other unique bars throughout Singapore and around that area, it's worth the detour.
Exploring the City Without Spending a Fortune
Singapore offers plenty of free and low-cost attractions. I wandered through the futuristic Gardens by the Bay (free to enter, though the Cloud Forest has a fee), admired the skyline from Marina Bay Sands’ public areas, and explored vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India. A location you need to visit is the Supertree Grove at the Gardens by the Bay. This was a truly otherworldly experience with a free light show every night at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM. Another key location to visit if you like theme parks and water parks is Sentosa Island, where you can go to Universal Studios Singapore. Singapore's Universal Studios is interesting because they have a whole section dedicated to our favorite green ogre, Shrek. Exploring the city on Public transportation is affordable and efficient, making it easy to get around without expensive taxis on a budget of less than $10 USD a day.
The Magic of Travel Hacking
This trip wouldn’t have been possible without leveraging credit card points and memberships. From flights to hotels to lounge access, strategic use of rewards turned what could have been a $5,000+ trip into less than a $1,000 adventure. If you’re willing to put in the research, travel hacking can unlock incredible experiences without the hefty price tag. Overall, for this leg of the trip, I spent about $350 on food, entertainment, and the plane ticket taxes and fees, which made this an incredible experience for a fraction of the cost.
