Issue #2: What’s Happening This Week?—New Digital Pet Insurance, 80% Discounts for Off-Peak Commute

New curry sauce rules that aren’t currying any favours, 80% discounts to fight morning train/bus congestion (anyone missing the Covid-19 days now?), a fresh new digital pet insurance, and more.

These are some of the headlines this week that will affect you and your wallet—and we’ve got the scoop right here. Here’s our round-up of What’s Happening This Week?, issue 2.

 

Missed last week’s issue? View all past editions of What’s Happening This Week? to catch up.

 

Heads up, McDonald’s fans: Extra condiments will cost you in 2025

McDonald’s has updated their Condiments Policy (yes, that’s a thing), and we are not lovin’ it.

Starting 2 Jan 2025, McDonald’s Singapore will charge for extra condiments beyond the allocated amount for your meal.

Here’s how it works: Each menu item comes with a specific number of condiments for free. For example, a 6-piece nuggets order includes 1 free tub of sauce (curry, BBQ, or honey mustard). Want more? You’ll need to pay 50 cents per extra tub.

The good news? Essentials like ketchup and garlic chilli sauce will remain free, provided you stick to the fixed allocation based on your order.

Other condiments—like salad dressing, pancake syrup, and whipped butter—will also cost extra if you exceed the set limit. Here’s a summary:

Psst, speaking of McDonald’s, here are 2 cashback credit cards I would recommend you use at the fast food giant.

 

Greater discounts of up to 80% of your fare for off-peak train/bus rides

Hate the morning crowds? Don’t we all. To help ease morning rush-hour congestion, Singapore’s Travel Smart Journeys programme is expanding to include more bus services and parts of the MRT network.

Here’s the deal: Starting in early Jan 2025, commuters traveling from Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok, and Hougang MRT stations, as well as Punggol and Sengkang LRT stations, can enjoy up to 80% off fares when they shift their travel times outside of peak hours.

For North-East Line (NEL) commuters, the existing perks—like earning 150 points per ride by switching to specific bus services between 7 am and 9 am—are staying. These points can be redeemed for cash discounts (500 points = S$5) through the SimplyGo app.

Don’t forget about the 50-cent MRT fare discount for rides starting before 7:45 am, which pairs nicely with these new savings.

In case you’re thinking of setting your alarm clock way early this December, chill. The Travel Smart Journeys scheme isn’t available from 25 Nov to early Jan 2025 anyway as they upgrade their system.

 

Silversky, MSIG, and Stere Asia launch new digital pet insurance

Silversky, a leading distributor of premium pet supplies in Asia, has partnered with general insurance provider MSIG Singapore and insurance startup Stere Asia to bring pet owners in Singapore an exciting new way to protect their furry friends. Introducing Silversky Protect, a comprehensive and hassle-free digital pet insurance solution. Here’s a summary of the benefits and features:

Key features of Silversky Protect

• Big-ticket coverage: Hospitalisation and surgery costs up to $13,000.
• Pre-surgery support: Coverage up to $300 for consultations and diagnostic tests.
• Post-surgery care: Get up to $700 for treatments after surgery.
• Third-party liability: Protection for those unexpected “oops” moments.

• Skip the vet paperwork: No clinical exams required—just sign up and go.
• Loyalty pays: Enjoy up to a 15% no-claim discount.
• Freedom of choice: Visit your favorite vet clinic without restrictions.

Additionally, pawrents will be pleased to know that Silversky Protect is the only pet insurance in Singapore that includes:

• Complementary therapies like acupuncture and physiotherapy.
• Emergency pet transport services.
• A special “get well” benefit to help pets bounce back

Thinking of getting Silversky Protect? You’ll also bag a welcome gift—every policy comes with a free Wellness Pet Care Pack (worth $80) filled with goodies like premium pet food and Whimzees dental treats.

 

AirAsia adds flights for upcoming Lunar New Year

Traveling home for the Lunar New Year? Good news: AirAsia is making it easier for families and friends to reunite for the upcoming festive season. The airline has announced 22 additional flights between Singapore and East Malaysia, providing over 7,900 seats for festive travellers between 24 January and 5 February 2025.

Whether you’re headed to Kuching, Sibu, Miri, or Tawau, AirAsia’s expanded schedule offers late-night and limited-time flights, ensuring more options to suit your travel needs. In total, the airline will operate 43 flights during the festive season.

Planning your trip? Book your tickets now at dynamic fares to secure your seat. For a smooth journey, AirAsia encourages travellers to:

• Self check-in via airasia.com or the MOVE app, available up to 14 days before departure.
• Use the convenient e-Boarding Pass for faster boarding.
• Arrive early at the airport—baggage drop counters open 2 hours before departure.

 

One last thing before you go—don’t forget to protect your trip with the right travel insurance to suit your needs! Explore your travel insurance options using our easy comparison tool.

 

Milieu Insight reveals Singaporeans are the region’s most frequent travellers

No surprises here. Southeast Asia is full of travel fanatics, and Singaporeans are leading the pack. According to a Milieu Insight study, 79% of Singaporeans have ventured abroad this year, making them the region’s most frequent travellers. Across Southeast Asia, 66% of people took 1-4 trips in 2024, with sightseeing, cultural immersion, and budget-friendly adventures topping the agenda.

Popular destinations include Southeast Asia (49%) and East Asia (45%), with China and South Korea being traveler favorites. Looking ahead, nearly one in three Southeast Asians have already booked their year-end getaways. Romantic partners top the list of travel companions at 42%, followed by friends and family.

The main travel motivation? Sightseeing and outdoor activities (64%), followed by shopping (44%) and cultural experiences (32%). While 53% prefer jam-packed itineraries, the rest opt for a slower pace. Budget-conscious travel reigns, with 77% sticking to budgets and 79% seeking local experiences like workshops.

 

COE prices for Category A cars are back up

The latest Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise on 4 Dec had mixed results of some highs and some lows.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Category A (smaller cars): Premiums rose to $94,000, up from $89,889, bouncing back after a 10% drop in the previous round.
• Category B (larger cars): Premiums dipped slightly to $103,010, compared to $105,081 last round.
• Commercial vehicles: COEs climbed to $70,289, up from $69,000.
• Motorcycles: Good news for bikers! Premiums fell to $7,878, their lowest since May 2023, down from $8,669.
• Open Category (for any vehicle, mainly large cars): Premiums dropped to $104,001, from $107,501.

Despite how expensive it is to own a car in Singapore, Singaporeans are not deterred. This exercise saw 3,655 bids submitted against 2,684 COEs available—competition is evidently still very fierce.