Did you catch that viral video of the purple sky over the Causeway? We finally found out what—or rather, who—that was all about. Clue: It starts with a You and ends with a Trip.
Speaking of Malaysia, this week’s finance and travel updates bring a mix of cross-border perks, homegrown policy shifts, and new products and programmes that have just launched. Whether you’re planning a JB shopping spree, renovating your flat, or trying to score a COE, there’s something in here for you.
Let’s dive into what’s happening this week—quick, simple, and zero jargon.
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YouTrip launches MYR wallet with free JB bus rides and cashback perks
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Did your friends send you that viral video of a purple sky over the Causeway? Turns out, it wasn’t a crazy weather phenomenon—it was YouTrip’s creative way of announcing its new Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) wallet. And yes, the perks are just as exciting as the stunt.
With the MYR wallet now live in the YouTrip app, users can exchange and store ringgit in advance, locking in favourable rates without any hidden fees or FX markups. It’s a handy tool for anyone planning a weekend escape to Malaysia, especially when exchange rates are looking good.
Free shuttle bus perks with YouTrip
To celebrate the launch of their MYR wallet, YouTrip is offering you free transport across the Causeway.
- Enjoy free shuttle bus rides to Johor Bahru every weekend from 19 Apr to 11 May 2025
- Buses run from Kranji MRT to Mid Valley Southkey, every 30 minutes from 9 am – 930 pm
- Pre-booking is required via YouTrip’s Instagram or Telegram
Get rewarded for spending in MYR
Don’t care for the free shuttle? YouTrip is also giving you cashback on MYR spending. The first 5,000 users who spend a minimum of $200 enjoy:
- 3% cashback on MYR spending with a minimum $200 spend (capped at $9)
- Up to 10% cashback at JD Sports (16 Apr to 17 Jun 2025)
- Up to 5% cashback at CARiNG Pharmacy, Decathlon, and Lotus’s (selected outlets) (16 Apr to 17 Jun 2025)
Mastercard adds digital touchpoints at Giant
Mastercard has teamed up with adm Group and DFI Retail Group to enhance the in-store experience at all 41 Giant supermarkets in Singapore. This new setup uses digital screens and QR codes to deliver promotions, rewards, and even personalised offers as you shop—turning a regular grocery run into a more engaging experience.
The Connected Front of Store system greets shoppers with the latest deals, while digital touchpoints throughout the store highlight special offers and encourage you to scan for rewards. At checkout, the system helps retailers better understand shopping habits and improve future deals—all with customer consent.
Right now, Mastercard debit cardholders who spend at least $30 in one transaction can receive a $10 Giant voucher. Simply upload your receipt and register online to receive your reward via email.
More exclusive perks, including culinary and concert experiences, are on the way—so it’s worth keeping an eye out if you shop at Giant.
Psst, are you a regular shopper at Giant?
Earn up to 18% cash rebate or 10 miles per dollar at Giant with the DBS yuu Card, one of the best everyday spend cards in the market right now. Alternatively, get up to 10% cashback at Giant with the popular UOB One Card.
- at yuu merchants, with no min. spend and no cap
- S$1 = 10X yuu Points
- when you spend S$600 Qualifying Spend at yuu merchants in a calendar month
- Additional bonus 26X yuu Points
- on all other spend
- S$1 = 1X yuu Point
- Cashback on McDonald's, DFI Retail Group, Grab, Shopee, SP and more
- Up to 10%
- Cashback Cap per quarter
- Up to S$500
- Min. Spend per month
- S$500
GXS Bank launches the GXS Reno Club
Thinking of renovating your home but worried about the cost? GXS Bank’s new initiative—the GXS Reno Club—is here to lighten that load. Tailored for homeowners, especially new BTO recipients, the Reno Club brings exclusive perks to make renovation financing simpler and more rewarding.
What is the GXS Reno Club?
The GXS Reno Club is a programme for homeowners taking a GXS FlexiLoan of at least $15,000 over 12 months. To join, applicants just need to name their loan “RENOCLUB”.It’s designed for those who want flexible financing for renovations without overcommitting upfront.
What perks do members get?
Here’s what GXS Reno Club members can look forward to:
- 1% cashback on FlexiLoan interest (credited monthly over 12 months)
- 0.8% bonus interest on GXS Savings balances (up to $20,000 for 6 months)
- Up to $100 off home purchases at Harvey Norman, Prism+, and Gain City with GrabPay or PayLater
- 6 months free Amazon Prime via cast.sg
ALSO READ: Personal Loan vs. Renovation Loan Comparison Guide: Which Is Better for Your Home Makeover?
Singapore downgrades 2025 GDP forecast
Singapore has downgraded its 2025 GDP growth forecast to between 0% and 2%, down from its earlier range of 1% to 3%. The adjustment, announced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), reflects growing concerns over the global impact of the escalating US-China tariff war.
What’s behind the downgrade?
- Global trade tensions: The US imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate with a 125% tariff on American imports.
- Singapore’s exposure: Singapore remains subject to a 10% flat tariff on goods entering the US, impacting trade flows.
- Uncertain outlook: Analysts warn of a possible technical recession—defined as two straight quarters of contraction.
How Singapore’s economy is performing
- Q1 2025 GDP rose 3.8% year-on-year, but shrank 0.8% quarter-on-quarter.
- Manufacturing grew 5%—a sign of front-loaded output before tariffs kicked in.
- Construction and key services like finance and transport continued to grow, though at a slower pace.
More COEs up for grabs from May to Jul as LTA increases quota
If you’ve been waiting for a better shot at getting a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to buy a car, the upcoming months could be your chance. From May to Jul 2025, the COE quota will rise by 6.4%, with 18,232 certificates available for bidding—up from 17,133 in the Feb to Apr period.
Why the increase?
The bump is due to several factors, including:
- Vehicle deregistrations from April 2024 to March 2025
- A planned 0.25% annual growth in commercial vehicle COEs
- Adjustments for expired COEs and taxi fleet changes
- Additional COEs injected to stabilise supply
This is the second quota period where the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is injecting extra certificates as part of its broader plan to release up to 20,000 additional COEs over the next few years.
What’s changing in each category?
- Category A (small cars & EVs): +10% to 7,511
- Category B (larger cars & EVs): +5% to 4,689
- Category C (commercial vehicles): +5% to 1,625
- Category D (motorcycles): +3% to 3,198
- Category E (open): +1.9% to 1,209
The timing is also noteworthy—just ahead of The Car Expo 2025 on 3–4 May, where demand could rise. So if you’re planning to bid, this new quota may give you a better chance to secure that long-awaited vehicle.
ALSO READ: Could a Toy Car Triple Your Cash? 8 Tips for Investing in Diecast Cars
Heading into JB this long weekend? Brace yourself
If you’re planning a cross-border trip this Good Friday weekend, pack a bit more patience. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned of very heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from 17 to 21 April.
This time of year typically sees a surge in cross-border travel, and Good Friday weekend is often the busiest period for land checkpoints. In 2024, nearly 2.3 million travellers passed through during the same holiday weekend, averaging over 455,000 crossings each day. ICA also noted that during the recent Hari Raya long weekend, traffic was intense—more than 1.8 million people crossed over 4 days, and some motorists waited up to three hours to clear immigration.
How to beat the jam
- Take the bus: ICA suggests using cross-border bus services to skip car congestion.
- Use QR codes: Travellers can scan QR codes for quicker immigration clearance.
- Plan ahead: Always check traffic updates before setting off.
Taking your car to JB? Check out our guide to driving into JB.
That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond.
About the author
Vanessa Nah likes her finance articles the way she likes her sitcoms—light-hearted, entertaining, and leaving people knowing a little more about life. She believes money—like life—should be made simple. Outside of work, you’ll find Vanessa attending dance classes, fingerpicking a guitar, and fulfilling her life mission to make her one-eyed cat the most spoiled kitty in the world.