A holiday planning checklist tends to look the same no matter where you’re headed: book the flights, settle accommodation, map out an itinerary, pack the essentials, and buy travel insurance.
For decades, a trip to the money changer to stock up on foreign currency before flying off also sat firmly on that list. But these days, that pre-trip ritual is starting to feel a little outdated, especially when the queues are long and the rates are confusing.
With Revolut, travellers can spend in over 150 countries through the app, while enjoying great FX rates, travel perks, easier money management, and even a little something extra for new users to kickstart their holiday budget.
Exchange rates may vary, and terms and conditions apply.
Revolut is built for travellers who would rather not do maths every time they pay for something overseas.
Through the app, users can view live exchange rates and lock in more than 35 regional currencies at great rates when the Singapore dollar is performing strongly, including popular travel currencies such as Thai baht, Chinese yuan, South Korean won, Indonesian rupiah, Vietnamese dong, and more.
This makes it especially useful if your travel plans involve familiar Singaporean favourites like Bangkok, Shanghai, Seoul, Bali, or Ho Chi Minh City.
Source: Tony Wu on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
Instead of changing a large sum of cash before travelling, users can go ahead and spend in the local currency while keeping track of their balance on their phone.
It also means not having to feel anxious about carrying thick wads of banknotes around, or coming up with increasingly creative hiding spots in your backpack just to feel a little more secure.
Exchange rates may vary, terms and conditions apply
Revolut users can spend with either a physical or virtual card, depending on what suits their travel style.
The virtual card can be used immediately for online purchases and phone wallet payments, so you can start using it ahead of your travels without waiting for the physical card to arrive.
Meanwhile, the physical card is useful as a backup if your phone runs out of battery, your mobile wallet or roaming connection acts up, or you simply prefer the reassuring tap of an actual card when paying overseas.
The app also offers eSIM options, a travel must-have for staying connected without needing to hunt down a telco booth after landing and performing tiny-card surgery at the airport with a SIM tray pin.
Users can pick a plan by country across more than 100 global locations, with top-ups starting from S$1.50 for 1GB. Prices vary by destination, so travellers can check the latest rates, plan details, applicable eSIM fees, and terms and conditions under the eSIM section in the app.
Whether you need to pull up your hotel booking, check where that highly rated ramen shop is for your first meal, or post that obligatory “just landed” Instagram Story, having data sorted early can make the first hour of a trip feel significantly less chaotic.
And if you run into any issues, Revolut’s customer support team is available 24/7, so help is within reach wherever you are.
Cash may no longer be king everywhere, but it still has its moments, especially at night markets, small local eateries, or older shops that haven’t quite embraced card payments yet.
Source: Photo Trips on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
With Revolut, users can make overseas ATM withdrawals without fees charged by the app, provided the amount falls within their plan allowance and daily withdrawal limit.
The fee-free allowance depends on your Revolut plan: Standard users get up to S$350 or five withdrawals, whichever comes first, while Premium and Metal users get higher monthly limits of S$700 and S$1,050 respectively.
Once the plan allowance is exceeded, a 2% or S$1.49 fair usage fee applies. Third-party ATM operators may also impose their own charges, so it is worth checking the withdrawal screen before confirming.
Source: DAPA Images on Canva, for illustration purposes only
Still, having ATM access abroad gives travellers more flexibility, especially if they prefer not to carry too much cash from the start of the trip. And if you’re unsure whether Revolut has charged a fee, you can tap on the ATM withdrawal in your app’s transaction list to see the full breakdown.
Airport lounge access can be an experience in itself, giving travellers a comfier space to freshen up, grab a bite, indulge in a quick nap, or simply ease into holiday mode before boarding.
For those who like starting their trip on a more relaxed note, Revolut Premium and Metal users can purchase discounted lounge passes directly through the app, with up to 10 passes held at a time.
The perk is especially useful for family holidays, friend group getaways, or multi-person business travel, so everyone can wait somewhere more comfortable before boarding.
Passes can be used at selected Changi Airport lounges such as Marhaba Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, and more.
Source: Plaza Premium Lounge
The app also lets users check lounge locations, opening hours, and amenities before booking, though availability may change, so it’s worth reviewing the latest details and applicable airport lounge pass terms and conditions before you head over.
Even users on Revolut’s free Standard plan can enjoy extra perks, including three months of complimentary ChatGPT Go access.
Those looking for more benefits can opt for the Metal plan, which costs S$21.99 a month and comes with more than S$3,700 worth of annual partner subscriptions, adding extra lifestyle value on top of its travel features.
These include Duolingo, which can be useful for brushing up on basic phrases before a trip so you can greet the locals, order with a little more confidence, and show appreciation for a good meal beyond an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Source: appshunter.io on Unsplash
Other partner subscriptions include LaundryHeap, which could be an absolute lifesaver for those returning home with a suitcase full of laundry that has been marinating in a plastic bag for a week.
Metal users can also enjoy 12 months of complimentary ChatGPT Go, while both Metal and Premium users receive a pandapro subscription.
The latter includes unlimited free delivery from participating restaurants, pandamart, Cold Storage, and Giant, plus unlimited 20% off at more than 2,000 restaurants. Minimum spends apply, and deals vary by brand.
Now here’s the part that’ll make budget-conscious travellers perk up: new Revolut users can get S$50 credited to their account when they sign up and complete one transaction using their Revolut card.
That extra S$50 could go towards a nicer meal or two, an upsized shopping budget, or a unique new holiday experience you might otherwise have skipped to save money.
The promotion is limited to the first 200 new users, with a minimum spend of S$20. Terms and conditions and an end date apply, so don’t forget to check the full details before signing up.
For more information, visit Revolut’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
This post was brought to you in collaboration with Revolut.
This is a paid partnership. MS News is not licensed to provide financial services or financial advice.
Featured image by MS News. Photography by Wani Khan.