Imagine spending four whole days in Singapore without needing cash. Sounds impossible, right? But I did it! I traveled with just SGD5.66 (which is about 250 Philippine pesos) in my wallet. I didn’t even bother to change my money into Singapore dollars. How did I do it? With just my digital wallet, GCash, and a global payment platform called Alipay+.
I used GCash to pay for everything. Whether it was taking a taxi, enjoying delicious meals, or visiting amazing places like the S.E.A. Aquarium and Gardens by the Bay, I didn’t need cash at all. It was a totally new way to travel, and I was all for it.
No Cash, Just Tech
At first, I was worried. I don’t usually use technology for everything, and I thought, “What if something goes wrong? What if the system doesn’t work, and I can’t pay for something?” But I was with some tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z friends who could use their digital wallets like pros. In just a few hours, I was paying for everything—tickets, meals, and even taxi rides—using GCash with Alipay+, like a local.
To make sure everything worked, I just had to remember to keep my Philippine phone number active if I was using an e-SIM. I also turned on notifications and location settings in the GCash app, so it was ready to go. All I had to say was, “I’m paying via Alipay,” and vendors would pull out their payment terminals.
How It Works
It’s so simple! There are two ways to pay with GCash and Alipay+. First, I can choose “Pay abroad with Alipay+” on my GCash app, and it will create a QR code. I just show that to the vendor, and they scan it. Or, I can scan the vendor’s QR code with my GCash app. Both ways work the same, and my payment is done in seconds. Even vending machines and stores had Alipay+ to make payments easy.
Extra Discounts with Alipay+
But that’s not all. Alipay+ isn’t just for paying, it also gives you rewards! When I checked my GCash app, I found the “A+ Rewards” icon. By tapping it, I could find discounts and special offers when paying at partner shops. For example, at the S.E.A. Aquarium, where we had a blast exploring one of the world’s biggest aquariums, I used the GCash app to buy tickets. Then, I found out that the aquarium is part of the Alipay+ rewards program. So when I bought souvenirs for my kids, I got SGD4 off with my reward!
More Places to Pay with GCash
I discovered that a lot of places in Singapore accept GCash through Alipay+. From iJooz, a machine that gives fresh orange juice, to ComfortDelGro Taxi, one of Singapore’s top taxi services, and even Sephora at ION Orchard, a big mall for beauty products, GCash worked everywhere!
Exploring Singapore and Shopping
One tip I learned was to bring an extra suitcase for all the things I would buy! I knew I had to save the shopping for the end of the trip because there were so many stores where I could use GCash to pay. In Singapore, we visited the National Gallery, which has Filipino artwork by famous artists like Fernando Amorsolo. It was so nice to see our history displayed for everyone to enjoy.
Then, we went to Gardens by the Bay, one of Singapore’s most beautiful spots. I used GCash to buy tickets and spent time walking through colorful flower domes and a cool mountain forest inside a giant greenhouse. The whole place was magical!
We also ate at many different restaurants, each with its own unique flavors. From famous places like Jumbo Seafood near Clarke Quay to Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown (where a food stall has a Michelin star!), we were never bored of the food. All of them accepted GCash through Alipay+!
Shopping at the Airport
By the time we were ready to leave, I had filled my extra suitcase with so many things, thanks to all the shopping! And guess what? Changi Airport, Singapore’s top airport, had even more stores where I could pay using GCash! We picked up gifts like Garret popcorn, Bacha coffee, and Irvins Salted Egg noodles for friends and family back home.
Why GCash Is So Great
Spending four days in Singapore without needing cash was amazing. GCash made everything so easy. I didn’t have to carry heavy coins or bills, and I could pay for everything in just a few seconds. Plus, the exchange rates were low, and there were no extra fees! It was economical, and I even got special discounts and deals just for using GCash.
This new way of traveling made everything simpler and more fun. If you have GCash, you can use it too and enjoy Singapore without the need for cash. It’s the future of travel!
