Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - DBS Altitude Amex

Apologies as this is only of interest to SIN based FTers, but wanted to mention it in case any of you hadn't heard.

DBS bank just launched a new Amex CC that promises 1 KF mile for every 0.83SGD which beats the currently "best in class" 1KF for every 1.06SGD of the KF Amex.

The link is http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards/altitude/microsite/ and you can find more details there. What it doesn't answer though is how the transfer will work, e.g. 1) monthly like KF Amex or 2) needs to be initiated by card holder, and how much they will charge for the transfer if any. Only know that you need to enroll in the DBS Frequent Flyer program too (charge 40SGD) and then can send miles to KF or Asia Miles though no idea whether earnings ratio is same for Asia Miles. Card costs 180SGD a year and if you spent over 25K SGD than that fee is waived.

Cheers ...

I was also very interested in this card when it was announced. It looks like the scheme is the same as the usual cards. Only difference is that you get more DBS points per dollar charged (3DBSpoints = 1dollar) than the normal cards. Conversion is still the normal 250points for 500miles. 40dollars charged for each points transfer.

The question is, are you willing to put up with the crappy DBS customer service? Ever tried disputing a charge with them? I've heard some pretty bad stories from my friends.

Apologies as this is only of interest to SIN based FTers, but wanted to mention it in case any of you hadn't heard.

DBS bank just launched a new Amex CC that promises 1 KF mile for every 0.83SGD which beats the currently "best in class" 1KF for every 1.06SGD of the KF Amex.




The "best in class" is actually the PPS Club Platonium Amex Card which offers 1 KF mile for every 1 SGD spent. This card was very popular with PPS club members - though its the cards membership has and will dwindle due to Amex's enforcement of annual fees [not waived irrespective of spend - idiots] and the forthcoming reduction in PPS Club membership as a result of tougher requalification criteria.

The DBS's 1 KF mile for 0.83 SGD looks to good to be true. Has anyone read the fineprint? What's the catch?

I was also very interested in this card when it was announced. It looks like the scheme is the same as the usual cards. Only difference is that you get more DBS points per dollar charged (3DBSpoints = 1dollar) than the normal cards. Conversion is still the normal 250points for 500miles. 40dollars charged for each points transfer.

Thats's what I thought too, but supposedly it is not the same. However, I reserve judgement until I read the fine print and remain sceptic. Who knows what number spinners worked that advertising statement.

SQVeteran - ups can you tell that I have only a regular Gold one ;).

Savage25 - so you telling me to stcik to KF Amex then lah? You know more points is tempting but if it involves hassles than no thank you.

The "best in class" is actually the PPS Club Platonium Amex Card which offers 1 KF mile for every 1 SGD spent. This card was very popular with PPS club members - though its the cards membership has and will dwindle due to Amex's enforcement of annual fees [not waived irrespective of spend - idiots] ...

Hey I called Amex up and asked for fee waiver for my Gold one (non-PPS version for regular folks :)) based on last years spending and while they didn't budge completely they offered me a permanent reduction to 50SGD membership fee per year for as long as I have the card and free supplementary cards (not that I want any). The 60SGD maintenance fee is "unmovable" though.

The catch for the new DBS card is that you need to spend S$25K a year to waive the annual fee. If not, the fee will not waived and is chargeable if you cancel the card towards the end of the year before the fee is due. It is indicated on the clause that the fee is non-waivable.

Personally, I feel that the card is good only if you are a high-spender. On top of that, you will still need to pay S$40 for subscription into the FFP linkage to be able to transfer points to FFP.

There are more info on the card benefits at the following website:
http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards/altitude/

Well, if you're an SQ frequenty flyer on First and Business, and you charge all the flight tickets to the card, meeting the $25k requirement isn't that hard within a year. Plus, you get a seperate verification of your PPS value which you can use to wave at SQ if they mess up your KF account....

Well, if you're an SQ frequenty flyer on First and Business, and you charge all the flight tickets to the card, meeting the $25k requirement isn't that hard within a year. Plus, you get a seperate verification of your PPS value which you can use to wave at SQ if they mess up your KF account....

True but then you would be throwing away one of the big benefits of charging your SQ tix to the KF Amex - namely "double miles" - which still beats the DBS Altitude Amex handily. However, I agree that 25K is a bit of a tall order especially if one spreads money over different cards. Well if I could pay my rent via the CC then it's no problem with the recent craziness in SIN rental rates, but I digress. :)

The catch for the new DBS card is that you need to spend S$25K a year to waive the annual fee.

Hmm, just in case you posted this in reply to my comment about getting a few waiver/ reduction, I was referring to the KrisFlyer Amex and not the DBS Altitude Amex. Just wanted to clarify. Cheers ...

Hmm, just in case you posted this in reply to my comment about getting a few waiver/ reduction, I was referring to the KrisFlyer Amex and not the DBS Altitude Amex. Just wanted to clarify. Cheers ...

Hi Demue,

Like others on this site, my experiences are that Amex is very tight on full fee waiver on Krisflyer Gold Card and only do so for PPS. Otherwise a $50 partial fee still applies like what has been mentioned earlier in this thread.

I was a PPS Platinum Card holder..however, dropped off late last year due to the fee. My ex-boss is the only one I know that the fee was waived. Apparently, he signed for some platinum card that he subsequently canceled but still his fee was waived. Probably Amex made a mistake here.

True but then you would be throwing away one of the big benefits of charging your SQ tix to the KF Amex - namely "double miles" - which still beats the DBS Altitude Amex handily.

Normal Charges
DBS Altitude Amex S$0.83 = 1 KF Mile

Normal Charges
KF Amex S$1.60 = 1 KF Mile
If with 50% bonus (min S$5K spending for the yr):
KF Amex S$1.06 = 1 KF Mile

SQ Tix online Charges
KF Amex S$0.80 = 1 KF Mile
If with 50% bonus (min S$5K spending for the yr):
KF Amex S$0.64= 1 KF Mile

The bad part about the KF Amex is the miles are credited to KF account every month, so making the miles expire in 3 years' time.

As for the DBS Altitude Amex card, you accumulate the points with no expiry. Convert points to miles as and when required.

So all-in-all, I guess depending on who are the cardmembers and their spending habits. Those who spend more on online SQ Tix, then the KF Amex is the way to go, otherwise, any other charges DBS Altitude would have the best value in town.

I have given my feedbacks to KF Amex about all these promotions by other banks and card companies which gave better value than the KF Amex. Notably last year's OCBC Titanium MasterCard offer during the Great Singapore Sales of getting 10x points.

KF Amex has not come out with any promotion for the longest. I think the time has come for them to do something about it. :td:

Hi Demue,

Like others on this site, my experiences are that Amex is very tight on full fee waiver on Krisflyer Gold Card and only do so for PPS. Otherwise a $50 partial fee still applies like what has been mentioned earlier in this thread.

I was a PPS Platinum Card holder..however, dropped off late last year due to the fee. My ex-boss is the only one I know that the fee was waived. Apparently, he signed for some platinum card that he subsequently canceled but still his fee was waived. Probably Amex made a mistake here.

I've had a Krisflyer Gold card for a while now. After the first year (when the membership was free anyway), I've never had an issue with having the annual fee waived. Typically, after I note the fee in a statement, all it takes is a phone call to the customer service hotline indicating displeasure; a manager typically calls back the next day and confirms that the charge will be refunded in the next statement. ^

I've had a Krisflyer Gold card for a while now. After the first year (when the membership was free anyway), I've never had an issue with having the annual fee waived. Typically, after I note the fee in a statement, all it takes is a phone call to the customer service hotline indicating displeasure; a manager typically calls back the next day and confirms that the charge will be refunded in the next statement. ^

Same here...back when I was Elite Gold and had a KrisFlyer Gold Amex, I always called and got my annual fee waived. IIRC, the agent always transferred me to a "CRM" manager who approved the waiver over the phone.

I have given my feedbacks to KF Amex about all these promotions by other banks and card companies which gave better value than the KF Amex. Notably last year's OCBC Titanium MasterCard offer during the Great Singapore Sales of getting 10x points.

KF Amex has not come out with any promotion for the longest. I think the time has come for them to do something about it. :td:

Good stuff. True they need to do something. Maybe switching around a bit helps for them to realize that we mean business. The ridiculous extention of the 50% bonus miles year after year can't be it. Just make it permanent and say that one needs to spent more than 5K to qualify for that. Done. Ohh and while at it improve the earnings ratio to be competitive.

Apologies as this is only of interest to SIN based FTers, but wanted to mention it in case any of you hadn't heard.

DBS bank just launched a new Amex CC that promises 1 KF mile for every 0.83SGD which beats the currently "best in class" 1KF for every 1.06SGD of the KF Amex.

actually, best in class (until the Altitude came along) was the UOB Infinite - 1SGD for 1 KF mile

I was a PPS Platinum Card holder..however, dropped off late last year due to the fee. My ex-boss is the only one I know that the fee was waived. Apparently, he signed for some platinum card that he subsequently canceled but still his fee was waived. Probably Amex made a mistake here.


I was also a PPS Platinum Card holder and i cancelled my card in the 2nd year when Amex insisted on charging me an annual fee. This according to Amex was not waiverable irrespective of spend - and i spent quite a lot. The issue for me was not so much the fee [which wasn't particularly large] as it was the principle. If you spend a reasonable amount on any card - the card should not cost you anything.


I've had a Krisflyer Gold card for a while now. After the first year (when the membership was free anyway), I've never had an issue with having the annual fee waived. Typically, after I note the fee in a statement, all it takes is a phone call to the customer service hotline indicating displeasure; a manager typically calls back the next day and confirms that the charge will be refunded in the next statement.

I previously had a KF Gold Card and my experience was the same, i.e. fee waived. As mentioned above it was not true for the PPS Platonium Card.

I previously had a KF Gold Card and my experience was the same, i.e. fee waived. As mentioned above it was not true for the PPS Platonium Card.

Talk about an idiotic rule. There you definitely got one. Guess you should say thank you to them for allowing you to make money for them. :rolleyes: Oh well. There went your spending. Only way they will learn. ;)

Hey I called Amex up and asked for fee waiver for my Gold one (non-PPS version for regular folks :)) based on last years spending and while they didn't budge completely they offered me a permanent reduction to 50SGD membership fee per year for as long as I have the card and free supplementary cards (not that I want any). The 60SGD maintenance fee is "unmovable" though.
When I had this Gold card previously, they agreed to waive the fees (both the annual fee + the admin fee payable to SIA). The reasoning I gave, which they accepted, was that I had spent ~ S$18,000 over the year, when the guideline given was > S$8,000.