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The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread

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Old Oct 31, 2014, 6:05 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: lifeonthego_k
I'm going to update this first post as more info flows in to create a 'master list' of all credit cards that offer a decent way of accruing miles - so please help out!

If you know of and/or use any other cards (or the ones already mentioned), please share your thoughts.

***ALL VALUES BELOW IN SINGAPORE DOLLARS (SGD)***
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In no particular order (apart from personal preference in terms of good-mileage opportunities):
============

1. UOB PRVI Miles VISA, MasterCard, AMEX

VISA:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...iles_visa.html
MasterCard:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard.html
Amex:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...ard/microsite/



Mileage accrual:
The earn rate will be 1.4 miles for every $1 spent in multiples of S$10 (every multiple of S$5 gives 6 to 7 miles due to 3.5 UNI$ rounding off, every S$10 gives 14 miles), and 2.4 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS (every $5 gives 12 miles).

Requirements: min. income $80,000 (not strict).
Cost: First year free, then S$256.80 for main, first two supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver for Amex card if you charge $50,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name/FIN Number/NRIC together for all UOB cards which earn UNI$.

Pros: Best mileage accrual rates for overseas spend only. 20,000 bonus miles and annual fee waiver with spend of $50,000 per year (both only for Amex card). $45 1-way airport transfer voucher for $1,000 overseas spend in a given quarter (Amex only).
Cons: AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

2. UOB Preferred Platinum Visa


http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards..._platinum.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...visa_card.html


Mileage accrual: Earn 4 miles for every $1 spent using ONLY MOBILE CONTACTLESS every $5 gives 10 UNI$ which equal 20 miles). Same incredible mileage-earning ratio for internet shopping with certain restrictions (travel-related, utilities, etc.). Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 for regular, signature-based payments AND ORPHAN SPEND DUE TO $5 ROUNDING OR EXCEEDING THE BONUS U$2000 SPEND (every $5 gives 1 UNI$ which equal 2 miles).

Earning 4 miles/$ is limited to the first S$1110 spent during the per calendar month (via Mobile Contactless). 2,000UNI$ refers to the extra 9UNI$ and does not include the normal 1UNI$.(Stop when you notice you earn 3UNI$ (1 + bonus 2) for the last S$5 transaction. ($1110/5)x9=1998UNI$, hence the last S$5 transaction will earn 2 bonus UNI$. The total bonus UNI$ awarded to you from qualifying spend on Selected Online Transactions and Mobile Contactless Transactions is capped at UNI$2,000 for each calendar month. THE CAP IS ON THE 9 UNI$ BONUS NOT 10UNI$ TOTAL YOU GET WITH BASE OF U$1 PER $ SPEND

Keep in mind that some merchants offer different, non-mileage accruing awards with UOB cards which are called SMART$. Some popular merchants include Cold Storage, Guardian and Giant Supermarket, ToastBox and Starbucks. A full list of merchants where Mobile contactless transactions will NOT earn miles can be found here:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...smartclub.html

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($60,000 for foreigners).
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for main and $96.30 for supplementary. Annual fee waived off easily.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion, in blocks of 5000 UNI$=10,000 miles. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name for all UOB cards.

Pros: Incredible mileage accrual rates for Paywave transactions (not all merchants - some give SMART$ instead which are different rewards!) as well as internet transactions (some restrictions apply).
Cons: Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

3. Citi PremierMiles MasterCard

https://www.citibank.com.sg/credit-cards/travel/premiermiles-card/?ecid=PSGONSGCCAENPM

Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS. 10,000 bonus miles for each annual membership renewal.

Requirements: min. income $50,000 for VISA. Principal cardholder must be at least 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for VISA main, supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver available in exchange for forfeiting the 10,000renewal bonus.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion.

Pros: Decent all-rounder, good for overseas spend. Points never expire. Bonus miles for annual card renewal. 11 frequent flyer programs & 3 hotel programs to choose from, including EVA Air - only 25,000 miles for 1 way Business Class within Asia!!
Cons: No miles awarded for EZ-Link & Transitlink transactions. Miles awarded per S$1. Cents not included. 1.2 miles/S$1. Transfer in blocks of 10,000 miles.

4. DBS Altitude VISA/AMEX

http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx
http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent (every $5 gives 3 DBS points which equal 6 miles). Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS.

Requirements: min. income $80,000.
Cost: First year free, then $180 for main and $90 for supplementary. Annual fee waiver if you charge $25,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: S$26.75 per transfer, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

Pros: Points never expire. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 3, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1.67. Each DBS point = 2 miles). Earn 3 miles per S$1 spent on all online Flight and Hotel transactions (capped at S$5,000 per month). 10,000 miles renewal bonus if you have to pay card renewal fees.
Cons: All local spend now down to 1.2 miles/$ (since Dec 1, 2013). AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Transfer in blocks of 5000 DBS points = 10,000 miles (on the plus side points don't expire). Per transfer of S$26.75, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

5. Maybank Horizon Platinum Visa

http://info.maybank2u.com.sg/persona...visa-card.aspx



Earn 3.2 air miles (8X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on dining, petrol, taxi fares and hotel bookings at Agoda.com/horizon
Earn 2 air miles (5X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions, with a minimal S$300 in a calendar month

Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 spent elsewhere (1 mile for every $2.50 spent).

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($80,000 for foreigners).
Cost: $150 for main, supplementary always free. Unsure of any annual fee waiver conditions.
Miles conversion fee: In blocks of 5,000 points to 2000 Asia Miles or KrisFlyer. S$26.75 fee applies.

Pros: Great for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Complimentary access to selected VIP airport lounges when you charge a minimum of S$400 in a single transaction on air tickets or travel packages to your Card 3 months prior to the date of travel.
Cons: Great ONLY for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Points are valid for 1 year only, expire either on 30 June or 31 December of the same year if not Rewards Infinite member.

6. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend AMEX

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/s...nd-credit-card



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on all your eligible purchases with your Card

Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 equivalent in foreign currency spent overseas on eligible purchases during June and December

Requirements: min. income $50,000 ($60,000 for foreigners). Principal cardholder must be over 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, otherwise $256.80 for main, 2 supplementary cards always free (more available at $80.25 each). Annual fee cannot be waived unless you spend alot.
Miles conversion fee: None - your KrisFlyer miles are transferred to your account directly with no conversion fees or charges.

Pros: None, except for welcome offers (4 complimentary airport lounge access vouchers, one complimentary night with Millennium Hotels and Resorts).

Cons: Simply nothing special - there are better cards available for all types of purchases, including flight tickets, even with all of the bonuses above applied. AMEX not always accepted by merchants.

7. Citibank Rewards Card

http://www.citibank.com.sg/gcb/credi...CACRENCCHOCALM



Earn 10X Rewards (10 Rewards Points or 4 Miles for every S$1 spent) when you shop for clothes, bags and shoes or at departmental stores or online shopping websites, including SingTel & M1 online bill payment!

Pros: Transfer to 11 FFPs & 3 Hotel programs in blocks of 25,000 points=10,000 miles; S$25 fee.

Cons: Points awarded per S$1 spend. Cents not included. Cannot combined Thank You Points across cards.

8. DBS Woman's World MasterCard® Card

http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard-card



10X Rewards for Online Retail Purchases
T&C Here: https://www.dbs.com.sg/iwov-resource...s_card_tnc.pdf

Pros: Men also can get this card!! DBS points are combined in 1 cardholder's name. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 10, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1. Each DBS point = 2 miles).

Cons: DBS points are valid for 1 year based on card anniversary date. The additional 9X DBS Points for online retail spend in a calendar month will be awarded on the 16th of the next calendar month. If the above days are not working days, the Points will be awarded on the next working day. The additional 9X DBS Points are only applicable to the first S$2,000 online retail spend every calendar month.

9. OCBC Titanium Rewards Card

https://www.ocbc.com/personal-bankin...astercard.html

10x OCBC$ on your shopping Local & Overseas Shopping Transactions, Local & Overseas Department Store Transactions and Local & Overseas Online Transactions.
The remaining 9 OCBC$ will be posted to the Card Account by the end of the next calendar month

https://www.ocbc.com/assets/pdf/card...ons.pdf?rand=1
10,000 KrisFlyer miles requires OCBC$ 25000, For each conversion of OCBC$ to KrisFlyer miles a fee of S$25 will be charged

10. UOB Lady's Card
https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/card...ard/index.page

============

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The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread

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Old May 10, 2013, 2:27 am
  #1516  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by lsed
I read on HWZ that it can be hit and miss for some online transactions with alipay - when it is stated in the Chinese name it does not post.

And also for PP funding your own account will not work. It needs to be a purchase
Good info, thanks!
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Old May 10, 2013, 2:36 am
  #1517  
 
Join Date: May 2012
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Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by lsed
I've seen the list but nothing really stands out as useful besides transportation and sporadic food outlets.
Even some chains don't roll it out to all their outlets.
I'm mainly using it now for riding in Taxi and MRT.
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Old May 10, 2013, 3:02 am
  #1518  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by lsed
Now that you mention it, I don't think I received 200 UNI$ for it. Seems I received 40 or 50 only
Originally Posted by unitedinsg
yeh, there were a few confirmations from hardwarezone + flyertalk so I didnt check. Just got my statement today and the Uni$ discrepancy would be due to either one of these transactions not earning 10X
1) top and tap or
2) supplementary card transactions
On my previous top and top, I did receive 200 UNI$ (on a $100 topup). I just did another top this morning, waiting for the transaction to post. Will let you guys know again.
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Old May 10, 2013, 6:14 pm
  #1519  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Any of you guys use the DBS Woman's World MC?
aster is offline  
Old May 10, 2013, 7:47 pm
  #1520  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BW Diamond, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Priority Club Plat Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, M&C Gold
Posts: 313
Originally Posted by aster
Any of you guys use the DBS Woman's World MC?
plenty....shh....
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Old May 10, 2013, 10:13 pm
  #1521  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by planetshakers
plenty....shh....


Is ALL ONLINE spend included or are there some exceptions like paying taxes, airfare, EZ-link top-up, etc.?

Also, supplementary card doesn't raise/double the 2k/mth ceiling, right?
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Old May 10, 2013, 10:17 pm
  #1522  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by unitedinsg
I am not 100% sure that ezlink top and tap earns 10X Uni$ for UOB PPV I did 2 $200 topups and the points are not 4miles/$.
Someone at the local forum reported that he got his full miles for EZ-link top-up online. Have you guys still not had the full amount credited?
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Old May 10, 2013, 11:57 pm
  #1523  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by aster


Is ALL ONLINE spend included or are there some exceptions like paying taxes, airfare, EZ-link top-up, etc.?
So far based on my experience, so long as the transactions require a 2nd authentication code via SMS, it is considered as online spend and 10X times are awarded (Airlines, online travel portal, teleco online bill payment, etc) for DBS Woman's World Mastercard

However, for hotel websites (e.g. IHG, Accor) where these payments are processed offline, though credit card details are inputted online, these will not generate 10X points. Payments via Paypal are also considered as online payment.

Last edited by hclee01; Jun 12, 2013 at 6:53 pm Reason: For clarity
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Old May 11, 2013, 3:32 am
  #1524  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AZ FA+, A3 G, AB G | IHG RA, HGP D, FPC P, Accor P, BW D, HH D, Eleva, GHA P, 1862 Voyager
Posts: 1,852
My EzLink didn't count and another online purchase that specifically shows the words 'sports.com' did not count. I just called up. Put on hold for most of the 13 mins, agent said he needs to do a call back after doing extra research.

Is it always this painful to get the points credited correctly?
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Old May 11, 2013, 6:00 am
  #1525  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: KF G, UA 1K, SPG P, Marriott P, Hilton G, Wyndham G
Posts: 122
Same experience for me as well for dbs women mc. I got 10x for m1, starhub bills. It doesn't work for IHG, not sure if it works for SPG. I will check my points on the 16th to confirm.
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Old May 11, 2013, 7:40 am
  #1526  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by Marsy
Same experience for me as well for dbs women mc. I got 10x for m1, starhub bills. It doesn't work for IHG, not sure if it works for SPG. I will check my points on the 16th to confirm.
Yeah, I tested on IHG before doesn't work.

There's a useful post in HWZ forums, hopefully the topic starter will continue to maintain it. If not I can start one here. Let me know what you guys think.

Last edited by lcpteck; May 11, 2013 at 7:56 am
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Old May 11, 2013, 8:37 am
  #1527  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by lsed
My EzLink didn't count and another online purchase that specifically shows the words 'sports.com' did not count. I just called up. Put on hold for most of the 13 mins, agent said he needs to do a call back after doing extra research.

Is it always this painful to get the points credited correctly?
You mean the UOB PPV and not DBS Women's card, right?
aster is offline  
Old May 11, 2013, 9:10 am
  #1528  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: AZ FA+, A3 G, AB G | IHG RA, HGP D, FPC P, Accor P, BW D, HH D, Eleva, GHA P, 1862 Voyager
Posts: 1,852
Originally Posted by aster
You mean the UOB PPV and not DBS Women's card, right?
Yeah I don't have the DBS womens card.

I've read of others calling UOB to manually add the 10X spending. It seems merchants who are obscure and not on a specific list will end up not being credited 10X.

My shopping was for a pair of Asics running shoes from a US retailer. It's a very obscure website so I doubt any other PPV have charged to it before.

I'm fine if that's the case. But how come it seems so hard to get my 10X credited? Is there a specific department I should get directed to for faster resolution?
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Old May 11, 2013, 6:37 pm
  #1529  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Originally Posted by hclee01
So far based on my experience, so long as the transactions require a 2nd authentication code via SMS, it is considered as online spend and 10X times are awarded (Airlines, online travel portal, teleco online bill payment, etc)

However, for hotel websites (e.g. IHG, Accor) where these payments are processed offline, though credit card details are inputted online, these will not generate 10X points. Payments via Paypal are also considered as online payment.
Is DBS Woman's card the only card available in Singapore with 10X online spend with any airline or any online merchant? It is good to see it can be used for airline purchases online, but given the $2,000 calender month limit part of the ticket if over $2,000 in total, will not earn 10X.

I know UOB Preferred Platinum Visa can be used online for 10X points but only for clothes, shoes, bags, electronic items, books, movie tickets and fast food delivery order online

Also, if you buy a ticket on singaporeair.com costing $3,000, will you get 10X UNI$ on the first $2,000 and 1X UNI$ on the balance? In which case, the average earn will keep on going down the higher the value of the transaction

Last edited by SingaporeDon; May 11, 2013 at 8:28 pm
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Old May 11, 2013, 8:27 pm
  #1530  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: PC Plat Am, Accor GOLD, Hilton Gold
Posts: 179
Originally Posted by lsed
Yeah I don't have the DBS womens card.

I've read of others calling UOB to manually add the 10X spending. It seems merchants who are obscure and not on a specific list will end up not being credited 10X.

My shopping was for a pair of Asics running shoes from a US retailer. It's a very obscure website so I doubt any other PPV have charged to it before.

I'm fine if that's the case. But how come it seems so hard to get my 10X credited? Is there a specific department I should get directed to for faster resolution?
Called UOB. Told me system down. Can only check on Mon. Since pple are getting it, guess shouldn't be a problem to get the points.
unitedinsg is offline  


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