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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 Oct 21, 2014, 1:17 am
  #3466  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by percysmith
They have their advantages, like you double your spending quota for promotions.

Of course they also result in 2X miles burning...
Any recommendations for a HKG girl?

Okay, let's get back to our regular scheduled program...
lcpteck is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2014, 1:32 am
  #3467  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 2
Seems I received 40 or 50 only .
Alansg is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2014, 8:49 am
  #3468  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,735
Originally Posted by percysmith
They have their advantages, like you double your spending quota for promotions.

Of course they also result in 2X miles burning...
Don't worry about the miles burning, the cash burn is even more painful unless you find a rich one Okay, back to topic.
demue is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2014, 12:10 pm
  #3469  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,165
Originally Posted by best
Any of these cards available for US resident US citizens?
I don't think so. Non-residents of other countries could still get somewhere with secured cards, but for a non-resident who is a US citizen, living in the US... hmm, I think the chances would be quite low.

You'd be about as welcome as a lepper in a spa due to how US authorities "discourage" overseas banks from dealing with US nationals. Not worth the hassle for most financial institutions unless you happen to live here...
aster is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2014, 7:22 pm
  #3470  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,571
UOB Visa Infinite

There doesn't appear to be much discussion on this card here, thought I'd share. I recently received an invite to apply for UOB Visa Infinite.

Annual fee S$1,926 including GST, first year waived, but I suspect subsequent years will be waived on request.

1.2 miles per S$1 with upgrade to 1.6 miles per S$1 if you spend S$20,000 for that quarter.

While miles earning rate is poor, there are two perks that attracted me:
- Access to Tower Club and China Club
- Dining privileges at Grand Hyatt (2 adults 50% off, 3 adults 33% off, 4 adults 25% off, 5 adults 20% off, 6 adults 15% off). But applicable for LUNCH only.

Has anyone gotten this card? Is it worthwhile? I suppose since first year's annual fee is waived, there's no harm getting it just to gain access to the above perks.

Good to hear your thoughts.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Oct 21, 2014, 9:42 pm
  #3471  
 
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 carrotjuice
There doesn't appear to be much discussion on this card here, thought I'd share. I recently received an invite to apply for UOB Visa Infinite.

Annual fee S$1,926 including GST, first year waived, but I suspect subsequent years will be waived on request.

1.2 miles per S$1 with upgrade to 1.6 miles per S$1 if you spend S$20,000 for that quarter.

While miles earning rate is poor, there are two perks that attracted me:
- Access to Tower Club and China Club
- Dining privileges at Grand Hyatt (2 adults 50% off, 3 adults 33% off, 4 adults 25% off, 5 adults 20% off, 6 adults 15% off). But applicable for LUNCH only.

Has anyone gotten this card? Is it worthwhile? I suppose since first year's annual fee is waived, there's no harm getting it just to gain access to the above perks.

Good to hear your thoughts.
Someone in hardwarezone mentioned that you have to call the relationship manager to book Tower or China Club, which would be a hassle. Better double check before applyint
SingaporeDon is offline  
Old Oct 22, 2014, 9:38 pm
  #3472  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Krisflyer, Marco Polo Gold, Accor Platinum, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
There doesn't appear to be much discussion on this card here, thought I'd share. I recently received an invite to apply for UOB Visa Infinite.

Annual fee S$1,926 including GST, first year waived, but I suspect subsequent years will be waived on request.

1.2 miles per S$1 with upgrade to 1.6 miles per S$1 if you spend S$20,000 for that quarter.

While miles earning rate is poor, there are two perks that attracted me:
- Access to Tower Club and China Club
- Dining privileges at Grand Hyatt (2 adults 50% off, 3 adults 33% off, 4 adults 25% off, 5 adults 20% off, 6 adults 15% off). But applicable for LUNCH only.

Has anyone gotten this card? Is it worthwhile? I suppose since first year's annual fee is waived, there's no harm getting it just to gain access to the above perks.

Good to hear your thoughts.
Have you dined @ Tower Club? Perhaps you should try it first (if you have chance) coz I find their service far below acceptable, as though guests should feel privileged to be able to dine there. The food? Let's just say we don't quite remember anything worthy of mention from the few times we ate there.

A credit card that offers Tower Club as a "privilege" will not get my card membership.

Just my 2 cents' worth, the rest of privileges seem pretty good though.

@ almost $2K p.a.? You are far better off benefitting from Amex Platinum Charge and get much more back, even though they charge $1.7K p.a but I have also clocked more than half million Krisflyer miles past 2 years, besides dining/retail privileges.
Asiange is offline  
Old Oct 22, 2014, 9:40 pm
  #3473  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by SingaporeDon
Someone in hardwarezone mentioned that you have to call the relationship manager to book Tower or China Club, which would be a hassle. Better double check before applyint
AMEX Plat Charge has access to Tower club as well but I don't quite fancy the place. Food is overpriced and average. China club has slightly better food but I don't see what's the big deal as well.
feizhu is offline  
Old Oct 23, 2014, 12:56 am
  #3474  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
SPG Amex

Sigh, still waiting for an SPG Amex to be issued here in Singapore. Chances are probably next to nothing...
lcpteck is offline  
Old Oct 23, 2014, 7:54 am
  #3475  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,165
So now a card is needed to "access" a place? Maybe it's just me, but the only thing that even remotely resembles a benefit there is that 50% discount on lunch at the Hyatt.

Now I've never had lunch there so I cannot commend if it's worth it, but if this card offered the same at the Goodwood Hotel 50 metres down the road I'd be up for signing up.
aster is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:18 am
  #3476  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 304
If you're interested in the Hyatt discounts, you can consider the Club At The Hyatt membership - S$298nett per annum or S$448 nett an annum (with S$220 chequebook).

More details here: http://media.singapore.grand.hyattre...p_Benefits.pdf

Otherwise, the Visa Infinite is probably good for the Hilton Gold status and Voyager Status on Langham.
markcwj is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 3:42 pm
  #3477  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,571
Originally Posted by markcwj
If you're interested in the Hyatt discounts, you can consider the Club At The Hyatt membership - S$298nett per annum or S$448 nett an annum (with S$220 chequebook).

More details here: http://media.singapore.grand.hyattre...p_Benefits.pdf
Thanks for info. But frankly I never quite understand these schemes where the discount % reduces the more people you bring to dine with you. It's as if the discount is only for you and doesn't take into account that you're actually bringing more revenue to the establishment... why establishments should reward you proportionally more when you dine with fewer people doesn't quite make sense to me...
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 7:47 pm
  #3478  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: Krisflyer, Marco Polo Gold, Accor Platinum, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
It's as if the discount is only for you and doesn't take into account that you're actually bringing more revenue to the establishment...
I have been told the idea is that the cardmember "always dine free" hence 50% (2pax), 35% (3pax), 25% (4pax), etc... and the irony is when you dining alone, the discount is only 15% (go figure... )
Asiange is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 11:42 pm
  #3479  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Question Card for electronics

Hey guys,

I'm still lacking a card to earn miles on electronics, any recommendations? I'm currently using UOB PRVI Miles Amex.

I'm only eligible for the normal income cards.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2014, 12:19 pm
  #3480  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,165
Originally Posted by lcpteck
Hey guys,

I'm still lacking a card to earn miles on electronics, any recommendations? I'm currently using UOB PRVI Miles Amex.

I'm only eligible for the normal income cards.
Do you already have the DBS WWMC? For online Apple store I think the UOB PPV should still work unless things have changed...
aster is offline  


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