Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer
Reload this Page >

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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)***
============
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

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

Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 14, 2014, 2:03 am
  #3721  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by Fly-Swiss
It will be interesting to compare the potentially new UOB PRVI MasterCard with the citi prestige one, all benefits included....
True, let's wait for the announcements. Earn rate listed is the same as Amex version when the 'compare card' function was still showing on the UOB website.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 2:10 am
  #3722  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by MilesBuzz
I believe that's limited to S$2k a month and I am already maxed out per month on that promotion.
That's why having a general spending card or some other backup specific spending cards need to be in your wallet.

Hence that is why I carry 8 CCs in my wallet. Maximise earning potential!!
lcpteck is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 2:56 am
  #3723  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SIN / FRA
Programs: UA MP - 1K
Posts: 666
Originally Posted by SQueeze
I would suggest:

1. UOB Prvimiles Amex. This will be the card you use almost all the time. It will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD. It's the currency that you need to watch out for, irrespective of the location where you actually have the transaction.

2.Citibank Premiermiles Visa. This is your back-up card in case Amex is not accepted. It will give 2x in foreign currency and 1.2x in SGD.

That is the bare minimum and the best bet in the situation where you are not leveraging into the >4x cards.

And if you already have the Citibank Premiermiles Visa and if you travel a lot. Expedia asian sites, and agoda will be 6x miles. and Kaligo will be 10x miles. But there are terms and conditions you need to watch out for, for example, only certain airlines.

As for SQ co-branded cards, none of us here will be into it. I am not sure what is the earning rate but i think it is <1x and even after their complicated bonuses, it is not anywhere close to even 2x.
Thanks for your reply SQueeze!

When you are talking about "will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD", you are talking about KF miles, or the actual "program" miles?

I don't find KF miles being mentioned at all on the UOB site for the UOB Prvimiles Amex card.

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
tnkngn is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 3:03 am
  #3724  
formerly Fly-Swiss
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 878
Originally Posted by tnkngn
Thanks for your reply SQueeze!

When you are talking about "will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD", you are talking about KF miles, or the actual "program" miles?

I don't find KF miles being mentioned at all on the UOB site for the UOB Prvimiles Amex card.

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
On the subject of miles received for spending abroad, it's important to note that it's often proportional to the hidden fee you pay. Example: AZN card 1.5% and 1.4 miles. PRVI Amex 3.25% and 2.5 miles. All in all, the question is whether you need additional miles and are ready to pay for them. I tent to use ANZ abroad.
Volasia is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 3:03 am
  #3725  
 
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 tnkngn
Thanks for your reply SQueeze!

When you are talking about "will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD", you are talking about KF miles, or the actual "program" miles?

I don't find KF miles being mentioned at all on the UOB site for the UOB Prvimiles Amex card.

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...s/pdfs/tnc.pdf

UOB PRVI Miles Platinum Cardmembers will earn UNI$6.25 for every S$5 spent in foreign currencies, which is equivalent to 2.5 miles for every S$1 spent.
SingaporeDon is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 4:24 am
  #3726  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Singapore / India
Programs: SQ QPP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Taj Inner Circle Gold
Posts: 639
Originally Posted by tnkngn
Quote:





Originally Posted by SQueeze


I would suggest:

1. UOB Prvimiles Amex. This will be the card you use almost all the time. It will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD. It's the currency that you need to watch out for, irrespective of the location where you actually have the transaction.

2.Citibank Premiermiles Visa. This is your back-up card in case Amex is not accepted. It will give 2x in foreign currency and 1.2x in SGD.

That is the bare minimum and the best bet in the situation where you are not leveraging into the &gt;4x cards.

And if you already have the Citibank Premiermiles Visa and if you travel a lot. Expedia asian sites, and agoda will be 6x miles. and Kaligo will be 10x miles. But there are terms and conditions you need to watch out for, for example, only certain airlines.

As for SQ co-branded cards, none of us here will be into it. I am not sure what is the earning rate but i think it is &lt;1x and even after their complicated bonuses, it is not anywhere close to even 2x.




Thanks for your reply SQueeze!

When you are talking about &quot;will earn 2.5x in foreign currency and 1.6x in SGD&quot;, you are talking about KF miles, or the actual &quot;program&quot; miles?

I don't find KF miles being mentioned at all on the UOB site for the UOB Prvimiles Amex card.

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
It's all on the nett KF miles earned
SQueeze is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 7:51 am
  #3727  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Get More rewards instantly with Perx!

Simply link your UOB PRVI Miles Platinum Card to a Perx account and collect chops by spending at participating merchants to unlock instant rewards!

Terms and conditions apply.
Visit getperx.com/link for more details.
Linkster is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 11:39 am
  #3728  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
Originally Posted by Linkster
Simply link your UOB PRVI Miles Platinum Card to a Perx account and collect chops by spending at participating merchants to unlock instant rewards!

Terms and conditions apply.
Visit getperx.com/link for more details.
Yes we have it for Hong Kong too (Amex) http://email.americanexpress.com/a/h...DlsOS60q/amex1
percysmith is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 7:53 pm
  #3729  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Thanks, will install Perx and try it out.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 10:51 pm
  #3730  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Singapore / India
Programs: SQ QPP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Taj Inner Circle Gold
Posts: 639
Originally Posted by lcpteck
Thanks, will install Perx and try it out.
Is this something new?

i have been linking my Amex Preferred Amex (dining card) to Perx for at least a year and have been getting perx chops automatically
SQueeze is offline  
Old Dec 14, 2014, 11:57 pm
  #3731  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by SQueeze
Is this something new?

i have been linking my Amex Preferred Amex (dining card) to Perx for at least a year and have been getting perx chops automatically
I see, I've never heard of it. Maybe poor marketing hehe.. Will link my Preferred Amex card as well, guess more merchants for dining establishments?
lcpteck is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2014, 10:55 pm
  #3732  
formerly Fly-Swiss
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 878
do you guys see any value to the Citi prestige mastercard vs. the ANZ travel card? given its price, I fail to see any plus to it.
Volasia is offline  
Old Dec 16, 2014, 11:44 pm
  #3733  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Citibank PremierMiles Visa Signature

Minimum Annual Income Requirement of the Citibank PremierMiles Visa Signature dropped to $50k.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Dec 17, 2014, 6:47 am
  #3734  
 
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: 7,738
Has been like that for a few months already - 50k for PM Visa and 80k for PM Amex.
demue is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2014, 9:06 am
  #3735  
 
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 percysmith
Yes we have it for Hong Kong too (Amex) http://email.americanexpress.com/a/h...DlsOS60q/amex1

What kind of benefits can you get out of those chops?
I can't seem to find any redemption chart or any info about it without linking the card.
lsed is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.