Thank you for the comments. Currently, I have bank accounts at Citibank KR and Citibank US that I use to make my money transfers. There is no fee to transfer, leaving me only with the currency exchange rate risk. However, it seems like according to the KRW/USD exchange rate over the past year, it has worked in my favor to move my cash to the US and use a US card to make purchases.



I was approved for a domestic Korea Citibank credit card. The Citi “Rewards Card”. https://www.citibank.co.kr/CrdPrdcAl...SQNO=M0_002540.

The earning structure of the card seems to be more complicated that a standard US credit card. (The point earning rate improves the more I spend on the card each month). I am considering upgrading to either the Korean Air or Asiana Citi Card, which offer a flat rate of 1.2 Korean Air Miles or 1.6 Asiana miles (and some other transfer partners at a lower rate), but with a more expensive annual fee (about $120 US). I’m presuming the Asiana card might be better, because I think the points are elite-qualifying. Conversely, many in the points world view Chase losing KAL as a big loss. (Any advice on Asiana vs. KAL would be great!!)



I think in order to maximize my situation, I should use the US Prestige card for all dining and airfare purchases for the 5x, and use the domestic Korean Citi card for everything else.



Thank you [MENTION=10047703]claimui[/MENTION] for your comments about living in Taiwan. I’d be interested to learn from other expats how they optimize spending money and earning points while living overseas. (Not necessarily using Citi products specifically, but any bank or card product more broadly.