Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,635
OT: Best FFP & Credit Card for SG base
OT, I know... but I'm hoping for some advice. I am moving to Singapore in April for a couple of years, and I'm looking for the best FFP and credit card(s) to use.
Background:
- NZ Gold Elite (*G). I will requalify for this this year easily and as a result will have guaranteed 2 years of *G.
- UA 2P (*S). I will definitely requalify as 2P and possibly 1P. I currently put my SQ flights (as well as UA, and generally most non-NZ) into this account.
- QF Silver (OW Ruby) w/ Qantas Club. I have requalified for Silver through til July 2009, but unlikely to make Gold. Probably will keep the QC membership depending on how much I fly QF.
- Australian Amex Platinum + CBA MasterCard + NZ Visa + assortment of US CCs.
- I typically fly economy, with very rare exceptions.
- Trip pattern is likely to be NZ (WLG) once per month; Australia every 2 months; USA & Canada quarterly; Europe quarterly; and in-region (NRT/PVG/KUL/HAN) maybe once per month.
- Travel is likely to primarily be on SQ, but it will depend on availability and price. QF to AU/NZ is a real possibility as it often seems hard to get on the SQ flights
I'm on an expat arrangement so I will be paid in Australia, and have expense and cost-of-living payments in Singapore. Ideally I'm looking for a CC (or pair of) that gives best bang for buck in FF miles. The Amex Platinum (either charge or credit) or the Amex SQ card look to be best but I have no idea about Visa/MC.
I'm also looking at SQ Kris Flyer as the FFP, but it seems that while it'll be fairly easy to attain *G, the award cost is high for outright awards. I primarily use my miles for upgrades plus with significant business travel spend I am leaning towards opening an SQ KF account just for this, and crediting my flights elsewhere - but I could look at closing down one account (NZ or UA) and crediting to SQ.
What do people think is the best strategy?
Thanks!