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Best credit card conversion rate to Asiamiles (HK) - 2015

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Old Jan 3, 2015, 1:24 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: percysmith
This is a continuation of this previous thread which contains discussion from 2014 and prior: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...es-hk-164.html

For time required to transfer miles from banks, please see here.
On-going offers

Beginner's recommendation (rates quoted before other short term promotions):
1. BEA Flyer World Master - 1 mile per $5 for local purchases / overseas purchases / Octopus / Bill Payment (Excluding the following categories: Education, Insurance and Tax) (no fee)
2. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Visa Signature for 9X (6X: select one category only below, 1 mile per $4.16 under this promotion, cap at $100,000; plus 3X on all categories, 1 mile per $6.25 cap at $100,000 - total $1 mile per $2.78), and all other seasonal promotions. ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemption) [to 31 Dec 2016]

Credit Cards that are by Invitation Only or Applied in lieu with an Account:

1. WLB Luxe Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $2.4 for overseas airline / travel / hotel / dining; $4/mile on local airline / travel / hotel / dining ($50/5,000 miles min $50 max $500) (Need to be Wing Lung Private Banking customers)
2. BoC Wealth Management Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $15 for local / overseas / octopus AAVS / bill payment, 1 mile per $5 for overseas spending / local dining, 1 mile per $2.5 for overseas spending / local dining if that month's accumulated spending is over $15000 ($50/5,000 miles min $100 max $300) (Need to be BoC Wealth Management (中銀理財) customer)
3. HSBC Premier World Master for 6X (select one category only below, 1 mile per $4.16 from 4 Jan 2016. Under this promotion, cap at $100,000), and all other seasonal promotions. ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemption) [to 31 Dec 2016] (Need to be HSBC Premier customer)
4. BoC Enrich World MC - 1 mile per $15 for local / overseas / octopus AAVS / bill payment, 1 mile per $5 for dining/travel/dept store, 1 mile per $3 for dining/travel/dept store if that month's accumulated spending is over $15000 ($50/5,000 miles min $100 max $300) (Need to be BoC Enrich (智盈理財) customer)
5. HSBC Advance Platinum Visa for 6X (select one category only below, 1 mile per $4.16 from 4 Jan 2016. Under this promotion, cap at $100,000), and all other seasonal promotions. ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemption) [to 31 Dec 2016] (Need to be HSBC Advance customer)
5. Citibank Ultima card - 1 mile per $4 for local / overseas / octopus (no fee) (Need to be Citigold Private Client customer AND by Invitation only)
6. SCB Priority Banking Visa Infinite - $7.5 per mile for local spending ($15 per mile for Insurance Spending (NOT BILL PAYMENT)) and Octopus, $5 per mile overseas spending ($300 flat redemption fee) (Need to be SCB Priority Banking customer) Note 2
7. BEA Supreme Gold World Master - 1 mile per $5 for local /overseas / Octopus / Bill Payment (Excluding the following categories: Education, Insurance and Tax) (no fee) (Need to be BEA Supreme Gold (顯卓理財) customer) Note 3
8. Shacom World Master - 1 mile per $8 local purchases / overseas / octopus ($10 per 1,000AM min $100 max $500) (Need to be Shacom SMART Banking (慧通理財) customer)
9. CCB HK Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $8 spent for Local Spending / Overseas Spending / Octopus / Bill payment ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100) (Need to be CCB Premier Banking (貴賓理財) / Premier Select (貴賓晉裕) customer)

Full list:

I. Overseas
** ++ 1. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature) / $4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent (select Overseas Spending category ONLY) / $6.25 (HSBC Visa Signature) spent (DO NOT select Overseas Spending category) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
2. [to 30 April 16] (if online) DBS Eminent - 1 mile per $15 + 6% spending credit rebate (Minimum any spending (online spending inclusive) $5,000 per month, maximum rabate $300 (i.e.online spending $5,000) per month) (no fee) - *registration required*
3. [to 31 Dec 16] (if ONLINE / PAYWAVE) CCB HK eye Card - 1 mile / $2.14 (inclusive of 5X online bonus, cap at $75000 per calender year and (2X extra overseas bonus, cap at $75000 per membership year ) ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
^ 4. [to 29 Feb 16] Fubon Platinum / Titanium - 1 mile / $3 spent ($50/5,000AM min $250 max $500) (plus 167 Sure win miles if txn amt >$600)
Note: 1 mile per $0.6 for TWD spendings in Taiwan (max $10,000/year), and 1 mile per $1.5 for KRW and JPY spendings in Korea and Japan (Seperate registration needed, max $20,000/month, two months per calendar year max)
** ++ ^ 5. Citibank Prestige / Premiermiles - 1 mile per $4 spent (no fee)
^ 6. DBS Black World Master / Amex - 1 mile per $4 spent overseas (no fee)
** ++ 7. Amex CX Elite - 1 mile per $4 spent (automatic conversion)
^ 8. BEA Flyer World Master / Supreme Gold World Master - 1 mile per $5 (no fee)
9. CCB HK Platinum Visa / Platinum Master - 1 mile per $5 ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
** 10. [from 2 May 14] SCB Priority Banking Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $5 spent ($300 flat fee redemption)

^: DO NOT Award points for DCC Transactions

II. Supermarket, dept store, Telecommunications bills on autopay:
** ++1A . [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature)/$4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent# (select Home Spending category ONLY) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
** ++1B. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature)/$4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent# (select Lifestyle Spending category ONLY) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
** ++1C. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature)/$4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent# (select Entertainment Spending category ONLY) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
** ++2. Citibank Rewards - 1 mile / $3 spent ($50 fee per 5,000 mile redeemed) (on first $12,500 spending per statement month) Note 2
3. [to 31 Dec 16] (if ONLINE / PAYWAVE) CCB HK eye Card - 1 mile / $2.14 (inclusive of 5X online bonus, cap at $75000 per calender year and (2X extra overseas bonus, cap at $75000 per membership year ) ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)

III. Dining
** ++1. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature) / $4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent# (select Dining Spending category ONLY) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
** ++1b. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC (non-Visa Signature, INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) (select Dining category) - 1 mile / $4.16 ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
** ++1c. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Visa Signature (did not select Dining category) - 1 mile / $6.25 ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
2. DBS Platinum (Excluding ALL Co-Branded cards and Compass Cards) / Eminent - 1 mile / $5 ($50 per 5,000 miles redeemed, max $300)
3. BEA Flyer World Master - 1 mile / $5 (no fee)
Note: Restaurants in hotels sometimes are regarded as "Hotel" under V/M classification and thus ineligible for any dining promotions, using CUP can usually (but not always) get around this problem

IV. Travel agents:
** ++1. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC - 1 mile / $2.78 (HSBC Visa Signature) / $4.16 (other HSBC Credit Cards INCLUDING HSBC Premier World Master) spent# (select LifeStyle Spending category ONLY)/ $6.25 (HSBC Visa Signature NOT selecting LifeStyle Spending category)($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
2. [to 30 April 16] (if online) DBS Eminent - 1 mile per $15 + 6% spending credit rebate (Minimum any spending (online spending inclusive) $5,000 per month, maximum rabate $300 (i.e.online spending $5,000) per month) + 4%selected rebate (with HK Airline, HK Express, Zuji, Priceline) (no fee) - *registration required*
3. CCB HK EYE (if online) - 1 mile per $2.14 spent (First $50,000 only) ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)2. [to 31 Dec 16]

V. Other retail spending
1. [to 30 April 16] (if online) DBS Eminent - 1 mile per $15 + 6% spending credit rebate (Minimum any spending (online spending inclusive) $5,000 per month, maximum rabate $300 (i.e.online spending $5,000) per month) (no fee) - *registration required*
2. CCB HK eye Card - 1 mile per $3 ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100) (ONLINE or PAYWAVE Spending ONLY, else $15 per mile)
3. BEA Flyer World Master / BEA Supreme Gold World Master - 1 mile per $5 spent (no fee) Note 3
** 4. SCB WorldMiles AE - 1 mile per $5 spent ($300 flat redemption fee)
** ++ 5. Citibank Prestige - 1 mile per $6 spent (no fee)
6. Amex CX Elite - 1 mile per $6 spent (automatic conversion)
7. DBS Black World Master - 1 mile per $6 spent (no fee)
8. [to 28 Feb 16] Fubon Platinum / Titanium - 1 mile per $6 spent spending >=$300 on Saturdays and Sundays ($50/5,000AM min $250 max $500) (plus 167 Sure win miles if txn amt >$600 (if NOT ONLINE))
** 9. SCB Priority Banking Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $7.5 spent ($300 flat redemption fee)
109. CCB HK Premier Banking Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $7.5 spent ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
** ++ 11. Amex (Gold grade and higher) - 1 mile per $7.5 spent (to $160,000), $200 flat redemption fee). (1 mile per $3 spent for 5x shops and 1 mile per $1.5 spent for 10x shops)
** ++ 12. Citibank Premiermiles - 1 mile per $8 spent (no fee)
13. Shacom World Master / Platinum / Titanium / Diamond UnionPay - 1 mile per $8 spent ($10 per 1,000AM min $100 max $500)

VI. Bill payments (Excluding Tax or any payment to IRD)
VI A. General Bill Payments (EXCLUDING Insurance and Education)
1. BEA Flyer World Master / BEA Supreme Gold World Master - 1 mile per $5 spent on bill payment (Excluding the following categories: Education, Insurance) (no fee) Note 3
2. CCB HK Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $8 spent ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
3. Fubon Platinum / Titanium - 1 mile per $12 spent ($50/5,000AM min $250 max $500) (pre-registration required w.e.f. 15 Apr 2014)
4. CCB HK Platinum Visa / CCB HK Platinum Master / CCB HK Platinum Dual Currency UnionPay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card Membership Year cap at 12 times of credit limit)
6. BoC Wealth Management Visa Infinite/BoC Platinum Visa/BoC Dual Currency Unionpay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card cap at $10,000 per Month) ($50/5,000 miles min $100)
7. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Platinum Visa / Advance Platinum Visa / Premier World Master / Visa Signature / Green Card - 1 mile per $25 spent
VI B. Education Bill Payments
1. CCB HK Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $8 spent ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
2. Fubon Platinum / Titanium - 1 mile per $12 spent ($50/5,000AM min $250 max $500) (pre-registration required w.e.f. 15 Apr 2014)
4. CCB HK Platinum Visa / CCB HK Platinum Master / CCB HK Platinum Dual Currency UnionPay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card Membership Year cap at 12 times of credit limit)
5. BoC Wealth Management Visa Infinite/BoC Platinum Visa/BoC Dual Currency Unionpay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card cap at $10,000 per Month) ($50/5,000 miles min $100)
6. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Platinum Visa / Advance Platinum Visa / Premier World Master / Visa Signature / Green Card - 1 mile per $25 spent
VI C. Insurance Bill Payments
1. CCB HK Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $8 spent ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
2. CCB HK Platinum Visa / CCB HK Platinum Master / CCB HK Platinum Dual Currency UnionPay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card Membership Year cap at 12 times of credit limit)
3. BoC Wealth Management Visa Infinite/BoC Platinum Visa/BoC Dual Currency Unionpay - 1 mile per $15 spent (Each Card cap at $10,000 per Month) ($50/5,000 miles min $100)
4. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Platinum Visa / Advance Platinum Visa / Premier World Master / Visa Signature / Green Card - 1 mile per $25 spent

Note 1: Other issuers in Hong Kong DO NOT award bonus points for bill payment

VII. Octopus Automatic Add-Value
1. BEA Flyer World Master / BEA Supreme Gold World Master - 1 mile per $5 spent (no fee) Note 3
** ++ 2. Citibank Prestige - 1 mile per $6 spent (no fee)
3. Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency Card - 1 mile per HK$6 spent for $500 recharges, 1 mile per HK$12 spent for $250 recharges ($100 flat redemption fee)
** 4. SCB Priority Banking Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $7.5 spent ($300 flat redemption fee)
5. CCB HK Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $8 spent ($50 per 5,000 miles AM min $100)
** ++ 6. Citibank Premiermiles - 1 mile per $8 spent (no fee)
7. Shacom World Master / Platinum / Titanium / Diamond UnionPay - 1 mile per $8 spent ($10 per 1,000AM min $100 max $500)

VIII. China Unionpay RMB spending

** ++1. [From 4 Jan 2016] HSBC Dual Currency Unionpay card - 1 mile per RMB4.16 spent (select China Spending category ONLY) ($300 fee for a year's worth of redemptions)
2. Bankcomm Diamond Dual Currency Card - 1 mile per RMB6 spent for restaurants or hotels spending >= RMB300, 1 per RMB12 spent other categories ($100 flat redemption fee)
3. BoC Dual Currency Unionpay Card - 1 mile per RMB15 spent ($50/5,000 miles min $100)

Note 2:
** can opt for Krisflyer miles in lieu
++ can opt for BAEC AVIOS in lieu
For HSBC, ONLY Premier World Master holders are able to opt for BAEC Avios and KrisFlyer Miles

Note 3:
BEA Supreme Gold World Master cardholders need to register in advance for the "BEA Mileage Reward" scheme during application (Supreme Gold account opening), or else pay $1800 penalty to register thereafter.

HK miles/hotel points earning ability
Refer to here
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Best credit card conversion rate to Asiamiles (HK) - 2015

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Old Sep 9, 2015, 12:31 am
  #751  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Originally Posted by Jerome hk
Just got charged 2500$ for my Citi Prestige card and wonder whether the 20,000 AM (down from 30,000) worth the fee anymore?
Can try negotiating for fee waiver in lieu of renewal gift http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=15271&p=2 #14. Not sure if Ronny had his PP cut or not.

Originally Posted by Jerome hk
I read somewhere that i can cancel the card and get a full refund of the annual fee within a month.
Yes Code of Banking Practice 26.9

Originally Posted by Jerome hk
Instead i'm considering the BEA Flyer. I spend around 30K per month, and changing the card alone will earn me an extra 12,000 AM per year.
Yes

Originally Posted by Jerome hk
And by the way, Citi have already sent me my new Priority Pass card valid until end 2016. Anything else i should consider to keep or not my Citi Prestige?
Citi can have your Priority Pass terminated even if they send you new card.

I actually like the concierge. That's as big a reason for me to keep it as PP.
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 9, 2015, 1:22 am
  #752  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Sure fair enough HK$2.5k for 30k AM was pretty damn good, but isn't HK$2.5k for 20k AM still pretty solid? On top of that if you have a relationship bonus?
theworld is offline  
Old Sep 9, 2015, 9:40 pm
  #753  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Latest posts on hongkongcard suggests Citi is playing hardball on Prestige annual fee...pay the fee and take the renewal gift or instant cut...
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 1:14 am
  #754  
fwb
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Green, A3 *G, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 74
I started using Citi Prestige since it was announced. It was a good deal for $6/mile card. But it is not anymore now, as there are many $5/mile cards out there. I only paid the fee for 30k miles.

Now, the renewal bonus dropped to 20k miles which I think it's not worth for the $2.5k. Relationship bonus means nothing to me as there is no reason to use this card anymore.

If there is no other advantages of this card, I think I'm going to cut it next year.
fwb is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 2:13 am
  #755  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Originally Posted by fwb
I started using Citi Prestige since it was announced. It was a good deal for $6/mile card. But it is not anymore now, as there are many $5/mile cards out there. I only paid the fee for 30k miles.

Now, the renewal bonus dropped to 20k miles which I think it's not worth for the $2.5k. Relationship bonus means nothing to me as there is no reason to use this card anymore.

If there is no other advantages of this card, I think I'm going to cut it next year.
Go right ahead. There are few Citi promos worth playing now.

I'm keeping Citi really for concierge, PP and Rewards 5X. That's it.
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 6:19 pm
  #756  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Originally Posted by percysmith
Go right ahead. There are few Citi promos worth playing now.

I'm keeping Citi really for concierge, PP and Rewards 5X. That's it.
Apologies for my ignorance, am I missing something, if you spent H$2.5k on your BEA you would get 500AM, right? With Citi Prestige, you renew for HK$2.5k and they give you 20,000AM? You also get the other benefits (but only really worthwhile if you use them).

Another benefit with Citi (which I guess is user specific), you can choose whether the points go to AM or Avios.
theworld is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 8:21 pm
  #757  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Originally Posted by theworld
Apologies for my ignorance, am I missing something, if you spent H$2.5k on your BEA you would get 500AM, right? With Citi Prestige, you renew for HK$2.5k and they give you 20,000AM? You also get the other benefits (but only really worthwhile if you use them).
$2,500 spend is very different from $2,500 fee...

Imagine the loss from trading coupon is 3.5%. $2,500 spend = $87.5 cost (or "fee").
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 9:35 pm
  #758  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by percysmith
$2,500 spend is very different from $2,500 fee...

Imagine the loss from trading coupon is 3.5%. $2,500 spend = $87.5 cost (or "fee").
Is it worthwhile to pay annual fee $2.5K to get 20K AM? What do you mean by trading coupon 3.5%?
bmtsang is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 9:36 pm
  #759  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by percysmith
Go right ahead. There are few Citi promos worth playing now.

I'm keeping Citi really for concierge, PP and Rewards 5X. That's it.
I was not aware Prestige offers 5x Rewards
bmtsang is offline  
Old Sep 10, 2015, 9:52 pm
  #760  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Originally Posted by bmtsang
I was not aware Prestige offers 5x Rewards
Another Citi card...
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2015, 2:22 am
  #761  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Post Transfer times from CC

Just FYI.

Crediting Date Activity Date Activity
15 May 2015 14 May 2015 DBS Bank
20 May 2015 15 May 2015 UOB Bank
09 Sep 2015 06 Sep 2015 UOB Bank
lcpteck is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2015, 2:35 am
  #762  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
I'm going to follow Percy for my Prestige.
20K AM for 2500$ isn't too bad and i do use my PP and Citi concierge quite often.

At the same time, i'm signing up for a BEA Flyer and going to put all my current spending on that card and none on the Prestige.
Jerome hk is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2015, 3:02 am
  #763  
fwb
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Green, A3 *G, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 74
Actually, may I ask what kind of services are you using through Citi Prestige concierge? I tried a few times before, such as booking train tickets in Japan/Europe, or trying to buy something. They couldn't really help apart from just sending me the website/contact of those companies.

In my opinion, it's not worth paying $2.5k for 20k miles. I value Asiamiles $0.1/mile (may change if it devalue when CX "enhanced" it), although I always put them into much better use. And this year they don't even credit me the miles 4 months after renewal, and the customer service was extremely bad (need to escalate to a manager to get the miles posted).

PP is a bonus, but not a must for me. Most PP lounges seems not very nice.
fwb is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2015, 3:31 am
  #764  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Booking Japanese restaurants mainly...

Yes I agree buying miles at >$0.1/mile is questionable.

But I need the PP - I take too many LCCs.
percysmith is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2015, 4:25 am
  #765  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 9
I use the concierge essentially to book restaurants when i'm abroad. Some restaurants are difficult to book and i let them a list and my availaibility or sometimes ask them for recommendations
Jerome hk is offline  


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