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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 Jan 14, 2015, 8:36 pm
  #91  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Public was the bank I was thinking of

1% Visa-collected fee reimbursment http://www.publicbank.com.hk/upload_...tcardfee_e.pdf
0.6% cash rebate (not 0.4% vouchers sorry) http://www.publicbank.com.hk/en/retail/card

Anything with miles charges 1.95-2% (1.85% for Fubon but they have that cap on foregin spend)
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2015, 8:52 pm
  #92  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2,068
Originally Posted by percysmith
Public was the bank I was thinking of

1% Visa-collected fee reimbursment http://www.publicbank.com.hk/upload_...tcardfee_e.pdf
0.6% cash rebate (not 0.4% vouchers sorry) http://www.publicbank.com.hk/en/retail/card

Anything with miles charges 1.95-2% (1.85% for Fubon but they have that cap on foregin spend)
This is my ongoing personal debate. Do I want miles or lower foreign currency fees. For a while I stuck with Public for the foreign currency fees, but recently I've moved to Citi Prestige for the miles.
theworld is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2015, 9:41 pm
  #93  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Let's just say DGMAX needs to pay HKD5M in USD
I'm implicitly assuming Visa and local banks charge same T/T exchange rate before fees

Option 1: T/T to local USD account and pay merchants from there.
I further assume he funds his US account once a month so he runs up $1,260 T/T fees per year http://www.bochk.com/web/common/wide...&fldr_id=30575

Total cost: $5,001,260

Option 2: Use Public Bank Visa
Net 0.4% fee (1% Visa fee less 0.6% rebate)
Total cost: $5,020,000

Seems like Option 1 is the option to beat.

Option 3: pay 1.95% and earn $4/mile
Total cost: $5,097,500
Miles earned: 1,274,375

Incremental cost of option 3 over option 1 = 97,500 - 1,260 = $96,240
Cost per mile: $0.0755

Not that pricey but depends if you can burn that many...

There also may be the option of a cash discount if you have to pay millions into a merchant. That will drive up the cost of miles even more...
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2015, 9:58 pm
  #94  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Theworld: if your options are only between options 2 and 3 (maybe include a 3a where Fubon is viable):

You are paying $0.062 per mile with DBS Black/Citi Prestige over Public Plat Visa and $0.0435 per mile with Fubon over Public. Both prices are steals in my book.
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 3:20 am
  #95  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
No I have not received that. It is available on BEA website.
francoisparsons is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 4:18 am
  #96  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 755
Originally Posted by percysmith
This is capped at 3/4 of credit limit (maximum bonus points earned per month is 3 times credit limit, on a 4X earn you're limited to 3/4 of credit limit in spend).

To cover 5M spend you need about 0.42M limit...I don't think Fubon will grant that.

$4/miles is prestige or BA card rate.
Fubon is $3/miles.
LchChester is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 4:25 am
  #97  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 755
Originally Posted by percysmith
Let's just say DGMAX needs to pay HKD5M in USD
I'm implicitly assuming Visa and local banks charge same T/T exchange rate before fees

Option 1: T/T to local USD account and pay merchants from there.
I further assume he funds his US account once a month so he runs up $1,260 T/T fees per year http://www.bochk.com/web/common/wide...&fldr_id=30575

Total cost: $5,001,260

Option 2: Use Public Bank Visa
Net 0.4% fee (1% Visa fee less 0.6% rebate)
Total cost: $5,020,000

Seems like Option 1 is the option to beat.

Option 3: pay 1.95% and earn $4/mile
Total cost: $5,097,500
Miles earned: 1,274,375

Incremental cost of option 3 over option 1 = 97,500 - 1,260 = $96,240
Cost per mile: $0.0755

Not that pricey but depends if you can burn that many...

There also may be the option of a cash discount if you have to pay millions into a merchant. That will drive up the cost of miles even more...
If it is an online purchase and cash rebate is preferred, what about the citi clear card? 2% rebate which may be able to cover the forex fee.

On a side note, I will be more than happy to buy his 5m purchases at 0.085/miles, so i still think prestige/fubon is the better deal
LchChester is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 6:02 am
  #98  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 407
For HSBC lifestyle (including travel agents - which lists Cathay), does that include booking on the Cathay website? Or is it only through Cathay reservation line and/or a Cathay travel agent?
kawaii is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 6:20 am
  #99  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Think Lifestyle merchants are identified by name, so online or phone will be OK https://www.hsbc.com.hk/1/2/hk/cards...ants#lifestyle

TA not though.
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 6:27 am
  #100  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 407
Sweet, thanks, percy. Now to figure out whether I'd rather pay the 700HKD Cathay foreign exchange fee, and get HKD2.78/mile or use my USD card and get HKD$3.86/mile.
kawaii is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:20 am
  #101  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Err kawaii be aware HSBC 6X Lifestyle only applies to Cathay Pacific in HK only - see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...-105.html#1563
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:29 am
  #102  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 407
Right. If I buy it via CX reservations, they are quoting me in HKD. I can also book the same ticket via CX website, but they are quoting me in JPY (because my ticket is ex-NRT). I can use my HSBC 6x Lifestyle (if I understand this correctly) with the CX reservations, as it is in HK (HKD2.78/mile), or I can use my Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x points, so basically, HKD3.86/mile). When I convert the JPY to the equivalent HKD/USD, it is about 700HKD cheaper than the HKD price they are quoting me over CX reservations.

Are my assumptions correct then? Either 2.78/mile + 700HKD vs. 3.86/mile?
kawaii is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:35 am
  #103  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Kawaii - correct. I was worried you're gonna use your HSBC on website.
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 9:29 am
  #104  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 755
Better check what rate CX reservation HK is quoting you... I suspect that they quote it with a 3% mark up.
LchChester is offline  
Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:53 pm
  #105  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: MPC, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 407
Originally Posted by LchChester
Better check what rate CX reservation HK is quoting you... I suspect that they quote it with a 3% mark up.
~3% sounds about right. It's about ~700HKD on a ~20k ticket.
kawaii is offline  


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