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

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

Old Jan 6, 2015, 3:50 am
  #31  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 24
** 8. [from 2 May 14] SCB Priority Banking Visa Infinite - 1 mile per $5 spent (first time redemption from 8 April to 31 March 2015 free, $300 flat fee redemption thereafter)
percy, are you sure this redemption fee waiver applies to SCB Visa Infinite? The t&c seems to suggest that this is for WorldMiles only

Also, I kind of think Citi Prestige is a better all-around card than BEA Flyer World: if you get x% annual relationship points, the earning rate is effectively 6/(1+x%). With Citigold & 6-9 years of relationship that's already equivalent to the $5/mile rate of BEA Flyer World. Not to mention that Citi Prestige gives you the option of transferring to Avios, and I consider Avios points more valuable than AM due to the generally lower redemption rate.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 4:28 am
  #32  
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Join Date: May 2009
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I was told by an SCB CS last year that the redemption fee waiver will apply to other cards whose points are also redeemed with the Worldmiles. I will test the advice in March.

I don't factor in relationship bonuses or any user-specific bonuses in the table. My justification is you know who you are and will modify the table accordingly.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 8:36 pm
  #33  
sxc
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Is Citibank Ultima still offered? I don't see it listed on the Citibank website anymore.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 9:26 pm
  #34  
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Not sure. Lat time it was listed it was 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120926...ltima-card.htm

But derek2010 received an invitation as late as October 2014 http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=13230&p=1 .

derek2010 - can you advise whether Ultima still accepting new applications? I'm only a lowly Citibanking customer.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 10:14 pm
  #35  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: DUS
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Sorry if that has been asked/answered before but do we have a list of credit cards in HK not charging foreign transaction fees?
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 11:09 pm
  #36  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 3,598
Originally Posted by svellmann
Sorry if that has been asked/answered before but do we have a list of credit cards in HK not charging foreign transaction fees?
I think except a few China Union Pay based dual currency credit card, all credit card in HK charges foreign transaction fee....
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 11:25 pm
  #37  
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Unionpays except HSB (1.2%) and HSBC (1%): none

V/M: http://www.hongkongcard.com/columnis...cle.php?id=825 . The lowest is 1% for AEON and Public Bank. But I am at serious risk of being called out for OT since those two banks don't earn any Asia Miles.
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 12:02 am
  #38  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: DUS
Posts: 318
Thanks for the fast responses.

Really makes me envy miles&points nuts in the US. 50k 70k or 100k miles sign-up bonuses, several good (miles-earning) cards without foreign transaction fees...
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 1:03 am
  #39  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 253
For the HSBC 6X Red Hot Rewards if I choose Dining category, how do I know if the dining outlet is classified as restaurants or dining merchants? I'm particularly interested as I dine out a lot in a hotel so want to make sure I get maximum rewards thanks
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 1:25 am
  #40  
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Originally Posted by bmtsang
For the HSBC 6X Red Hot Rewards if I choose Dining category, how do I know if the dining outlet is classified as restaurants or dining merchants? I'm particularly interested as I dine out a lot in a hotel so want to make sure I get maximum rewards thanks
bmtsang - no alternative but to ***call HSBC*** right after the waiter has charged your HSBC card.

No ifs, buts, or elses.
No "it's got a Tip column, so it's dining?"
No "it's says Food and Beverages, so it's dining?"

HSBC will be able to see Merchant Category Code until the next morning after the transaction. I will generally get the MCC before leaving the restaurant (no matter how asinine or anti-social it is, see below) and if it's not dining, ask the waiter to void slip and use another card (like BEA Flyer World).

The following is the best counter-example:

Petrus
Shangri-La Hotel

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Base:
Tips:
Total:

You'd think it'll be dining right?

Bam! Wrong! It's MCC 3543 Shangri-La International, which is not a dining MCC for any bank's promotion. So sorry...
On the other hand, not all hotels are bad - even a banquet venue in certain hotels (preferably non-chain so they don't have their own MCC codes) can be dining, such as Park Lane banqueting below:



Asinine things I've done to make sure I earn the dining spending include:

1. When paying for last year's 14/2 dinner deposit, I called SCB (I was playing their dining promo at the time) and asked for Amber's MCC:
"There's no charge yet"
"The waiter's just pressed the button. Try again"
"It's 5812"

2. The banquet above - I wasn't even a guest but a a friend of mine has dining 6X and paying. I went down to Park Lane during 送客 to test the card terminal.

The bill was 6 figures. I charged the odd figure (namely, $449.80) in Park Lane's dingy banquet back-office behind the Churchill Rooms and got HSBC on the phone. After confirming with two CS it's dining, I had my friend charge the 6-figure remainder. The bride's mother was steaming but we held her down by saying that more than 60,000 miles were involved.


If you do come up against a chain hotel like Shangri-La above, it may help to use HSBC Diamond Unionpay. Restaurants like Man Ho in the Marriott come up as 3509 Mariott International for V/M and 5812 Dining for Unionpay. But you still have to check.

Last edited by percysmith; Jan 7, 2015 at 1:38 am
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 8:43 am
  #41  
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 33
SCB AE - travel agents

Hey, great to see the new thread, and happy new year everyone!

Does anyone remember whether we still get 2.5/mile for designated travel agents using SCB AE? I'm about to buy 3 CX premium econ tickets to Canada, so may as well get sthg from the purchase.

Along the same lines, what's the best strategy to maximise spend on buying plane tickets or travel packages? I have HSBC 6x for overseas and generally use DBS MC for general spend, but surely there's a better way to get more miles from travel, especially for long-haul tickets and/or long trips? Unfortunately, it's hard enough to find a travel agent that takes credit cards without a supplemental fee, not to mention one that offers competitive rates and good service on top of that. If anyone has any recs, I would appreciate it!

Thanks,
Maya
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 9:59 am
  #42  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Originally Posted by bmtsang
For the HSBC 6X Red Hot Rewards if I choose Dining category, how do I know if the dining outlet is classified as restaurants or dining merchants? I'm particularly interested as I dine out a lot in a hotel so want to make sure I get maximum rewards thanks
For what it's worth, I seem to recall that the HSBC terms and conditions explicitly mentioned dining outlets in hotels don't earn when I put 6X for dining on my card.
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 11:23 am
  #43  
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Originally Posted by svellmann
For what it's worth, I seem to recall that the HSBC terms and conditions explicitly mentioned dining outlets in hotels don't earn when I put 6X for dining on my card.
I know. I wrote as much (HSBC telling cardholders all buffet places are not dining):

http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=13758&p=3 #21

But then again I think HSBC is just saying a flat no to all buffets because so many of them are in hotels. Some hotels such as Regal http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=13735&p=2 #18 and Hotel Icon are really hard coded as hotels, nothing you can do. Other places that have hotel chain MCC like Shangri-La International 3543 and Marriott 3509 can be avoided by using Unionpay card which will revert the MCC to 5812. But how do you teach a 广州 CS to explain this? "Just say no" like Govt la...
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 11:25 am
  #44  
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Originally Posted by maya1005
Does anyone remember whether we still get 2.5/mile for designated travel agents using SCB AE? I'm about to buy 3 CX premium econ tickets to Canada, so may as well get sthg from the purchase.
SCB AE no longer has designated travel agent category.

If you're buying tickets from cathaypacific.com direct, either use your CCB eye for $2.14/mile or alternatively (if you're travelling in the booking) CX Elite Amex for $3/mile.

Originally Posted by maya1005
Along the same lines, what's the best strategy to maximise spend on buying plane tickets or travel packages? I have HSBC 6x for overseas and generally use DBS MC for general spend, but surely there's a better way to get more miles from travel, especially for long-haul tickets and/or long trips? Unfortunately, it's hard enough to find a travel agent that takes credit cards without a supplemental fee, not to mention one that offers competitive rates and good service on top of that. If anyone has any recs, I would appreciate it!
Unfortunately not - use whatever seasonal promo is on. My mother does pay for her travel, for her Christmas ticket I was forced to use Bankcomm's crappy 2% promo cos nothing else better was on (I'll use CCB 939 this month).
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Old Jan 8, 2015, 5:11 am
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: DUS
Posts: 318
Dah Sing Bank (sorry for slight OT)

I have some questions about the practices of Dah Sing Bank. They have some great cards in their line-up (with upcoming awesome region-based ANA award chart, I'm kinda eyeing the Dah Sing ANA card) but there's some drawbacks. Or maybe I'm just not experienced enough yet.

[1] When I applied for a new card from Dah Sing, I provided the staff in the branch my bank account details to set up the autopay and the staff said they would. Except they didn't. Paid first statement by cheque and got the miles. Second month, I assumed autopay should have been set up by now and I relied on them like is usually fine with all other new credit cards I have ever gotten. Turns out it wasn't (or wasn't going to be) set up.

As a result, late charge, finance charge, major waste of my time to go back to the branch and raise this, call CS to have it reversed etc. But not only that: miles for that entire month's statement didn't post! Meanwhile autopay has been set up and current month's miles posted and I thought those from the month prior would post now, too, since the payment was settled right after I found out about the mess (by cheque, again; what a drag). They didn't.

Called and inquired about it. "If your payment is late any month, you won't get miles for the whole month's statement amount. In fact, do it twice in one year and you won't receive any miles all year on that card." When I said the payment was "late" because they messed it up and it was their fault, thus I should have the miles, they said they will get back to me next week to see what they can do for me. Let's see...

Is this legitimate?

[2] Along the same lines, I also hold their UA MP card (which is now catching dust after various devaluations in the Mileage Plus ecosystem) and had booked a flight for a friend with the card. He eventually had to cancel and refund the ticket because he couldn't take the trip so the amount was credited back to my card. Consequently, this month the equivalent miles were deducted from my UA MP account!

I can see how they are right to take miles back for money I didn't quite spend in the end and don't feel this is injustice but would still appreciate any experience sharing about cases like this. I believe this happens with any bank in the same way? I would like to understand for which kind of credit to my card they will deduct miles. What if I apply for a tax refund at the airport and it posts to my card; will they deduct miles for that, too? Or only for merchants with whom I had a sale x amount of time prior?

Thanks in advance.
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