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The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread

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Old Oct 31, 2014, 6:05 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: lifeonthego_k
I'm going to update this first post as more info flows in to create a 'master list' of all credit cards that offer a decent way of accruing miles - so please help out!

If you know of and/or use any other cards (or the ones already mentioned), please share your thoughts.

***ALL VALUES BELOW IN SINGAPORE DOLLARS (SGD)***
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In no particular order (apart from personal preference in terms of good-mileage opportunities):
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1. UOB PRVI Miles VISA, MasterCard, AMEX

VISA:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...iles_visa.html
MasterCard:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard.html
Amex:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...ard/microsite/



Mileage accrual:
The earn rate will be 1.4 miles for every $1 spent in multiples of S$10 (every multiple of S$5 gives 6 to 7 miles due to 3.5 UNI$ rounding off, every S$10 gives 14 miles), and 2.4 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS (every $5 gives 12 miles).

Requirements: min. income $80,000 (not strict).
Cost: First year free, then S$256.80 for main, first two supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver for Amex card if you charge $50,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name/FIN Number/NRIC together for all UOB cards which earn UNI$.

Pros: Best mileage accrual rates for overseas spend only. 20,000 bonus miles and annual fee waiver with spend of $50,000 per year (both only for Amex card). $45 1-way airport transfer voucher for $1,000 overseas spend in a given quarter (Amex only).
Cons: AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

2. UOB Preferred Platinum Visa


http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards..._platinum.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...visa_card.html


Mileage accrual: Earn 4 miles for every $1 spent using ONLY MOBILE CONTACTLESS every $5 gives 10 UNI$ which equal 20 miles). Same incredible mileage-earning ratio for internet shopping with certain restrictions (travel-related, utilities, etc.). Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 for regular, signature-based payments AND ORPHAN SPEND DUE TO $5 ROUNDING OR EXCEEDING THE BONUS U$2000 SPEND (every $5 gives 1 UNI$ which equal 2 miles).

Earning 4 miles/$ is limited to the first S$1110 spent during the per calendar month (via Mobile Contactless). 2,000UNI$ refers to the extra 9UNI$ and does not include the normal 1UNI$.(Stop when you notice you earn 3UNI$ (1 + bonus 2) for the last S$5 transaction. ($1110/5)x9=1998UNI$, hence the last S$5 transaction will earn 2 bonus UNI$. The total bonus UNI$ awarded to you from qualifying spend on Selected Online Transactions and Mobile Contactless Transactions is capped at UNI$2,000 for each calendar month. THE CAP IS ON THE 9 UNI$ BONUS NOT 10UNI$ TOTAL YOU GET WITH BASE OF U$1 PER $ SPEND

Keep in mind that some merchants offer different, non-mileage accruing awards with UOB cards which are called SMART$. Some popular merchants include Cold Storage, Guardian and Giant Supermarket, ToastBox and Starbucks. A full list of merchants where Mobile contactless transactions will NOT earn miles can be found here:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...smartclub.html

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($60,000 for foreigners).
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for main and $96.30 for supplementary. Annual fee waived off easily.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion, in blocks of 5000 UNI$=10,000 miles. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name for all UOB cards.

Pros: Incredible mileage accrual rates for Paywave transactions (not all merchants - some give SMART$ instead which are different rewards!) as well as internet transactions (some restrictions apply).
Cons: Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

3. Citi PremierMiles MasterCard

https://www.citibank.com.sg/credit-cards/travel/premiermiles-card/?ecid=PSGONSGCCAENPM

Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS. 10,000 bonus miles for each annual membership renewal.

Requirements: min. income $50,000 for VISA. Principal cardholder must be at least 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for VISA main, supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver available in exchange for forfeiting the 10,000renewal bonus.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion.

Pros: Decent all-rounder, good for overseas spend. Points never expire. Bonus miles for annual card renewal. 11 frequent flyer programs & 3 hotel programs to choose from, including EVA Air - only 25,000 miles for 1 way Business Class within Asia!!
Cons: No miles awarded for EZ-Link & Transitlink transactions. Miles awarded per S$1. Cents not included. 1.2 miles/S$1. Transfer in blocks of 10,000 miles.

4. DBS Altitude VISA/AMEX

http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx
http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent (every $5 gives 3 DBS points which equal 6 miles). Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS.

Requirements: min. income $80,000.
Cost: First year free, then $180 for main and $90 for supplementary. Annual fee waiver if you charge $25,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: S$26.75 per transfer, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

Pros: Points never expire. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 3, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1.67. Each DBS point = 2 miles). Earn 3 miles per S$1 spent on all online Flight and Hotel transactions (capped at S$5,000 per month). 10,000 miles renewal bonus if you have to pay card renewal fees.
Cons: All local spend now down to 1.2 miles/$ (since Dec 1, 2013). AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Transfer in blocks of 5000 DBS points = 10,000 miles (on the plus side points don't expire). Per transfer of S$26.75, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

5. Maybank Horizon Platinum Visa

http://info.maybank2u.com.sg/persona...visa-card.aspx



Earn 3.2 air miles (8X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on dining, petrol, taxi fares and hotel bookings at Agoda.com/horizon
Earn 2 air miles (5X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions, with a minimal S$300 in a calendar month

Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 spent elsewhere (1 mile for every $2.50 spent).

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($80,000 for foreigners).
Cost: $150 for main, supplementary always free. Unsure of any annual fee waiver conditions.
Miles conversion fee: In blocks of 5,000 points to 2000 Asia Miles or KrisFlyer. S$26.75 fee applies.

Pros: Great for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Complimentary access to selected VIP airport lounges when you charge a minimum of S$400 in a single transaction on air tickets or travel packages to your Card 3 months prior to the date of travel.
Cons: Great ONLY for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Points are valid for 1 year only, expire either on 30 June or 31 December of the same year if not Rewards Infinite member.

6. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend AMEX

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/s...nd-credit-card



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on all your eligible purchases with your Card

Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 equivalent in foreign currency spent overseas on eligible purchases during June and December

Requirements: min. income $50,000 ($60,000 for foreigners). Principal cardholder must be over 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, otherwise $256.80 for main, 2 supplementary cards always free (more available at $80.25 each). Annual fee cannot be waived unless you spend alot.
Miles conversion fee: None - your KrisFlyer miles are transferred to your account directly with no conversion fees or charges.

Pros: None, except for welcome offers (4 complimentary airport lounge access vouchers, one complimentary night with Millennium Hotels and Resorts).

Cons: Simply nothing special - there are better cards available for all types of purchases, including flight tickets, even with all of the bonuses above applied. AMEX not always accepted by merchants.

7. Citibank Rewards Card

http://www.citibank.com.sg/gcb/credi...CACRENCCHOCALM



Earn 10X Rewards (10 Rewards Points or 4 Miles for every S$1 spent) when you shop for clothes, bags and shoes or at departmental stores or online shopping websites, including SingTel & M1 online bill payment!

Pros: Transfer to 11 FFPs & 3 Hotel programs in blocks of 25,000 points=10,000 miles; S$25 fee.

Cons: Points awarded per S$1 spend. Cents not included. Cannot combined Thank You Points across cards.

8. DBS Woman's World MasterCard® Card

http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard-card



10X Rewards for Online Retail Purchases
T&C Here: https://www.dbs.com.sg/iwov-resource...s_card_tnc.pdf

Pros: Men also can get this card!! DBS points are combined in 1 cardholder's name. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 10, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1. Each DBS point = 2 miles).

Cons: DBS points are valid for 1 year based on card anniversary date. The additional 9X DBS Points for online retail spend in a calendar month will be awarded on the 16th of the next calendar month. If the above days are not working days, the Points will be awarded on the next working day. The additional 9X DBS Points are only applicable to the first S$2,000 online retail spend every calendar month.

9. OCBC Titanium Rewards Card

https://www.ocbc.com/personal-bankin...astercard.html

10x OCBC$ on your shopping Local & Overseas Shopping Transactions, Local & Overseas Department Store Transactions and Local & Overseas Online Transactions.
The remaining 9 OCBC$ will be posted to the Card Account by the end of the next calendar month

https://www.ocbc.com/assets/pdf/card...ons.pdf?rand=1
10,000 KrisFlyer miles requires OCBC$ 25000, For each conversion of OCBC$ to KrisFlyer miles a fee of S$25 will be charged

10. UOB Lady's Card
https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/card...ard/index.page

============

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The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread

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Old Jan 10, 2014, 8:13 am
  #2506  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DXB / WAW
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 726
Originally Posted by chrisksc
Are you sure of this
Yes, 100%. All DFS on Changi earn 4miles/$1 for Citi Rewards card
stiwi is offline  
Old Jan 10, 2014, 10:46 am
  #2507  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Originally Posted by stiwi
Yes, 100%. All DFS on Changi earn 4miles/$1 for Citi Rewards card
This is confirmed as well for me.
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Old Jan 10, 2014, 10:48 am
  #2508  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Originally Posted by stiwi
He is checking this based on his & users experience on HWZ forum. Citi Rewards is a great card. It earns you 4 miles/S$1 whenever you shop for clothes, bags, shoes or department stores, same for online shopping including Amazon, but not only. Apparently it also earn 4 miles when buying perfumes / alcohol at DFS Changi or when paying Singtel bill online via mybill Singtel page (I just checked and can confirm this). The only issue is that you can only earn max 120k reward points (S$12k yearly), so 48k miles, but you can have both MC and Visa.
Thanks for the reply, currently at reservist training (Army reserve training) so only have time to check the forum once a week.
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Old Jan 10, 2014, 10:34 pm
  #2509  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by stiwi
He is checking this based on his & users experience on HWZ forum. Citi Rewards is a great card. It earns you 4 miles/S$1 whenever you shop for clothes, bags, shoes or department stores, same for online shopping including Amazon, but not only. Apparently it also earn 4 miles when buying perfumes / alcohol at DFS Changi or when paying Singtel bill online via mybill Singtel page (I just checked and can confirm this). The only issue is that you can only earn max 120k reward points (S$12k yearly), so 48k miles, but you can have both MC and Visa.
I just made an online charge with my Citi Rewards Card for mybill Singtel at the website: https://myaccount.singtel.com/login.aspx

After I made the charge, I called up Citibank to check on the 4 digit merchant code. It is 4812 - Telecommunications Equipment including telephone sales. It does not qualify for 10x points!! Wasted S$15!! I will confirm again when the charge is posted at Citibank Online a few days later.

Can you call up Citibank to check the 4 digit merchant code for the charge you made at mybill Singtel page to see if its 4812?

Last edited by vsepr; Mar 1, 2014 at 4:44 am
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Old Jan 11, 2014, 1:11 pm
  #2510  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DXB / WAW
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 726
Originally Posted by vsepr
I just made an online charge with my Citi Rewards Card for mybill Singtel at the website: https://myaccount.singtel.com/login.aspx

After I made the charge, I called up Citibank to check on the 4 digit merchant code. It is 9399 - Government Services. It does not qualify for 10x points!! Wasted S$15!! I will confirm again when the charge is posted at Citibank Online a few days later.

Can you call up Citibank to check the 4 digit merchant code for the charge you made at mybill Singtel page to see if its 9399?
LOL, relax mate. Obviously Citibank is NOT going to confirm anything like this, simply because it would be against this card T&C for earning 4miles/$1. It does however earn 4 miles which might be a bug on Citi side which is better to NOT tell them. If you paid through http://mybill.singtel.com then sit back, relax and enjoy your 60 miles once the transaction is posted.
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Old Jan 11, 2014, 7:53 pm
  #2511  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by stiwi
LOL, relax mate. Obviously Citibank is NOT going to confirm anything like this, simply because it would be against this card T&C for earning 4miles/$1. It does however earn 4 miles which might be a bug on Citi side which is better to NOT tell them. If you paid through http://mybill.singtel.com then sit back, relax and enjoy your 60 miles once the transaction is posted.
Ok....will let you all know how many Citidollars was awarded when the charge gets posted a few days later on Citibank Online.
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Old Jan 13, 2014, 5:49 am
  #2512  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Has anyone ever topped up a FEVO issued card with another FEVO issued card? Eg. top up Imagine Amex with M1 MC, and vice versa? I have a few such cards and intend to "consolidate" my funds with one card going forward.
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Old Jan 13, 2014, 10:17 am
  #2513  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by tboons
Asia miles does give additional bonus when you convert miles during promotion but krisflyer almost never give promotions for conversion. but SQ gives 15% off online redemption but very poor conversion rates on other carriers..

Looking at business from Singapore to US or Europe. Any advice or experience?
SIN to LHR is very easy to book using KrisFlyer miles. As far as the other alliance is concerned, it is very difficult to book a flight on BA on the same route.

I don't recall any bonuses on conversion, but there have been some redemption bonuses in the past. I even made use of one by redeeming two biz seats from SYD to SIN this way, saving quite a few miles in the process. Not sure when we'll see similar deals as SQ has made other changes in our favour instead, like allowing saver awards in the new C/F, allowing you to redeem Suites (R) at the same rate as F, etc.

Plus with SQ you have the best biz product in the sky bar none, so why bother with anything else?
aster is offline  
Old Jan 13, 2014, 3:37 pm
  #2514  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC/SIN
Programs: CX DM, SQ KF
Posts: 2,171
The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread

I'd disagree on SQ's biz product being the best- but to each his/her own

Love Asiamiles for their companion awards and availability for Marco Polo elites (own metal). SQ v useful for me for some regional redemptions. For non elites, Asiamiles call centre can be a hassle to get through to, at times.
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Old Jan 13, 2014, 11:22 pm
  #2515  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: HHonors Gold; Accor Plat; SQ/TG
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
Has anyone ever topped up a FEVO issued card with another FEVO issued card? Eg. top up Imagine Amex with M1 MC, and vice versa? I have a few such cards and intend to "consolidate" my funds with one card going forward.
I've topped up a FEVO MasterCard using a M1 PMC a few times. Am guessing topping up an Imagine AMEX via FEVO or M1 should work too.

You won't be able to do the reverse (top up FEVO or M1 with Imagine AMEX) as those prepaid MasterCards don't accept AMEX cards as a top-up source.
Aeran is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2014, 3:52 am
  #2516  
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,727
Another question, with the DBS altitude card. DBS points never expires. Does it apply to points accrued using other cards as it seems like all the points will be accumulate into one account?
tboons is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2014, 4:04 am
  #2517  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by tboons
Another question, with the DBS altitude card. DBS points never expires. Does it apply to points accrued using other cards as it seems like all the points will be accumulate into one account?
No. The other cards (e.g. Woman's Card) will have their points expiring at the stipulated date though it is in the same bucket. When you perform a redemption of points, points will be deducted from the card with the nearest expiry date to the card points with no expiry date.
hclee01 is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2014, 5:31 am
  #2518  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Road tax

Is it possible to pay LTA road tax and still continue earning miles? Is the only option to use Citibank credit card at AXS machines? I thought onemotoring accepts credit card, but it routes to eNETS... am not sure what this is?
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2014, 5:48 pm
  #2519  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
Is it possible to pay LTA road tax and still continue earning miles? Is the only option to use Citibank credit card at AXS machines? I thought onemotoring accepts credit card, but it routes to eNETS... am not sure what this is?
Yes, LTA Road tax only Citibank cards at AXS Machines can earn points, DBS and Diners Club card no points. onemotoring website is eNETS debit, use internet banking deduct $ from bank account, no points.
vsepr is offline  
Old Jan 14, 2014, 6:13 pm
  #2520  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Singapore
Programs: TG*G, SQ, QF
Posts: 911
The dreaded 31st Jan deadline for property and income tax draws near too. Dont suppose anyone has figured out a replacement payment method to earn points now that the DBS Altitutde payment at AXS no longer works...?
cmdsea is offline  


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