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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):
============

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 Oct 9, 2014, 9:51 pm
  #3406  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
As reported by numerous peeps, direct bookings with hotel chains does not seem to get processed online so you most likely will not get the bonus points/miles (even for advanced purchased rates). For Online Travel Agencies though, they are processed online (If paid at time of booking).

Do refer to my signature for the useful spreadsheet, it is your life saver for SIN-Based CCs.

"So now you know, and knowing is half the battle... G.I.Joe!"
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Old Oct 9, 2014, 10:08 pm
  #3407  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
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feizhu and lcpteck: your posts are consistent with our understanding from HK for online transaction promos also.

Generally if limit gets drawn down immediately after online transaction, yes. If not, no. And direct booking with a hotel chain does *not* usually result in immediate drawdown, even if non-cancellable rate.

Hotels.com does result in immediate drawdown
As does Apple Online Store, even tho the transaction date is the date they actually dispatch the goods.
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Old Oct 9, 2014, 11:32 pm
  #3408  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Programs: SQ *G, SPG Plat, IHG Plat, Le Accor Silver, Marriott Plat
Posts: 87
@tboons thank you for that! Will use WWMC for AirBnB

@lcpteck awesome spreadsheet! So useful! Will pm you if I have any updates on expenditure that isn't on your sheet

So am I right to say for my accommodation (hotel chain direct) bookings it is best to book using a card that rewards the best Overseas spend? Would that be UOB PRVI Miles Amex? Would the Amex overseas cost be worth it or what cards would you recommend (both Amex n non Amex).

Also does expenditure at NTUC qualify for 10x UNI for paywave? (did not notice NTUC on @lcpteck 's comprehensive excel sheet but will be updating that soon!)

If spend more than $2,000/month on flights (which I will be solely diverting to WWMC) what will be the next best card for online purchases of flights?
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Old Oct 10, 2014, 2:32 am
  #3409  
 
Join Date: May 2012
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Posts: 6,820
Originally Posted by BryanHuang
@lcpteck awesome spreadsheet! So useful! Will pm you if I have any updates on expenditure that isn't on your sheet
Hehe, it's not necessary, the spreadsheet was open for editing a long time ago. You can edit/add new information (be careful and not delete or mess up the format.)

Originally Posted by BryanHuang
So am I right to say for my accommodation (hotel chain direct) bookings it is best to book using a card that rewards the best Overseas spend? Would that be UOB PRVI Miles Amex? Would the Amex overseas cost be worth it or what cards would you recommend (both Amex n non Amex).
I use UOB PRVI Miles Amex as my main expenditure card when overseas. It earns 2.5 miles/S$ and also it is not prone to DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion).

Originally Posted by BryanHuang
Also does expenditure at NTUC qualify for 10x UNI for paywave? (did not notice NTUC on @lcpteck 's comprehensive excel sheet but will be updating that soon!)
NTUC Fairprice do earn 10x UNI for UOB PP Visa Paywave. I found it listed as Fairprice NTUC in the spreadsheet.

Originally Posted by BryanHuang
If spend more than $2,000/month on flights (which I will be solely diverting to WWMC) what will be the next best card for online purchases of flights?
That's a good question, I haven't hit that hurdle yet so haven't explored the alternative.... Hmm...
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Old Oct 10, 2014, 10:28 pm
  #3410  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
My annual fee for ANZ Travel card was charged on 9 Aug 2014 and I paid the $200 annual fee. The 12,000 bonus Travel$ is in on 9 Oct 2014. Have to wait exactly 2 months!!! Not going to pay for 2015 onwards because not worth since dropped to 10,000 Travel$ only.

I heard DBS Altitude cards need to wait 3 months.

Anyway, Citi PM is best. 10,000 bonus CitiMiles in once the annual fee is charged.
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Old Oct 10, 2014, 10:39 pm
  #3411  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Updates on Citibank Clear Platinum Card:

https://www.citibank.com.sg/gcb/cred...CACPENCCHOCALM

Earn 5X Rewards (5 Rewards Points or 2 Miles for every S$1 spend) on Overseas Spend, Dining & Online Shopping. Earn 1 Rewards Point for all other spend.
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Old Oct 11, 2014, 12:07 am
  #3412  
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Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
@:-) For overseas spend DBS still has their promo on both Visa and Amex Altitude cards:

From 1 September to 31 December 2014, get 3 miles per S$1 overseas spend when you charge at least S$2,000 a month to your DBS Altitude Visa/Amex Signature Card!
aster is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2014, 1:36 am
  #3413  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
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Originally Posted by aster
@:-) For overseas spend DBS still has their promo on both Visa and Amex Altitude cards:

From 1 September to 31 December 2014, get 3 miles per S$1 overseas spend when you charge at least S$2,000 a month to your DBS Altitude Visa/Amex Signature Card!
Reading the T&Cs I guess if one missed spending 2K in Sep on the card then one would not meet the promo criteria as it says "each" month. So won't be able to leverage it for my upcoming overseas trips. Oh well, you gain some you loose / miss out on some.
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Old Oct 11, 2014, 5:15 am
  #3414  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SIN
Posts: 23
UOB Privi Amex

I don't see it mentioned, am I correct to assume that there are no bonus miles if I pay the annual fee each year?
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Old Oct 11, 2014, 7:13 am
  #3415  
 
Join Date: May 2012
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Posts: 6,820
Originally Posted by WestofSIN
I don't see it mentioned, am I correct to assume that there are no bonus miles if I pay the annual fee each year?
That is correct.
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Old Oct 12, 2014, 2:57 am
  #3416  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Posts: 656
Originally Posted by vsepr
I heard DBS Altitude cards need to wait 3 months.

Anyway, Citi PM is best. 10,000 bonus CitiMiles in once the annual fee is charged.
Just received my 10k bonus miles for paying the annual fee of DBS Altitude card and indeed, you need to wait 3 months for it.
MilesBuzz is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2014, 3:10 am
  #3417  
 
Join Date: May 2004
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Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,741
Originally Posted by MilesBuzz
Just received my 10k bonus miles for paying the annual fee of DBS Altitude card and indeed, you need to wait 3 months for it.
+1. I paid the renewal fee in July and should get it on the 15th of this month. Quite long for my taste, but,not much choice. At least now you can use 5k increments again to transfer out.
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Old Oct 12, 2014, 4:19 am
  #3418  
formerly Fly-Swiss
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by demue
+1. I paid the renewal fee in July and should get it on the 15th of this month. Quite long for my taste, but,not much choice. At least now you can use 5k increments again to transfer out.
can I ask, why would you use this card compared to ANZ Visa ?
Volasia is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2014, 4:52 am
  #3419  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Originally Posted by lcpteck


I use UOB PRVI Miles Amex as my main expenditure card when overseas. It earns 2.5 miles/S$ and also it is not prone to DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion).
At present, UOB Signature Visa has a better deal on foreign spend - 4X miles, but capped at S$2,000 foreign spend per month.

Also, Visa charges 2.5% versus 3.25% charged by AMEX for foreign currency transactions.

subject to a minimum foreign currencies spend of S$1,000 per statement period. Online transactions in Singapore Dollars or in foreign currencies at merchants with payment gateway in Singapore will earn UNI$1 for every S$5 spent. Cardmembers will also earn UNI$10 for every S$5 spent on petrol (except at Caltex, which is a SMART$ merchant) and Visa payWave transactions, which is equivalent to 5% cash rebate, subject to a minimum local spend of S$1,000 in total, per statement period. Cardmembers can earn a maximum of UNI$4,000 for spend in foreign currencies (including online transactions in foreign currencies), petrol and with Visa payWave, per statement period,

http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...ml#cash-rebate
SingaporeDon is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2014, 4:55 am
  #3420  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Originally Posted by Fly-Swiss
can I ask, why would you use this card compared to ANZ Visa ?
some reasons - better online/phone service at DBS, miles never expire at DBS etc.
SingaporeDon is offline  


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