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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 Jul 26, 2015, 9:49 pm
  #4471  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by vsepr
Call UOB everyday from the day, usually the 1st of the month, the UNI$ are deducted for annual fee to request for reinstatement. Stop until the UNI$ are back to your account.

Who knows, sometimes there are double crediting of UNI$ and you get a bonus of 4800 UNI$!!
You can just call in and request for waiver on their IVR, it's automatic. It will waive if you're eligible. If not, you can speak to a CSO.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2015, 9:53 pm
  #4472  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
What do you guys and gals think of applying for and holding multiple cards specifically for the annual renewal miles 'bonus?'

For example, even without any spending, holding 4 cards (ANZ, Citi PM Visa+Amex and a DBS) gives 50,000 miles via S$927.60 annual fee. i.e. you're effectively buying miles at 1.86 sing cents / 1.35 us cents each.
shuigao is offline  
Old Jul 26, 2015, 10:07 pm
  #4473  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by shuigao
What do you guys and gals think of applying for and holding multiple cards specifically for the annual renewal miles 'bonus?'

For example, even without any spending, holding 4 cards (ANZ, Citi PM Visa+Amex and a DBS) gives 50,000 miles via S$927.60 annual fee. i.e. you're effectively buying miles at 1.86 sing cents / 1.35 us cents each.
That's what I do to 'buy' the miles since I want to redeem longhaul business class for my mom between Singapore and US and it sure takes alot of miles....

I'm not eligible for Citibank PM Amex though, anybody got any relationship manager can refer me or something so it can get approved? Tried to apply multiple times but denied since I don't earn $80k per annum.
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Old Jul 27, 2015, 12:34 am
  #4474  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by lcpteck
You can just call in and request for waiver on their IVR, it's automatic. It will waive if you're eligible. If not, you can speak to a CSO.
So, UOB will reinstate the points after you call in to request for waiver?
naro is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 12:35 am
  #4475  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Well I only had the card for a year and it does the job of getting 4mls/$ for the outlets / transactions we maintain in the community Excel, but that part I wasn't aware off. Well I caught it on my statement this month and just called to get a waiver processed, but had never seen this as most banks take your cash first.

Anyways, I find it a bit sneakier by UOB as SQueeze highlighted because folks are more likely to notice a 192$ membership fee on their monthly statement, but not a reduction in UNI$ and hence may never ask for a waiver. YMMV, but transparency doesn't seem the goal here. Oh well.
demue is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 12:42 am
  #4476  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Originally Posted by naro
So, UOB will reinstate the points after you call in to request for waiver?
I called as at first I didn't catch that it was for the annual card fee. Then I asked for a waiver and it was processed. CSR said UNI$ will be back in 5 working days so I will keep an eye on it.

Now say one is not eligible for a waiver, as a customer I should have a choice of cash versus UNI$ which according to my CSR UOB does not offer. That is quite bothersome. 4.8K UNI$ are almost 10K KF miles. I would kick up a major stink if not given a choice. Anyways, theoretical discussion on my end as waiver was given, but not something I was aware of.
demue is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 5:23 am
  #4477  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 43
I asked for a waiver and got my points reinstated a few months back. I usually don't call them. Just leave a message though Internet banking

Just received this email. Will be moving all my online purchases to UOB Lady's Solitaire

10X UNI$ on Luxury Shopping, Overseas Shopping , Online Shopping, Departmental Store Spend and Taxi Rides
A bonus of 9X UNI$ (“Bonus UNI$”) will be awarded for every S$5 spent on Luxury Shopping Transactions, Overseas Shopping Transactions in foreign currencies, Online Shopping Transactions in foreign currencies, Departmental Store Transactions and Taxi Transactions for the relevant statement cycle subject to a minimum spend of S$3,000 and a maximum spend of S$5,000 charged to the Card and captured/posted in that relevant statement cycle. The total Bonus UNI$ awarded to each Cardmember from qualifying spend will be capped at UNI$9,000 for each statement cycle.
chewiegranolabar is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 4:46 pm
  #4478  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by naro
So, UOB will reinstate the points after you call in to request for waiver?
Yes. At the menu, select fee waiver and go through the IVR process. Mine always gets approved every year through IVR and the UNI$ deducted will be refunded to you, shown in your next month's statement. I never had to speak to anyone at all.

Which is the stupidity of this whole exercise... if UOB is ready to approve annual fee waiver, why won't they just suppress the fee BEFORE is charged to the cardholder's statement? Instead, it's a waste of time for cardholder to have to call and 'request' the waiver...
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 4:50 pm
  #4479  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by chewiegranolabar
Just received this email. Will be moving all my online purchases to UOB Lady's Solitaire
Why so? The minimum S$3,000 spend per statement cycle requirement is the stickler here. Citi Rewards doesn't require this minimum to earn comparable rate.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 4:53 pm
  #4480  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by demue
Now say one is not eligible for a waiver, as a customer I should have a choice of cash versus UNI$ which according to my CSR UOB does not offer. That is quite bothersome. 4.8K UNI$ are almost 10K KF miles. I would kick up a major stink if not given a choice.
You have discovered yet another wonder of the UOB system!

Though arguably one "may" be able to get them to reinstate the 4,800 UNI$ and charge the fee in cash...

Failing which, drain your UNI$ before the annual charging process.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 4:54 pm
  #4481  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by shuigao
What do you guys and gals think of applying for and holding multiple cards specifically for the annual renewal miles 'bonus?'

For example, even without any spending, holding 4 cards (ANZ, Citi PM Visa+Amex and a DBS) gives 50,000 miles via S$927.60 annual fee. i.e. you're effectively buying miles at 1.86 sing cents / 1.35 us cents each.
Did you add in the various conversion fees for each card to work out the $ per mile?
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 6:12 pm
  #4482  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 43
carrotjuice, is that the same earn rate? I don't hold any Citi cards and was looking forward to canceling my bank account soon

$3000 min spending for UOB lady's is OK for me. It is the 5000 limit which is the stickler. I stuck with UOB Preferred Plat from 2012-2014, then HSBC Advance because of the 10x rate and no limit. Happy to find a card with a higher limit than DBS Womans and UOB Preferred Plat
chewiegranolabar is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 7:56 pm
  #4483  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by vsepr
Call UOB everyday from the day, usually the 1st of the month, the UNI$ are deducted for annual fee to request for reinstatement. Stop until the UNI$ are back to your account.
I'm not sure calling everyday achieves anything except getting the bank irritated with you. If they need time to reverse the UNI$, they need time to do it. Calling in everyday probably just earns you a nasty tag in your profile in their CRM.

Originally Posted by demue
Anyways, I find it a bit sneakier by UOB as SQueeze highlighted because folks are more likely to notice a 192$ membership fee on their monthly statement, but not a reduction in UNI$ and hence may never ask for a waiver. YMMV, but transparency doesn't seem the goal here. Oh well.
I think it's improved already. In the past, they would just take the points and only indication would be in the points summary at the back, that X UNI$ was deducted, with no reason why. Now, it is indicated in the detailed transactions section that X UNI$ was deducted for annual fee. I would prefer if the default was to charge you cash, rather than deduct points, but oh well, this is how UOB rolls, so just work with it.
Archieflyer is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 8:49 pm
  #4484  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by chewiegranolabar
carrotjuice, is that the same earn rate? I don't hold any Citi cards and was looking forward to canceling my bank account soon

$3000 min spending for UOB lady's is OK for me. It is the 5000 limit which is the stickler. I stuck with UOB Preferred Plat from 2012-2014, then HSBC Advance because of the 10x rate and no limit. Happy to find a card with a higher limit than DBS Womans and UOB Preferred Plat
Citibank Rewards card has a limit of 120,000 points per year. If all spending earns 10x points, its S$12k cap per year.
naro is offline  
Old Jul 27, 2015, 8:51 pm
  #4485  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by naro
So, UOB will reinstate the points after you call in to request for waiver?
From my own experience yes.

However I have heavy usage on UOB cards so not sure if that matters or not.
lcpteck is offline  


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