Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer
Reload this Page >

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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)***
============
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

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

Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2016, 10:36 pm
  #5626  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SIN
Posts: 352
Originally Posted by invisible
You can't do it if it is corporate account
And it sucks real bad. Which is why I pay for my wife's bill through mobile (WMMC). Heard it doesnt attract 4x but I think it does. The app opens up mobile web browser and asks for OTP. For CC gateway, its no different than PC web browser
ExSin is offline  
Old May 12, 2016, 9:26 am
  #5627  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
This link here indicates that the Citi PM-Expedia 6 miles/SG$ promotion is valid when bookings are made through Expedia.com.sg/bonus

Anyone managed to get 6 miles on their Citi PM using the Expedia link from Ebates/Shopback instead?
Bluish is offline  
Old May 12, 2016, 1:58 pm
  #5628  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by Bluish
This link here indicates that the Citi PM-Expedia 6 miles/SG$ promotion is valid when bookings are made through Expedia.com.sg/bonus

Anyone managed to get 6 miles on their Citi PM using the Expedia link from Ebates/Shopback instead?
It's been discussed before and I use this promotion actively, you do not need to book via the link. For more info, please look through the promo page and it's T&Cs.
lcpteck is offline  
Old May 12, 2016, 7:17 pm
  #5629  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SIN
Posts: 352
Originally Posted by lcpteck
It's been discussed before and I use this promotion actively, you do not need to book via the link. For more info, please look through the promo page and it's T&Cs.
So both work? I resisted going through shopback in case they decide to forfeit the 6x.
ExSin is offline  
Old May 12, 2016, 9:45 pm
  #5630  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: KF, MPC, BAEC // Bonvoy, WoH, Honors
Posts: 1,462
On the Expedia topic -- when do the bonus miles generally post? I made some bookings earlier this year and am still waiting for the bonus miles.
Kilian Zoll is offline  
Old May 12, 2016, 9:58 pm
  #5631  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
Originally Posted by staff
On the Expedia topic -- when do the bonus miles generally post? I made some bookings earlier this year and am still waiting for the bonus miles.
Please refer to the T&Cs of the promo itself or you can refer to the wiki.
lcpteck is offline  
Old May 13, 2016, 7:22 am
  #5632  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Originally Posted by ExSin
So both work? I resisted going through shopback in case they decide to forfeit the 6x.
Methinks you can't double dip. Think about it - Expedia is prepared to pay a commission for the sale. It surely isn't willing to pay twice.

Also the terms specifically say you get 6 miles per S$1 if you shop at expedia.com.sg or .co.th or .com.my etc. If you shop through the other sites, it will be a flow through ebates.com/expedia... etc.

But happy to be proven wrong for those that have successfully done it.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old May 13, 2016, 6:35 pm
  #5633  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SQ QPP1, HYATT DIA, SPG GOLD, HH GOLD, IHG GOLD
Posts: 656
Originally Posted by SingaporeDon
If I remember it correctly, there are about 5 or 6 cards from different banks which give you the miles if you ask them not to waive the annual fees
These are the cards that I know which will give miles for payment of annual fees:
1. DBS Altitude Visa & AE Card - 10k each card and annual fee is S$192.80 each.

2. Citibank PM AE Card - 15k with an annual fee of S$267.50. There's also a Visa equivalent that only gives 10k but I am lazy to apply for it.

3. ANZ Travel Visa Card - 10k with an annual fee of S$200

Do add if there's more.

The buying of Starpoints during the 25% discount that is offered more or less about twice a year (although you can only buy a max of 30k Starpoints annually) still represents a good value in my book as you can buy an additional 35k miles annually at a discounted rate. In Singapore, apart from paying annual fees for the cards mentioned above, there's practically no other ways to buy miles if you wish to convert them to KF miles. Other overseas travel blogs also regard this as a good strategy.

Last edited by MilesBuzz; May 13, 2016 at 6:43 pm
MilesBuzz is offline  
Old May 13, 2016, 6:45 pm
  #5634  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SQ QPP1, HYATT DIA, SPG GOLD, HH GOLD, IHG GOLD
Posts: 656
Just paid annual Prudential insurance premiums (the policies are overseas-based and not local-based) of S$11k using DBS Altitude Visa Card and happily received 22k miles I made a mistake of paying the amount using UOB PRVI Master Card last year and it was such as wasted transaction
MilesBuzz is offline  
Old May 13, 2016, 10:45 pm
  #5635  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Originally Posted by MilesBuzz
Just paid annual Prudential insurance premiums (the policies are overseas-based and not local-based) of S$11k using DBS Altitude Visa Card and happily received 22k miles I made a mistake of paying the amount using UOB PRVI Master Card last year and it was such as wasted transaction
What kind of insurance is for $900/mo?
invisible is offline  
Old May 15, 2016, 10:43 am
  #5636  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, Hilton Gold, Best Western Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 155
Hi,

Has anybody gotten 6x points for the Citibank-Expedia promo by buying airlines tickets not listed in the t&c?
kt85 is offline  
Old May 15, 2016, 10:44 am
  #5637  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, Hilton Gold, Best Western Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 155
You can definitely get the cashback and the 6x points. Tried and tested a few times


Originally Posted by carrotjuice
Methinks you can't double dip. Think about it - Expedia is prepared to pay a commission for the sale. It surely isn't willing to pay twice.

Also the terms specifically say you get 6 miles per S$1 if you shop at expedia.com.sg or .co.th or .com.my etc. If you shop through the other sites, it will be a flow through ebates.com/expedia... etc.

But happy to be proven wrong for those that have successfully done it.
kt85 is offline  
Old May 15, 2016, 7:11 pm
  #5638  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by kt85
Hi,

Has anybody gotten 6x points for the Citibank-Expedia promo by buying airlines tickets not listed in the t&c?
I personally haven't and I think here's why: the airlines not listed in the t&c are charged to the airlines directly. I recently booked UA tickets through Expedia and they show up as "United airlines" on my cc statement. Hence Citibank would not recognise them as Expedia transactions anyway. For this transaction I booked it with my dbs altitude - even then I had to ask dbs to check whether I get 3 miles per dollar (online flight and hotels) for it as some of these transactions are not coded as online transactions. They asked me to forward the confirmation email and are now checking.

By the way, I booked a flight+hotel package where the air ticket was with an excluded airline. Expedia split up the air and hotel portion and only the hotel was charged to expedia. Airtix was under the carrier (jetstar in this case).
fledglingraptormoon is offline  
Old May 15, 2016, 9:24 pm
  #5639  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Originally Posted by fledglingraptormoon
By the way, I booked a flight+hotel package where the air ticket was with an excluded airline. Expedia split up the air and hotel portion and only the hotel was charged to expedia. Airtix was under the carrier (jetstar in this case).
It is a bad idea to use OTAs to buy tickets on LLCs. Especially with Jetstar.
invisible is offline  
Old May 15, 2016, 9:38 pm
  #5640  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by invisible
It is a bad idea to use OTAs to buy tickets on LLCs. Especially with Jetstar.
Anecdotally I have a friend who bought a Jetstar ticket last year with Expedia and at checkin found that his reservation existed, but wasn't paid for. He had to buy another, more expensive, ticket and pursue Expedia for a refund...
w4rd is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.