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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 Nov 20, 2016, 7:08 am
  #6406  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by Volasia
Hi p4l3m00n, welcome to Flyertalk!

The difference between DBS Altitude and Citi PM is not big, so wouldn't worry too much if you cannot have it. Note that given the price of the renewal and the bonus miles you get, you better use your miles for a business class trip. Otherwise it is not really worth it.

If you really want those cards, I would say Citi might be approved since you are not far from the minimum. As for UOB, you already have 1 card, they may approve your application given the fact that the same credit limit is applied to both cards. Give it a try...
Hi. Thanks for the response. My intention is to fly first class with my fiancee to US. so definitely I would need more bonus miles from renewal to accelerate my miles accummulation.

I did try on applying via citibank online portal, it just doesn't go through due to low salary. went to promoter, but got rejected straight away due to low salary too. perhaps i can try to write in to appeal and see?

Looking at the spending pattern, most likely I would use the UOB Amex very rare, unless there is some promotion going on.

Last edited by p4l3m00n; Nov 20, 2016 at 7:16 am
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Old Nov 20, 2016, 5:25 pm
  #6407  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: HHonors (D), SPG (P), Marriott (P)
Posts: 39
Originally Posted by p4l3m00n
Hi. Thanks for the response. My intention is to fly first class with my fiancee to US. so definitely I would need more bonus miles from renewal to accelerate my miles accummulation.

I did try on applying via citibank online portal, it just doesn't go through due to low salary. went to promoter, but got rejected straight away due to low salary too. perhaps i can try to write in to appeal and see?

Looking at the spending pattern, most likely I would use the UOB Amex very rare, unless there is some promotion going on.
Be a citigold.

Honestly. 10k miles is only worth about $200.

Why not just go over to SPG and buy those miles and forget about this card.

For 2 tickets 1st class. Unless you spend alot. It took me 1 year on multiple cards to acheieve 250k miles.

I would say 50% SPG is a quick way to get 35k miles instantly. Ask someone with 50% to gift it to you.

Also you may find hwz travel bazaar useful.

Last edited by Zala; Nov 20, 2016 at 5:48 pm
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Old Nov 20, 2016, 7:57 pm
  #6408  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by Zala
Be a citigold.

Honestly. 10k miles is only worth about $200.

Why not just go over to SPG and buy those miles and forget about this card.

For 2 tickets 1st class. Unless you spend alot. It took me 1 year on multiple cards to acheieve 250k miles.

I would say 50% SPG is a quick way to get 35k miles instantly. Ask someone with 50% to gift it to you.

Also you may find hwz travel bazaar useful.
Oh. I'm actually plan for 5 yrs time. Estimated to be around 360k miles to fly first class for 2 person. Which is why I'm looking to buy miles via annual fees. At the same time, I'm making use of my daily expenditures to gain miles (like dining, bill payment, transport, etc, etc). 360k miles is pretty tough journey for me since I'm not a heavy spender. So I would try to maximise into buying cheap miles as much as I could.

Just this morning, I got rejected by Citibank for applying Citi Premiermiles card. They say their lowest limit is 48k p.a. (vs 42k mine). So got no choice but to grind teeth on DBS altitude visa/amex.
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Old Nov 20, 2016, 10:41 pm
  #6409  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by p4l3m00n
Oh. I'm actually plan for 5 yrs time. Estimated to be around 360k miles to fly first class for 2 person. Which is why I'm looking to buy miles via annual fees. At the same time, I'm making use of my daily expenditures to gain miles (like dining, bill payment, transport, etc, etc). 360k miles is pretty tough journey for me since I'm not a heavy spender. So I would try to maximise into buying cheap miles as much as I could.

Just this morning, I got rejected by Citibank for applying Citi Premiermiles card. They say their lowest limit is 48k p.a. (vs 42k mine). So got no choice but to grind teeth on DBS altitude visa/amex.
With such a long horizon you're right to be worried about miles expiring. All I would say is that SQ Business Class is damn good and better than First on many airlines. I think your fiancee would love J just as much as F.
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Old Nov 20, 2016, 11:02 pm
  #6410  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,820
Originally Posted by w4rd
With such a long horizon you're right to be worried about miles expiring. All I would say is that SQ Business Class is damn good and better than First on many airlines. I think your fiancee would love J just as much as F.
That's true. There isn't too much of a difference between J and F on SQ regarding the seats (I mean, how much space do you want?). I'm very satisfied with Business class on the few airlines I've tried.
lcpteck is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2016, 1:01 am
  #6411  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by w4rd
With such a long horizon you're right to be worried about miles expiring. All I would say is that SQ Business Class is damn good and better than First on many airlines. I think your fiancee would love J just as much as F.
Haha! I wish I could go with SQ. Alas after what I've seen the levy and charges after ticket redemption, it's pretty huge amount to spent. I'm actually more into Cathay Pacific or British Airway first class for lesser levy and charges. Not as grand as SQ but still it's a first class. LOL.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 1:17 am
  #6412  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 973
Originally Posted by p4l3m00n
Haha! I wish I could go with SQ. Alas after what I've seen the levy and charges after ticket redemption, it's pretty huge amount to spent. I'm actually more into Cathay Pacific or British Airway first class for lesser levy and charges. Not as grand as SQ but still it's a first class. LOL.
You must be new to all this.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 2:20 am
  #6413  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by Phaze
You must be new to all this.
Haha.. True I'm very new to this. Not a frequent flyer too. Always take budget airline to fly around SEA. Only recently decided to play miles game in order to surprise my fiancee for anniversary.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 2:35 am
  #6414  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by p4l3m00n
Haha! I wish I could go with SQ. Alas after what I've seen the levy and charges after ticket redemption, it's pretty huge amount to spent. I'm actually more into Cathay Pacific or British Airway first class for lesser levy and charges. Not as grand as SQ but still it's a first class. LOL.
Well, of those two I believe Cathay is quite nice.
Anyway, worth checking that your preferred credit cards can actually transfer to your program of choice. A lot only support SQ and Cathay Asia Miles.
Plus in a few years the redemption and surcharge rules may all have changed anyway...
w4rd is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2016, 4:14 am
  #6415  
formerly Fly-Swiss
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 878
Originally Posted by p4l3m00n
Haha.. True I'm very new to this. Not a frequent flyer too. Always take budget airline to fly around SEA. Only recently decided to play miles game in order to surprise my fiancee for anniversary.
If you cannot get the Citi card, you will have to stick to either SQ or Asia Miles. But as suggested, if you guys travel low cost around Asia, I reckon that your fiancée will already be very happy with a C trip with CX or even SQ. The difference with F is not worth it in your circumstances. Also do keep in mind that SQ, CX miles expire after 3 years. For BA miles, you just need to keep the account active.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 4:56 am
  #6416  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by w4rd
With such a long horizon you're right to be worried about miles expiring.
Or devaluating.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2016, 5:19 am
  #6417  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Thanks all for the advice. One thing I don't understand is those C,F, etc trip.. what are those?
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 5:27 am
  #6418  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 973
Fare classes. Though this may not be entirely accurate anymore, it should still give you a broad idea of what each one means.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 5:42 am
  #6419  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: HHonors (D), SPG (P), Marriott (P)
Posts: 39
This may break the rules. But for palemoon purpose. I rather you get a cashback card. Turn those into cash and when the time comes.

Buy miles and fly. Personally i think this is better.

I did that the last time with Aeroplan. It was only $600 for 30kmiles and 100CAD dollars. Damn cheap. But that was the past. Im sure if you cant spent much. You will lose out in long term if you want to play miles game.
Zala is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2016, 5:59 am
  #6420  
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Asia Miles, KrisFlyer,
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by Zala
This may break the rules. But for palemoon purpose. I rather you get a cashback card. Turn those into cash and when the time comes.

Buy miles and fly. Personally i think this is better.

I did that the last time with Aeroplan. It was only $600 for 30kmiles and 100CAD dollars. Damn cheap. But that was the past. Im sure if you cant spent much. You will lose out in long term if you want to play miles game.
Thanks for the advice. I used to be cashback user. One thing is that you risk not being able to hit the min spending in order to get the rebates. The more cashback card u have the more difficult for you to hit. Not to mention, cashback card has the most restrictions when it comes to transactions that qualify for cashback rebates. Plus every year you need to call to get waiver (How long can this last). Why call when u can get miles card and pay willingly to get miles. Which is why I go for miles. Buy miles is my plan actually, but thinking deeper, why buy miles when I can make all my spendings into miles (literally every single dollars$).
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