Oct 31, 2014, 6:05 am
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
============
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
============
The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread
May 28, 2017, 8:59 am
#6976
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
http://milelion.com/2016/01/06/last-...platinum-amex/
May 29, 2017, 2:55 am
#6977
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
May 29, 2017, 7:53 pm
#6978
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 62
And still get 4mpd? Strange...
cardup is actually belong to FinnLab(UOB business unit for startup incubator). Thats why i think they have special agreement. Maybe UOB doesnt want to kill their own "product"
https://e27.co/meet-the-9-startups-s...amme-20160518/
Any recent report using Citi's cards with cardup?
cardup is actually belong to FinnLab(UOB business unit for startup incubator). Thats why i think they have special agreement. Maybe UOB doesnt want to kill their own "product"
https://e27.co/meet-the-9-startups-s...amme-20160518/
Any recent report using Citi's cards with cardup?
cardup is actually belong to FinnLab(UOB business unit for startup incubator). Thats why i think they have special agreement. Maybe UOB doesnt want to kill their own "product"
https://e27.co/meet-the-9-startups-s...amme-20160518/
May 29, 2017, 8:21 pm
#6979
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
It's confusing, because of the additions on individual days, and dates don't match.
I think the calculation is:
1) Round down dollar amount
2) Add up rounded dollar amounts for each day
3) Multiply by 1.2 and also foreign spend multiply by 0.8 for bonus points
4) Round up or down the daily amount
On my statements:
Spend $14.82 = 1.2 x 14 = 16.8 Points accrued on rewards site = 17
Spend $9.00 = 1.2 x 9 = 10.8 Points accrued =11
Spend $49.83 = 1.2 x 49 = 58.8 Points accrued = 59
One day spend: $158.73 + $107. Points = (158+107)*1.2 = 318 = Points accrued.
Foreign spend of $7.55 = 7x1.2 = 8.4, Points accrued = 8
bonus points = 7*0.8 = 5.6, Bonus Points accrued = 6
If you go back to original comment from vespr, is correct $1 = 1.2 points, rounded down to 1. So if you're make 100 $1.99 transactions, you are effectively only getting 100 points on $199 spend, or 0.5025 points per dollar. But of course if you spend $199 in one transaction, should get 239 points or 1.201 points per dollar.
I think the calculation is:
1) Round down dollar amount
2) Add up rounded dollar amounts for each day
3) Multiply by 1.2 and also foreign spend multiply by 0.8 for bonus points
4) Round up or down the daily amount
On my statements:
Spend $14.82 = 1.2 x 14 = 16.8 Points accrued on rewards site = 17
Spend $9.00 = 1.2 x 9 = 10.8 Points accrued =11
Spend $49.83 = 1.2 x 49 = 58.8 Points accrued = 59
One day spend: $158.73 + $107. Points = (158+107)*1.2 = 318 = Points accrued.
Foreign spend of $7.55 = 7x1.2 = 8.4, Points accrued = 8
bonus points = 7*0.8 = 5.6, Bonus Points accrued = 6
If you go back to original comment from vespr, is correct $1 = 1.2 points, rounded down to 1. So if you're make 100 $1.99 transactions, you are effectively only getting 100 points on $199 spend, or 0.5025 points per dollar. But of course if you spend $199 in one transaction, should get 239 points or 1.201 points per dollar.
Jun 4, 2017, 9:49 pm
#6980
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
I needed to send some money to my sister in the US, but as it was a small amount, I didn't want to get hit with the 40 or 50 bucks or whatever remittance fees that the banks charge.
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee.
The numbers eventually were:
I sold -- sgd 615.80
I bought -- usd 445.62 (fx rate 1.3819 which is really close to mid rate)
Additional charges -- sgd 6.00 (remittance fee)
-- sgd 9.33 (1.5% credit card fee)
-- sgd 4.97 (0.8% DCC fee)
I don't know how many mpd this will post as. Assuming 1.2mpd, I paid sgd 14.30 to eventually get 745 miles, or sgd1.92cents per mile. Assuming 0.0mpd, I paid for nothing
I also don't know how reliable this site/startup is, and/or whether the money will take more time to reach my sister / never reach at all. Will let you guys know in time
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee.
The numbers eventually were:
I sold -- sgd 615.80
I bought -- usd 445.62 (fx rate 1.3819 which is really close to mid rate)
Additional charges -- sgd 6.00 (remittance fee)
-- sgd 9.33 (1.5% credit card fee)
-- sgd 4.97 (0.8% DCC fee)
I don't know how many mpd this will post as. Assuming 1.2mpd, I paid sgd 14.30 to eventually get 745 miles, or sgd1.92cents per mile. Assuming 0.0mpd, I paid for nothing
I also don't know how reliable this site/startup is, and/or whether the money will take more time to reach my sister / never reach at all. Will let you guys know in time
Last edited by shuigao; Jun 4, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Jun 4, 2017, 10:00 pm
#6981
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,819
I needed to send some money to my sister in the US, but as it was a small amount, I didn't want to get hit with the 40 or 50 bucks or whatever remittance fees that the banks charge.
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee.
The numbers eventually were:
I sold -- sgd 615.80
I bought -- usd 445.62 (fx rate 1.3819 which is really close to mid rate)
Additional charges -- sgd 6.00 (remittance fee)
-- sgd 9.33 (1.5% credit card fee)
-- sgd 4.97 (0.8% DCC fee)
I don't know how many mpd this will post as. Assuming 1.2mpd, I paid sgd 14.30 to eventually get 745 miles, or sgd1.92cents per mile. Assuming 0.0mpd, I paid for nothing
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee.
The numbers eventually were:
I sold -- sgd 615.80
I bought -- usd 445.62 (fx rate 1.3819 which is really close to mid rate)
Additional charges -- sgd 6.00 (remittance fee)
-- sgd 9.33 (1.5% credit card fee)
-- sgd 4.97 (0.8% DCC fee)
I don't know how many mpd this will post as. Assuming 1.2mpd, I paid sgd 14.30 to eventually get 745 miles, or sgd1.92cents per mile. Assuming 0.0mpd, I paid for nothing
Jun 4, 2017, 10:27 pm
#6982
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
One needs to dig a little be more into fine print and T/C on that. Because with HSBC the similar transfer in subject of 2% on top of the interbank exchange rate. So transferring 10K - say goodbye to $200.
Jun 4, 2017, 10:31 pm
#6983
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Keep us posted on this matter.
In terms of money transfer time - when I sent it the re recipient in Germany, it reached within the day.
Jun 5, 2017, 1:33 am
#6984
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
I used Citibank PM Visa. Anyway I'm just experimenting (cos I have to send money anyway), and IMO the s$15 extra isn't a big loss if it turns out that the transaction doesn't earn any miles. Will update again in a day or two.
Jun 5, 2017, 5:01 am
#6985
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: LH, BA
Posts: 93
I needed to send some money to my sister in the US, but as it was a small amount, I didn't want to get hit with the 40 or 50 bucks or whatever remittance fees that the banks charge.
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee
I also don't know how reliable this site/startup is, and/or whether the money will take more time to reach my sister / never reach at all. Will let you guys know in time
So I tried https://transferwise.com/ which is supposed to be a "peer to peer" FX / remittance platform.
Anyway the real point here is that transferwise surprisingly has the option to "pay" using visa / creditcard at a 1.5% additional fee
I also don't know how reliable this site/startup is, and/or whether the money will take more time to reach my sister / never reach at all. Will let you guys know in time
also, it is right that Citibank would charge a hefty currency charge. Without the Credit Card Charge, transferwise is anyway cheaper.
Jun 5, 2017, 5:57 am
#6986
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Citi Prestige Card
By the way, any particular reason why Citi Prestige isn't in the wiki? A Citi telemarketer just called to promote it and it does seem like a decent all rounder (2mpd foreign, 1.3mpd local). hefty $535 annual fee but offset by 35000miles 25000miles. full priority pass membership, 8x a year airport transfer, etc.
No good?
No good?
Last edited by shuigao; Jun 5, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Jun 5, 2017, 6:29 am
#6987
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
By the way, any particular reason why Citi Prestige isn't in the wiki? A Citi telemarketer just called to promote it and it does seem like a decent all rounder (2mpd foreign, 1.3mpd local). hefty $535 annual fee but offset by 35000miles. full priority pass membership, 8x a year airport transfer, etc.
No good?
No good?
Jun 5, 2017, 7:26 am
#6988
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Singapore
Programs: KF, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 182
By the way, any particular reason why Citi Prestige isn't in the wiki? A Citi telemarketer just called to promote it and it does seem like a decent all rounder (2mpd foreign, 1.3mpd local). hefty $535 annual fee but offset by 35000miles. full priority pass membership, 8x a year airport transfer, etc.
No good?
No good?