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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 Jun 7, 2017, 9:57 pm
  #7006  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Asia
Programs: KF Gold | IHG Amb | SPG LTG | HH Gold
Posts: 548
Used to be quite strict on both income requirement and annual fee.

Not sure about now.
LuisHK is offline  
Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:16 pm
  #7007  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Seems that there is absolutely no reason to keep FEVO card.

Oh well - will use it until 2nd of Jul to pay insurance, Singtel, VQ and then goes to collection.

$64K question - what next? I would hate to start applying/carrying bunch of cards and on every single transaction have to consult with pocket excel sheet what it use where. This approach 101% won't work with my wife who needs ONE card with daily use without thinking what needs to be used where.

P.S. What is the best card for FairPrice and restaurants? it MUST NOT be HSBC.
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Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:21 pm
  #7008  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by invisible
Seems that there is absolutely no reason to keep FEVO card.

Oh well - will use it until 2nd of Jul to pay insurance, Singtel, VQ and then goes to collection.

$64K question - what next? I would hate to start applying/carrying bunch of cards and on every single transaction have to consult with pocket excel sheet what it use where. This approach 101% won't work with my wife who needs ONE card with daily use without thinking what needs to be used where.

P.S. What is the best card for FairPrice and restaurants? it MUST NOT be HSBC.
I suggest UOB PPV for 4m/$ on contactless. Works for FairPrice and a good percentage of casual restaurants accept PayWave now. Combine with UOB PRVI for the rest and you're good to go.

Last edited by w4rd; Jun 7, 2017 at 11:22 pm Reason: added 4m/$
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Old Jun 7, 2017, 11:57 pm
  #7009  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
Originally Posted by invisible
P.S. What is the best card for FairPrice and restaurants? it MUST NOT be HSBC.
Does she spend more in FP or in dining?

If she spends more in FP, then PPV, if in dining then PRVI Visa (unless you have PP Amex)

If she/you is UOB-wary, then Citi PM is your next best bet.
SQ319 is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 1:33 am
  #7010  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Originally Posted by w4rd
I suggest UOB PPV for 4m/$ on contactless.
PPV is not available for new applicants. Tried to apply in March, got denial. Went to their office, was told - 'no go'.

Originally Posted by SQ319
Does she spend more in FP or in dining?

If she spends more in FP, then PPV, if in dining then PRVI Visa (unless you have PP Amex)

If she/you is UOB-wary, then Citi PM is your next best bet.
The spend is mostly on Phoon Huat (baking/etc supplies), FP (home stuff), dining (mostly once a month to take team to dinner). At the end, everything total is not more than $600/mo.

As I said, UOB PPV is not an option.

Last edited by invisible; Jun 8, 2017 at 1:41 am
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Old Jun 8, 2017, 4:38 am
  #7011  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
Originally Posted by invisible
PPV is not available for new applicants. Tried to apply in March, got denial. Went to their office, was told - 'no go'.

The spend is mostly on Phoon Huat (baking/etc supplies), FP (home stuff), dining (mostly once a month to take team to dinner). At the end, everything total is not more than $600/mo.

As I said, UOB PPV is not an option.
So strange, it's still available for application on the UOB website.

If this is not available, I guess the next best would be PRVI or Citi PM.
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Old Jun 8, 2017, 6:01 am
  #7012  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Originally Posted by SQ319
So strange, it's still available for application on the UOB website.
Applied exactly there. Uploaded everything - NoA, three paysubs, telco/SP bill, DBS CC bill - got denial without explanation. Went to office, explained, well 'we stopped marketing this card.'

Originally Posted by SQ319
If this is not available, I guess the next best would be PRVI or Citi PM.
Have PM visa already. Any advantages of it over DBS Altitude?
invisible is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 6:03 pm
  #7013  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 62
Originally Posted by demue
Aiyah, thanks. DBS Altitude was the last one standing in my book that awarded points for EZ Link top ups. Though I thought this part phrase was there before and it still worked.

Any other card left?
HSBC Revo get 2 miles/$ for EZ Link top up max 200$ per month (i think should be enough for transport )
laurent_rio is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 6:58 pm
  #7014  
 
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: 7,738
Originally Posted by laurent_rio
HSBC Revo get 2 miles/$ for EZ Link top up max 200$ per month (i think should be enough for transport )
Thanks, I use it for comfort cabs, pay EzLink. Unfortunately around 800-1k SGD a month. Will look into it.

Maybe time to switch to Uber or Grab. Does WWMC get 4mls for both or only Grab? Anyone got any insights there? Thanks
demue is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 6:59 pm
  #7015  
 
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: 7,738
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Old Jun 8, 2017, 7:15 pm
  #7016  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 62
Originally Posted by demue
Thanks, I use it for comfort cabs, pay EzLink. Unfortunately around 800-1k SGD a month. Will look into it.

Maybe time to switch to Uber or Grab. Does WWMC get 4mls for both or only Grab? Anyone got any insights there? Thanks
Uber and Grab before get 4mls with WWMC
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Old Jun 8, 2017, 7:34 pm
  #7017  
 
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: 7,738
Originally Posted by laurent_rio
Uber and Grab before get 4mls with WWMC
Thanks, will try it out. After the fever has been healed I'm looking for new uses for the WWMC. Will try UberEats too aside from the use for online purchases.
demue is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 8:13 pm
  #7018  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by demue
Thanks, will try it out. After the fever has been healed I'm looking for new uses for the WWMC. Will try UberEats too aside from the use for online purchases.
Please visit terms and conditions for the revised online merchant categories eligible for 10X UNI$ rewards and change in cap on 10X UNI$ from UNI$24,000 annually to UNI$2,000 monthly, effective 3 Jul 2017.

http://www.uob.com.sg/assets/pdfs/te...-plat-visa.pdf

It's not $1000 per month on payWave. Because the 2000UNI$ refers to the bonus 9UNI$ per $5 spent. It works like normal 1 + bonus 9. So 2000/9=222, after that x5=$1110. The next S$5 spent will earn 2 bonus UNI$, total 3 UNI$. When you notice this, stop using for that calender month.
Hence total can only spend $1115 on payWave per calender month.
vsepr is offline  
Old Jun 8, 2017, 9:02 pm
  #7019  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Singapore
Programs: Krisflyer Gold, Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 444
Originally Posted by invisible
Applied exactly there. Uploaded everything - NoA, three paysubs, telco/SP bill, DBS CC bill - got denial without explanation. Went to office, explained, well 'we stopped marketing this card.'


Have PM visa already. Any advantages of it over DBS Altitude?
Sorry to hear about PPV, I didn't suggest PPA because I know its demarketed and am very sad to see the end of PPV too.

One Citibank advantage is that they offer bonus points with online travel agents from time to time, much like DBS, otherwise they are pretty similar.

Key advantage of DBS Altitude for me is being able to combine points with WWMC for ease of transfer. Citi PM cannot do that with Citi Rewards.

After all the recent card devaluations and downgrades DBS Altitude & WWMC seem to me like the best simple combo for now.
w4rd is offline  
Old Jun 9, 2017, 6:07 am
  #7020  
 
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: 7,738
Originally Posted by vsepr
Please visit terms and conditions for the revised online merchant categories eligible for 10X UNI$ rewards and change in cap on 10X UNI$ from UNI$24,000 annually to UNI$2,000 monthly, effective 3 Jul 2017.

http://www.uob.com.sg/assets/pdfs/te...-plat-visa.pdf

It's not $1000 per month on payWave. Because the 2000UNI$ refers to the bonus 9UNI$ per $5 spent. It works like normal 1 + bonus 9. So 2000/9=222, after that x5=$1110. The next S$5 spent will earn 2 bonus UNI$, total 3 UNI$. When you notice this, stop using for that calender month.
Hence total can only spend $1115 on payWave per calender month.
Was that part above for me or general / someone else? Appreciate it though I know how the PPV works and also the paywave part. Use it largely at Fair Price via paywave and staying under 100$ per transaction. I was looking at new uses for my WWMC. Thanks.
demue is offline  


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