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)***
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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
============
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
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The 'Best credit cards for KF miles accrual' master thread
Dec 18, 2012, 7:21 pm
#976
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 33
Yeah.. whats more misleading is the link I provided where it implied that you change miles to any Star Alliance airlines.. pffft.. worse part is cannot cancel the card within the first year as you'll be charged the annual fee (at least can get some miles from that lah.. haha)
Dec 18, 2012, 7:24 pm
#977
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 33
ANZ when launch their card, their advertisement in papers also did not state that miles of 2.8 per $1 is until end Dec as well.
You seem to have something against these other cards other than ANZ.
You forgot that DBS has no expiry, earn 1.6miles for every $1 after $2000. If i spend $5000-$6000 per month on DBS, I will be better off than ANZ especially if i spend on items that are bigger in value.
UOB case if you spend more than $50000 a year, you get annual fee waiver and 20000 extra miles.
btw, i never applied for ANZ cos to me it earns less miles for me and I have spend more than $50k on UOB cards since i got them and most of them are on items $100 or more, with quite a few items $1000 or more with the biggest item i paid being $25,000 and yes I got my 20k bonus. btw your calculation is also flawed cos not all transactions are in small amounts and also not all transactions you lose $4.99 worth of miles due to rounding down to nearest $5. Transfers in blocks of 10000miles is never a problem for me cos I also have citi Premier miles which i can transfer in small amounts to top up the difference but reality is that I never need to do that cos I earn a hell lot more miles than i can redeem.
each card has its own merits and suits different people. to say card issuers are cunning?
You seem to have something against these other cards other than ANZ.
You forgot that DBS has no expiry, earn 1.6miles for every $1 after $2000. If i spend $5000-$6000 per month on DBS, I will be better off than ANZ especially if i spend on items that are bigger in value.
UOB case if you spend more than $50000 a year, you get annual fee waiver and 20000 extra miles.
btw, i never applied for ANZ cos to me it earns less miles for me and I have spend more than $50k on UOB cards since i got them and most of them are on items $100 or more, with quite a few items $1000 or more with the biggest item i paid being $25,000 and yes I got my 20k bonus. btw your calculation is also flawed cos not all transactions are in small amounts and also not all transactions you lose $4.99 worth of miles due to rounding down to nearest $5. Transfers in blocks of 10000miles is never a problem for me cos I also have citi Premier miles which i can transfer in small amounts to top up the difference but reality is that I never need to do that cos I earn a hell lot more miles than i can redeem.
each card has its own merits and suits different people. to say card issuers are cunning?
Dec 18, 2012, 8:42 pm
#978
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
ANZ when launch their card, their advertisement in papers also did not state that miles of 2.8 per $1 is until end Dec as well.
You seem to have something against these other cards other than ANZ.
You forgot that DBS has no expiry, earn 1.6miles for every $1 after $2000. If i spend $5000-$6000 per month on DBS, I will be better off than ANZ especially if i spend on items that are bigger in value.
UOB case if you spend more than $50000 a year, you get annual fee waiver and 20000 extra miles.
btw, i never applied for ANZ cos to me it earns less miles for me and I have spend more than $50k on UOB cards since i got them and most of them are on items $100 or more, with quite a few items $1000 or more with the biggest item i paid being $25,000 and yes I got my 20k bonus. btw your calculation is also flawed cos not all transactions are in small amounts and also not all transactions you lose $4.99 worth of miles due to rounding down to nearest $5. Transfers in blocks of 10000miles is never a problem for me cos I also have citi Premier miles which i can transfer in small amounts to top up the difference but reality is that I never need to do that cos I earn a hell lot more miles than i can redeem.
each card has its own merits and suits different people. to say card issuers are cunning?
You seem to have something against these other cards other than ANZ.
You forgot that DBS has no expiry, earn 1.6miles for every $1 after $2000. If i spend $5000-$6000 per month on DBS, I will be better off than ANZ especially if i spend on items that are bigger in value.
UOB case if you spend more than $50000 a year, you get annual fee waiver and 20000 extra miles.
btw, i never applied for ANZ cos to me it earns less miles for me and I have spend more than $50k on UOB cards since i got them and most of them are on items $100 or more, with quite a few items $1000 or more with the biggest item i paid being $25,000 and yes I got my 20k bonus. btw your calculation is also flawed cos not all transactions are in small amounts and also not all transactions you lose $4.99 worth of miles due to rounding down to nearest $5. Transfers in blocks of 10000miles is never a problem for me cos I also have citi Premier miles which i can transfer in small amounts to top up the difference but reality is that I never need to do that cos I earn a hell lot more miles than i can redeem.
each card has its own merits and suits different people. to say card issuers are cunning?
Another benefit for me for ANZ is that I get 5% rebate on top of miles for Cold Storage/Giant and EZ-link top-ups since I charge >$600 in a calendar month. For UOB, transactions that earn SMART$ do not earn UNI$. Citibank is good too, earn Citi Rebate and Citidollars/CitiMiles at the same time. DBS is the ONLY card to make payment for IRAS Income tax and Property tax at AXS machines, so no choice.
For UOB & DBS, for the same item, say a $50 Isetan voucher, the amount of points required to redeem is almost 40% more compared to Citibank, ANZ and other banks. You can surf their websites to do comparisons.
Maybe I should rephrase. Banks only show their cards' STRONG points and hide their WEAK points in their advertisements. Anyway, use the card that suits your spending and lifestyle. If you are a BIG spender, use DBS and UOB. If you are a SMALL spender, >$0.72 must charge to card that kind, use ANZ. To me, UOB and DBS is not a good option.
Last edited by vsepr; Dec 18, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Dec 19, 2012, 1:24 am
#981
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Yes, but the PRVI Miles card is not in the SMART$ program, and hence do not earn SMART$.
Clear was decent for use at Starbucks and CBTL (2 miles /$ and 10% Citi rebate at Starbucks), but overshadowed recently with UOB Preferred Platinum Amex (4 miles/$ for dining).
Citi needs to up their game.
ANZ has it's share of weak points as well, such as the lack of online statement. I really like the Travel Visa but it's a pain to use for work expenses since I cannot submit my claims until I get the statement.
When you add in earnings from Preferred Plat Amex at 10 UNI$ per $5, the amount required can drop drastically (UNI$ from all your UOB cards are pooled together).
Yes, the $5 chunk can affect earns, but we are talking about 1 or 2 miles here. But more than about $40 or so, you'll still earn more with PRVI Miles Amex.
Personally, I use both PRVI Miles and Travel Visa. PRVI Miles being the default card, and I use the Travel Visa when Amex is not accepted or for the $1 type transaction.
Dec 19, 2012, 1:28 am
#982
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
If you charge less than $4k, the Travel Visa works better.
If you charge more than $4k, the DBS Altitude Visa works better.
Dec 19, 2012, 1:35 am
#984
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 33
Still no news from UOB after sending in my documents 2 days ago.. even though they said I was "pre-approved" haha.. just paid for my air tix to Tokyo using the new DBS card, will likely also purchase the Tokyo-Hawaii tickets ($3k plus) using the DBS if the UOB card doesn't show up by tomorrow
Dec 19, 2012, 1:38 am
#985
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Can we reasonably expect annual fee waivers for ANZ Travel/DBS Altitude Visa/UOB PRVI AE if they become our main Visa or AE cards respectively?
If yes, for S$ local spending
1. (Base case) ANZ Travel: 1.4 mile/S$, no threshhold, no per transaction rounding, minimum redemption size 500 miles
(No reason to use Premiermiles over ANZ Travel as base case, right?)
2. DBS Altitude: 2,400 miles + (spend - $2,000) x 1.6. S$2,000 for 1.6mile/S$ to kick in, round down to nearest S$5, minimum redemption size 10,000 miles
Need to put S$4,000 into the card in payments >S$40 for DBS Altitude to beat ANZ Travel
But since there's a threshhold, why not go straight to UOB PRVI? See below.
3. UOB PRVI: $1.6/mile, no threshhold, round down to nearest S$5, minimum redemption size 10,000 miles
I'm assuming if you can spend S$4,000 a month on card, you can put a very large portion of that on AE.
So...just keep ANZ Travel and UOB PRVI?
No need to keep DBS Altitude anymore? Except for IRAS tax if significant.
I think DBS is getting squeezed by ANZ and UOB here - despite moving to a Visa card the monthly threshhold and redemption size are major turnoffs. Same in HK - DBS HK is just sticking to DBS Black (roughly S$1/mile) and are getting blasted out of the water by Mainland banks as far as Asia Miles are concerned - they're going much more low end now with Compass Visa and Pay Less Visa.
If yes, for S$ local spending
1. (Base case) ANZ Travel: 1.4 mile/S$, no threshhold, no per transaction rounding, minimum redemption size 500 miles
(No reason to use Premiermiles over ANZ Travel as base case, right?)
2. DBS Altitude: 2,400 miles + (spend - $2,000) x 1.6. S$2,000 for 1.6mile/S$ to kick in, round down to nearest S$5, minimum redemption size 10,000 miles
Need to put S$4,000 into the card in payments >S$40 for DBS Altitude to beat ANZ Travel
But since there's a threshhold, why not go straight to UOB PRVI? See below.
3. UOB PRVI: $1.6/mile, no threshhold, round down to nearest S$5, minimum redemption size 10,000 miles
I'm assuming if you can spend S$4,000 a month on card, you can put a very large portion of that on AE.
So...just keep ANZ Travel and UOB PRVI?
No need to keep DBS Altitude anymore? Except for IRAS tax if significant.
I think DBS is getting squeezed by ANZ and UOB here - despite moving to a Visa card the monthly threshhold and redemption size are major turnoffs. Same in HK - DBS HK is just sticking to DBS Black (roughly S$1/mile) and are getting blasted out of the water by Mainland banks as far as Asia Miles are concerned - they're going much more low end now with Compass Visa and Pay Less Visa.
Last edited by percysmith; Dec 19, 2012 at 1:46 am
Dec 19, 2012, 1:45 am
#986
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
But there are cards with much better earning rates for those activites (such as Amex Rewards for Cold Storage - 3.75 miles, Maybank cards with RI for EZ-link - 4 miles).
Yes, but the PRVI Miles card is not in the SMART$ program, and hence do not earn SMART$.
PM has been horribly eclipsed by cards like ANZ Travel Visa and UOB PRVI Miles Amex. Only Citi card I use now on a regular basis is the Rewards card for 4 miles for clothes, bags and department stores.
Clear was decent for use at Starbucks and CBTL (2 miles /$ and 10% Citi rebate at Starbucks), but overshadowed recently with UOB Preferred Platinum Amex (4 miles/$ for dining).
Citi needs to up their game.
True. Although, if you are willing to pay the admin fee, you can also charge income tax to ANZ Travel Visa as an installment plan.
Probably true, but not relevant, since we are talking about miles. Anyway, using points for vouchers is almost always a bad deal. The returns (typically about 0.4% or so) doesn't justify it. You are better off using a cashback card if you are looking at vouchers.
Of course, that's the point of advertising.
ANZ has it's share of weak points as well, such as the lack of online statement. I really like the Travel Visa but it's a pain to use for work expenses since I cannot submit my claims until I get the statement.
I am not a big spender but I use UOB, for both PRVI Miles and Preferred Plat Amex. The 5k UNI$ (equiv to 10k miles) is not that daunting. Remember, you are earning 4 UNI$ per $5 for PRVI Miles. 5k UNI$ is only $6,250 spend. When you add in overseas spend, it gets easier (since that earns 7.5 UNI$ until end of the year, 6.25 UNI$ in 2013).
When you add in earnings from Preferred Plat Amex at 10 UNI$ per $5, the amount required can drop drastically (UNI$ from all your UOB cards are pooled together).
Yes, the $5 chunk can affect earns, but we are talking about 1 or 2 miles here. But more than about $40 or so, you'll still earn more with PRVI Miles Amex.
Personally, I use both PRVI Miles and Travel Visa. PRVI Miles being the default card, and I use the Travel Visa when Amex is not accepted or for the $1 type transaction.
Yes, but the PRVI Miles card is not in the SMART$ program, and hence do not earn SMART$.
PM has been horribly eclipsed by cards like ANZ Travel Visa and UOB PRVI Miles Amex. Only Citi card I use now on a regular basis is the Rewards card for 4 miles for clothes, bags and department stores.
Clear was decent for use at Starbucks and CBTL (2 miles /$ and 10% Citi rebate at Starbucks), but overshadowed recently with UOB Preferred Platinum Amex (4 miles/$ for dining).
Citi needs to up their game.
True. Although, if you are willing to pay the admin fee, you can also charge income tax to ANZ Travel Visa as an installment plan.
Probably true, but not relevant, since we are talking about miles. Anyway, using points for vouchers is almost always a bad deal. The returns (typically about 0.4% or so) doesn't justify it. You are better off using a cashback card if you are looking at vouchers.
Of course, that's the point of advertising.
ANZ has it's share of weak points as well, such as the lack of online statement. I really like the Travel Visa but it's a pain to use for work expenses since I cannot submit my claims until I get the statement.
I am not a big spender but I use UOB, for both PRVI Miles and Preferred Plat Amex. The 5k UNI$ (equiv to 10k miles) is not that daunting. Remember, you are earning 4 UNI$ per $5 for PRVI Miles. 5k UNI$ is only $6,250 spend. When you add in overseas spend, it gets easier (since that earns 7.5 UNI$ until end of the year, 6.25 UNI$ in 2013).
When you add in earnings from Preferred Plat Amex at 10 UNI$ per $5, the amount required can drop drastically (UNI$ from all your UOB cards are pooled together).
Yes, the $5 chunk can affect earns, but we are talking about 1 or 2 miles here. But more than about $40 or so, you'll still earn more with PRVI Miles Amex.
Personally, I use both PRVI Miles and Travel Visa. PRVI Miles being the default card, and I use the Travel Visa when Amex is not accepted or for the $1 type transaction.
More info here:
http://uob.com.sg/personal/cards/cre...site/amex.html
Dec 19, 2012, 2:22 am
#987
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: HAK / HFE / NYC / SIN / SZX
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, Marriott Platinum,SQ, DL, AA, Hyatt
Posts: 688
I think we need to stay focus on this thread to provide facture/relevant information (such as promotions, spend/earn rate, bonus, etc) so that FTers can better decide for themselves which cards to use and for what.
We should reframe from telling others what is better for them or not as different people have different lifestyle and spending patterns.
What's good for one may not for others.
We should reframe from telling others what is better for them or not as different people have different lifestyle and spending patterns.
What's good for one may not for others.
Dec 19, 2012, 2:35 am
#988
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
However, for Travel Visa and Altitude Visa, it might be worth paying for the annual fee given the bonus miles you get for paying the fee (12k for ANZ, 10k for DBS).
)Coupled with the current promos on overseas spending, even the Maybank Horizon card has joined them in the drawer...
BAD NEWS: 5x Rewards points for AMEX at Cold Storage/MP/Jasons is valid till 30 Dec 2012, not extending in 2013. In 2013, to qualify for Maybank's RI, you need to spend $24,000 in the preceding year, so basically, no more $1=4 miles for EZ-Link after your current RI expires in 2013. The best replacement will be ANZ Travel card, 5% cash rebate (if you charge $600 in a calendar month, 1st to last day of the month, not statement cycle) plus $1=1.4miles!
More info here:
http://uob.com.sg/personal/cards/cre...site/amex.html
More info here:
http://uob.com.sg/personal/cards/cre...site/amex.html
Anyway, my replacement will be the Citibank Platinum Visa card; 2 miles/$ and 2% CitiRebate. Unfortunately, it's not offered anymore but if you still have it, this is a nice card.
Maybank RI is offered FOC for World Mastercard holders.
Dec 19, 2012, 2:47 am
#989
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Cold Storage/MP/Jasons confirm not renewed in 2013. SPC continues...as indicated in the website. Most likely CS & MP already have promotions with Citibank and ANZ, so drop AMEX. http://uob.com.sg/personal/cards/cre...site/amex.html
Maybank's income criteria for WORLD MasterCard is quite high and they are very sticky about it, unlike ANZ and Citibank (if you earn $30k and above, sure get ANZ and Citi PM) hence cannot get that premium card...now I know why the RI merchants mostly were changed to high end places/restaurants. It's because Maybank want to make RI only available for premium cards, not the normal ones like Horizon VISA.
Maybank's income criteria for WORLD MasterCard is quite high and they are very sticky about it, unlike ANZ and Citibank (if you earn $30k and above, sure get ANZ and Citi PM) hence cannot get that premium card...now I know why the RI merchants mostly were changed to high end places/restaurants. It's because Maybank want to make RI only available for premium cards, not the normal ones like Horizon VISA.
Dec 19, 2012, 3:32 am
#990
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,803
Since UOB UNI$ expires 2 years after issue, perhaps use ANZ Travel as base card.
Then see if you can accumulate enough >=S$40 transactions in two years to make 10,000 miles (S$6,250). If you can, you should divert all >=S$40 transactions to PRVI.