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

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Oct 31, 2014, 6:05 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: lifeonthego_k
I'm going to update this first post as more info flows in to create a 'master list' of all credit cards that offer a decent way of accruing miles - so please help out!

If you know of and/or use any other cards (or the ones already mentioned), please share your thoughts.

***ALL VALUES BELOW IN SINGAPORE DOLLARS (SGD)***
============
In no particular order (apart from personal preference in terms of good-mileage opportunities):
============

1. UOB PRVI Miles VISA, MasterCard, AMEX

VISA:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...iles_visa.html
MasterCard:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard.html
Amex:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...amex_card.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...ard/microsite/



Mileage accrual:
The earn rate will be 1.4 miles for every $1 spent in multiples of S$10 (every multiple of S$5 gives 6 to 7 miles due to 3.5 UNI$ rounding off, every S$10 gives 14 miles), and 2.4 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS (every $5 gives 12 miles).

Requirements: min. income $80,000 (not strict).
Cost: First year free, then S$256.80 for main, first two supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver for Amex card if you charge $50,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name/FIN Number/NRIC together for all UOB cards which earn UNI$.

Pros: Best mileage accrual rates for overseas spend only. 20,000 bonus miles and annual fee waiver with spend of $50,000 per year (both only for Amex card). $45 1-way airport transfer voucher for $1,000 overseas spend in a given quarter (Amex only).
Cons: AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

2. UOB Preferred Platinum Visa


http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards..._platinum.html
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...visa_card.html


Mileage accrual: Earn 4 miles for every $1 spent using ONLY MOBILE CONTACTLESS every $5 gives 10 UNI$ which equal 20 miles). Same incredible mileage-earning ratio for internet shopping with certain restrictions (travel-related, utilities, etc.). Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 for regular, signature-based payments AND ORPHAN SPEND DUE TO $5 ROUNDING OR EXCEEDING THE BONUS U$2000 SPEND (every $5 gives 1 UNI$ which equal 2 miles).

Earning 4 miles/$ is limited to the first S$1110 spent during the per calendar month (via Mobile Contactless). 2,000UNI$ refers to the extra 9UNI$ and does not include the normal 1UNI$.(Stop when you notice you earn 3UNI$ (1 + bonus 2) for the last S$5 transaction. ($1110/5)x9=1998UNI$, hence the last S$5 transaction will earn 2 bonus UNI$. The total bonus UNI$ awarded to you from qualifying spend on Selected Online Transactions and Mobile Contactless Transactions is capped at UNI$2,000 for each calendar month. THE CAP IS ON THE 9 UNI$ BONUS NOT 10UNI$ TOTAL YOU GET WITH BASE OF U$1 PER $ SPEND

Keep in mind that some merchants offer different, non-mileage accruing awards with UOB cards which are called SMART$. Some popular merchants include Cold Storage, Guardian and Giant Supermarket, ToastBox and Starbucks. A full list of merchants where Mobile contactless transactions will NOT earn miles can be found here:
http://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards...smartclub.html

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($60,000 for foreigners).
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for main and $96.30 for supplementary. Annual fee waived off easily.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion, in blocks of 5000 UNI$=10,000 miles. UNI$ are combined in 1 cardholder's name for all UOB cards.

Pros: Incredible mileage accrual rates for Paywave transactions (not all merchants - some give SMART$ instead which are different rewards!) as well as internet transactions (some restrictions apply).
Cons: Points allocated on every $5 spent, rounded down to next $5. Transfer in blocks of 5000 UNI$ points = 10,000 miles. Points are valid for 2 years (transfer before expiry and they will subsequently be valid for a further 3 years from the date of transfer to KrisFlyer).

3. Citi PremierMiles MasterCard

https://www.citibank.com.sg/credit-cards/travel/premiermiles-card/?ecid=PSGONSGCCAENPM

Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent. Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS. 10,000 bonus miles for each annual membership renewal.

Requirements: min. income $50,000 for VISA. Principal cardholder must be at least 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, then $192.60 for VISA main, supplementary always free. Annual fee waiver available in exchange for forfeiting the 10,000renewal bonus.
Miles conversion fee: $25 per conversion.

Pros: Decent all-rounder, good for overseas spend. Points never expire. Bonus miles for annual card renewal. 11 frequent flyer programs & 3 hotel programs to choose from, including EVA Air - only 25,000 miles for 1 way Business Class within Asia!!
Cons: No miles awarded for EZ-Link & Transitlink transactions. Miles awarded per S$1. Cents not included. 1.2 miles/S$1. Transfer in blocks of 10,000 miles.

4. DBS Altitude VISA/AMEX

http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx
http://www.dbs.com/sg/personal/cards...e/default.aspx



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent (every $5 gives 3 DBS points which equal 6 miles). Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent OVERSEAS.

Requirements: min. income $80,000.
Cost: First year free, then $180 for main and $90 for supplementary. Annual fee waiver if you charge $25,000 or more in a year.
Miles conversion fee: S$26.75 per transfer, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

Pros: Points never expire. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 3, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1.67. Each DBS point = 2 miles). Earn 3 miles per S$1 spent on all online Flight and Hotel transactions (capped at S$5,000 per month). 10,000 miles renewal bonus if you have to pay card renewal fees.
Cons: All local spend now down to 1.2 miles/$ (since Dec 1, 2013). AMEX not always accepted by merchants. Transfer in blocks of 5000 DBS points = 10,000 miles (on the plus side points don't expire). Per transfer of S$26.75, redeem 1700 DBS points to waive off.

5. Maybank Horizon Platinum Visa

http://info.maybank2u.com.sg/persona...visa-card.aspx



Earn 3.2 air miles (8X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on dining, petrol, taxi fares and hotel bookings at Agoda.com/horizon
Earn 2 air miles (5X TREATS Points) with every dollar spent on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions, with a minimal S$300 in a calendar month

Earn 0.4 mile for every $1 spent elsewhere (1 mile for every $2.50 spent).

Requirements: min. income $30,000 ($80,000 for foreigners).
Cost: $150 for main, supplementary always free. Unsure of any annual fee waiver conditions.
Miles conversion fee: In blocks of 5,000 points to 2000 Asia Miles or KrisFlyer. S$26.75 fee applies.

Pros: Great for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Complimentary access to selected VIP airport lounges when you charge a minimum of S$400 in a single transaction on air tickets or travel packages to your Card 3 months prior to the date of travel.
Cons: Great ONLY for ticket purchases and overseas spend. Points are valid for 1 year only, expire either on 30 June or 31 December of the same year if not Rewards Infinite member.

6. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend AMEX

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/s...nd-credit-card



Mileage accrual: Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on all your eligible purchases with your Card

Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 equivalent in foreign currency spent overseas on eligible purchases during June and December

Requirements: min. income $50,000 ($60,000 for foreigners). Principal cardholder must be over 21 years of age.
Cost: First year free, otherwise $256.80 for main, 2 supplementary cards always free (more available at $80.25 each). Annual fee cannot be waived unless you spend alot.
Miles conversion fee: None - your KrisFlyer miles are transferred to your account directly with no conversion fees or charges.

Pros: None, except for welcome offers (4 complimentary airport lounge access vouchers, one complimentary night with Millennium Hotels and Resorts).

Cons: Simply nothing special - there are better cards available for all types of purchases, including flight tickets, even with all of the bonuses above applied. AMEX not always accepted by merchants.

7. Citibank Rewards Card

http://www.citibank.com.sg/gcb/credi...CACRENCCHOCALM



Earn 10X Rewards (10 Rewards Points or 4 Miles for every S$1 spent) when you shop for clothes, bags and shoes or at departmental stores or online shopping websites, including SingTel & M1 online bill payment!

Pros: Transfer to 11 FFPs & 3 Hotel programs in blocks of 25,000 points=10,000 miles; S$25 fee.

Cons: Points awarded per S$1 spend. Cents not included. Cannot combined Thank You Points across cards.

8. DBS Woman's World MasterCard® Card

http://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/cards...astercard-card



10X Rewards for Online Retail Purchases
T&C Here: https://www.dbs.com.sg/iwov-resource...s_card_tnc.pdf

Pros: Men also can get this card!! DBS points are combined in 1 cardholder's name. No rounding down transaction amount to nearest $5 (calculation is done as follows: DBS points = 'transaction amount' divided by 5, multiply by 10, after that round down to nearest whole number. Minimum spend is S$1. Each DBS point = 2 miles).

Cons: DBS points are valid for 1 year based on card anniversary date. The additional 9X DBS Points for online retail spend in a calendar month will be awarded on the 16th of the next calendar month. If the above days are not working days, the Points will be awarded on the next working day. The additional 9X DBS Points are only applicable to the first S$2,000 online retail spend every calendar month.

9. OCBC Titanium Rewards Card

https://www.ocbc.com/personal-bankin...astercard.html

10x OCBC$ on your shopping Local & Overseas Shopping Transactions, Local & Overseas Department Store Transactions and Local & Overseas Online Transactions.
The remaining 9 OCBC$ will be posted to the Card Account by the end of the next calendar month

https://www.ocbc.com/assets/pdf/card...ons.pdf?rand=1
10,000 KrisFlyer miles requires OCBC$ 25000, For each conversion of OCBC$ to KrisFlyer miles a fee of S$25 will be charged

10. UOB Lady's Card
https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/card...ard/index.page

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

Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2013, 11:39 pm
  #1126  
Marriott 10+ BadgeHilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, IHG Gold, BAEC Silver, TP Silver
Posts: 1,495
Originally Posted by lcpteck
Just received the SMS as well. Guess it's being sent in batches.
Yeah just got it now... I hate it when they suddenly change the conditions just like that. Isn't there any consumer protection here in Singapore that would stop them from doing so? Usually, when a company changes their T&C, they offer you to accept or not the new ones, if you don't then you should be able to cancel the card or service without penalty. But I guess that's not the case here.

I usually book my personal trips with this card and save the taxi fares to the airport but when booking intra-Asian trips on LCC, it's just useless...
enelym1978 is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2013, 1:56 am
  #1127  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Wish they would stop calling it limo transfer. Maybe just maybe if they gave you a Chrysler on this route that would be somewhat fine, otherwise they should just call it a free taxi service to Changi.
aster is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2013, 1:58 am
  #1128  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
What's the approach of other banks in Singapore, like DBS?
DBS is good in that they have an automatic fee waiver if you cross the spending threshold for the Altitude card in your membership year.

And what's even better: if you are under the threshold, you get a decent amount of miles in exchange for the fee. In fact a lot of people get a second Altitude card (like an Amex one) just to use it as a cheap way to "purchase" miles each year.
aster is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2013, 2:14 am
  #1129  
Marriott 10+ BadgeHilton Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, IHG Gold, BAEC Silver, TP Silver
Posts: 1,495
Originally Posted by aster
Wish they would stop calling it limo transfer. Maybe just maybe if they gave you a Chrysler on this route that would be somewhat fine, otherwise they should just call it a free taxi service to Changi.
Well so far I only had Mercedes Benz and those big black Chryslers.
enelym1978 is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2013, 8:11 am
  #1130  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Living in SIN™
Programs: TK/QR Gold, Marriott/Accor Plat, IC Dia Amb, Avis/Hertz PC
Posts: 6,706
Originally Posted by enelym1978
Well so far I only had Mercedes Benz and those big black Chryslers.
Hah! In my last trip (just me with 1 checkin bag), they sent a 15-seat minibus. The poor driver couldn't u-turn out of my condo driveway.
Savage25 is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2013, 1:43 am
  #1131  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by hclee01
ANZ Singapore has launched a new Travel Visa Signature Card. For new ANZ cardmembers (who are not existing ANZ cardmembers), they can receive 2,000Travel$ which is equivalent to 2,000 miles upon charging S$500 to the card.

The earning rate now is S$1 = 1.4 miles. However, there is a promotion now for overseas spending where the earning rate is S$1 = 2.8 miles.

More details are at this website:
http://www.anz.com/singapore/en/Pers...s/travel-card/

Has the bonus 1.4mile for every S$1 spent for the foreign spending promotion that ended 31 December 2012 been credited to your ANZ Travel Card?
Anyone? Please reply. Suppose to credit to your card within 6 weeks after end of promotion. Thanks.
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2013, 7:48 pm
  #1132  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by vsepr
Has the bonus 1.4mile for every S$1 spent for the foreign spending promotion that ended 31 December 2012 been credited to your ANZ Travel Card?
Anyone? Please reply. Suppose to credit to your card within 6 weeks after end of promotion. Thanks.
They extended the promo to Mar 31st. So you will only get the points 6 weeks after Mar 31st.
feizhu is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2013, 11:25 pm
  #1133  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
I was referring to the first wave that ended 31 December 2012. The bonus miles should be in by mid-Feb 2013. Also, it seems like both the 2,000 bonus miles (after spending $500) & the overseas spend double miles promotion (2.8mile/S$1) is for new to ANZ bank cardholders only.

I called up the hotline once and they said so.

http://www.anz.com/singapore/en/reso...34a5b707451b78
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 12:23 am
  #1134  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
Anyone has looked into Citibank Prestige? Seems the "best" now? Rather expensive though $538 annual fee
lingua101 is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 12:31 am
  #1135  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by lingua101
Anyone has looked into Citibank Prestige? Seems the "best" now? Rather expensive though $538 annual fee
It's S$535. It's not a first year free card. It's only better because of the 5 to 15% relationship bonus compared to ANZ Travel Card for local expenses and Citi PM for overseas transactions.
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 12:46 am
  #1136  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208
Originally Posted by vsepr
It's S$535. It's not a first year free card. It's only better because of the 5 to 15% relationship bonus compared to ANZ Travel Card for local expenses and Citi PM for overseas transactions.
You will get 25,000 miles for the annual fee of S$535 paid. So if one is short of some miles, this can be one option to "buy" some miles cheaper than paying the top up via KrisFlyer.
hclee01 is online now  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 12:53 am
  #1137  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by vsepr
I was referring to the first wave that ended 31 December 2012. The bonus miles should be in by mid-Feb 2013. Also, it seems like both the 2,000 bonus miles (after spending $500) & the overseas spend double miles promotion (2.8mile/S$1) is for new to ANZ bank cardholders only.

I called up the hotline once and they said so.

http://www.anz.com/singapore/en/reso...34a5b707451b78
I presume they just extended the promotion but I'll check my statement when it comes in around Mar 19 to see if I have gotten anything.

The promotion is limited to new to ANZ Travel Visa customers, as defined under the first point in the T&Cs.

"The ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card Promotion (“Promotion”) is open to new Principal
Cardmembers who successfully apply for an ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card (“Card”) using the
promotional application form during the period from 29 July 2012 to 5 March 2013. "
feizhu is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 1:15 am
  #1138  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,208


If your transactions tend to be online transactions or at PayWave merchants, the UOB Preferred Visa Platinum Card will give good mileage rate.

Some of the PayWave Merchants:


Do note the conditions on the online transactions though:

UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Cardmembers will earn 10X UNI$ for every S$5 spent with online merchants with effect from 6 March 2013. Such online merchants includes merchants that fall within the categories of bookstores, cinemas, entertainment, electronics, fast food, music and retail shopping, BUT excludes all travel, hotels, airlines, government, utilities, brokerage/securities, insurance, education and online gaming websites.

http://www.uob.com.sg/assets/pdfs/pe...atinumVisa.pdf
hclee01 is online now  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 2:11 am
  #1139  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
Originally Posted by hclee01
You will get 25,000 miles for the annual fee of S$535 paid. So if one is short of some miles, this can be one option to "buy" some miles cheaper than paying the top up via KrisFlyer.
HSBC Infinite come with 75,000 points (30,000 miles) and the fee is only 400+ right (<$500). Also other than free Priority Pass, it sems not much "real" travel benefit like you get from HSBC (limo service, fast track).

Wonder if I should get this card. So if I have been holding any Citibank card for more than 10 years, am I automatically get 15% bonus?
lingua101 is offline  
Old Mar 7, 2013, 8:19 pm
  #1140  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Originally Posted by hclee01


If your transactions tend to be online transactions or at PayWave merchants,
the UOB Preferred Visa Platinum Card will give good mileage rate.
Thanks for the heads up re UOB Preferred Visa Plat... just submitted a request online to add to my growing stack of cards!
carrotjuice is offline  


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

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