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

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

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

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

Old Mar 13, 2013, 3:15 am
  #1171  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 33
Well, I just called to re-verify and the CSO assured me that the 2.8 miles promotion is available for all cardmembers.. will wait for my statement I guess
Gymrat76 is offline  
Old Mar 13, 2013, 3:24 am
  #1172  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,130
Originally Posted by Archieflyer
Just curious but why is the relationship bonus being calculated annually a bad thing?
Don't like this once-a-year/end-of-year stuff, especially if it's the only decent thing about a given card.
aster is offline  
Old Mar 13, 2013, 8:00 pm
  #1173  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 818
https://ibanklite.standardchartered....=SG&lang=en_SG

StanChart gg to change their redemption rate wef 01 April 2013. If you have StanChart points, shd redeem by 31 March 2013. I'm sure the redemption rates will increase. But not sure if KrisFlyer or Asia Miles redemption rates will be affected.
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 13, 2013, 8:17 pm
  #1174  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Originally Posted by vsepr
https://ibanklite.standardchartered....=SG&lang=en_SG

StanChart gg to change their redemption rate wef 01 April 2013. If you have StanChart points, shd redeem by 31 March 2013. I'm sure the redemption rates will increase. But not sure if KrisFlyer or Asia Miles redemption rates will be affected.
Current KF conversion rate is 1,000 KF points = 2,500 KF miles? (this is comparable to SCB HK's HK$15/mile)

What about AM? don't see it in the catalogue...https://ibanklite.standardchartered....=SG&lang=en_SG
percysmith is online now  
Old Mar 13, 2013, 8:22 pm
  #1175  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 818
Originally Posted by percysmith
Current KF conversion rate is 1,000 KF points = 2,500 KF miles? (this is comparable to SCB HK's HK$15/mile)

What about AM? don't see it in the catalogue...https://ibanklite.standardchartered....=SG&lang=en_SG
Still can convert StanChart points to Asia Miles by calling StanChart. The rate is 2500pts=1000miles. Conversion fee for Asia Miles is S$10.70. But for KrisFlyer is S$26.75 (strange but true).

Not sure if Asia Miles is gg to continue after 01 April 2013 or the rate may change. If you don't want to take the risk then transfer/redeem all your StanChart points by 31 March 2013.

Banks seem to have many changes in 2013. Maybank removed MH's Enrich wef 01 Feb 2013 and wef 01 May 2013, AMEX increase the mileage conversion rate to 1.8MR=1 mile (usual 1.6MR=1 mile).
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 14, 2013, 12:52 am
  #1176  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Originally Posted by vsepr
Still can convert StanChart points to Asia Miles by calling StanChart. The rate is 2500pts=1000miles. Conversion fee for Asia Miles is S$10.70. But for KrisFlyer is S$26.75 (strange but true).

Not sure if Asia Miles is gg to continue after 01 April 2013 or the rate may change. If you don't want to take the risk then transfer/redeem all your StanChart points by 31 March 2013.

Banks seem to have many changes in 2013. Maybank removed MH's Enrich wef 01 Feb 2013 and wef 01 May 2013, AMEX increase the mileage conversion rate to 1.8MR=1 mile (usual 1.6MR=1 mile).
We've been discussing SCB's last devaluation in HK in October 2009 (12 pts/mile --> 15 pts/mile):

http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=9774&p=16 #156
(FT thread on it at the time http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...es-16-nov.html)

SCB HK did not send any notice of the devaluation, and in an attempt to cover up the devaluation they rolled out a double miles program which confused both cardholders and CS staff. Thank goodness to hongkongcard.com did I spot the devaluation and immediately converted my SCB points bank to Asia Miles under the old rate.

They put the changes into effect on 16 Nov without notice but they allowed conversion using the old rate to 30 Nov.

Yes, fellow SG SCB users, be very wary of what this Slide Cheap bank does on 1 April 2013. It should be safe to redeem on 1 April if the worse happens, but you really have to put your foot down and insist on the old rate for a reasonable notice period to make the change (based on the HK experience, 2 weeks).
percysmith is online now  
Old Mar 14, 2013, 8:00 am
  #1177  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SIN
Programs: KrisFlyer, Asia Miles
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by Gymrat76
Don't think so. I clarified a few times and read the terms of conditions before I signed up. If you're an existing cardholder you're not eligible for the bonus miles, but the 2.8 miles / $1 for overseas spend applies regardless if you're an existing cardholder or not.
This is correct. I was an existing cardholder and got my 2x miles bonus for overseas spend for the first phase (until Dec 2012).
chrispstan is offline  
Old Mar 14, 2013, 8:05 pm
  #1178  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,130
DBS Altitude Visa now gives 2.4 miles/$ for overseas spend until the end of May. What's interesting is that the bonus only applies to the Visa version of the card, not the Amex one.
aster is offline  
Old Mar 14, 2013, 11:01 pm
  #1179  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: A3 Gold, SQ Gold, AT Gold, Accor Silver, HHonors Diamond, I Prefer Elite, DISCOVERY Titanium
Posts: 472
Originally Posted by aster
DBS Altitude Visa now gives 2.4 miles/$ for overseas spend until the end of May. What's interesting is that the bonus only applies to the Visa version of the card, not the Amex one.
please take note of the minimun OVERSEA SPEND of S$3k. might be misleaded. And thank you for sharing
yauee is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 12:13 am
  #1180  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, SQ PPS Solitaire
Posts: 3,574
Have a look at the new Citibank Prestige Card:

2 miles for spend abroad
1.4 miles for spend in Singapore

PLUS

An annual recognition bonus from 5% to 30% on all points earned based on the length and value of your relationship with Citibank. Banking with Citi for more than 10 years as at least Citigold Customer gets the top bonus.

PLUS

25,000 miles sign-on and renewal bonus (535 SGD annual fee)

Example:

You are a Citigold customer for more than ten years:

50,000 SGD spend abroad:

100,000 miles earned
30,000 miles loyalty bonus
25,000 miles renewal bonus

155,000 miles earned in total
SMK77 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 12:21 am
  #1181  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
Just got an email from Citi. 30% bonus when converting to Avios. With MH now an OW member, it might be worth it? Though I just took a look and the YQ is pretty high for their flights (so CX might be the better redemption option)

Citibank PremierMiles Card and British Airways Avios Promotion Terms and Conditions:
Promotion refers to the Citibank PremierMiles Card and British Airways Avios promotion.
"Citibank" means Citibank Singapore Limited, "BA" means British Airways plc and Avios is the currency of the BA Executive Club.
The Promotion commences on 15 March 2013 and ends on 30 April 2013, both days inclusive (Promotion Period).
Cardmembers must be enrolled in the BA Executive Club in order to participate in this offer.
Cardmembers will receive 0.3% bonus Avios for every one (1) Citi Mile converted to Avios during the Promotion Period. The base redemption rate is 1 Citi Mile to 1 Avios. The cardmember agrees that the Bank may at its discretion, without giving notice, change the redemption rate stated here.
The transfer of Citi Miles to Avios will take at least five (5) business days and a S$25 administration fee will be charged for each transfer, for a minimum of 500 Citi Miles. The bonus Avios will be credited by BA once in every 15 days after the transfer of Avios. No cancellation of redemption request is allowed.
The request of the transfer from Citi Miles to Avios must occur during the Promotion Period.
It is the responsibility of the cardmember to provide a valid British Airways Executive Club membership number for the miles to be credited successfully.
Taxes, fees, charges and surcharges, including but not limited to, airline surcharges may apply on British Airways and oneworld partner airlines redemption flights and upgrades.
The redemption and other mechanics of Citi Miles to Avios are governed by the Citibank PremierMiles Cardmember's Agreement. For full details, please visit www.citibank.com.sg.
Both parties reserve the right to withdraw or cancel the Promotion or modify or alter the terms and conditions of such Promotion from time to time without notice without assigning any reason whatsoever.
This Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions.
This Promotion has no cash value and no cash or credit alternative is available. Converted Avios are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Avios are issued subject to Executive Club Terms & Conditions. By taking part in this Promotion, Cardmembers consent to the personal data they supply being used by BA or its agents or subcontractors on a need to know basis solely for the purpose of administering this Promotion
All issues relating to Avios must be resolved with BA directly. Citibank is not an agent of BA and assumes no liability or responsibility for the quality, merchantability or the fitness for any purpose or any other aspect of the products and/or services provided by BA. Notwithstanding anything herein, Citibank shall not at any time be responsible or held liable for any loss, injury, damage or harm suffered by or in connection with the products and/or services provided by BA.
Citibank's decision on all matters relating to the Promotion will be at its reasonable discretion and will be final, conclusive and binding on all participants. In the event of any inconsistency between these terms and conditions and any brochure, marketing or promotional material relating to or in connection with this promotion, these terms and conditions will prevail.
While the information provided herein is believed to be reliable as at the date of publishing, Citibank makes no representation or warranty whether expressed or implied, and accept no responsibility or reliability for its completeness or accuracy.
A person who is not a party to these Terms and Conditions has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act (Cap. 53B) of Singapore to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term herein.
These terms and conditions contained herein shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore, and all participants who participate in the Promotion shall be deemed to have agreed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Singapore.
SirJman is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 12:48 am
  #1182  
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,671
Ha. Citi just did a 8% AM transfer bonus here. They must be feeling generous.
percysmith is online now  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 5:23 am
  #1183  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 818
Here is the reply from StanChart Singapore on their new rewards catalogue wef 01 April 2013:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Good Day,

Thank you for your email dated 15/03/2013.

In regards to your email, please be informed that there will not be any changes to the redemption of mileage. The major changes are as below:

1. Cash $100: from 22,300 to 28,000
2. Prudentail premium:
From: 2,500 points (min. redemption) = $22.50 + Subsequent 250 points = $2.25
To: 3,000 points (min. redemption) = $16.50 + Subsequent 300 points = $1.65
3. Other voucher items: 8 ~ 19% increase

We hope this has been assistance.

Any enquires, you may wish to give us a call directly at our 24-hour customer service line at 1800 747 7000 or +65 6747 7000 if you should be calling in from overseas. Our Service Consultants would be glad to assist. A collect call can be arranged through the local operator.

Thank you for banking with us.

Thanks and regards,
Thameesha Rathakrishnan @ Thamee
Service Banker SG
Standard Chartered Bank
Website : http://www.standardchartered.com
________________________________________________
Please consider the environment before printing this email
vsepr is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 9:03 am
  #1184  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Are there even any SCB cards (in SG) that give a good miles earning rate?
Archieflyer is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2013, 9:10 am
  #1185  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 1,799
Originally Posted by SMK77
Have a look at the new Citibank Prestige Card:...

535 SGD annual fee)
They have to be kidding, right?
Awesom Andy is offline  

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