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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 12, 2018, 8:14 am
  #7456  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Living in SIN™
Programs: TK/SQ Gold, QR Plat, Marriott/Accor Plat, IC Dia Amb, HH Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,704
Originally Posted by carrotjuice
Interesting problem I have. Was planning to spend a whopping US$30,000 on TheRealReal. It accepts Apple Pay. But I also know from previous purchases that it awards 10X on my Citi Rewards card. So unlikely to be awarded 20X under current Apple Pay promo.

If I use the same Citi Rewards card via Apple Pay, will it still give me 10X rewards without cap?

Or will it cap me at 1X rewards since I have spent close to S$12,000 already this membership year? If so, what’s the best alternative card to use?
I've exceeded my 10X annual cap on my Citi Rewards Visa, but when I used it on Apple Pay at DFS Changi, its given me 10X for the last 3 transactions. So it looks like the 10X using Apple Pay at 10X merchants is not subject to the 10X annual cap. If that makes sense.
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Old Jun 12, 2018, 8:08 pm
  #7457  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Singapore & Globe trotting
Programs: QR Gold, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, GHA Titanium, Taj Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 423
Originally Posted by Savage25
I've exceeded my 10X annual cap on my Citi Rewards Visa, but when I used it on Apple Pay at DFS Changi, its given me 10X for the last 3 transactions. So it looks like the 10X using Apple Pay at 10X merchants is not subject to the 10X annual cap. If that makes sense.
Weird. All other reports I've read where people have exceed their annual 10X cap indicate they only get 1x at 10x merchants when using Apple Pay.
lifeonthego_k is offline  
Old Jun 13, 2018, 3:05 am
  #7458  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Originally Posted by Savage25
I've exceeded my 10X annual cap on my Citi Rewards Visa, but when I used it on Apple Pay at DFS Changi, its given me 10X for the last 3 transactions. So it looks like the 10X using Apple Pay at 10X merchants is not subject to the 10X annual cap. If that makes sense.
Are you sure? This 10X cap is based on membership year, not calendar year.

I called Citibank and they confirm that further spendings using at 10X merchants will earn only 1X after the cap is hit - whether you use the card itself or Apple Pay. Anyway the CSO said will check with the product manager and call back to confirm.
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Old Jun 15, 2018, 1:08 am
  #7459  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Living in SIN™
Programs: TK/SQ Gold, QR Plat, Marriott/Accor Plat, IC Dia Amb, HH Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,704
Originally Posted by carrotjuice


Are you sure? This 10X cap is based on membership year, not calendar year.

I called Citibank and they confirm that further spendings using at 10X merchants will earn only 1X after the cap is hit - whether you use the card itself or Apple Pay. Anyway the CSO said will check with the product manager and call back to confirm.

Yes I'm sure. These are the facts:
1. I've exceeded the 10X cap for this membership year - I confirmed this with Citi after my last Amazon purchase only earned me 1X. They said I have to wait till 23 July for the annual cap to be reset.
2. I'm still getting 10X at DFS Changi using Apple Pay.
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Old Jun 15, 2018, 6:11 pm
  #7460  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by SMK77
Apple Pay is giving you 80,000 miles for paying 8x the miles on the purchase price of 10,000 SGD.

Krisflyer is giving you 40,000 miles for flying the ticket. They increased mileage earned to 200% for A class this year and the distance flown is 20,000 miles.

If you are an Elite member, you earn another 5,000 miles for flying.

Hope that helps.
hi SMK77, did you manage to book the tickets originating from overseas and if you do get the additional miles? And did you end up charging it in sgd or foreign ccy? Thanks in advance.
Zratter is offline  
Old Jun 17, 2018, 4:00 am
  #7461  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Originally Posted by Savage25
Yes I'm sure. These are the facts:
1. I've exceeded the 10X cap for this membership year - I confirmed this with Citi after my last Amazon purchase only earned me 1X. They said I have to wait till 23 July for the annual cap to be reset.
2. I'm still getting 10X at DFS Changi using Apple Pay.
Citibank just called me back to say that once 120K have been maxed out in each Citi Rewards card on merchants that normally earn 10X, then further Apple Pay spending on these merchants will just earn 1X.

The long winded lady (on the side, I couldn’t help but notice almost all conversations with the Filipino ladies at Citiphone nowadays are often long winded... they’d rattle on and on elocution-style without stopping for breath and without giving you a moment’s break to chip in!) basically said that’s what the product manager confirms and what the system is configured to do.

Understand this isn’t reflective of your reality (good for you!) but basically in short she told me spend on your own risk if you already hit 120K on 10X rewards merchants in your membership year.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jun 17, 2018, 4:03 am
  #7462  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Originally Posted by Zratter
hi SMK77, did you manage to book the tickets originating from overseas and if you do get the additional miles? And did you end up charging it in sgd or foreign ccy? Thanks in advance.
If you have a Citi Rewards card, it doesn’t matter if SGD or FCY - they both qualify if paid via Apple Pay. Not Citi Prem Miles would only qualify if SGD. Read the terms carefully before you decide to use which card to spend.
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Old Jun 28, 2018, 9:24 am
  #7463  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by carrotjuice


If you have a Citi Rewards card, it doesn’t matter if SGD or FCY - they both qualify if paid via Apple Pay. Not Citi Prem Miles would only qualify if SGD. Read the terms carefully before you decide to use which card to spend.
thanks. Does anyone have a problem with paying with apple pay on sq app? I got to the payment page but when i choose Apple Pay as payment option, the ‘Buy with Apple Pay’ rectangle cannot be clicked. Anyone know how to rectify? I have reached out to sq as well but pending their investigation.
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Old Jun 28, 2018, 11:20 am
  #7464  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
Originally Posted by Zratter


thanks. Does anyone have a problem with paying with apple pay on sq app? I got to the payment page but when i choose Apple Pay as payment option, the ‘Buy with Apple Pay’ rectangle cannot be clicked. Anyone know how to rectify? I have reached out to sq as well but pending their investigation.
I just tried using my iPhone 7Plus iOS11.4 using SIA apps version 21.6.1 and does not have any problem. I am able to select Apple Pay to make payment. Maybe you want to try using another device?

hclee01 is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 5:38 pm
  #7465  
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
Thanks hclee01, i got to where you screenshot but that black buy with �� pay button at the bottom of your screenshot is not clickable for me. Are you able to click and prompt the touchid to appear? I will probably go to sq ion this weekend to ask.
Zratter is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2018, 11:35 pm
  #7466  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
Originally Posted by Zratter
Thanks hclee01, i got to where you screenshot but that black buy with �� pay button at the bottom of your screenshot is not clickable for me. Are you able to click and prompt the touchid to appear? I will probably go to sq ion this weekend to ask.
I took a quick look again and it seems that they have removed Apple Pay from the list of payment mode. Oh, I was hoping to use Apple Pay to buy a ticket soon for an upcoming trip using CitiBank cards.
hclee01 is offline  
Old Jun 29, 2018, 8:38 am
  #7467  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
Originally Posted by Zratter


thanks. Does anyone have a problem with paying with apple pay on sq app? I got to the payment page but when i choose Apple Pay as payment option, the ‘Buy with Apple Pay’ rectangle cannot be clicked. Anyone know how to rectify? I have reached out to sq as well but pending their investigation.
Looks like there is problem with the Apple Pay function and as such, they have disabled it. This is the posting from SIA Facebook account.


hclee01 is offline  
Old Jun 30, 2018, 6:41 am
  #7468  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Indeed. Booked a ticket 2 weeks ago and another today, in both cases Apple Pay was not presented as an option.
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2018, 4:41 pm
  #7469  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,567
Thanks to all who have responded to be referred for HSBC Visa Infinite. Any more takers, please PM! Particularly beneficial for HSBC Premier members.

Personally I enjoy the 4 free Wolero / Mercedes Maxicab rides to Changi Airport, unlimited Priority Pass lounge hopping and earning Arture points for gifts https://www.arrture.com/memberHomePage (just swipe and earn, even if you don't spend any time in each airport lounge) and monthly onsen soaks at ESPA at Sentosa.


Originally Posted by carrotjuice
UPDATE: Signup miles as of 1 March 2018 has reverted to the normal level of 35,000 but referral fee has increased to $200. Please PM if you would like a referral.

Revising the math:
Card fee $488
+ Fee to convert to KF or AM $42.80
- Half share of referral fee $100
- Conservative value of 4 airport limo transfers $80 (HSBC Premier members only)
= $350.80 or buying 35,000 miles at 1 cent per mile (still half of the usual value of 2 cent per mile)

(or if you value the airport limo transfers at its market price of $45 each, buying miles cost works down to just $250.80 or 0.72 cent per mile.)
carrotjuice is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2018, 8:15 am
  #7470  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
Originally Posted by Zratter
Thanks hclee01, i got to where you screenshot but that black buy with �� pay button at the bottom of your screenshot is not clickable for me. Are you able to click and prompt the touchid to appear? I will probably go to sq ion this weekend to ask.
Hi

SQ has updated its posting in FB that Apple Pay is now available, you may wish to try to see if it works for your ticket purchase.
hclee01 is offline  


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