Tom Many readers have the same frustrations about miles accruals (or accumulation of miles) using travel credit cards in Singapore. This is because, it is comparatively much more difficult to accumulate miles and the bonus miles for Singapore travel credit cards seem to be much lesser than their US counterparts.
For instance, Citibank has the Prestige Card in both Singapore and USA. However, the welcome bonus is 25,000 in Singapore vs 50,000 in USA. Travel-related spendings is only up to 2X for overseas spendings vs 3X for travel-related spendings in the USA. Also, the US counterpart offers $250USD of air travel credit which offsets the slightly higher annual fees of $450USD vs $535SGD for the Singapore version.
These make it all the more difficult for you to accumulate enough miles for that first class travel to Narita via SQ.
Nonetheless, with the right travel credit cards, you can still be able make that first class dream come true. Here are some of the travel credit cards currently available in Singapore… Stay tuned to find out which are the best travel credit cards for miles in Singapore!
UOB
UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card
Requirements
Be at least 21 years old
Annual income of at least $80,000
Fees
$256.80 yearly – First year card fee waiver
Perks
Earn 6 miles for every S$1 spent on selected airline bookings at UOB Travel
Earn 3 miles for every S$1 spent on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir & KrisShop^
Earn 2.4 miles for every S$1 spent overseas
Earn 1.4 miles for every S$1 spent locally
Enjoy bonus 20,000 miles when you spend S$50,000 in a year
^Valid till 31 May 2016
Complimentary use of Quayside single trip service, with one companion (Valid till 31 Dec 2016)
Earn 10 miles for every S$1 spent on hotel bookings (Valid till 31 Oct 2016)
Click here for more details.
UOB PRVI Miles World MasterCard Card
Requirements
Be at least 21 years old
Annual income of at least $80,000
Fees
$256.80 yearly – First year card fee waiver
Perks
Earn 6 miles for every S$1 spent on selected airline bookings at UOB Travel
Earn 3 miles for every S$1 spent on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir & KrisShop^
Earn 2.4 miles for every S$1 spent overseas
Earn 1.4 miles for every S$1 spent locally
^Valid till 31 May 2016
Complimentary use of Quayside single trip service, with one companion (Valid till 31 Dec 2016)
Earn 10 miles for every S$1 spent on hotel bookings (Valid till 31 Oct 2016)
Click here for more details.
Verdict
3 miles for every $1 spent on SQ flights is actually higher than its AMEX counterpart (see below). Plus, a 1.4 miles local conversion rate and 2.4 miles overseas conversion rate are one of the highest around.
OCBC
OCBC VOYAGE Card
Requirements
Minimum income criteria of S$120,000 per annum
Fees
Annual fee of S$488 (includes GST) will be charged upon approval of card unless stated otherwise.
Perks
2.3 VOYAGE MILES with every S$1 equivalent spent in foreign currency
2.3 VOYAGE MILES with every S$1 spent on local dining
1 VOYAGE MILE with every S$1 spent on all other local spend
COMPLIMENTARY PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE (Visits to over 70 VIP airport lounges around the world – mainly in Asia)
COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL INSURANCE (Charge your air tickets to your OCBC VOYAGE Card and enjoy travel insurance coverage of up to S$1 million)
COMPLIMENTARY LIMOUSINE TRANSFER SERVICE (Enjoy a complimentary limousine transfer service when you spend a minimum of S$5,000 a month)
COMPLIMENTARY GOLF IN SINGAPORE (Enjoy complimentary green fees all year round in Singapore for OCBC VOYAGE Cardmembers. Perfect your swing with rounds of golf at Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore)
*Voyage Miles to KF (1:1)
Click here for more details
OCBC Titanium Credit Card
Requirements
Age 21 and above
Annual income:
S$30,000 and above for Singaporeans and Singapore PRs
S$45,000 and above for foreigners
Fees
Principal card: S$192.60 a year
(With effect from 1 June 2016, we will revise the minimum spend requirement for automatic waivers of Annual Fee for the OCBC Titanium Credit Card from S$5,000 to S$10,000.)
Perks
Up to 2 air miles for every dollar spent overseas & Up to 1 air mile for every dollar spent locally with a minimum spend of S$1,500 per calendar month.
Otherwise, earn 3x OCBC$ on overseas spend and 1x OCBC$ on local spend
(4,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 10,000 OCBC$. All increments will be in blocks of 10,000 OCBC$.)
Complimentary use of JetQuay Quayside (Promotion is valid till 31 October 2016)
Click here for more details.
Verdict
Nothing spectacular here. Although at first glance, the travel perks of the Voyage card at $488 seems to be “cheaper” than Citibank Prestige, for $50 more, you’ll get 25,000 miles upon renewal each year with Citibank Prestige.
Citibank
Citi Prestige Card
Requirements
Primary cardholder: 21 years old and above.
Minimum annual income of S$120,000
Fees
Basic Card annual fee: $535 (inclusive of GST)
Supplementary Cards: Free for life
Perks
Welcome Gift
USD$100 Hotels.com e-voucher (fully redeemed) and
62,500 Citi Dollars (equivalent to 25,000 miles) or a Smartwatch or a Tablet
5 Citi Dollars = 2 Citi Miles for every $1 spent overseas
3.25 Citi Dollars = 1.3 Citi Miles for every $1 spent locally
Get 62,500 Citi Dollars (equivalent to 25,000 miles) as Annual Renewal Bonus
Enjoy complimentary access to over hundreds of VIP airport lounges
Extend your trip with a complimentary night at any hotel of your choice after a minimum 4-consecutive-night booking
Receive special benefits and amenities at all Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons hotels around the world.
Enjoy complimentary one-way airport limousine transfers eight times a year
Click here for more details.
Citi PremierMiles Visa Card
Requirements
Age: 21 years old and above
Minimum annual income of S$50,000
Fees
Basic Card annual fee: $192.60 (inclusive of GST)
Perks
Overseas spend S$1 = 2 Citi Miles
Local spend S$1 = 1.2 Citi Miles
Earn 15,000 miles when you spend any amount within the first 3 months (Valid till 14 August 2016)
Earn 15,000 miles when you spend a total of $10,000 within the first 3 months (Valid till 14 August 2016)
Bonus Miles over long weekends (Enjoy 50% more miles on overseas spend on long weekends this year (Valid till 26 Dec 2016)
Earn 6 Citi Miles per S$1 spent on Expedia.com (Valid till 31 Jul 2016)
Earn 10 Citi Miles per S$1 spent on Kaligo.com (Valid till 31 Dec 2016)
Personalised Priority Pass membership card
Travel Accident Insurance
Medical Assistance Programme
Travel Inconvenience Coverage
Click here for more details.
Verdict
Both cards can be considered given the bonus miles that Prestige (25,000 miles) and PremierMiles (15,000 miles) offered. The only drawback is the need to pay the annual fees upfront, not something that everyone can bear to part with.
ANZ
ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card
Requirements
Applicants must be between 21 and 65 years of age
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents: Minimum income of S$60,000 p.a.
Foreigners: Minimum income of S$90,000 p.a.
Fees
Principal Card: S$200 p.a. (waived for the first year)
Perks
Welcome Gift
2000 miles on sign-up
Earn 2.8 air miles# per S$1 spent on your holidays for direct flight bookings with Qantas and Jetstar airlines or retail spend in Australia and New Zealand. (1 Travel$ = 1 air mile)
High earn rate of 1.4 air miles with every S$1 spent locally
Receive 10,000 air miles+ upon annual card renewal
Unlimited complimentary access to airport lounges around the world
Complimentary airport limousine transfers (Spend $2500 within 30 days)
Travel accident and inconvenience insurance coverage
Click here for more details.
Verdict
The “cheaper” version of a travel card. Meaning, you’ll get travel coverage, airport lounge access and high mileage conversion with Qantas/Jetstart/Spendings in Aussie and NZ. However, the airport lounges are not as good as those of priority passes and overseas spendings have the same rate as local spendings. Probably a card that you’ll reconsider once you obtain the Prestige.
Maybank
Maybank Visa Infinite Card
Requirements
Be at least 21 years of age
Have a minimum annual income of S$150,000
Fees
Principal Card: S$600 p.a. (first year waived)
Perks
Every dollar charged on foreign currency transactions earns you 5 TREATS Points (equivalent to 2 air miles) and every dollar charged on local transactions earns you 3 TREATS Points (equivalent to 1.2 air miles).
Complimentary two-way airport limousine transfers
Complimentary VIP access to JetQuay
Complimentary VIP airport lounge access
Exclusive 19.1% savings on petrol
Enjoy complimentary green fees all year round at 79 premier golf clubs across 15 countries.
Click here for more details.
Maybank World MasterCard
Requirements
Be at least 21 years of age
Have a minimum annual income of
S$30,000 for Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
S$45,000 for Malaysian Citizen in employment for at least 1 year
S$60,000 for Foreigner in employment for at least 1 year
Fees
Principal Card: S$150 p.a.
Perks
Welcome Gift
Enjoy a special welcome as our World MasterCard Cardmember, with this complimentary Armani Exchange Leather Strap Watch, when you charge to your new Card within the first month of receiving it.
10X TREATS Points (2,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 5,000 TREATS Points) at selected retail, dining establishments and all petrol stations islandwide
Exclusive 19.1% savings on petrol
Complimentary VIP access to JetQuay
Click here for more details.
Maybank Horizon Platinum Visa Card
Requirements
Be at least 21 years of age
Have a minimum annual income of
S$30,000 for Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
S$45,000 for Malaysian Citizen in employment for at least 1 year
S$60,000 for Foreigner in employment for at least 1 year
Fees
Principal Card: S$150 p.a.
Perks
Welcome Gift
Receive a free Arbutus Automatic Watch worth S$509 when you apply for 2 new Maybank Credit Cards and CreditAble!
Earn 5X TREATS Points (equivalent to 2 air miles) with every dollar spent on air tickets, travel packages and overseas expenses
Complimentary access to selected VIP airport lounges
Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to S$1,000,000 when you charge the air tickets or travel packages in full
Click here for more details.
Verdict
Don’t bother. Due to the higher annual fees and lower conversion rates, these cards lag behind several other cards. Well, unless you really want that Arbutus Watch…
American Express
The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card
Requirements
Minimum income of S$30,000 for Singaporeans / PR, and S$60,000 for Expatriates
Basic Card appliant should be at least 21 years of age. Supplementary Card applicant should be over 18 years of age
Card applicant should be an existing Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS principal member
Fees
Annual Fee: S$551.05 (First Year Waived)
Perks
Receive 5,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles the very first time you charge to your Card
Receive 15,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles when you spend S$3,000 on your Card in the first 6 months upon Card approval
Earn 1.3 KrisFlyer mile for every S$1 spent on all eligible purchases with your Card
Complimentary one-sector upgrade to Singapore Airlines Suites or First Class when you spend S$50,000 on your Card at singaporeair.com by 30 June 2017
Receive a 50% KrisFlyer Miles Redemption Voucher when you spend S$75,000 on your Card by 30 June 2017
Earn 1.5 KrisFlyer miles (local spend) and 2.4 KrisFlyer miles (overseas spend) for every S$1 spent above S$3,800 per month
Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on eligible purchases made on singaporeair.com, silkair.com, KrisShop and at SilkAir SkyShop, both in-flight and online.
Click here for more details.
The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card
Requirements
Over 21 years of age
For Singapore Citizens and Residents, you have earnings which provide an income of over S$50,000 p.a
For Expatriates, you have earnings which provide a minimum income of over S$60,000 p.a
Fees
S$337.05 (inclusive of GST)
Perks
Welcome Gift
Receive 5,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles the very first time you charge to your Card
Receive 5,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles when you spend S$1,000 on your Card in the first 6 months upon Card approval
Earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on all eligible purchases with your Card
Accelerated upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier when you spend S$15,000 on your Card at singaporeair.com in the first 12 months upon Card approval
Double KrisFlyer Miles Accrual Voucher when you spend S$15,000 on your Card at singaporeair.com on your Card at singaporeair.com by 30 June 2017
Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent on eligible purchases made on singaporeair.com, silkair.com, KrisShop and at SilkAir SkyShop, both in-flight and online
Complimentary night stay with Millennium Hotels and Resorts and complimentary lounge access
Earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 equivalent in foreign currency spent overseas on eligible purchases during June and December
Click here for more details.
Verdict
Since the conversion rate for SQ purchases are lower than UOB PRIVI, the only interesting point would be that for a fee of $337.50, you’ll get 5,000 bonus miles for any amount spent and that there’s a complimentary night’s stay at Millennium Hotels and Resorts which could almost offset the annual fee.
As for the PPS card, it’s only eligible for current PPS members – which you’ll have to have $25,000 spending each year with SQ to qualify. Definitely out of reach for most people. But the interesting thing is that that there’s a 50% KF redemption voucher if you spend $75,000. Meaning, since the well-heeled would already be spending that much, they’d actually be able to use less miles for redemption!
HSBC
HSBC Visa Infinite Credit Card
Requirements
Membership by invitation only
Individuals who are 21 years and above with a minimum annual income of S$30,000 may apply. A minimum annual income of S$40,000 for self-employed and commission-based Singaporeans or PR applies. Supplementary card applicants must be at least 18 years of age
Fees
Doesn’t say. It only mentions that the card is available by invitation only.
Perks
Welcome gift
Bose SoundTouch® 20 Series III Wireless Music System
(worth S$699)
30,000 air miles
(redeemable with over 30 leading airlines)
Complimentary worldwide travel insurance covering over 20 benefits (annual value worth S$988*)
Complimentary limousine airport transfers and expedited immigration clearance at major airports across Asia
Up to 2.5 air miles+ for every S$1 spent (if you spend more than $50,000 in the first year and more than $75,000 in the second year)
Experience a first class journey of unlimited access to Seamless travel (including access to 700 VIP airport lounges globally)
Click here for more details.
Verdict
IF (and that’s a really big IF) there’s no annual fees, the welcome gift of 30,000 miles is pretty awesome. However, spending more than $50,000 to qualify for 2.5 miles rate is really out of reach for most.
Stanchart
Visa Infinite Credit Card
Requirements
Age: 21 to 65 years old
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents: S$30,000
Foreigners with Employment Passes: S$60,000
For Non-Priority/Private Banking customers: S$150,000
Fees
Annual Fee of $588.50 (including GST) applies.
Perks
WelcomeGift
Receive 35,000 miles or 25,000 miles and S$100 Uber credits when you apply for the new Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card.
3 miles for every S$1 spent with minimum of S$2,000 on eligible spends in a statement cycle. All spends below S$2,000 will earn 2.5 points or 1 mile for every S$1 spent
Enjoy up to six annual complimentary visits to over 850 airport lounges in more than 400 cities worldwide
Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to S$1,000,000. To enjoy this coverage, simply charge your full travel fare to your card before you go abroad.
A Sensory Journey Awaits at The Fullerton Spa
Complimentary access to the Fitness Centre, an outdoor infinity pool and spa facilities, limited to two visits per cardholder, per month.
Savings of S$50 for any massage treatment (60 minutes and above).
50% off 60-minute spa massage during your birthday month.
Hilton HHonors™ Gold Status
Join Hilton HHonors™ and be upgraded to HHonors™ Gold status by simply completing two stays or four nights at any participating hotels and resorts within 90 days of registration for this offer.
Click here for more details.
Verdict
The welcome gift of 35,000 miles does make this card really attractive. Plus, if you spend more than $2,000 each month, the $1 for 3 miles conversion rate is rather good as well. However, the annual fees is really quite steep – well unless you really enjoy visits to the Fullerton Spa (and its outdoor infinity pool – twice a month). A quick check with the hotel’s site shows that membership with the gym and spa is $2,675 per annum. Phew…
DBS
DBS Altitude Card
Requirements
21 years and above
Income
S$30,000 and above per annum (Singaporean)
S$45,000 and above per annum (Foreigner)
Fees
S$192.60 (Principal card) First Year Waived
Perks
Earn 3 miles per S$1 spent on all online Flight and Hotel transactions (capped at S$5,000 per month)
Earn 2 miles per S$1 spent overseas and 1.2 miles per S$1 spent locally.
2 Complimentary Global Airport Lounge Access visits within each 12-month period of Priority Pass™ Membership
DBS Altitude Butler Service
Up to S$1 million travel accident insurance coverage
Annual fee is waived if your annual spend exceeds S$25,000. Otherwise, get 10,000 bonus miles when you pay the annual fee of S$192.60 (including GST).
Click here for more details.
DBS Black Card
Requirements
21 years and above
Income
S$30,000 and above per annum (Singaporean)
S$45,000 and above per annum (Foreigner)
Fees
S$192.60 (Principal card) First Year Waived
Perks
5% Cashback on shopping^
3X DBS Points (or 6 miles for every S$5 spend – 1.2 miles per dollar) for all local Visa payWave purchases
1X DBS Point for all other purchases
Click here for more details.
DBS Woman’s Card
Requirements
At least 21 years old
S$80,000 and above per annum (Singaporean or Foreigner)
Fees
S$192.60 (Principal card) First Year Waived
Perks
Enjoy 10X DBS Points for Online Spend (10 DBS Points or 20 miles for every S$5 spend – for expenditures more than $2000 every month).
Enjoy 3X DBS Points for Overseas Spend
Click here for more details.
Verdict
In case you have not noticed, the 10X DBS points ($1 : 4 miles) is probably the best conversion rate in this list.
Conversion Rate for Krisflyer Miles
ANZ
ANZ Travel Card: 1 KrisFlyer mile for every 1 Travel$ converted.
ANZ Credit Cards: 2 KrisFlyer miles for every 1 Rewards Point converted.
DBS
2 KrisFlyer miles for every 1 DBS Point converted .
HSBC
1,000 KrisFlyer miles for 2,500 HSBC Rewards Points converted
Maybank
2,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 5,000 TREATS Points
OCBC
4,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 10,000 OCBC$. All increments will be in blocks of 10,000 OCBC$.
Standard Chartered
5 Std$ (Standard Chartered Credit Card Rewards Point) can be converted to 2 KrisFlyer miles
Excludes Standard Chartered Gold CashBack Credit Card, AIA Credit Card, Standard Chartered Corporate Credit Card and D3 VISA.
UOB
Every UNI$5000 will be converted to 10,000 KrisFlyer miles. A $20 conversion administrative fee applies for each conversion.
Click here for more details on Krisflyer conversion rates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the cards that you should probably consider if you’re trying to accumulate sufficient miles for that first class air ticket…
DBS Woman’s Card for online spending ($1 : 4 miles) – Annual Fees Waived for the First Year
ANZ Travel Card for local spending ($1 : 1.4 miles) – Annual Fees Waived for the First Year
UOB PRVI Miles for local spending ($1 : 1.4 miles) and overseas spending ($1 : 2.4 miles) – Annual Fees Waived for the First Year
OCBC Voyage Card for dining and overseas spending ($1 : 2.3 miles) – $488 Annually
Citibank Prestige as a main travel card and 25,000 miles with annual renewal – $535 Annually
Stanchart Visa Infinite Credit Card for its welcome bonus of 35,000 miles and $1 : 3 miles conversion (if spending exceeds $2,000 per month) – $588.50 (could be worth it if you enjoy visits to Fullerton Spa twice a month)
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Hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the Best Travel Credit Cards in Singapore. Let us know your thoughts in our comments section below. Next up, the fastest way (and minimum expenditure) to accumulate enough miles for a return first class ticket to Narita (Tokyo), Japan!
Update Jun 2018: We’ve recently found that Amex offering great welcome benefits ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Membership Rewards Points which converts to Krisflyer miles at 1:1! Check them out!
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ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card has changed its mileage accrual rate to a standard 1.4miles per $1 spend anywhere instead. No longer as attractive as the other cards
Hey David,
That’s a really good point! We’ve done a quick check on their website and they have indeed removed their accelerated miles accrual in Australia. Thanks for pointing it out for all our readers!