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The Best Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore (2023)

The Best Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore (2023)

profileJustin Oh

So, you’ve decided to join the miles game and want to know which miles credit cards are the best.

But with a gazillion miles credit cards in Singapore, it’s extremely hard to suss out which cards you should sign up for.

Source: Giphy

Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting and sussed out the best miles credit cards in Singapore based on your spending habits.

Ready to earn miles and redeem some flight tickets? Read on!

Disclaimer: The cards listed in this article exclude corporate, private, premier, and invite-only credit cards. The information provided by Seedly serves as an educational piece and is not intended to be personalised investment advice. ​Readers should always do their own due diligence and consider their financial goals before investing in any investment product.


TL;DR: Best Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore (2023)

Updates

Promotion: Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card buffed from 2.8 mpd on overseas spend and flight tickets to 3.2mpd! Promotion lasts till 31 Jan 2024 for existing cardmembers and three months from approval date for new cardmembers (approval date before 31 Mar 2024)

Nerf: OCBC Titanium Rewards bonus limit cap of $13,335 per membership year has been changed to a $1,100 limit per calendar month.

If you are completely new to credit cards, do read through the ultimate guide to credit cards before coming back to read this article as there are a few things that you need to take note of such as fees and the danger of credit card debt.

Jump to:


Which Card Earns the Most Miles?

If I could recommend just one card that beats every other card, I would. Sad to say, there’s no such thing, and maximising your miles earnings highly depends on how you spend.

Thus, I’ve narrowed it down to the top cards based on the earn rate for each category! You may click on the card’s name for more details on the card and read reviews left by the Seedly community.

Jump to:

Best Miles Credit Cards for Local Spend/General Spending

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
Citi Rewards Card

Apply Now
0.4 mpd / 4mpd with Amaze
(Limit $1k per statement month, excluding airlines, hotels, car rental, cruises and other travel transactions)
$30k
DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card

Apply Now
1.5 mpd$120k
UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard

Apply Now
1.4 mpd$30k
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

Apply Now
1.4 mpd$30k
UOB PRVI Miles AMEX

Apply Now
1.4 mpd$30k
UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card1.4 mpd$150k
OCBC 90°N Mastercard

Apply Now
1.3 mpd$30k
OCBC 90°N Visa Card

Apply Now
1.3 mpd$30k
AMEX Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card1.3 mpd / 1.5 mpd above S$3,800 spend per month$30k
AMEX Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card1.3 mpd / 1.4 mpd above S$3,800 spend per month$30k
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card

Apply Now
1.3 mpd$30k
DBS Altitude American Express Card

Apply Now
1.3 mpd$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for General Overseas Spend

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
Citi Rewards Card

Apply Now
0.4 mpd / 4mpd with Amaze (no foreign currency conversion fees!)
(Limit $1k per statement month, excluding airlines, hotels, car rental, cruises and other travel transactions)
$30k
UOB Visa Signature4 mpd with $1k min. spend$50k
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card

Apply Now
3.2 mpd (valid till 31 Jan 2024)$30k
SCB Visa Infinite Credit Card1 + 2 mpd with S$2k min. spend$30k
SCB Rewards+ Card

Apply Now
2.9 mpd$30k
UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard

Apply Now
2.4 mpd$30k
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

Apply Now
2.4 mpd$30k
UOB PRVI Miles AMEX

Apply Now
2.4 mpd$30k
HSBC TravelOne Card

Apply Now
2.4mpd$30k

When spending overseas with credit cards, do note that there are foreign currency conversion fees (usually 3% to 3.5%). There is a way to avoid this fee with the amaze card. There are also credit cards that give even more miles per dollar for specific categories when paired with amaze for overseas spending. Read more in this article:

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Travel Expenses (Flight Tickets and Hotel Bookings)

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
Citi PremierMiles Mastercard

Apply Now
10 mpd on hotel transactions at Kaligo (Valid till 31 December 2023)

Up to 7 mpd on hotel transactions at Agoda (Valid for bookings made now till 31 December 2023 and for stays until 30 April 2024)
$30k
Citi PremierMiles Visa Card

Apply Now
10 mpd on hotel transactions at Kaligo (Valid till 31 December 2023)

Up to 7 mpd on hotel transactions at Agoda (Valid for bookings made now till 31 December 2023 and for stays until 30 April 2024)
$30k
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card

Apply Now
10 mpd on hotel transactions at Kaligo

6 mpd on flight and hotel transactions at Expedia
$30k
DBS Altitude American Express Card

Apply Now
10 mpd on hotel transactions at Kaligo

6 mpd on flight and hotel transactions at Expedia
$30k
UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard

Apply Now
6 mpd on major airlines and hotels worldwide via Agoda, Expedia, and UOB Travel$30k
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

Apply Now
6 mpd on major airlines and hotels worldwide via Agoda, Expedia, and UOB Travel$30k
UOB PRVI Miles AMEX

Apply Now
6 mpd on major airlines and hotels worldwide via Agoda, Expedia, and UOB Travel$30k
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Travel must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire6 mpd (Travel must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $3k per month)$120k
DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card

Apply Now
6 mpd on Expedia (till 31 Mar 2024)$120k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending and online transactions (Limit $1K per month)$30k
UOB Visa Signature4 mpd on overseas spend including online. Transaction must be made in foreign currency.$50k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Online Shopping

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
Citi Rewards Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on online transactions (Limit $1k per statement month)$30k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending and online transactions (Limit $1K per month)$30k
OCBC Titanium Rewards Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on online and retail purchases (Limit S$1,110 per calendar month)$30k
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card4 mpd on online shopping and entertainment (Limit $1.1K per month)$30k
DBS Woman’s World Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on online purchases (Limit $2k per month)$80k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Shopping

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
AMEX Platinum Charge Card

Apply Now
7.8 mpd (On the first $16K spent per year at 10XCELERATOR merchants, 3.9 mpd thereafter)$30k
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Fashion must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire6 mpd (Fashion must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $3k per month)$120k
OCBC Titanium Rewards Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on retail purchases (Limit $1,100 per calendar month)$30k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending and online transactions (Limit $1K per month)$30k
Citi Rewards Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on online transactions (Limit $1k per statement month)$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Dining

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Dining must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire6 mpd (Dining must be chosen as a preferred category, capped at $3k per month)$120k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending and online transactions (limit $1K per month)

$30k
Maybank World Mastercard

Apply Now
4 mpd on selected merchants via TREATS SG app$80k
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card

Apply Now
3.2 mpd on selected merchants via TREATS SG app$30k
SCB Smart Credit Card

Apply Now
5.6 mpd
on fast food (till 31 Dec 2023)
$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Groceries

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Family must be selected as preferred category. Not applicable for Cold Storage, Giant, Jasons and Market Place. Capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire Card6 mpd on two of seven preferred categories (Family must be selected as preferred category. Not applicable for Cold Storage, Giant, Jasons and Market Place. Capped at $3k per month)$120k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending and online transactions (Limit $1K per month)$30k
Citi Rewards Card

Apply Now
4 mpd on online groceries (Limit $1k per statement month)$30k
SCB Journey Credit Card3 mpd on online groceries (Limit $1k per statement month)$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Petrol

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Transport must be selected as preferred category, capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire6 mpd (Transport must be selected as preferred category, capped at $3k per month)$120k
UOB Visa Signature Card4 mpd on petrol (except at Shell, SPC)$50k
Maybank World Mastercard

Apply Now
4 mpd on petrol$80k
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card3.2 mpd on petrol$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Public Transport

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
UOB Lady's Card

Apply Now
6 mpd (Transport must be selected as preferred category, capped at $1k per month)$30k
UOB Lady's Solitaire Card6 mpd on two of seven preferred categories (capped at $3k per month)$120k
Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card

Apply Now
5.6 mpd
on public transport (till 31 Dec 2023)
$30k
SCB Journey Credit Card3 mpd on online food delivery (Limit $1k per statement month)$30k
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card

Apply Now
3 mpd on everyday spend categories with min. S$800 annual spend
on KrisShop and Singapore Airlines Group
$30k

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Best Miles Credit Cards for Mobile Payments

Credit CardEarn RateMin. Annual Income
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card4 mpd on contactless spending (Limit $1.1K per month)$30k
HSBC Revolution

Apply Now
4 mpd on contactless spending (Limit $1K per month)$30k
UOB Visa Signature Card4 mpd on contactless spending (Limit $2K per statement month)$50k

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Make Use Of SeedlyReviews To Further Narrow Down Your Choices

Alternatively, head over to SeedlyReviews and use the filters to further narrow down your card choices!

You can make use of the filters “card types” to find the best miles credit cards for your spending habits.

Read More

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How to Earn Miles?

Now that you have a rough idea of the best miles cards to use, there are a few things to take note when earning miles.

Firstly, you will need to be aware of what constitutes eligible spending. These can be found under the terms and conditions of your particular card.

Secondly, most cards except for KrisFlyer cards do not earn miles directly. Instead, they earn bank points which you can then convert to miles. Depending on the card and bank, you may also encounter conversion fees which range from $20 to $30 for a one-time conversion or a $40 to $50 a year option.

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How Much Is 1 Krisflyer Mile Worth?

The short answer: a mile has an average value of 1.4 cents to 1.8 cents depending on who you ask.

The long answer? It really depends on you!

The value of a mile can vary greatly based on how you acquire your miles (purchasing outright) and what you redeem your miles for. We will use the KrisFlyer programme as it is the most common among Singaporeans.

If you choose to purchase miles, you can get them for about 1 cent per mile (cpm) to 2 cpm on average.

As for redemption, the value of a mile varies greatly depending on what you redeem it for. Here’s an example:

LondonEconomyPremium EconomyBusinessSuites/First
Base Fare$800.30$2,211.30$6,622.30$12,046.30
Miles required to fully redeem flight42,00071,000103,500141,000
Value per mile (rounded to 3 d.p.)1.905 cents3.114 cents6.398 cents8.543 cents

Based on a one-way ticket for 18 Oct 2022 and using the cheapest fares available.

As you can see, it becomes much more worth it when you use more miles to redeem upper-class flights.

If you’re unable to accumulate as many miles, you can opt to offset your flight ticket cost with miles (1.02 cpm) or redeem them for items (1.02 cpm or worse).

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Things to Note About Earning Miles

Aside from earn rates, you’ll also need to consider miles conversion fees and the number of transfer partners available.

Previously, Citibank held the crown for most transfer partners with 10 airlines and 1 hotel, plus a $25 one-time conversion fee.

That is up until recently when HSBC introduced its HSBC TravelOne Card with 9 airlines and 3 hotel partners. By the end of 2023, HSBC is expected to expand it to more than 20 partners!

Is It Worth It to Get a Miles Card?

The answer to this question depends as well.

Are you a frequent flyer or a high spender? If so, you should seriously consider getting a miles card to maximise your spending.

But for those of us who don’t fly as much and are more value-oriented, a cashback or rewards credit card is a better way to go.

The reason is that accumulating miles is a long and tedious process and if we were to look at the opportunity cost of using a miles card instead of a cashback card, most infrequent flyers would be better off with a cashback card in terms of value and flexibility (you can use cash for anything but only miles for flights/terrible redemption rates for items).

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What If I Just Want One Miles Card?

With so many freaking categories to take note of, you may be quite overwhelmed. If you prefer a more fuss-free all-in-one miles card, here’s our pick:

Related Articles

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About Justin Oh
Your average Zillennial who is obsessed with anime, games, movies and of course, personal finance. Join me as I break down personal finance into easily digestible and fun bits!
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