Singapore Air Miles Credit Cards

KRISFLYER MILEAGE CREDIT CARDS


The best Singapore issued credit cards for earning Krisflyer miles are the American Express Krisflyer credit cards. The Krisflyer PPS Club Platinum is the absolute best with an earning rate of S$1 to 1 Krisflyer mile. This is ground-breaking and it beats the US$1 to 1 air mile earned on even the best mileage credit cards issued in the USA. Unfortunately, this PPS Platinum Krisflyer credit card is only available to Krisflyer PPS club members which I believe requires at least 50000 miles flown on Singapore Airlines in Business or First Class only to achieve membership.

For mere mortals, the best possible card to apply for is the American Express Krisflyer Gold Card. This gives a return of S$1.07 to 1 Krisflyer mile which is actually very good still. The best thing about these American Express Krisflyer mileage credit cards are that they also give some mileage bonuses on signing up, ranging from 5000 miles to 40000 miles (for PPS card). They may also be intermittent promotion periods where bonus miles are given for expenditures on the card. In addition, Singapore Airlines tickets purchased on these cards may be eligible for double mileage bonuses.

For non-mileage credit cards, the best cards are those that offer a rate of S$1.25 to 1 Krisflyer miles. As far as I know, only the UOB Signature Visa Cards offer this rate. There may be a small fee involved for the conversion. There may be income restrictions for application of this card.

The typical Singapore credit card rate for converting credit card points to Krisflyer air miles is usually about S$2.50 to 1 Krisflyer miles.

There are also other airlines which are linked to these credit cards allowing credit card points to miles conversions. Some of these airlines include Cathay Pacific, Asia, Tiger etc. These airlines may earn higher miles per S$1.

Please refer to the respective bank and credit card websites for further details. Author not responsible for any inaccuracies. In addition, higher mileage earning rates from purchases of selected merchants are not highlighted. The earning rates shown are the generalized and permanent rates advertised by the cards.

Addendum : Ok, the best one so far that I am aware of as of 30th June 2007 is now the DBS Treasures Elite. It gives a amazing earning rate of Krisflyer miles. However, it is only by invitation only.


DBS Black Treasures Elite American Express
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$0.83 (3 X Rewards - All purchases)
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$0.42 (6 X Rewards - Overseas purchases)
Points valid for one year only
$40 per annum for Krisflyer account linkage
Invitation only
No annual fee if qualified

DBS Altitude American Express

1 Krisflyer Mile = S$0.83
Have to transfer miles

Citibank Premier Miles Visa

S$1 = 1.2 CitiMiles

1 : 1 Miles transfer to WorldPerks and Krisflyer

5000 CitiMiles bonus on first use

10000 CitiMiles renewal bonus

20000 CitiMiles renewal bonus if more than S$50,000 spent at 1 year

S$180 annual fee - waived first year

S$25 miles transfer fee

Krisflyer PPS Club Platinum American Express
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$1.00



Krisflyer Gold American Express
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$1.07



UOB Signature
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$1.25
S$5 = UNI$1
UNI$1 = 4 Krisflyer Miles



DBS Black American Express
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$1.25 (2X rewards)
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$0.63 (4X rewards at luxury boutiques only)
S$5 = 1 DBS points (but points expire at one year)



UOB
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$2.50
S$5 = UNI$1
UNI$1 = 2 Krisflyer Miles
UNI$ expire at 2 years



Citibank
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$2.50
S$5 = 1 Citidollar
1 Citidollar = S$5
Citidollars expire at 5 years



OCBC
1 Krisflyer Mile = S$2.50