Best Credit Card for Miles in Singapore

Imagine this – you go into a store, you’re looking for the perfect birthday outfit, you know exactly what you want but there are so many options and picks to choose from. You want them all. What do you do? One, you can buy them all, go broke and fill yourself up with regret and disappointment with your lack of willpower or you can make a pro and con list, see what each outfit can offer you and how much value for money you can get and finally make an informed decision.

You know what option you must ideally choose right? Choosing the credit card that is best for you works in the exact same way. Credit cards can be very rewarding as they offer a ton of beneficial features. Credit cards for dining, travel, shopping etc. are examples of such customized credit cards and they offer exclusive deals, privileges and other benefits to the cardholders. If you are someone who travels on a frequent basis, you can opt for a travel credit card that will let you earn air miles. Most of the top credit card issuers in Singapore offer specialized cards that will let you earn air miles and also enjoy other travel benefits.

The air miles can be redeemed for air tickets, discounts on ticket and hotel bookings, other travel benefits and also for dining, shopping, e-commerce and entertainment vouchers. These vouchers will provide you with access to lucrative discounts and will help you save money in the process. At BankBazaar.sg, you can read about the air miles credit cards available in the country, compare their features and benefits, and then choose a card that will be best suited to meet your needs. Once you have made a decision about the card you want to opt for, you can apply for it online.

Now, how do you go about making a decision of choosing the perfect travel credit card for you? The first step is to get the lay of the land, i.e. find out what banks offer travel credit cards and if your preferred bank is one on them.

Banks Offering Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore

1. DBS Bank - DBS offers two air miles credit cards to Singaporeans, namely the DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card and the DBS Altitude American Express Card. You can enjoy a lot of travel benefits with DBS credit cards and the best part is that the annual fees charged for these cards are very less as well.

   With the Altitude Visa Signature Card and the DBS Altitude American Express Card from DBS you can earn 1.2 air miles every time you spend S$1 in Singapore and 2 air miles every time you spend S$1 overseas. There is no expiry date for the air miles and you can redeem them at your convenience. A bonus of 10,000 air miles will be credited to your account after you pay the annual fees for the cards. You can earn higher air miles for hotel bookings and will be offered with complimentary Airport Lounge access and Travel Accident Insurance. You can redeem the air miles that your earn for dining, travel & leisure, health & wellness and other related spends.

2. American Express – If you are looking for credit cards that offer Singapore Airlines miles, you should opt for American Express. You will have four different options to choose from, which are the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card, the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card, the American Express Singapore Airlines PPS Club Platinum Credit Card and the American Express Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card. These are some of the best credit cards in Singapore for miles.

   These credit cards from American Express have been designed especially for Singaporeans who travel regularly by Singapore Airlines as it will allow them to earn air miles at an exponential rate. With these cards, the cardholders will earn minimum 1 air mile (known as KrisFlyer Mile) every time they spend S$1 with the card. You will get a welcome bonus of minimum 5,000 KrisFlyer Miles when you make your first purchase with these cards. You will also earn additional miles when you spend a substantial amount of money on the cards within a given time frame. The KrisFyler Miles can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, such as flight tickets across various airlines including Singapore Airlines.

3. OCBC – The OCBC Voyage Card is one of the most popular credit cards for air miles in Singapore. It is the ideal card for globetrotters as it offers higher air miles for all kinds of purchases and a range of travel benefits. You can earn 2.3 voyage miles, every time you spend an amount equivalent to S$1 in foreign currencies and when you spend S$1 for dining in Singapore. You also earn 1 voyage miles every time you spend S$1 with your card in Singapore. The voyage miles can be used to pay for flight tickets, airport transfers and hotel bookings and the miles can be redeemed instantly. OCBC credit card will also offer you with complimentary access to Airport Lounges, golf programmes and a variety of other benefits.
4. ANZ Bank – If you want a travel credit card that will reward you for all your expenses and also let you earn more air miles, you can opt for the ANZ Travel Visa Signature Card. You will earn 1.4 air miles every time you spend S$1 with your ANZ card in the island. When you spend the first S$500 with your card, you will earn 2000 air miles as a bonus and another 10,000 air miles when the credit card is renewed. You can apply for this credit card if you are a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Singapore with an annual income of minimum S$60,000 or a foreigner with an annual income of minimum S$90,000. Apart from flight tickets, the air miles can also be redeemed for dining, shopping and travel vouchers.
5. UOB – UOB offers a host of credit cards to meet the needs of all kinds of customers in the country. Even for people looking to earn air miles, the bank offers 3 unique UOB credit cards that are enriched with beneficial features. These cards also come with very low annual fees and attractive interest rates, making them very popular with the customers.

   The three air miles credit cards offered by UOB, namely the UOB PRVI Miles VISA Card, UOB PRVI Miles World MasterCard Card and the UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card, are among the best credit cards in Singapore for miles. With these cards, you can earn up to 3 air miles, every time you spend S$1 for flight tickets from SilkAir, KrisShop and Singapore Airlines. You can earn 2.4 miles every time you spend S$1 in foreign countries and 1.4 miles every time you spend S$1 in Singapore. You should be aged 21 and above to apply for these credit cards. You should also have an annual income of minimum S$80,000, or you can provide as collateral a fixed deposit of minimum S$50,000.

6. Citibank – One of the largest banking groups in the world, Citibank, offers products across various banking segments including credit cards. Citibank credit cards, also known as Citi cards, are adorned with a wide range of features. They also provide exclusive deals, promotions and discounts to the cardholders from time to time. The bank offers two air miles cards that provide the cardholders with an opportunity to earn miles at a faster rate. You will not have to pay an exorbitant amount of money as an annual fee for these cards.

   Citi PremierMiles Visa Card and Citi PremierMiles American Express Card are the two air miles cards offered by Citibank in Singapore. The miles accumulated on these cards can be used to book tickets with over 70 airlines across the planet. You will also get access to exclusive deals and offers from more than 8,500 hotels around the globe. When you renew your card, you will offered with 15,000 air miles as a bonus. The best part is that, the miles accumulated on these cards will never expire and you can redeem them at your convenience. You will earn 1.3 air miles every time you spend S$1 in Singapore and 2 air miles every time you spend S$1 overseas. Moreover, you will earn 2 air miles every time you spend S$1 with SilkAir and Singapore Airlines.

7. Standard Chartered Bank – The credit cards offered by Standard Chartered Bank are known to provide the cardholders with a range of benefits in the form of discounts, deals, promotions and periodic offers. In Singapore, the bank does not offer a credit card that can help people earn air miles. However, it does offer a card that has been designed especially for people who fly frequently with Tigerair. This card is known as the Standard Chartered Tigerair Platinum credit card and it comes with a very comprehensive rewards programme. The cardholders can fly to 11 destinations, selected by the bank, for free with this card. You will enjoy numerous perks and discounts offered by Tiger Air when you apply for this card and you can even get a one-way ticket for free when you sign up.

   Phew! You are done with the hard part of your mission. The next part is the most enjoyable one, i.e. going shopping. Here are Bankbazaar we have done just that. We went shopping across different credit card issuers and picked some of the most promising travel credit cards for this year. Yes, our mission is to make your mission easier to achieve. Here are the options we have put in our wish list -  

Most Promising Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore

UOB PRIVI Miles American Express Card

Promotion

• New UOB Cardmembers will earn 8000 welcome miles
• Existing UOB Cardmembers will earn 5000 welcome miles
• Miles Earing Potential
• You will earn 3 miles for every SGD 1 that you spend on SilkAir, KrisShop and Singapore Airlines.
• You will earn 2.4 air miles for every SGD 1 that you spend overseas.
• You will earn a bonus of 20, 000 air miles when you spend SGD 50, 000 in a year.

Find below your miles earning potential with the UOB PRIVI Miles American Express Card -

Other Travel Perks

• Free limousine ride to Changi International Airport

  You will get a rebate of SGD 45 for every one way limousine service to the Changi International Airport when you spend a minimum of SGD 1000 overseas using your UOB PRIVI Miles American Express Card every qualifying quarter.

• Travel Insurance

  UOB provides its UOB PRIVI Miles American Express Cardmembers Travel Inconvenience Insurance and Personal Accident insurance coverage of up to SGD 1, 000, 000.

• UOB PRIVI Travel Butler

  ;This is a dedicated UOB hotline to provide comprehensive travel assistance to its cardmembers that includes help with flight tickets, hotel accommodations, car rental booking, insurance and any other assistance required by members.

• American Express Selects

  The cardmembers will enjoy additional privileges and perks from American Express Selects such as travel, leisure, dining and shopping privileges to name a few.

American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card

Promotion

• The first time ever you use your American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card, you will receive 5000 bonus KrisFlyer miles as a welcome offer.
• You will receive 5000 KrisFlyer miles as a bonus when you spend SGD 5000 on your American Express Credit Card within the first 6 months upon your card approval.

How many air miles can you earn?

• For every SGD 1.60 that you spend on your card, you will receive 1 KrisFlyer mile. When you charge your card with SGD 5000 and above in a calendar year, you will receive 50% more KrisFlyer miles.
• For every SGD 1.60 that you spend on eligible Singapore Airlines tickets directly at either of the following – KrisShop or singaporeair.com (include inflight and online ticket purcahses), you will receive 2 KrisFlyer miles.
• When you spend a minimum amount of SGD 12, 000 or above in a calendar year, you you will receive 50% more KrisFlyer miles.
• You will enjoy hassle free conversion of your miles because the KrisFlyer miles earned by you will be directly credited in your KrisFlyer account.

Find below your miles earning potential with the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card –

Please note that the following tables are illustrative purposes only.

Table 1: When you spend SGD 5000 between January 1 and December 31 in a calendar year

With these miles earned, you can afford a return ticket to Bali (Economy Class) at singaporeair.com

Table 2: When you spend another SGD 7000 between January 1 and December 31 in a calendar year

With these miles earned, you can afford a return ticket to Hong Kong (Economy Class) at singaporeair.com

Other Travel Perks

• American Express Travel Service offices
• AMEX has over 2200 Travel Service offices spread across 140 different countries and territories to assist cardmembers with any and all travel related assistance.
• Exclusive Hertz privileges for cardmembers worldwide
• Enjoy the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Loyalty program at more than 8500 participating locations spread across 150 different countries around the world. You can avail the following benefits under this program –
  • Save 10% on the published rates that include Hertz collections
  • Avail 1 car class upgrade – this offer is applicable only to standard vehicles and rentals of 5 or more consecutive days and strictly subject to availability.
  • Fee waived for the additional driver
• Travel Accident Insurance

  Enjoy travel accident insurance of up to SGD 350, 000 when you purchase your flight tickets your American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card.

• Emergency Card Replacement

  You can get your card replaced within one business day anywhere in the world.

• Interest Free Payments

  Enjoy up to 51 days of interest free purchases on your AMEX credit card.

• Fraud Protection Guarantee

  Enjoy complete fraud protection against unauthorized charges anywhere in the world when you make purchases using your credit card, both, offline and online.

Citi PremierMiles Visa Card

Promotion / Miles Earning Potential

• Expedia – Earn 6 Citi Miles for every SGD 1 that you spend on expedia.com. Additionally, also enjoy exclusive deals on your flight and hotel bookings. This promotion is valid until July 31, 2016.
• Kaligo – Earn 10 Citi Miles for every SGD 1 that you spend on kaligo.com. You can earn miles much faster and redeem it for a complimentary upgrade or a flight much sooner. This promotion is valid until December 31, 2016.
• Additional Miles Earning Potential
• For every SGD 1 that you spend in a foreign currency, you will earn 2 Citi Miles
• For every SGD 1 that you spend locally, you will earn 1.2 Citi Miles
• You will earn 10, 000 Citi Miles each time you renew your membership
• There is no minimum spend required
• There is no expiry date for the Citi Miles earned

Other Travel Perks

• Hotels

Earn additional discounts and exclusive privileges at world class hotels across the globe that include late checkouts, automatic room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and many more at the following –

• Hotel Club – Up to 15% additional discount on hotel bookings
• Six Senses Spas and Resorts – Savings of up to 15% on the Best Available Rate of the Day. Other perks also include next category upgrade of the villa / room, daily breakfast for 2 people during the stay, US$ 50 spa credit per stay per room / villa that can be used during the stay and late checkout till 3 PM.
• Visa Luxury Hotel Collection – Automatic room upgrade depending on availability on arrival, complimentary continental breakfast, free valet parking or in room internet, VIP guest status, Late checkout till 3 PM when available and a SGD 25 F&B voucher.

• Travel
  • Avis – You get a complimentary Avis Preferred Membership. Enjoy discount of up to 35% on standard rates and discount of up to 30% on International Leisure Rates.
  • Hertz – Get a complimentary HERTZ Gold Plus Rewards membership. Save 10% on self - drive car rentals AND a choice between the following two options – 1 complimentary rental day (with a minimum stay of 6 + days rental in the booking) OR 1 car class upgrade (with a minimum stay of 3 + days rental in the booking).
  • Yourwifi – 20% discount on Yourwifi plans. Enjoy unlimited data access for most countries. All you need to do is to rent a mobile Wi-Fi router with a discount of 20% on Yourwifi plans using your Citi PremierMiles Visa Card.
• VIP Access
  • You will get a personalized Priority Pass membership card with an array of benefits. Enjoy complimentary access twice a year to more than 600 members - only Priority Pass airport lounges across the world. You will have access to the VIP lounge privileges that include access to fax machines, phones, internet and conference rooms.
  • Enjoy 11% discount on airport fast track immigration at more than 280 international airports meet and assist – yQ. No language barriers or lengthy queries because you will be personally escorted when you land.
• 24/7 Services

You can contact Citibank for immediate assistance round the clock for any enquiries on your Citi PremierMiles Visa Card. This include replacement on your lost card.

• Travel Protection
  • Travel Accident Insurance –
• Your child will receive coverage up to SGD 50, 000.
• Receive coverage of up to SGD 1, 000, 000 in the event of your death or permanent disablement resulting from an accident in a common carrier.
• Medical Assistance Program –
• Receive coverage of up to SGD 50, 000 for repatriation.
• Receive coverage of up to SGD 100, 000 on an event of emergency medical evacuation.
• Your child will receive coverage up to SGD 20, 000.
• Receive coverage of up to SGD 40, 000 for medical expenses resulting due to a sickness or injury while on the covered trip.
• Travel Inconvenience Coverage –
• Baggage Loss – Up to SGD 500 reimbursement per article and up to a maximum of SGD 1000.
• Baggage Delay – SGD 200 for consecutive delay of every 8 hours and up to a maximum of SGD 500.
• Trip Cancellation – Reimbursement of up to SGD 500.
• Trip Interruption - Reimbursement of up to SGD 500.
• Visa Signature Privileges Year long

  These privileges include savings on shopping and car rentals and special rates on Asia’s finest golf courses.

• Credit Limit Flexibility

  You can request for a temporary increase on your credit limit whenever you need to on your Citi PremierMiles Visa Card.

• Cash Withdrawal Ease Worldwide

  You can get instant cash advance of up to 100% of your credit limit from more than 500, 000 Visa Plus ATMs across the globe.

Participating Frequent Flyer and Hotel Loyalty Programs

1 Citi Mile is equivalent to 1 mile at the following participating merchants –

• Asia Miles
• Enrich
• Etihad Guest
• Executive Club
• Garuda Frequent Flyer
• Infinity MileageLands
• KrisFlyer
• Royal Orchid Plus
• SkyMiles

Hotel Loyalty Program –

• One Citi Mile equals 1 IHG Rewards Club point
• One Citi Mile equals 1.5 Hilton HHonors points

ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card

Promotion

• You will receive 2000 bonus air miles when you spend the first SGD 500 on your ANZ credit card.

Miles Earning Potential

• Earn 1.4 miles for every SGD 1 that you spend locally on your credit card.
• Earn 2.8 miles for every SGD 1 that you spend on your holidays for direct flight bookings with Jetstar airlines and Qantas or retail spend in New Zealand and Australia where 1 Travel$ = 1 air mile.
• Renew your ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card and receive 10, 000 air miles. This is applicable from the second year of card membership upon renewal / payment of annual fees.
• You have the liberty to convert your Travel$ to cash credit.

Other Travel Perks

• Complimentary and unlimited access to Airport Lounges around the world

  You will enjoy unlimited complimentary access to more than 100 Veloce VIP airport lounges across the globe for both, principal and supplementary ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card. However, for lounges in Toronto, you will need to print out a coupon access form, fill it and submit it for entry. Accompanying guests who are not ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Cardmembers will have to pay a fee and their entry is subject to the discretion of the lounge.

• Complimentary airport limousine transfers

  Enjoy a complimentary one way airport limousine transfer from or to Changi International Airport. All you need to do is charge your ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card with SGD 2500 within 30 days and contact the bank to obtain your booking voucher.

• Travel Accident and Inconvenience Insurance

  Enjoy complimentary Travel Accident and Inconvenience Insurance of up to SGD 1 million for yourself and up to SGD 100, 000 for your spouse and child when you pay for your flight tickets using your ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card.

• Visa Signature Privileges
  • Enjoy a discount of up to 75% at more than 65, 000 hotels across the world.
  • Enjoy special car rental privileges at Avis and Hertz.
• ANZ Spot

  This ANZ privilege program is ideal for local or overseas travel across Asia Pacific whether you are looking to explore dining options, planning your dream vacation or just looking to relax, you can find a privilege that suits your needs with ANZ Spot.

  After you have figured out, what you are going to check out from your shopping cart, you must first check if you are eligible for the purchase -

Eligibility For Air Miles Credit Cards

In most cases, you will need to aged 21 and above to apply for a credit card that offers air miles. You will also need to have a minimum annual income of S$30,000. Some banks will allow you to pledge your fixed deposit account as a collateral if you do not meet the minimum income criteria. However, the balance of your fixed deposit account should be minimum S$50,000.

Documents Required for Air Miles Credit Cards

In order to apply for an air miles credit card in Singapore, you will mostly likely need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of your NRIC (both sides);
• Proof of address;
• Proof of income;
• Copy of passport or employment pass;
• CPF statement etc.

If you are eligible for the purchase of the credit card best suited for you, apply for the card by submitting the above mentioned documents and voila! you are ready to enjoy the benefits and comforts of your new travel buddy.

Read More Related to Credit Cards:

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