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American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card: The Right Travel Card for Your SME?

Best SME Credit Card for Business Travellers

American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card: The Right Travel Card for Your SME?

Best SME Credit Card for Business Travellers

4.5/5.0

ValueChampion Rating ValueChampion Icon

Pros

  • Firms that frequently conduct business overseas
  • Companies with travelling upper-management execs
  • Businesses who typically book with a variety of airlines

Cons

  • Small businesses who only operate locally
  • Those who rarely fly with SIA

If your company conducts a great deal of business overseas, American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card may be the perfect way to rapidly accrue rewards while also providing employees with comfort during their trips. Every S$1 spend on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights earns up to 8.5 HighFlyer points (worth 8.1% cashback), plus a market-leading 1.8 HighFlyer points (worth 1.7% cashback) on all other spend. While HighFlyer points can only be redeemed with select SIA brands, the card is perfect for companies who use the airline on a regular basis. It also packs competitive travel perks like 2 free lounge visits a year for each cardholder.

ProsCons
  • Up to 8.5 KrisFlyer pts (worth 8.1% cashback) per S$1 spend on SIA & SilkAir flights
  • 2 lounge visits/year per cardholder
  • KrisFlyer Elite Gold & Accor Plus Memberships
  • Rewards must be redeemed w/ SIA
  • Corporate travellers must also have active KrisFlyer membership
Promotions:
Card Overview
Pros:
  • Up to 8.5 KF pts (worth 8.1% cashback) per S$1 spend on SIA & SilkAir flights
  • 2 lounge visits/year per cardholder
  • KF Elite Gold & Accor Plus Memberships
  • Promotions:
Cons:
  • Rewards must be redeemed w/ SIA
  • Corporate travellers must also have active KrisFlyer membership

What Makes American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card Stand Out

If your company conducts a great deal of business overseas, American Express Singapore Airlines Business Card is an exceptional option–both for the firm and its corporate travellers. Every S$1 spend on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights earns up to 8.5 HighFlyer points, which are worth 8.1% cashback when redeemed for SIA air tickets. The company account also earns 1.8 HighFlyer pts (worth 1.7% cashback) on general spend.

These rewards rates are quite strong compared to other SME cards on the market, even with a recent drop in redemption value from 980 points per S$10 to 1,050. Most alternatives offer just 0.3% flat cashback, without a boost for any specific spend category. Even though Amex SIA Business Card primarily rewards spend with SIA brands, its base rate of 1.8% is still 6 times higher than the market standard. The KrisFlyer points earned can only be redeemed for travel-related expenses however (SIA flights, cabin upgrades, excess baggage & more), so Amex SIA Business Card's rapid rewards accrual may not be as meaningful to local businesses with employees who rarely travel.

Comparison of Select Travel SME Credit Cards

Amex SIA BusinessMB Business PlatinumDBS World BusinessUOB Regal Metal
Annual Fee
  • S$301.79
  • (no waiver)
  • S$180.0
  • (waived 2yr)
  • S$410.40
  • (waived 1yr)
  • S$686.36
  • (invite only)
Base Rate Value1.8% cashback0.40% cashback0.30% cashback1.5% cashback
Lounge Perk
  • 2 visits/year per
  • cardholder
1 visit/S$1k trans.10 visits/yrUnlimited
Base rate depicts rewards rate for general retail spend in terms of redemption value; actual rewards may be accrued as points

Amex SIA Business Card is also the most rewarding SME card for corporate travellers. Each cardholder is entitled to up to 2 free lounge visits per year, both for themselves and a guest, as well as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards rental car privileges and free travel inconvenience & accident insurance. The account is also credited with a 1-year free Accor Plus membership, which provides complimentary night's stay every year and up to 50% dining discounts with Accor Plus across Asia-Pacific. Finally, with S$15k annual spend, one registered corporate traveller can be upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold status. These exclusive benefits are ideal for companies looking to support travelling executives with comfort and convenience.

Even with all of its perks and privileges, Amex SIA Business Card is actually remarkably affordable. Its S$301.79 annual fee is lower than fees on similar cards, and the first 2 supplementary cards are always free. Ultimately, companies who frequently conduct business overseas should consider Amex SIA Business Card to maximise rewards for travel spend, while also providing employees with extraordinary comfort during their trips.

How Does Amex SIA Business Card's Rewards Program Work?

Use our quick guide below to learn how to redeem Amex SIA Business Card's rewards.

  • Rewards are earned as HighFlyer (HF) points & are credited to company's HF account w/ SIA
  • Employers can convert HF pts to KrisFlyer miles to reward employees (1 KF mile per 1 HF pts)
  • HF points can be redeemed for flight tickets, cabin upgrades, excess baggage & more
  • When applied to bookings, 1,050 HF points are equal to S$10 in value (0.95% cashback value)
  • HF points expire after 3 years

Amex SIA Business Credit Card's Features and Benefits:

Consider this if you want the best reward rates
  • Annual Fee
    • S$301.79
    • Annual Fee Waiver
      • 1 year
      • Eligibility Requirement
        • Suitable for senior exceutives and frequent travellers only
        Card Overview
        • Annual Fee: S$301.79
        • Supplementary Cards: 1st 2 free, additional cards S$99.93/year
        Rewards Rate Details
        • 8.5 KrisFlyer pts (worth 8.1% cashback) per S$1 spend on SIA & SilkAir flights
        • 1.8 KF pts (worth 1.7% cashback) per S$1 general spend
        Benefits & Perks
        • 2 free lounge visits/year for cardholder & a guest
        • Accelerated KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status
        • Complimentary 1-yr Accor Plus Membership
        • Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Programme & rental car privileges
        • Free travel inconvenience & accident insurance
        • Extended payment terms: up to 51 days interest free (from transaction date)
        • 0% interest instalments across 6, 12 or 24 months w/ select merchants (via Pay Small)
        Promotions:

        Amex SIA Business Card's Rewards Exclusions

        The following credit card expenditures are ineligible for rewards.

        Cash advances & other cash services; American Express Travellers Cheque purchases; charges for dishonoured cheques; finance charges, including line of credit charges and credit card interest charges; late payment and collection charges; tax refunds from overseas purchases; balance transfers; instalment plans (unless otherwise indicated by American Express); annual card fees
        Amount billed for purchase of HighFlyer points to top-up balance; purchase and top-up charges for EZ-Link cards
        Group fares, child and infant fares, promotional fares & negotiated or contracted fares; airport taxes; government surcharges and distribution expenses (in SGD); accrual rate for ticketed booking class
        amex singapore airlines highflyer credit card
        Enjoy benefits worth over S$950, welcome offer of 40,000 HighFlyer points* worth S$380, a complimentary Accor Plus membership worth S$418 offering a free night's stay every year, and up to 20,000 HighFlyer points* worth S$190 when you spend with the Singapore Airlines Group.

        *T&Cs apply.

        How does Amex SIA Business Card Compare to Other SME Cards?

        Read our comparisons of Amex SIA Business Card with other cards and learn what makes each card unique in their own way. We compare and contrast each card to highlight its uniqueness to help you identify the card that you need.

        Amex SIA Business Card v. DBS World Business Card
        DBS World Business Card
        DBS World Business Card
        • Annual Fee: S$410.40
        • Stand-Out: Up to 10 lounge visits/year with Priority Pass
        DBS World Business Card not only offers some of the highest rewards rates and perks both locally and overseas, it also provides account holders with greater flexibility than its primary competitor. Businesses earn 2% cashback for spend overseas, 1% on local dining, entertainment and travel bookings, and 0.3% on general retail–all without merchant restrictions. In addition to local rewards, such as rewards for bill-pay and discounts through DBS Business Benefits Promotions, cardholders also enjoy travel perks like free travel accident insurance. In fact, DBS World Business Card offers up to 10 free lounge visits per year.


        While these privileges may be impressive, the card comes with a S$410.40 fee. Amex SIA Business Card, while limiting rewards redemption to the SIA platform, provides even higher rewards rates with a lower fee. However, companies who prefer flexible rewards redemption might be willing to pay more for DBS World Business Card.

        Amex SIA Business Card v. Maybank Business Platinum Mastercard
        • Annual Fee: S$180.0
        • Stand-Out: Travel & local dining discounts, 2-yr fee waiver
        Companies that only require occasional travel and that are looking for a more affordable option may prefer Maybank Business Platinum Mastercard. All spend earns 1 TREAT point per S$1 spend, which is worth 0.40% cashback. While this is far lower than Amex SIA Business Card's base rate (worth 1.8% cashback), rewards can be redeemed far more flexibly. In addition, cardholders can enjoy 1 free lounge visit per S$1k single transaction, free travel insurance and global concierge service. Even with all of these perks and privileges, Maybank Business Platinum Card costs just S$180 per year after the initial 2-year waiver period. Ultimately, this card is an affordable option for small businesses who may be interested in travel perks but want to avoid lofty fees.
        Amex SIA Business Card v. UOB Regal Business Metal Card
        • Annual Fee: S$686.36
        • Stand-Out: Unltd lounge, free green fees & hotel privileges
        While UOB Regal Business Metal Card boasts more comprehensive travel perks than any other SME credit card, it's also by far the most expensive. Its S$686.36 annual fee is more than double that of Amex SIA Business Card. Also, companies cannot apply directly for this card, although they may register their interest through UOB's website. This "invite only" aspect emphasizes UOB Regal Business Metal Card's exclusivity.


        In terms of perks, cardholders enjoy unlimited lounge access, 4 free green fees per year, 12 free valet rides annually, free travel insurance, and complimentary hotel memberships & statuses (Accor Plus, Elite DISCOVER Black, and Fraser World Diamond). These elite benefits are ideal for travelling executives looking for peak luxury and convenience. Even more, the business account earns 2% rebate on dining and overseas spend, 1.5% locally and 0.3% on utilities. These rates are incredibly high compared to the market standard–though SIA loyalists can still earn more with Amex SIA Business Card.

        Given its cost and luxury perks, UOB Regal Business Metal Card is best-suited to travelling executives and upper management. Amex SIA Business Card might be a better match for firms who don't mind committing to one airline and who would like to reward travelling employees with perks without up-ending their budget.

        Amex SIA Business Card v. DBS World Business Card
        DBS World Business Card
        DBS World Business Card
        • Annual Fee: S$410.40
        • Stand-Out: Up to 10 lounge visits/year with Priority Pass
        DBS World Business Card not only offers some of the highest rewards rates and perks both locally and overseas, it also provides account holders with greater flexibility than its primary competitor. Businesses earn 2% cashback for spend overseas, 1% on local dining, entertainment and travel bookings, and 0.3% on general retail–all without merchant restrictions. In addition to local rewards, such as rewards for bill-pay and discounts through DBS Business Benefits Promotions, cardholders also enjoy travel perks like free travel accident insurance. In fact, DBS World Business Card offers up to 10 free lounge visits per year.


        While these privileges may be impressive, the card comes with a S$410.40 fee, which is waived only in the 1st year. Amex SIA Business Card–while limiting rewards redemption to the SIA platform–provides even higher rewards rates with a lower fee. However, companies who prefer flexible rewards redemption might be willing to pay more for DBS World Business Card.

        Amex SIA Business Card v. Maybank Business Platinum Mastercard
        • Annual Fee: S$180.0
        • Stand-Out: Travel & local dining discounts, 2-yr fee waiver
        Companies that only require occasional travel and that are looking for a more affordable option may prefer Maybank Business Platinum Mastercard. All spend earns 1 TREAT point per S$1 spend, which is worth 0.40% cashback. While this is far lower than Amex SIA Business Card's base rate (worth 1.8% cashback), rewards can be redeemed far more flexibly. In addition, cardholders can enjoy 1 free lounge visit per S$1k single transaction, free travel insurance and global concierge service. Even with all of these perks and privileges, Maybank Business Platinum Card costs just S$180 per year–after the initial 2-year waiver period. Ultimately, this card is an affordable option for small businesses who may be interested in travel perks but want to avoid lofty fees.
        Amex SIA Business Card v. UOB Regal Business Metal Card
        • Annual Fee: S$686.36
        • Stand-Out: Unltd lounge, free green fees & hotel privileges
        It's important to mention upfront that UOB Regal Business Metal Card–while having the most comprehensive travel perks–is also the most expensive SME card, by far. In fact, its S$686.36 annual fee is more than double the cost of Amex SIA Business Card. Even more, while companies can register their interest online, they cannot apply directly for this card. This "by invite only" feature emphasizes UOB Regal Business Metal Card's exclusivity.


        In terms of perks, cardholders enjoy unlimited lounge access, 4 free green fees per year, 12 free valet rides annually, free travel insurance, and complimentary hotel memberships & statuses (Accor Plus, Elite DISCOVER Black, and Fraser World Diamond). These elite benefits are ideal for travelling executives looking for peak luxury and convenience. Even more, the business account earns 2% rebate on dining and overseas spend, 1.5% locally and 0.3% on utilities. These rates are incredibly high compared to the market standard–though SIA loyalists can still earn more with Amex SIA Business Card.

        Given its cost and luxury perks, UOB Regal Business Metal Card is best-suited to travelling executives and upper management. Amex SIA Business Card might be a better match for firms who don't mind committing to one airline and who would like to reward travelling employees with perks without up-ending their budget.

        Read Also:

        Carrie Arndt

        Carrie is a Senior Analyst at ValueChampion, helping consumers find the best credit cards and other financial products based on quantitative and qualitative analysis. She previously led consumer studies worldwide as a Senior Research Executive at MMR Research, and led development & operations and BellaVetro. She attended Duke University and Penn State University, graduating with a degree in Political Science and Government. Her work has been featured on a variety of major media such as Yahoo Finance, Asia One, Buro, Zuu Online and more.

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