American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Is it Right for You?
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card: Is it Right for You?
ValueChampion Rating 
Pros
- Luxury travel perks
- Great rewards with Singapore Airlines
- Elite travel memberships
Cons
- Not suitable for high overseas spend
- High annual fee
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card is a great match for seasonal flyers and SIA loyalists who spend quite a bit locally, but still want to enjoy luxury perks when they travel. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 general spend, plus 3.2 miles with Grab, Deliveroo, Food Panda, McDonald's, Starbucks & more. When travelling, consumers earn 2 miles per S$1 with SIA brands, as well as on overseas spend in June and December. Cardholders also enjoy luxury perks ranging from free lounge visits to exclusive membership upgrades. Finally, the S$337.05 fee–while it may seem high–is much smaller than that of other high-end travel cards. Altogether, Amex SIA KF Ascend Card makes for a unique and impressive blend of elevated everyday rates and affordable luxury.
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Features and Benefits
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Key Features:
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What Makes American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Stand Out
If you're a seasonal traveller who prefers to fly with Singapore Airlines, you may be particularly excited to learn more about American Express KrisFlyer Ascend Card. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 general spend, 2 miles overseas (June & December only), 2 miles for spend with Singapore Airlines brands and 3.2 miles for spend with Grab. While these rates may not be particularly astounding, the card makes up for it with high-end perks. From free lounge visits to Hilton membership upgrades, cardholders enjoy luxury whenever they travel.
Overall, Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card stands out by striking a balance between everyday rewards and exclusive benefits. The high rewards rate of 3.2 miles per S$1 spend with Grab makes it easy to earn miles from local transport. While earnings are capped at just 640 miles/month, it's ultimately possible to earn 7,680 miles per year within this spend category alone. Pricier travel cards rarely offer boosted rates for everyday spending, and less expensive travel cards with high local rates rarely offer the travel perks provided by Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card.
Amex SIA KF Ascend: Competitive Balance Between Cost, Rates & Perks
| Card | Fee | Local Rewards Rates | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| OCBC Voyage | S$488.0 | 1.2mi/S$1 general, 1.6 mi dining | Free travel insurance, unltd lounge access, limo transfers, golfing privileges |
| Amex SIA KF Ascend | S$337.05 | 1.2mi/S$1 general, 3.2 mi w/ Grab | Free travel insurance, 4 lounge visits/year, free hotel night, flight & hotel upgrades |
| MB Horizon | S$0.0 (waiver) | 2 mi/S$1 air tickets, travel packages; 3.2 mi dining, petrol, taxis, Agoda | Free travel insurance, 1 lounge visit/S$1k retail transaction |
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card's travel perks are worth discussing in their own right. Cardholders enjoy 4 free lounge visits per year worldwide, an annual free hotel night, free travel insurance and more. What's unique, however, is access to elite membership perks, like an automatic upgrade to Hilton Honors Silver tier. Cardholders can also receive an automatic upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold Membership with S$15,000 spend in their 1st year. All cardholders enjoy Hertz Gold Plus Rewards privileges, which include discounted rates, free upgrades and fee waivers. Given the breadth of luxury perks provided, it's rather surprising that Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend's annual fee is just S$337.05. Cards with comparable perks cost S$500+.
Membership Upgrades Available with Amex SIA KF Ascend
| Membership | Qualifying Terms | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors Silver Status | Automatic invite w/ card approval. Valid 1-yr | 20% boost in Hilton loyalty pts, 5th night free on 5+ night stays, free WiFi, early check-in, late check-out & more |
| KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status | Must spend S$15k on SIA online in 1st year. Valid 1-yr | Add'l access to KF lounges worldwide, extra check-in allowance, priority checking, boarding & baggage handling |
| Hertz Gold Plus | Automatic eligibility w/ card approval | 10% savings on published rates, car class upgrades, waiver for add'l driver fee |
Even still, there are a few drawbacks to consider. People who spend a great deal of time and money overseas are unlikely to benefit, as purchases will earn just 1.2 miles per S$1 except in June and December. Other travel cards offer rates as high as 3 miles per S$1 overseas. Additionally, consumers who are solely focused on maximising miles earned and who are less interested in perks might prefer a different card. While Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card sports top-of-the-line benefits, its rates align with far less expensive travel cards'.
Nonetheless, Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card is an excellent choice for people seeking a balance between rewards for daily spend and exceptional travel perks. Those who mostly travel in June & December with Singapore Airlines will earn at competitive rates while enjoying exclusive benefits not offered by pricier cards. Speaking of cost, Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card's S$337.05 fee is far lower than its luxury competitors. All in all, if you want top perks at a discount, consider Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card.
How Does Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card's Rebate Program Work?
Use our guide below to learn how you can actually redeem Amex SIA KF Ascend Card's rewards.
- Rewards are earned as KrisFlyer Miles
- Cardholder must link Card to a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer account
- KrisFlyer Miles earned are directly credited to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer account
- Additional taxes, charges and fees may apply when redeeming mileage
- Usage of KrisFlyer Miles is subject to the KrisFlyer Terms & Conditions, per Singapore Airlines
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card's Rewards Exclusions
The following credit card expenditures are ineligible for cash back or rebates.
How does Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Compare to Other Cards?
Read our comparisons of Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card with other cards and learn what makes each card unique.
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card v. Amex SIA KrisFlyer Card
- Pros
- Easy-to-use miles card
- No conversions & transfer fees
- Great rewards with Singapore Airlines
- Cons
- Not easy to maximise miles
- Lacks airline/travel rewards aside from SIA
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card offers consumers an affordable way to quickly capitalise on welcome bonuses, while also enjoying rewards for loyalty spend with select vendors. Amex SIA KF Card is actually quite similar to Amex SIA KF Ascend Card, at least in terms of rates: cardholders earn 1.1 miles per S$1 general spend (vs. 1.2 miles), 3.1 miles per S$1 with Grab (vs. 3.2 miles), 2 miles per S$1 with SIA brands and overseas, in June & December. Amex SIA KF Card, however, lacks Ascend's travel perks, which may explain its lower S$176.55 annual fee.
Amex SIA KF Card's welcome promotions are typically more accessible, however. New cardholders receive 8,000 bonus miles with just S$5k spend in the 1st 3 months, as opposed to S$10k, as required by Ascend. Ultimately, Amex SIA KF Card is an even more affordable version of Ascend, at the cost of travel perks.
- Annual fee: S$176.55, 1-year waiver
- 1.1 miles per S$1 local & overseas spend, 2 miles overseas in June & December only
- 2 miles per S$1 spend on SingaporeAir online & app, SilkAir, KrisShop in-flight & online
- 3.1 miles per S$1 spend on Grab transactions (up to 620 mi/mo)
- Free travel insurance
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards & Amex Selects Privileges
- Annual fee: S$176.55, 1-year waiver
- 1.1 miles per S$1 local & overseas spend, 2 miles overseas in June & December only
- 2 miles per S$1 spend on SingaporeAir online & app, SilkAir, KrisShop in-flight & online
- 3.1 miles per S$1 spend on Grab transactions (up to 620 mi/mo)
- Free travel insurance
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards & Amex Selects Privileges
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card v. OCBC Voyage Card
- Pros
- 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas retail and dining spend
- 1.3 miles per S$1 local retail spend
- 15,000 annual bonus renewal miles (worth S$150)
- Unlimited lounge access, limo transfers & more
- Up to 19% fuel savings with Caltex
- Cons
- High S$488 annual fee (no waiver)
- Recurring bills ineligible for rewards
- Access to limo transfers requires S$5,000 minimum spend
If you prioritise luxury and comfort when travelling and often spend overseas, you may want to consider OCBC Voyage Card. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 locally and 2.3 miles overseas, plus a boosted 1.6 miles on local dining. OCBC Voyage stands out, however, for its luxury travel perks. Cardholders receive free unlimited lounge access, limo transfers, travel insurance and more. These features primarily provide comfort and ease during travel, while Amex SIA KF Ascend Card offers membership upgrades and hotel & transport perks. Overall, OCBC Voyage is an excellent option for people seeking luxury when they travel, as well as high miles rates both locally and overseas.
- Annual fee: S$488
- 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 1.6 miles local dining, 2.4 miles overseas
- Unlimited lounge access, free limo transfers, golfing privileges
- Free travel insurance & global concierge service
- Up to 19% fuel savings with Caltex
- Annual fee: S$488
- 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 1.6 miles local dining, 2.4 miles overseas
- Unlimited lounge access, free limo transfers, golfing privileges
- Free travel insurance & global concierge service
- Up to 19% fuel savings with Caltex
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card v. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
- Pros
- High spend on local dining & transport
- Great for local spend and miles rewards on travel
- 3 years fee waiver
- Cons
- Doesn't reward overseas spend
- Few travel perks & privileges
- Lacks in rewards for essentials (ie groceries)
If you spend most of your budget locally and want miles for everyday spending, Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card offers a great no-fee option to maximise rewards. Cardholders earn 3.2 miles per S$1 on local dining, petrol, taxis and travel bookings with Agoda, plus 2 miles per S$1 on air tickets, travel packages and overseas spend. The S$180 fee is even waived 3-years, and subsequently with just S$18k annual spend.
While these rates are extremely competitive, MB Horizon Card offers very few travel perks. Cardholders do not receive welcome miles and each lounge access can only be unlocked with a S$1,000 retail transaction. Ultimately, MB Horizon Card is a great match for locally-based consumers who would rather avoid a fee than pay for luxury perks; those who are seeking such benefits might prefer Amex SIA KF Ascend Card.
- Annual fee: S$180.0, 3-year waiver, subsequently with S$18,000 annual spend
- 3.2 miles per S$1 local spend on dining, petrol, taxis, Grab & hotel bookings with Agoda
- 2 miles per S$1 spend on air tickets, travel packages & foreign currency transactions
- Up to 17.2% fuel savings on petrol in Singapore
- Access to airport lounges & free travel insurance
- 3.2 miles per S$1 local spend on dining, petrol, taxis, Grab & hotel bookings with Agoda
- 2 miles per S$1 spend on air tickets, travel packages & foreign currency transactions
- Up to 17.2% fuel savings on petrol in Singapore
- Access to airport lounges & free travel insurance
Amex SIA KrisFlyer Ascend Card v. DBS Altitude Visa Card
- Pros
- Great for online travel bookings
- Cons
- Those willing to pay an annual fee for more bonus miles
- Affluent travellers who are willing to pay a high fee for luxury travel perks
DBS Altitude Visa Card is perhaps the best option available for competitive miles rates and affordable travel perks. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 locally, 2 miles overseas, 3 miles for online travel bookings, and often, elevated promotional rates with key vendors or in a specific spend category. Beyond these rewards, consumers can also enjoy free travel insurance, lounge access, golfing privileges and more. The S$192.6 fee is even waived with just S$25k annual spend. Overall, travellers who want to save on an annual fee while still earning competitively overseas–and who aren't willing to sacrifice luxury travel perks–may want to consider DBS Altitude Visa Card.
- Annual fee: S$192.6, 1-year waiver, subsequently with S$25,000 annual spend
- 1.2 miles per S$1 locally, 2 miles overseas, 3 miles for online travel bookings
- Free travel insurance, 2x lounge visits, golfing & dining privileges
- DBS My Preferred Payment Plan (0% interest instalments)
- Up to 15% fuel savings with SPC, 14% with Esso
- Annual fee: S$192.6, 1-year waiver, subsequently with S$25,000 annual spend
- 1.2 miles per S$1 locally, 2 miles overseas, 3 miles for online travel bookings
- Free travel insurance, 2x lounge visits, golfing & dining privileges
- DBS My Preferred Payment Plan (0% interest instalments)
- Up to 15% fuel savings with SPC, 14% with Esso
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Zoryana is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, who focuses on evaluating credit cards, savings and fixed deposits in Singapore. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA in International Finance and Economic Policy, both from Columbia University. Prior to joining ValueChampion, Zoryana worked in treasury management consulting.