American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card: Is It Worth Getting?

Miles Card for Beginners & Singapore Airline Loyalists
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card

American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card: Is It Worth Getting?

Miles Card for Beginners & Singapore Airline Loyalists

4.5/5.0

ValueChampion Rating ValueChampion Icon

Rewards
Perks
Fees

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 Credit Card
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card

Whether you're new to travel cards and want easy-to-earn miles or you're looking for the best miles promotions on the market, American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card is the best option for you. With Amex SIA KF Card, you directly earn KrisFlyer miles for your spend–rather than points that need to be converted–which allows you to avoid transfer fees & lengthy processing times. General purchases earn 1.1 miles per S$1 (2 miles overseas in June & December), with SIA earns 2 miles, and spend with Grab earns 3.1 miles. Amex SIA KF Card also frequently offers market-leading sign-on bonuses, though these change from time to time. If you're a SIA loyalist or just want a hassle-free miles card, Amex SIA KrisFlyer is a great option for you and could be one of the best miles credit cards around in Singapore.

American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card Features and Benefits

  • Annual Fee: S$176.55, Waived for 1 year
  • Income Requirement: S$30,000 for citizens & PRs, S$45,000 for foreigners
Key Features:
  • Annual fee: S$176.55 (first year- waived)
  • 1.1 miles per S$1 local & overseas spend, 2 mi 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
Promotions:
Promotions:

What Makes American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card Stand Out

American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card offers consumers a straightforward, hassle-free way to earn miles without conversions, added fees, or processing time. Cardholders earn 1.1 miles per S$1 spend locally and overseas (except for in June and December, when consumers earn 2 miles per S$1 in overseas spend); 2 miles for spend with SingaporeAir, SilkAir and KrisShop in-flight and online; and 3.1 miles on Grab rides. Miles earned are credited directly to the cardholder’s KrisFlyer account.

Amex SIA KF Card is especially fit for Singapore Airlines loyalists. Cardholders earn miles at a higher rate for associated bookings and purchases, and can earn a S$120 cash credit to SingaporeAir with S$12,000 spend. Consumers even receive 5,000 KF miles with their first card transaction and 500 miles for their first Grab booking, which together contribute approximately S$55 additional value-to-consumer.

Illustration of Total Value-to-Consumer with S$12k Annual Spend
Annual SpendS$12,000
Max Rewards Earned26,640 mi
Rewards Value-to-ConsumerS$266.40
Bonus SIA CreditS$150.00
End Value-to-ConsumerS$416.40
Max rewards assumes S$200 monthly spend with Grab (to reach cap) and S$800 monthly spend with SIA or overseas in June & December. For this table, we assume the value of 1 mile is equal to about S$0.01 (standard redemption value for economy class ticket). Actual redemption value varies by flight length and booking class

However, Amex SIA KF Card is less beneficial for consumers without an airline preference or who are comfortable with miles conversion programs. Competitor cards offer up to 1.6 miles per S$1 local spend and 3 miles overseas, and pricier alternatives offer perks like free lounge access and limo transfers. Amex SIA KF Card’s special bookings rates also only apply to outbound flights, which can be limiting.

Nonetheless, consumers seeking a straightforward miles card can benefit from Amex SIA KF Card’s simple rewards structure and connection with Singapore Airlines. And, while there's a S$176.55 fee, it's waived the first year–allowing cardholders to focus on earning.

How Does Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card’s Rewards Program Work?

Use our quick and easy-to-read guide below to learn how you you can redeem card 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 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card Rewards Exclusions

Some credit card expenditures are ineligible for earning rewards. We identify these exclusions below.

Charges processed and billed prior to the Enrolment Date or charges prepaid on any card account prior to the first billing statement for that card account following the enrolment date; cash advance and other cash services; Express Cash; 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; annual card fees; amount billed for purchase of KrisFlyer miles to top-up your miles balance
Purchase and top-up charges for EZ-Link Cards using American Express Cards; bill payments and all transactions via SingPost SAM kiosks and mobile app; payments for the purpose of GrabPay top-ups
Payments to insurance companies (except payments made for insurance products purchased through American Express authorized channels); payments to Singapore Petroleum Company Limited (SPC) service stations

How does Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card Compare Against Other Cards?

American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
Consider this if you want an easy to use miles card and fly mostly on Singapore Airlines’ various brands
  • 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

      Read our comparisons of Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 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.

      American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card is a market leader in value-to-consumer after two years based on a high monthly spend of S$6,000

      Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card v. Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Card

      American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
      American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
      Consider this if you prioritise luxury perks like flight & hotel membership upgrades
      • 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 Ascend Card bears some similarity to Amex SIA KF Credit Card, but adds extra value by providing unique travel perks and membership upgrades. Cardholders earn at approximately the same rates: 1.2 miles/S$1 general spend (v. 1.1 miles), 2 miles with SIA brands and overseas June & December, and 3.2 miles (v. 3.1 miles) on Grab transactions.

          As mentioned, Amex SIA KF Ascend Card's key differentiator is its travel perks. Cardholders enjoy 4 free lounge visits and 1 free hotel night per year, plus free travel insurance. Additionally, consumers are eligible for exclusive hotel, flight and car rental upgrades (Hilton Honors Silver, KrisFlyer Elite Gold, and Hertz Gold Plus). The annual fee is more expensive than Amex SIA KF Card's at S$337.05, but is far less than those offered by luxury travel cards with similar perks. Those who are willing to spend just a bit more for travel benefits may prefer Amex SIA KF Ascend Card to Amex SIA KF Card.

          Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card v. DBS Altitude Visa Card

          Consider this if you are looking for a good miles credit card with an easily waived annual fee
          • 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 offers consumers no-fee miles (S$192.6 fee waived with S$25,000 annual spend), plus 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 2 miles overseas, and 3 miles for online travel bookings. Consumers also enjoy perks like free travel insurance, lounge access, golfing and dining privileges. While cardholders can enrol in a KrisFlyer Miles Auto Conversion Programme, this convenience comes at an additional cost–S$42.8 annually. DBS Altitude Visa Card, nonetheless, is a worthwhile alternative to Amex SIA KF Card.

              Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card v. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card

              Consider this if you want to maximise miles earned on dining and petrol
              • 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)

                  Consumers looking for a no-fee miles card that rewards dining and transport may be interested in Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card. Cardholders earn 3.2 miles per S$1 spend on local dining, petrol, taxi fares and bookings with Agoda and 2 miles on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions–plus free travel insurance and airport lounge access. Consumers do not receive welcome miles, however, and miles conversion can be complicated (multiple airlines, conversion rates, and conversion methods). Consumers who value simplicity and promos may prefer Amex SIA KF Card.

                  Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card v. Citi PremierMiles Visa Card

                  Consider this if you are looking for a standard miles rewards credit card
                  • Pros
                    • Frequent traveler perks
                    • Low fees
                    • Flexible miles redemption
                    • Cons
                      • Lacks luxury perks
                      • Not suitable for occasional travel

                      Average consumers can benefit from Citi PremierMiles Visa Card’s respectable rewards rates of 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 2 miles overseas, and up to 10 miles with select travel booking sites. Citi PMV Card also offers perks like 2 free airport lounge visits. Ultimately, Amex SIA KF Card may be a better fit for those who prioritise convenience and mostly fly with Singapore Airlines.

                      Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card v. OCBC Voyage Card

                      OCBC VOYAGE Card
                      OCBC VOYAGE Card
                      Consider this if you have a high annual income and eat out frequently
                      • 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

                          OCBC Voyage Card is a better fit for more affluent consumers who are willing to pay the S$488 fee for travel perks and flexibility in miles redemption. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 1.6 miles on local dining and 2.3 miles overseas. Miles can be redeemed at any airline, at any time, with minimal processing and no black-out dates. In addition, cardholders enjoy perks like free travel insurance, lounge access and limo transfers. However, Singapore Airlines loyalists who value convenience over flexibility may be better off with Amex SIA KF Card.

                          Read Also:

                          Zoryana Melesh

                          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.

                          {"endpoint":"\/newsletter\/subscribe","style":"blue","title":"Keep up with our news and analysis.","version":"sidebar"}