Air miles credit cards appeal to a slightly more specific demographic than cashback and rewards credit cards. If you are a frequent flyer, having a good air miles credit card in your arsenal can be a great way to subsidise your annual travel expenses by allowing you to redeem your accrued miles for flights. Air miles credit cards also give you access to a whole variety of travel perks such as airport lounge access, free airport limo services and even free comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
The air miles credit cards that we have short listed offer both top rewards rates and some of the market’s best travel perks. If you’re looking for a more detailed look at exactly how many miles you could earn with different cards, try out our credit card RealValue calculator for an instant comparison of all the cards in Singapore.
Summary of Our Top Picks for Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore
- Best Miles Cards Overall
- Best Credit Card for Bonus Miles
- Best Air Miles Cards for Luxury Perks
- Learn More About Selecting the Best Credit Card for You
Compare The Best Credit Cards in SingaporeFind Out More
Best Miles Cards Overall
DBS Altitude Visa: Easy Annual Fee Waiver + Luxury Travel Perks
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
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Analyst Review
DBS Altitude Visa Card is an excellent credit card for average spenders who prioritise travel perks, but absolutely do not want to pay a fee for them. Miles are earned at a standard rate–1.3 miles per S$1 local spend, 2 .2 miles per S$1 overseas spend and up to 10 miles S$1 on online travel booking with Agoda, Expedia and Kaligo. Cardholders also receive 2 complimentary lounge visits per year. Another notable feature is that miles earned never expire, so you are able to accumulate your miles at your own pace stress free.
The best part of DBS Altitude Card is that with just S$25,000 annual spend, the S$196.20 fee is waived. Travel cards with extensive perks rarely have a fee waiver (including the closest competitor card). Ultimately, if you want to enjoy top privileges with respectable rewards rates, all without paying a fee, DBS Altitude Card is the best option for you.
Citi PremierMiles Visa: Good Balance of Rewards, Perks and Bonus Miles
Citi PremierMiles Card
Best miles credit card for average consumers.
Pros
- Frequent traveler perks
- Low fees
- Flexible miles redemption
Cons
- Lacks luxury perks
- Not suitable for occasional travel
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Analyst Review
If you’re an average consumer looking for a well-rounded, accessible travel credit card, Citi PremierMiles Visa Card is one of the best options available. Not only do cardholders earn very respectable rewards rates–1.2 miles per S$1 spend locally, 2 miles overseas–they also receive perks often limited to pricier cards, like 2 free lounge visits per year. The miles earned on your Citi PremierMiles Visa card is on par with other air miles cards in the market that allow miles rewards on your spending across all categories.
Citi PremierMiles Visa Card does have an annual fee of S$196.20, waived the first year only. Upon payment of the annual fee in subsequent years, the fee will be partially offset by the 10,000 annual renewal miles. New cardholders also receive up to 30,000 welcome miles with they sign up for a Citi PremierMiles Visa card, which is rare for other no-fee cards. Ultimately, Citi PremierMiles Visa Card offers great rewards rates, perks, and bonus miles, without sky-high fees–perfect for the average consumer.
UOB Ladies Card: Exceptional Miles Earn Rate on Specific Categories
UOB Lady's Card
What makes UOB Lady's Card unique is that it allows you to select a preferred spend category, be it beauty, dining, entertainment or fashion, and accelerate your accrual of miles on the selected category
Pros
- High miles rewards (30 miles per $5 spent) on two categories of spending
- No minimum spend
Cons
- Cap of 2,800 bonus UNI$ (5,600 miles, equivalent to S$1,000 spend) per month
- Points have a 2 year expiry
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Analyst Review
The UOB Lady’s card has one of the highest miles earn rates for people who’s spending is concentrated amongst a few categories. You are able to earn 10 UNI$ per $5 spent, which works out to about 4 miles per S$1 spend, both locally and overseas, in two categories of your choice. These categories include beauty and wellness, fashion, dining, family, travel, transport and entertainment. You also have the flexibility to change which spending categories you chose to earn miles rewards on every quarter. On top of that, you’ll gain access to exclusive promotions with a whole array of partners, such as up to 20% fitness class packages and one-for-one cocktail deals.
Contrary to the name of the card, you do not have to be a woman to qualify for the UOB Lady’s card. The UOB Lady’s card has an annual fee of S$196.20 which is only waived for the first year. Despite this, its higher than average miles rewards make this card an ideal choice for people who’s regular budgets are very concentrated and prioritise the high miles earning potential over credit card annual fee waivers.
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card: High Miles for Young SIA Loyalists
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
UOB KrisFlyer Credit Card is a great option for SIA Loyalists who tend to fly on a budget.
Pros
- 3 mi per S$1 on SIA, SilkAir, Scoot & KrisShop
- Up to 3 mi on dining, transport, online shopping & travel
- Expedited KF Elite Silver status, Scoot privileges
- 10,000 annual bonus renewal miles
Cons
- Just 1.2 mi on non-category overseas spend
- No lounge access perks
- No spend-based fee-waiver
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Analyst Review
People who almost always fly with SIA and tend to travel on a budget should definitely consider KrisFlyer UOB Card. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 spend on general local and overseas spend, boosted to 3 miles for spend with SIA brands (SIA, Scoot, SilkAir & KrisShop). Consumers who spend at least S$800 per year with SIA also receive a boost to 3 miles per S$1 on global dining, transport, online shopping and travel bookings. This is especially great for young adults who tend to have higher spend in these categories.
In terms of perks, KrisFlyer UOB Card provides convenient benefits for those who travel with SIA’s budget airline, Scoot. Cardholders enjoy free priority check-in & boarding, baggage allowance upgrades, complimentary standard seat selection and flexible booking waivers. Other perks include a $20 rebate with S$120 nett spend at KrisShop and S$10 sign up bonus when you sign up for Kris+.
Higher-spending cardholders can unlock upgraded KF Elite Silver membership with S$5k/yr SIA spend, but in general, KF UOB Card is not the best match for high-earning, luxury-seeking travellers due to the restrictions on the categories you can earn the upsized miles on. Still, as an affordable option with a S$196.20 fee–offset by 10,000 annual bonus miles, the KrisFlyer UOB Card is ideal for young SIA loyalists who stick to a budget when travelling.
UOB PRVI Miles Card: Rapid Miles, Flexible Redemption
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card is a great fit for high spenders and frequent travelers looking to rapidly accrue miles, with no min spend both at home, abroad and on travel bookings.
Pros
- Great for rapid miles accrual
- Awards high spend on airlines & hotels
- Complimentary travel insurance
Cons
- Doesn't fit infrequent travellers with mostly local budgets
- Lacks luxury perks & privileges
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Analyst Review
If you spend closer to S$50,000/year, UOB PRVI Miles Card is the absolute best way for you to rapidly accrue miles and enjoy perks. Cardholders earn top market rates of 1.4 miles per S$1 locally, 2.4 miles overseas, and 6 miles with all major airlines and hotels, which align with rewards rates offered by the priciest travel cards. UOB PRVI Miles Card, however, provides a 20,000 bonus loyalty miles S$50,000 annual spend, double of other similar cards on the market.
UOB PRVI Miles Card even offers a few travel perks, like travel insurance, and dining privileges with American Express Essentials. Ultimately, due to the high annual fee for the UOB PRIV Miles Card, this card is the best option for above average spenders looking to earn miles at top market rates.
OCBC 90°N MasterCard: Miles + Cashback Rewards for the Affluent
OCBC 90°N MasterCard
OCBC 90°N MasterCard is a great option for those looking for unlimited miles that do not expire with no cap on miles earned.
Pros
- Versatile Miles: 1.3 mi/S$1 locally, 2.1 mi overseas
- Rewards never expire with no cap on miles earned
- No minimum spend required to start earning miles
- Upsized miles of 7 miles per S$1 spend on Agoda bookings
Cons
- Local rates are less competitive
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Analyst Review
If you’re a high spender who wants to seamlessly maximise both miles and cashback rewards, OCBC 90°N MasterCard may be the right credit card for you. Cardholders earn 1.3 miles per S$1 spend locally and 2.1 miles per S$1 spend in foreign currencies. This means that your online shopping on foreign currency would also be able to earn the upsized miles rewards.
You are given the flexibility to convert your miles to cashback rewards at a rate of S$10 cashback for every 1,000 90°N miles. Considering the miles rewards, that translates to anywhere between 1.3% to 2.1% cashback. If you spend a lot in foreign currency, this could be higher earn rate than other unlimited cashback cards on the market. On top of that, you are able to earn instant cashback on your overseas spend with participating overseas merchants, greatly increasing the rewards you can earn with the OCBC 90°N MasterCard. Other privileges include discounted access to lounges worldwide through Mastercard Airport Experiences. OCBC 90°N Card is ultimately a great option for high spenders who enjoy having the flexbility to be able to redeem their miles for cashback.
Best Credit Card for Bonus Miles
Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card: Best Sign-On Bonus for High Income
Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card
The Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card is perfect for those who love exploring the world. Earning you up to 3 miles per dollar for your spend and letting you accumulate rewards points that do not expire.
Pros
- Good rewards for transportation, food deliveries and online groceries
- 0% interest instalment plan available
- Two complimentary lounge passes and travel insurance
Cons
- Not so suitable for low spenders
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Analyst Review
The Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card is a great option for those who want to maximise their bonus miles rewards. If you pay the annual fee of S$196.20, you will be eligible to earn 45,000 welcome miles, much higher than competitor air miles cards with bonus miles rewards for paying the annual fee. Even if you waive the annual fee, you are eligible to earn 25,000 welcome miles, provided you meet the minimum spend of $3,000 for the first 2 months after card approval. Such large bonus miles rewards can greatly accelerate your miles accumulation.
With regards to their regular miles rewards, the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card allows you to earn 3 miles per S$1 spend on online transactions: transportation, grocery and food delivery merchants, 2 miles per S$1 on overseas spend and 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spend. If you are someone who regularly spends on daily necessities like groceries and transport, the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card could be a great option to get you started on your miles journey.
Best Air Miles Cards for Luxury Perks
DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card: Switch Between Attractive Miles and Cashback Redemption
DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card
A high earn rate for both local and overseas spend, with the flexibility to switch between miles and cashback, along with benefits such as dining and travel privileges catered for both locally and abroad.
Pros
- Allows you great flexibility to switch between accruing up to 2.2 miles or 2.2% cashback
- Enjoy complimentary Accor Plus Explorer membership
- Upsized miles rewards with Expedia and upsized cashback rewards Esso
Cons
- High annual fee charges
- Not the highest cashback rewards for local spend
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Analyst Review
The DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card is a great option for luxury seekers who value the flexibility of earning both miles and cashback. With an earn rate of 1.5 miles per S$1 or 1.5% cashback for local spend and 2.2 miles per S$1 or 2.2% cashback for overseas spend, you will be able to accumulate miles or cashback rewards fuss free. That being said, the annual fee high is very steep at S$599.50 and is compulsory for the first year,. However, you are able to obtain a fee waiver from the second year onwards provided you spend more than S$60,000 is spent on retail spending in the year prior. Alternatively, you will be awarded 12,500 DBS Points (25,000 miles) as an annual fee bonus if you do not waive the fee.
One of the most attractive perks of the DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card is their luxury benefits. Most notably, you will be entitled to a complimentary one night’s stay with Accor Plus across Asia-Pacific every year. Not to mention, you will also get to enjoy exclusive dining promotions at the 1,400 participating Accor hotel restaurants across Asia Pacific. You will also be given a complimentary Priority Pass Digital Membership which allows you to get up to 10 fee airport lounge visits per year. If your priority is having the flexibility to choose between miles and cashback redemption all while maximising all the luxury perks an air miles credit card can offer, then the DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card is a great option for you.
American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card:
American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card
Best SME credit card for business travellers.
Read Full ReviewPros
- 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
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Analyst Review
The high annual fee of S$304.59 per year makes the American Express Singapore Airlines Business credit card more geared towards high-spenders who spend heavily with Singapore Airlines Group. The rewards rate of 8.5 miles per S$1 spend on flights makes this one of the highest miles rewards amongst all the air miles credit cards in Singapore. You are able to earn 1.8 miles per S$1 spend on all other eligible spend, which is still higher than other unlimited miles cards.
The American Express Singapore Airlines Business credit card also comes with a whole variety of luxury perks. Firstly, you’ll be able to get two priority pass airport lounge access a year. With just S$15,000 spend per year, you are also able to fast track your KrisFlyer status to Elite Gold, a huge perk for those who enjoy status rewards. Most exciting is their partnership with Accor-plus, whereby you are entitled to one free night’s stay at any Accor Plus hotel across Asia-Pacific. If you are looking for a card that gives you a lot of luxury benefits and do not mind spending on annual fees, the American Express Singapore Airlines Business credit card is a great option for you.
Learn More About Selecting the Best Credit Card for You
What Are The Different Types of Credit Card Rewards?
No doubt you have seen an uncountable number of promotional phrases like “5% cash back,” “3 miles on all dining and restaurant bills,” and so on. Miles, cash back, and points are omnipresent when it comes to credit card offers. It may be difficult sifting through hundreds of offers without a deep understanding of what these things do and what they are ultimately worth. In this guide, we will help you to get a firm grasp of these concepts and effectively compare them to decide which type of card is best for you.
Cashback, Points and Miles: What’s the Difference?: Rewards credit cards provide either cashback, points or miles when you use the card to make a payment. The biggest difference among these benefits is the flexibility they provide to consumers.
Points can be redeemed for different prizes and services at designated locations, and exact worth of points depends on the card issuer. While points generally function similar to coupons and discounts (effectively similar to cashback), many award programs allow easy conversion of points into miles.
Miles can be redeemed for flight tickets at various airlines designated by the card issuer, and generally are worth somewhere between S$0.01 to S$0.08 depending on how you redeem them: the longer and more expensive the flight, the higher the value of a mile. Most mile programs allow easy transfer to a number of airlines. Most people will likely redeem miles at conversion rate of around S$0.01 per mile.
Cash back rewards are the most flexible and straightforward to understand. These cards simply rebates a certain percentage of expenditures back to the consumer, often in the form of statement credits.
Who Should Prefer Air Miles Credit Cards Over Cashback Credit Cards?
Regardless of if your credit card collects you frequent flyer miles or cashback, you have to keep in mind that they are worth nothing unless you redeem them. It is especially important to make a mental note of if your rewards expire. Before you decide on a miles card, make sure you actually have occasions to use the miles. In that regard, the first thing you should consider when deciding between Award Miles and Cashback much you value free air tickets. If you travel often, earning miles may have a more positive impact on your finances than earning cashback.
You should also bear in mind how the value of a mile varies depending on the price of the flight tickets: short-haul economy flights tend to be worth less than 1 cent per mile, medium-haul economy awards are worth around 1 cent per mile, and business class seats are worth more than 3 cents per mile. If you have a reasonable number of opportunities to redeem miles at or above 1 cent per mile, mile awards cards tend to be quite valuable.
How Can I Compare Miles Cards to Cashback Cards?
In order to accurately compare different credit cards types, you must determine their rewards rates. This rate, often presented as a percentage, represents a card’s efficiency (aka how much value does it give you given the amount of money you spend). Cashback cards have clear and explicit rewards rate, but miles cards or point cards do not. We have to calculate the rewards rate in those cases.
The most important step in calculating a credit card’s rewards rate is figuring out how much it’s miles or points are worth. First, you must figure out how many miles (or points) are needed to redeem for a certain rewards. Dividing the dollar value of that prize by the number of miles/points needed yields the value of dollars per mile. Multiplying this figure by the number of miles you get per S$100 spent results in the rewards rate. Miles are somewhat easier than points, because most mile programs are convertible to one another 1 mile for 1 mile. We have done our own analysis which indicates that most miles are valued around 1 cent or higher. On the other hand, value of points will differ depending on the issuing bank’s policies.
Lastly, each card will offer different rewards rate for different areas of expenditure. For example, some cards will reward 4 miles per S$1 on dining, but will only yield 1 mile per S$1 on other expenses. Once you understand how your typical monthly expenses are distributed across different categories, you can apply the aforementioned principle to calculate how much award you can earn from any given card.
Doing this analysis for each card can help you effectively evaluate which card will result in the highest benefits for your budget.
An Overview on Travel Perks
Besides earning airline miles, many credit cards can also provide great travel perks. Some of those include free access to airport lounges, complimentary travel insurance, and even free limousine transfers to the airport. Sadly, some people are not even aware of these perks and forget to utilise them fully. These travel perks are very valuable not only in terms of monetary value, but also in terms of the amount of physical and psychological comfort they can bring to your trips that can often be quite exhausting. You can read our analyses for the best air miles credit cards that provide free airport transfers, airport lounge priority pass lounge access and complimentary travel insurance.
Already planning your next trip, don’t forget the other vital piece to the puzzle – travel insurance! Compare the best travel insurance plans in Singapore to find the most comprehensive coverage with the best bang for your buck.
Read More:
- Best Cashback Credit Cards in Singapore 2024
- 4 Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Signing Up For A Credit Card
- Are Premium Credit Cards Always Better Than Regular Ones?
- Top 5 Tips for Using Credit Cards Overseas
- 3 Rewards Point Traps That Singaporeans Fall For
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