What’s changed for Q2 2026?
Here are the new considerations for my Q2 2026 miles and credit card strategy update:
Due to insane credit card nerfs and award devaluations in recent years, earning miles through credit cards is now more difficult, and flight redemptions are more expensive, making it harder than ever to accumulate enough miles for a worthwhile redemption.
Instead of focusing only on credit card earn rates (miles-per-dollar value), I put more weight on miles/points flexibility when choosing the best cards for each spending category.
By minimizing my reliance on KrisFlyer, I’ve had little trouble finding award availability in premium classes.
💳 Compare the best Miles credit cards (with a 4 mpd earn rate)
Additionally, I am not a ‘miles at all costs’ kinda guy, and I’m perfectly comfortable using great cashback cards when it clearly makes more sense. I’m also very much aware of other methods to acquire miles at a fair price (more on this later) and understand that miles are not priceless.
At a glance: My Miles & Credit Card Strategy for 2026
My strategy prioritizes earning flexible, high-value miles that transfer to multiple airline partners, giving me the best chance to find Business and First Class award seats. This avoids getting my miles locked into a single program with limited award availability and/or a fixed expiry term.
- For Online Spending & Overseas Dining, Groceries, Shopping (4 mpd):
Citi Rewards Cards (+ Amaze for offline overseas use) are my primary cards. It covers the widest range of spending categories in any currency, with flexible miles earned. - For In-Person Shopping, Flight & Hotel bookings, Foreign Currencies (4 mpd or 5% cashback):
Maybank XL Rewards and XL Cashback Cards handle my in-person shopping, flight and hotel bookings, as well as all foreign currency spending (overseas or online). - For Groceries & Public Transport (4 mpd):
UOB Preferred Visa Card is my choice for in-person groceries and public transportation. - For Foreign Currency Spending (No Fees + 1.5% Cashback):
Mari Credit Card for foreign currency spending, if/when the limits of 4 mpd cards are reached. - For Overseas ATM Withdrawals (No Fees):
Trust Cashback Card is essential for FREE overseas ATM cash withdrawals, and a catch-all for foreign currency spending, if/when the limits of 4 mpd and Mari credit cards are reached. - For Utilities Bills, Insurance & Petrol (1.5% Cashback):
AMEX True Cashback Card covers petrol spending and payments that don’t usually earn miles, like utilities, insurance and hospital bills. - For Airport Lounge Access:
The Citi Prestige Card provides 12 visits to airport lounges, restaurants & spas per year for my partner and me. - For Larger Online Spending (5% Cashback):
Citi SMRT Card is perfect for the occasional big-ticket online spending like buying miles, laptop, mobile phone or home appliances. - For Everything Else (1.5% Cashback):
Mari Credit Card is my catch-all card for in-person SGD transactions under S$5 and when the limits on the above cards are reached.
What’s my travel pattern?
Obviously, your best miles and credit card strategy depends on your travel pattern (i.e. where, when and with how many people you usually travel). There is no “standard” strategy that works for everyone.
I fully understand what type of traveller I am:
- Travel mostly as a couple
- Very flexible with travel dates
- Prefer redeeming miles for Business/First Class, on flights over 4 hours
- Enjoy trying out Business/First Class products from different airlines
- Perfectly fine travelling with low-cost carriers on flights under 4 hours
- Okay with travelling on non-direct flights (max. 1 layover, up to 5 hours)
- Okay with repositioning to a neighbouring city, where there is award availability
- Okay with paying for fuel surcharges, if the amount of miles saved is justified
- Don’t enjoy staycations, all hotel stays are in foreign currencies
Related: What Type of Traveller are you? Is your Travel Pattern a Good Fit for the Miles Game?
Why did I change my Miles strategy?
Prior to the year 2020, the “standard” Miles strategy was pretty straightforward: First, you’d pick the credit cards offering the highest earn rates for each spending category. Then, you’d transfer them to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, before redeeming them for a Singapore Airlines Business or First Class flight to a preferred destination.
So, why did I move away from this “cookie-cutter” miles strategy? The reason was actually really simple: Business and First Class seats were never meant for mainstream travel.
Over the past 4 to 5 years, we saw a massive increase in interest in award travel, and travel-hacking in general. As such, there are many more people with loads of miles and “fighting” for the same number of Business/First Class seats, leading to pretty insane credit card nerfs, award devaluations and a shortage of award availability.
It’s unfair to expect airlines to accommodate the increase in demand for premium award seats, as they want to sell them for as much as possible; these are for-profit businesses after all!
Furthermore, unlike larger countries like the US, the UK and Australia, Singapore has only one major commercial airport, which all Singapore-based mile-chasers fly to and from.
Unfortunately, it is impossible for everyone in Singapore to “win” the Miles Game. The reality is that a lot of us who are still “stuck” with the old strategy will end up making low-value redemptions and/or end up with expired miles.
Related: Beginner’s Guide to the Miles Game and How to Get Started
My credit card strategy
I now only use credit cards that earn 4 miles per dollar, and prioritize those with better miles flexibility to improve my chances of finding business class award availability. In this low-stress strategy, I avoid MCC-sensitive cards and minimum spending requirements wherever possible.
Here’s a breakdown of how I am currently using my credit cards.
Note: As some spending categories overlap, cards listed higher are always prioritized, until the monthly/annual limits are reached.
1) Citi Rewards Card (Mastercard)
The Citi Rewards Card awards ultra-flexible miles on a wide range of useful spending categories and is my preferred Miles credit card until the monthly cap is reached.
Earn 4 mpd on online spending and selected in-person shopping, up to S$1,000 per statement month. No minimum spending required. Save ~1% in FX fees via Amaze.
I use it for: Online Shopping, Overseas, Dining (overseas only), Groceries (online only), Ride-Hailing, Food Delivery, Phone Bills
More information
Key details of the Citi Rewards Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$42,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on online spending, selected in-person shopping and in-person overseas spending (via Amaze ), up to S$1,000 per statement month
No minimum spending
5-year miles expiry cycle
9 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Travel-related spending (e.g. flights, hotels) excluded from bonus earn rate
⚠️ In-person shopping bonus earn rate (without Amaze linkage) is MCC-sensitive
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee (save ~1% via Amaze)
⚠️ Amaze linkage for SGD spending comes with a 1% fee
2) Citi Rewards Card (Visa)
This Visa version of the Citi Rewards Card is no longer open for application since 2020, but Citibank is still sending it out to customers when their card expires.
The key difference from the Mastercard version of the Citi Rewards Card is its inability to pair with Amaze to effectively turn in-person transactions “online” and save ~1% on FX fees.
If/When this card is fully discontinued, I’d pick the next best card in this list for that particular spending category.
Earn 4 mpd on online spending and selected in-person shopping, up to S$1,000 per statement month. No minimum spending required.
I use it for: Online Shopping, Groceries (online only), Ride-Hailing, Food Delivery, Phone Bills
More information
Key details of the Citi Rewards Card (Visa)
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$42,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on online spending and selected in-person shopping, up to S$1,000 per statement month
No minimum spending
5-year miles expiry cycle
9 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Travel-related spending (e.g. flights, hotels) excluded from bonus earn rate
⚠️ In-person shopping bonus earn rate is MCC-sensitive
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
3) HSBC Revolution Card
The HSBC Revolution Card received a major upgrade on its benefits recently and is once again a key part of my miles strategy, mainly due to its flexible miles (for non-KrisFlyer use).
⚠️ As the bonus categories are MCC-sensitive, I only use this card when I’m more or less sure that the MCC is safe.
No 8 mpd?
Due to the low non-promotional interest rates (0.05% p.a.) on the HSBC EGA account, I prefer not to park S$50,000 in there just to earn an additional 4 mpd on up to S$1,200/month, as there are better ways to put that money to work.
Earn 4 mpd on online and contactless spending, up to S$1,000 per calendar month. No minimum spending required. Boost earn rate to 8 mpd (up to S$1,200 per month) with a minimum deposit of S$50,000.
I use it for: Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Overseas, Dining, Flights, Hotels, Ride-Hailing, Food Delivery
More information
Key details of the HSBC Revolution Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000 – S$65,000
• Foreigner: S$65,000Annual fee: Nil
Earn 4 mpd on selected contactless and online spending, up to S$1,000 per calendar month
Boost bonus earn rate to 8 mpd (up to S$1,200 per calendar month) with a minimum deposit of S$50,000
No minimum spending
3-year miles expiry term
7 useful miles transfer partners
Free miles transfers to frequent flyer programs
Instant miles transfers
No annual fee, ever
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Poor transfer ratio to KrisFlyer
⚠️ Bonus categories are MCC-sensitive
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
4) UOB Preferred Visa Card
The UOB Preferred Visa Card is great for in-person spending (via mobile contactless) and selected online spending.
⚠️ As the online spending category is MCC-sensitive, I only use this card when I’m more or less sure that the MCC is safe.
Earn 4 mpd on mobile contactless (e.g. Google Pay, Apple Pay) and selected online spending, up to S$600 per category, per calendar month. No minimum spending required.
I use it for: Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Overseas, Dining, Groceries, Hotels (in-person), Public Transport, Food Delivery
More information
Key details of the UOB Preferred Visa Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$15,000 – S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$40,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on two bonus categories, up to S$600 per calendar month each (total S$1,200):1) Mobile Contactless (e.g. Google Pay, Apple Pay)
2) Online Spending (selected MCCs only) No minimum spending
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Online Spending category is MCC-sensitive
⚠️ S$5 earning block
⚠️ 2-year miles expiry term
⚠️ Only 2 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
5) Maybank XL Rewards Card
The Maybank XL Rewards Card covers a wide range of useful spending categories and a broad foreign transaction category.
⚠️ The minimum spending requirement and 1-year points expiry term needs a little more planning.
Earn 4 mpd on five bonus categories, including dining, shopping, flights, hotels and foreign currency spend, up to S$1,000 per calendar month. Minimum card spend of S$500 per calendar month required.
I use it for: Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Overseas, Dining, Groceries, Flights, Hotels, Public Transport, Food Delivery
More information
Key details of the Maybank XL Rewards Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000
• Malaysian: S$45,000
• Foreigner: S$60,000Annual fee: S$87.20 (first 2 years waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on five bonus categories, up to S$1,000 per calendar month:1) Dine (e.g. restaurants, bakeries, food delivery)
2) Shop (e.g. apparels, departmental stores)
3) Travel (e.g. airlines, hotels, travel agencies)
4) Play (e.g. bars, cinemas)
5) Foreign Spend (e.g. almost anything in foreign currencies)
⚠️ Only available to those aged 21 – 39 years
⚠️ Minimum card spend of S$500 per calendar month required for bonus earn rate
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ 1-year miles expiry term (no expiry with Maybank’s Rewards Infinite Programme)
⚠️ Only 3 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
6) Maybank XL Cashback Card
The Maybank XL Cashback Card covers a wide range of useful spending categories and is my preferred cashback credit card if/when the 4 mpd miles cards are maxed out. It is the easiest cashback credit card to use, with a high earn rate.
⚠️ The minimum spending requirement needs a little more planning.
Get 5% cashback on five bonus categories, up to S$1,600 per calendar month. Minimum card spend of S$500 per calendar month required.
I use it for: Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Overseas, Dining, Flights, Hotels, Food Delivery
More information
Key details of the Maybank XL Cashback Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000
• Malaysian: S$45,000
• Foreigner: S$60,000Annual fee: S$87.20 (first 2 years waived; request waiver every year)
Get 5% cashback on five bonus categories, up to S$1,600 per calendar month:1) Dine (e.g. restaurants, bakeries, food delivery)
2) Shop (e.g. apparels, departmental stores)
3) Travel (e.g. airlines, hotels, travel agencies)
4) Play (e.g. bars, cinemas)
5) Foreign Spend (e.g. almost anything in foreign currencies)
⚠️ Only available to those aged 21 – 39 years
⚠️ Minimum card spend of S$500 per calendar month required for bonus earn rate
⚠️ 0.2% cashback on non-bonus spending
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
7) Mari Credit Card
The Mari Credit Card is great for small SGD spending (under S$5) and foreign currency spending when the above cards are maxed out.
(Apply with code: 6JAC91WK)
More information
Key details of the Mari Credit Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income: S$15,000 – S$30,000
Annual fee: No annual fee, ever
Get 1.5% cashback on foreign transactions, up to S$1,500 per calendar month (till 31 Dec 2026)
No minimum spending
No foreign transaction fees
⚠️ Low earn rates on local and Shopee spending (spend with better cashback cards instead)
• 1.5% cashback on local spending
• 1.5% coins on Shopee spending
🎁
8) UOB Lady’s Card
My UOB Lady’s Card still has the Travel category selected and I use it only for flights, hotels and spending on online travel agencies (e.g. Agoda, Trip.com etc.).
More information
Key details of the UOB Lady’s Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$15,000 – S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$40,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on 1 chosen bonus category, up to S$1,000 per calendar month
No minimum spending
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Bonus categories are MCC-sensitive
⚠️ 2-year miles expiry term
⚠️ Only 2 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
9) Trust Cashback Card
Since the latest nerf, the Trust Cashback Card is no longer as attractive for foreign currency spending. I now use it only for free overseas ATM withdrawals.
Get 0.5% cashback, no FX fees and free overseas ATM withdrawals.
I use it for: Foreign Currencies, Overseas ATM Withdrawals
(Apply with code: V1WB7T8A)
More information
Key details of the Trust Cashback Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$15,000 – S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$60,000Annual fee: No annual fee, ever
Get 0.5% cashback on foreign transactions
No minimum spending
Uncapped earn rates
No foreign transaction fees
Unlimited fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals (follow these steps)
⚠️ “15% cashback” claim for chosen category is impossible to achieve
⚠️ Low earn rate for local spending (spend with better cashback cards)
10) AMEX True Cashback Card
The AMEX True Cashback Card is still one of very few credit cards in Singapore that award miles/cashback on commonly excluded categories.
More information
Key details of the AMEX True Cashback Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income: Not stated (usually S$30,000)
Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Get 22% fuel savings at SPC till 31 Dec 2026, up to S$1,690
Get uncapped 1.5% cashback on almost everything, including commonly-excluded transactions (e.g. utilities, school fees, healthcare)
No minimum spending
⚠️ Low earn rate (spend with better cashback cards)
⚠️ AMEX cards have lower merchant acceptance than Visa/Mastercard
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
11) Citi Prestige Card
The Citi Prestige Card is the only card I still pay an annual fee for, as the miles that come with it and non-spending benefits I occasionally enjoy make it worthwhile.
Get 12 free airport lounge visits per year, 4th night free on prepaid hotel stays.
I use it for: Airport Lounge, Hotels (4th night free)
More information
Key details of the Citi Prestige Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income: S$120,000
Annual fee: S$651.82 (no waiver; always comes with 32,000 miles)
Get 12 free airport lounge visits per calendar year
4th night free on hotel bookings
No minimum spending
Uncapped earn rates
Miles don’t expire
9 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ Low earn rates (spend with 4 mpd cards instead):
• 1.3 mpd on local spending
• 2 mpd on foreign currency spending⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
⚠️ Many unfavourable rules on 4th night free benefit
12) Citi SMRT Card
The Citi SMRT Card is the only credit card in Singapore with an annual cap on its bonus earn rate, making it perfect for big purchases.
Get 5% cashback on online spending, groceries, ride-hailing and public transport, up to S$12,000 per card membership year. Minimum card spend of S$500 per statement month required.
I use it for: Big Purchases, Buy Miles/Points
More information
Key details of the Citi SMRT Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$42,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first 2 years waived; request waiver every year)
Get 5% cashback on online spending, groceries, ride-hailing and public transport, up to S$12,000 per card membership year
Great for big online purchases (e.g. tech gadgets, appliances, buying miles/points)
⚠️ Minimum card spend of S$500 per statement month required for bonus cashback
⚠️ 0.3% cashback on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Travel-related spending (e.g. flights, hotels) excluded from bonus cashback
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
⚠️ Good credit cards I DON’T use
DBS Woman’s World Card: This card served me well in the past. But with only 2 useful transfer partners and a short expiry term of just 1 year, I prefer to prioritize other versatile cards listed above, as they are enough to cover my online spending.
Earn 4 mpd on online spending, up to S$1,000 per calendar month. No minimum spending required.
Best for: Online Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Ride-Hailing, Food Delivery, Phone Bills
More information
Key details of the DBS Woman’s World Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income: S$80,000 (not strict)
Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on online spending, up to S$1,000 per calendar month
No minimum spending
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ 1-year miles expiry term
⚠️ Only 3 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
DBS yuu Card: This is a fantastic cashback card if you spend at least S$800/month (collectively) at specific merchants like Giant, Cold Storage, Gojek and Foodpanda. I don’t, especially as I perform most of my grocery shopping online (Shopee, FairPrice Online etc.), a category covered by plenty of great miles and cashback cards.
But if I do, I won’t be that guy who chooses 10 mpd over 18% cash rebate. That’s like using this card to pay 1.5-1.8 cents per mile (which you can often do by purchasing miles outright).
Get 18% cash rebate at selected merchants, up to S$822.86 per calendar month. Minimum card spend of S$800 per calendar month required.
Best for: Groceries, Food Delivery, Ride-Hailing
More information
Key details of the DBS yuu Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$15,000 – S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$45,000Annual fee: S$196.20 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Get 18% cash rebate or 10 mpd at participating yuu merchants , up to S$822.86 per calendar month
⚠️ Minimum card spend of S$800 per calendar month required for bonus cashback
⚠️ Transact at a minimum of 4 participating yuu merchants per calendar month for bonus cashback
⚠️ Converting yuu points for KrisFlyer miles (10 mpd) comes with a huge opportunity cost (18% cash rebate)
⚠️ 0.5% cash rebate or 0.28 mpd on non-bonus spending
⚠️ Only 1 useful miles transfer partner (KrisFlyer)
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
UOB Visa Signature Card: This is another good miles card if I am 100% sure I will meet the minimum spending requirement. I currently don’t have enough in-person (contactless) and foreign currency spending to add this card to my arsenal.
Earn 4 mpd on local contactless payments (e.g. PayWave, Google Pay, Apple Pay) and/or foreign currencies, up to S$1,200 per category, per statement month. Minimum category spend of S$1,000 per statement month required.
Best for: Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Overseas, Dining, Groceries, Flights, Hotels, Public Transport, Petrol
More information
Key details of the UOB Visa Signature Card
Ease of use :
Minimum annual income:• S’porean/PR: S$15,000 – S$30,000
• Foreigner: S$40,000Annual fee: S$218 (first year waived; request waiver every year)
Earn 4 mpd on two bonus categories, up to S$1,200 per statement month each (total S$2,400):1) Overseas (incl. online in foreign currencies)
2) Local Contactless (e.g. PayWave, Google Pay, Apple Pay), SimplyGo (Public Transport), Fuel
⚠️ Minimum category spend (not card spend) of S$1,000 per statement month required for bonus earn rate
⚠️ 0.4 mpd earn rate on non-bonus spending
⚠️ 2-year miles expiry term
⚠️ Only 2 useful miles transfer partners
⚠️ 3.25% foreign transaction fee
❌ Miles credit cards I AVOID
Understanding the above list makes it really easy to eliminate the usage of other miles-earning cards, especially general spending ones with low earn rates, poor flexibility and over 3% FX fees.
✍️ Read more about the best and worst Miles credit cards in Singapore
| Card | Earn Rate | Transfer Partners (useful ones) | Miles Expiry | Annual Fee (miles inclusion) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DBS Altitude | 1.3 mpd (SGD) 2 mpd (FCY) | 3 | Never expire | S$196.20 (10k miles) |
 Standard Chartered Journey | 1.2 mpd (SGD) 2 mpd (FCY) | 2 | Never expire | S$196.20 (10k miles) |
 OCBC 90°N | 1.3 mpd (SGD) 2.1 mpd (FCY) | 2 | Never expire | S$196.20 (10k miles) |
 DBS Vantage | 1.5 mpd (SGD) 2.2 mpd (FCY) | 3 | 3 years | S$599.50 (25k miles) |
 UOB PRVI Miles | 1.4 mpd (SGD) 2.4 – 3 mpd (FCY) | 2 | 2 years | S$261.60 (no miles) |
 AMEX KrisFlyer | 1.1 mpd (SGD) 1.1 mpd (FCY) | 1 | Automatically transferred to KrisFlyer | S$179.85 (no miles) |
 AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend | 1.2 mpd (SGD) 1.2 mpd (FCY) | 1 | Automatically transferred to KrisFlyer | S$397.85 (10k miles) |
Another popular card that I don’t use because of poor miles flexibility is the KrisFlyer UOB card (read more about it here).
However, I can imagine it being useful to someone who spends a lot on Singapore Airlines or Scoot flights, or over S$5,000/month on dining and online shopping. If you don’t, there are plenty of better cards out there for those spending categories.
What if I don’t have enough miles for a trip?
If I need more miles for an award goal, here’s the game plan:
1) “Buy” miles through Citi PayAll
Because of its flexibility, I value Citi miles/points more than those from other banks.
For payments that can’t get me decent miles or cashback (e.g. taxes, bills, insurance), I use the Citi PayAll payment facility, which allows me to pay a small fee for my expenses, and receive miles in return; allowing me to “buy” miles for cheap when there is a promotion.
Note: This is not a no-questions-asked method of buying miles. You need to be paying for something legitimate.
2) Buy miles through good offers
Great FFPs like Aeroplan and the Avios family have good miles/points sales throughout the year. I’d aim for prices under 2 cents (SGD) per mile.
3) Boost Avios after transferring from credit cards
British Airways Executive Club allows members to boost Avios that were earned, or transferred from credit cards.
Members can boost their newly-earned Avios by 1x, 2x or 3x, at a rate of around 1.6 cents (SGD). This great rate is available to all members, capped at 300,000 boosted Avios per calendar year.
4) Buy Avios through a subscription
British Airways Executive Club also allows members to subscribe and buy Avios and a good rate of around 1.8 cents (SGD).
The catch is that only the top-tier plan, Adventurer, offers this rate. This plan requires you to prepay US$2,575 for an annual subscription, to receive 16,667 Avios per month, for 12 months. This works out to around 1.8 cents (SGD).
And yes, since 16,667 Avios is hardly enough for award redemptions, you should plan ahead with this method.
5) Buy miles through UOB Payment Facility
UOB cardholders can regularly buy unlimited miles at 1.6 – 2 cents each, no questions asked. This price is not bad, but it’s on the high side, considering the limitations of UOB UNI$:
- 2-year expiry term
- Only 2 transfer partners (KrisFlyer, Asia Miles)
Where do I credit paid flights?
With sufficient miles and few award availability issues, I only pay for three types of flights:
- Error fares (some shared exclusively on Telegram)
- Outstanding fares
- Short haul on budget airlines (under 4 hours)
Generally, these are not big transactions, and since airline statuses are not useful to me, I credit these paid flights to FFPs that align with my award goals at that time.
Award Redemption Goals: Which Frequent Flyer Program should you transfer your credit card Miles/Points to?
Summary
Business and First Class travel were never meant for the masses. If you haven’t already, it’s time to rethink your Miles strategy to stay on the winning side.
Have a look at Suitesmile’s sweet spot articles to compare the award rates across multiple FFPs to each region, and stay subscribed on Telegram or WhatsApp to be the first to know about the latest news, deals and hacks.
Hi Fai
Which card would you recommend for flight & hotel booking, ride hailing, food delivery, dining & offline shopping?
Thanks!
Hi, I’ve listed the top miles and cashback cards for each category in the following pages. Pick 1 from those listed near the top:
Flights: https://suitesmile.com/best-credit-card-for-air-tickets-singapore/
Hotels: https://suitesmile.com/best-credit-card-for-hotel-booking-singapore/
Ride-hailing: https://suitesmile.com/best-credit-card-for-grab-ride-hailing-singapore/
Dining: https://suitesmile.com/best-dining-credit-card-singapore/
Offline Shopping: https://suitesmile.com/best-credit-cards-for-in-person-shopping-singapore/
For a local sgd 50 spend on dining in person, would u choose to use the amaze+Citi or the uob ppv?
I’m okay with both, depending on my award redemption goal at that time: https://suitesmile.com/blog/2024/08/12/award-redemption-goals-which-frequent-flyer-program-should-you-transfer-your-credit-card-miles-points-to/
I used to use chocolate for public transport
After the choc nerf which card would u recommend for public transport?
Thanks!
The best miles and cashback cards for public transport are shared here: https://suitesmile.com/best-miles-cashback-cards-for-public-transport-in-singapore/
The UOB Absolute AMEX card is an easy choice, if you’re looking for a single-purpose card for this category. Remember to enroll to receive up to 50% cashback on SimplyGo transactions in Jul 2025: https://suitesmile.com/blog/2025/07/03/amex-cards-offering-up-to-50-cashback-on-public-transportation/
Why 20 SGD using Chocolate though. i would argue even 6 dollars spend with uob Preferred can earn 5*4=20 miles, VS chocolate only 6*2=12 miles?
On hindsight, you’re right. Using UOB PPV for anything above $5 (instead of $20) is a simple, yet more efficient approach. Thanks, I’ve updated the article.
Hi Fai,
I am very interested to see how the introduction of the Chocolate x Heymax collaboration will influence your selection of cards. For me, I am using the Citi Prestige + CardUp to pay for insurance premium and the Citi PayAll for (SP) utilities, and wonder if this card will take over those bills.
Definitely rethinking my credit card strategy now! Will share an update to the post in the coming weeks. 🙂
Hello Fai. You no longer list HSBC Revolution as must have card?
Hey, yeah, still a good card, but I no longer see it as a must-have due to the KrisFlyer devaluation.
hello Fai, just a note that recurring telco bill (e.g. GOMO, GIGA) for CR will not give the bonus pts. The workaround is to pair with Amaze to get the points. Just using CRV or CRM on its own will not get the points.
Hey, I’ve mentioned this in the dedicated Telco page. Thanks for the reminder!
https://suitesmile.com/best-telco-miles-cashback-credit-cards-in-singapore/