Reminder: 6 days left to sign up for credit cards with SingSaver

[29/7 update: I’ve received reports that there is an issue with the form that you fill out to provide SingSaver with your contact details to receive the cash gifts. The SingSaver team is looking into this now and I’ll update you when the form is working again. Rest assured, you will receive whatever cash gifts you’re eligible for]

SingSaver is currently running a sign up campaign for selected credit cards, with cash gifts available for both new and existing cardholders.

There’s a few days left to take advantage of these offers, so here’s a recap of what’s still available:

AMEX KrisFlyer Cobrand Cards

Apply for the AMEX KrisFlyer cards here

The AMEX KrisFlyer cobrand cards don’t have the highest miles earning rates out there (1.1/1.2 mpd local, 2.0 mpd overseas in June/Dec), but they have big sign up bonuses and should still be part of your plans if you’re new to the miles game. Every once in a while, they throw up some nice bonuses too.

Currently, the KrisFlyer Blue is offering a spend $5,000 get 25,500 miles offer which is broken down as follows:

• 5,000 bonus miles on the first spend
• 6,000 bonus miles with $2,000 spent within 3 months of approval
• 9,000 bonus miles with a further $3,000 spent within 3 months of approval
• 5,500 base miles on the total $5,000 spent

The first year annual fee for the KrisFlyer Blue is waived.

The KrisFlyer Ascend is offering a spend $10,000 get 43,000 miles offer which is broken down as follows:

• 5,000 bonus miles on the first spend
• 13,000 bonus miles with $5,000 spent within 3 months of approval
• 13,000 bonus miles with a further $5,000 spent within 3 months of approval
• 12,000 base miles on the total $10,000 spend

Do remember the KrisFlyer Ascend also comes with Hilton Silver status and a complimentary night hotel stay voucher, four SATS/Plaza Premium lounge access vouchers and a fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold. However, the first year fee of S$337.05 cannot be waived.

You can only apply for either the Blue or the Ascend card. You’ll get the gift from SingSaver regardless if you’re new to bank or an existing customer.

This promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018.

AMEX Platinum, CapitaCard & True Cashback Card

Apply for these AMEX cards here

I’m grouping these 3 cards together they’re not miles cards in my mind (the AMEX Platinum does earn Membership Rewards points which can be converted into miles, but if that’s your goal you’re better off using the cobrand cards instead).

As mentioned above, you can only apply for either a KrisFlyer Ascend card or a KrisFlyer Blue card. If you want to round out your wallet, you can pick from one of these cards. Here’s my brief take on each of these:

• Platinum: If you’re the sort who dines out a lot at hotels or high end restaurants
• CapitaCard: If you’re the sort who frequents CapitaLand Malls
• True Cashback: If you want to get at least something out of transactions that don’t attract miles (eg payments to government services, charity etc)- then 1.5% cashback is better than nothing

Citibank PremierMiles & Citibank Rewards

Apply for the Citi PremierMiles Visa here
Apply for the Citi Rewards Visa here

These two cards earn 4 and 8 mpd respectively when used with Apple Pay from now till 31 July 2018. If you’re only finding out about the amazing Apple Pay promo now, you’re kind of late to the game, but I guess better late than never?

After 31 July 2018, you can use the PremierMiles card as a general spending card to earn 1.2 mpd locally and 2.0 mpd overseas. The Rewards card would fill the gap for online shopping, department stores and anywhere that sells shoes, bags or clothes, earning 4 mpd for such categories.

Existing Citibank customers can get $50 of NTUC vouchers when they apply for a Rewards or PremierMiles card, while new-to-bank customers can enjoy $150 of NTUC vouchers.

The first year annual fee is waived on both cards, and this promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018 (extended from 22 July)

HSBC Revolution

Apply for the HSBC Revolution here

The HSBC Revolution is a useful backup card to have because it earns 2.0 mpd on online, local dining and local entertainment transactions. 2.0 mpd on dining is less than the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature’s 3.2 mpd, but HSBC’s definition of dining is broader. HSBC considers fast food to be part of dining, and explicitly states that spend at clubs, pubs, bars will get 2 mpd. There also is no minimum spend amount required to earn this.

Fun fact: you can pair the HSBC Revolution with your EZ-Reload service and earn 2 mpd on the first S$200 spent on EZ-link top ups each month. That’s more than the 1.4 mpd you’d earn by using your UOB PRVI Miles Mastercard with ABT. 

New customers who spend a minimum of S$600 in the first month can get S$100 cashback or a Samsonite Astra 55cm luggage. Existing customers who hit the same S$600 threshold in the first month will get S$50 cashback.

The first year annual fee is waived, and this promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018.

Standard Chartered Visa Infinite

Apply for the SCB Visa Infinite here

The SCB Visa Infinite is part of the so-called “$120K” group of entry level prestige cards (although its income requirement technically is $150K). You earn 1.4 and 3.0 mpd on local and overseas spending respectively if you spend more than S$2K in a month, otherwise you’re looking at 1.0 mpd for everything.

The card has a non-waivable annual fee of $588.50, for which you get 35,000 welcome miles. That said, it does not have an unlimited Priority Pass (6 visits only) nor does it have airport limo service.

However, and this is a big however, think about it this way. If you’re new to bank, you get a S$150 cash gift from SingSaver. This lowers the cost of the annual fee to S$438.50, for which you get 35,000 miles. 1.25 cents per mile is a great price, and any other card benefits you get are just a bonus.

This promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018.

Standard Chartered Rewards+

Apply for the SCB Rewards+ Card here

You can check out my review of the newly-launched Standard Chartered Rewards+ card here. If you’re a new-to-bank customer for Standard Chartered, you get $150 from SingSaver when you sign up for the Rewards+ card. But that’s not all- activate your card within the first month and get $100 cashback (existing users get $20). That’s all you have to do (plus keep the card open for at least 6 months). So a new cardholder is looking at potentially $250 just by signing up for one card.

Now if you’re thinking one step ahead, you could also sign up for the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite card above, earning a further $50 (you’re only entitled to 1 X $100 gift if you’re new to bank). That means you’d have offset $300 of your $588.50 annual fee right off the bat. Add the 35,000 welcome miles to the equation and well…

This promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018.

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature

Apply for the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature here

The Maybank Horizon Visa Signature is a specialized spending card that earns 3.2 mpd on dining, petrol and taxi fares with a minimum spend of S$300 a month. You also earn 2 mpd on foreign currency spend, air tickets and travel packages.

The first year annual fee is waived, and this promotion is available for applications submitted by 31 July 2018..