AMEX has launched a promotion for its KrisFlyer credit cards that, for a limited amount of spending, actually turns them into the best general spending cards out there.Â
Targeted cardholders can now earn up to 2.3 mpd on the first S$300 spent from now till 15 August 2020.Â
How it works
Unlike other AMEX promotions, no registration is required for this offer. Cardholders will automatically earn an additional 1 mpd for the first S$300 spent between 16 July to 15 August 2020Â provided they received an eDM informing them they’re eligible.Â
The bonus 1 mpd is awarded on top of the base miles earned, so you’re looking at a total earn rate of 2.1-2.3 mpd, depending on which KrisFlyer cobrand card you hold.
| Â | Promotional Earn Rate |
 AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card | 2.1 mpd |
 AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend | 2.2 mpd |
 AMEX PPS Credit Card | 2.3 mpd (2.4 mpd if >S$3.8K) |
 AMEX Solitaire PPS Credit Card | 2.3 mpd (2.5 mpd if >S$3.8K) |
The bonus KrisFlyer miles should reflect in your card account within 5 business days from qualifying spend.Â
What spending is excluded?
AMEX has very few exclusion categories, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. The main exclusions to note are:
- Insurance
- GrabPay top-ups
- SPC transactions
A full list of exclusions can be found here.Â
How does this compare to other general spending cards?
As I mentioned in the introduction, these earn rates make the AMEX KrisFlyer cobrand cards the best general spending options out there…but only for the first S$300.
Other general spending cards on the market earn between 1.2 to 1.6 mpd. However, if the merchant offers contactless payments, you could use the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa card for 4 mpd, when you pay with your mobile wallet. From 1 August, you’ll also be able to use the HSBC Revolution Card to earn 4 mpd on contactless payments, provided the merchant falls within specified categories.Â
Stack with AMEX’s mobile payments promotion
At the start of July, AMEX launched a separate (targeted) promotion offering KrisFlyer card members a bonus 4 mpd on mobile wallet transactions. If you were targeted for this offer, you will be able to stack the two, earning up to 6.3 mpd in total.Â
Conclusion
The S$300 cap is certainly small, but it’s a low-effort bonus for KrisFlyer credit card holders anyway. No registration is required, so all cardholders will earn it automatically.Â
As a reminder, the AMEX KrisFlyer cards have recently revised their sign-up bonuses, and new KrisFlyer Ascend members can earn 44,500 bonus miles when they spend at least S$20,000 in the first 6 months. Have a read of the revised offers here.Â
Is this for primary cardholders only, or includes supplementary as well? I didn’t receive any communication from Amex nor can I find this on its website.
how these promotions typically work is that supp cardholder spending will count towards primary cap. so if your supp card member spends $100 and you spend $200, the cap is exhausted. if you want to be extra sure, you can call them up
It seems this promo is targeted?
The terms and conditions in the email which my wife received (and which I didn’t) state that “this campaign is applicable only for Qualifying Card Members, which refers to American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card Members who receive this electronic direct mailer from American Express International Inc.”
I think its targeted. I didn’t get the bonus on a spending I made on the 16th
Same here I don’t see any bonus miles for my spending 16-31 July on KF blue amex.
the promotion is targeted. i’ve updated the article, apologies for the confusion.
…. just reached apply pay cap…..now come out this
Amex also have a campaign pay $738 to get 50k miles. don’t know whether it is targeted.
Can you share the general Amex or Krisflyer website page that publicizes this promo? There’s some confusion whether it’s generally applicable to all, or only targeted to specific, cardholders.