Back in August 2021, Singapore Airlines went all-in on Kris+ by launching a mega promotion with up to 9 mpd on merchants across the platform. This offer was originally intended to run for just four months, but was later extended till 31 March 2022, and then indefinitely until further notice.
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| S$5 for new Kris+ Users |
| Get S$5 (in the form of 750 KrisPay miles) when you sign-up with code W644363 and make your first transaction |
Well, “further notice” has finally come. From 1 May 2023, Kris+ will cut the earn rates at ~70 merchants, including popular ones like Harvey Norman, Audio House, Challenger and iStudio.
Fortunately, it’s not a wholesale nerf as other merchants have gone unscathed (for now at least!).
Kris+ earn rates cut from May 2023
Kris+ users currently earn up to 9 mpd at merchants across Singapore, which represents a significant buff to the usual earn rates.
| Earn Rate (Pre-Aug 2021) | Current Earn Rate |
| >1 mpd | 9 mpd |
| 1 mpd | 6 mpd |
| <1 mpd | 3 mpd |
Sadly, from 1 May 2023 several merchants will be reducing their earn rates. While the list below isn’t comprehensive, it gives you a picture of who’s affected:
| Current Earn Rate | Revised Earn Rate (From 1 May 23) | |
| Dancing Crab | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| Douraku Sushi | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| Duckland | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| Lao Beijing | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| LingZhi Vegetarian | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| QIN Restaurant & Bar | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| Tung Lok Group | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| USHIO Sumiyaki & Sake Bar | 9 mpd | 7 mpd |
| Anglo Indian Cafe & Bar | 9 mpd | 6 mpd |
| PHS Hair Science | 9 mpd | 6 mpd |
| Paradise Group Restaurants | 6 mpd | 5 mpd |
| Famous Amos | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Phoenix Medical Group | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Fusion Medical | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Minmed Group | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Ardennes Health | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Fullerton Health | 6 mpd | 3 mpd |
| Harvey Norman | 4 mpd | 1 mpd |
| iStudio | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| Audio House | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| Parisilk | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| Challenger | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| ASA Holidays | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| CTC Travel | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| UOB Travel | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| Hong Thai Travel | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
| EU Holidays | 3 mpd | 1 mpd |
There doesn’t seem to be a discernible pattern as to which merchants were impacted. At first it was thought that this was an electronics-specific nerf, since Harvey Norman, Audio House and Challenger were all cut. But we’re also seeing cuts to Famous Amos and PHS Hair Science (I know because I buy it…for a friend).
Thankfully, it’s not a wholesale nerf because other popular merchants like Bottles & Bottles (6 mpd) and Bacha Coffee (9 mpd ) retain their upsized earn rates- for now.
What card should you use for Kris+?
As a reminder, Kris+ only supports in-app payments with Apple Pay or Google Pay. They also follow the underlying merchant’s regular MCC, so in other words, simply use whatever credit card you’d normally use at that particular merchant.
Here’s my suggestions for two popular categories: dining and shopping.
| 🍴 Best Cards for Kris+ Dining | ||
| Card | Earn Rate | Remarks |
 UOB Lady’s CardApply | 6 mpd | Max. S$1K per c. month. Must choose dining as 10X category |
 UOB Lady’s SolitaireApply | 6 mpd | Max. S$3K per c. month. Must choose dining as 10X category |
 Citi Rewards + AmazeApply | 4 mpd | Max. S$1K per s. month. Do not use Citi Rewards Card alone- no bonuses |
 DBS WWMCApply | 4 mpd | Max. S$2K per c. month |
 HSBC RevolutionApply | 4 mpd | Max. S$1K per c. month |
 UOB Pref. Plat. VisaApply | 4 mpd | Max. S$1.1K per c. month |
 Maybank HorizonApply | 3.2 mpd | Min. S$300 spend per c. month on any category. Capped at ~S$4.2K per month |
 KrisFlyer UOB CardApply | 3 mpd | No cap |
| C. Month= Calendar Month | M. Year= Membership Year | ||
| 🛍️ Best Cards for Kris+ Shopping | ||
| Card | Earn Rate | Remarks |
| UOB Lady’s Card Apply | 6 mpd | Max. S$1K per c. month. Must choose fashion as 10X category |
| UOB Lady’s Solitaire Apply | 6 mpd | Max. S$3K per c. month. Must choose fashion as 10X category |
| Citi Rewards + Amaze Apply | 4 mpd | Max. S$1K per s. month. Do not use Citi Rewards Card alone- no bonuses |
| DBS WWMC Apply | 4 mpd | Max. S$2K per c. month |
| HSBC Revolution Apply | 4 mpd | Max. S$1K per c. month |
 OCBC Titanium RewardsApply | 4 mpd | Max. S$13,335 per m. year |
| KrisFlyer UOB Card Apply | 3 mpd | No cap |
| C. Month= Calendar Month | S. Month= Statement Month | M. Year= Membership Year | ||
Conclusion
Kris+ will be scaling back some of its generous earn rates from 1 May 2023, so if you’re planning any big ticket purchases at the affected merchants, you’re going to want to bring them forward.
It remains to be seen if the rest of the rates make it through 2023 unscathed, but you know, make hay and all that. And don’t forget to transfer any miles earned via Kris+ to your KrisFlyer account immediately! Wait longer than seven days (or spend any portion of them via Kris+), and they’re stuck in Kris+ forever.
