Roundup: Credit card sign-up bonuses (September 2023)

Here’s The MileLion’s monthly roundup of the latest credit card sign-up bonuses in Singapore for September 2023. 

If you have any big ticket spending coming up, these bonuses could be an opportunity to rack up some extra miles or gifts, so plan your spending accordingly!

At a glance: Current sign-up bonuses

Here’s a summary of the current sign-up bonuses on the market, presented two ways: 

1. Payoff ratio
2. Cost per mile

Payoff ratio refers to the bonus miles divided by total spend (excluding annual fee). Basically: what’s the bang for your buck? For every S$1 of spend, how many miles do you get?

On that basis, here are are best sign-up offers. 

💳 Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses (sorted by payoff ratio)
	Spend (AF)	Miles^	Payoff
Citi Premier Miles	S$800 (S$194)*	30K	37.5
Citi Prestige	S$2K (S$540)	71K	35.5
UOB PRVI Miles Card	S$2K (S$259)	45.2K	22.6
HSBC T1 Card	S$1K (S$194)	20K	20
Citi Rewards	S$800 (FYF)	16K	20
UOB VI Metal	S$4K (S$648)	80K@	20
DBS Altitude AMEX	S$2K (S$194)*	35.6K	17.8
DBS Altitude Visa	S$2K (S$194)*	32.6K	16.3
DBS Vantage	S$4K (S$594)	60K	15
StanChart Journey	S$3K (S$194)*	45K	15
KrisFlyer UOB	S$2K (FYF)	25K	12.5
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend	S$3K (S$340)	28.1K@@	9.4
AMEX HighFlyer	S$8K (S$302)	60K	7.5
AMEX Platinum Charge	S$8K (S$1,728)	37.5K@@	4.7
^Does not include base miles *Fee waiver option available, with smaller number of bonus miles. See below for full details. @ Plus S$200 Grab vouchers @@ Plus Samsonite luggage bag

Cost per mile refers to the bonus miles divided by annual fee. If you need to pay an annual fee as part of the sign-up bonus, you’re essentially paying for miles- the question is, how much?

On that basis, here are are best sign-up offers.

💳 Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses (sorted by cost per mile)
	Spend (AF)	Miles^	Cost Per Mile
KrisFlyer UOB	S$2K (FYF)	25K	–
Citi Rewards	S$800 (FYF)	16K	–
StanChart Journey	S$3K (S$194)*	45K	0.43
AMEX HighFlyer	S$8K (S$302)	60K	0.50
DBS Altitude AMEX	S$2K (S$194)*	35.6K	0.54
UOB PRVI Miles Card	S$2K (S$259)	45.2K	0.57
DBS Altitude Visa	S$2K (S$194)*	32.6K	0.60
Citi Premier Miles	S$800 (S$194)*	30K	0.65
Citi Prestige	S$2K (S$540)	71K	0.76
UOB VI Metal	S$4K (S$648)	80K@	0.81
HSBC T1 Card	S$1K (S$194)	20K	0.97
DBS Vantage	S$4K (S$594)	60K	0.99
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend	S$3K (S$340)	28.1K@@	1.21
AMEX Platinum Charge	S$8K (S$1,728)	37.5K@@	4.61
^Does not include base miles *Fee waiver option available, with smaller number of bonus miles. See below for full details. @ Plus S$200 Grab vouchers @@ Plus Samsonite luggage bag

Ultimately, both sets of ranking criteria have a common shortcoming: they only look at miles. Some of these cards have additional benefits like free hotel nights or airport lounge access, which you’ll also need to factor into your decision.

For instance, the AMEX Platinum Charge has the highest cost per mile at 2.76 cents apiece, and indeed, if miles were the only benefit, you’d be silly to pay that price. But you need to factor in the value of other perks like unlimited lounge visits, free hotel stays, S$1,354 of annual statement credits, dining vouchers etc.

Therefore, it’s always advisable to read through each of the sign-up bonus articles and The MileLion’s Card Reviews before coming to a decision.

AMEX HighFlyer Card

AMEX HighFlyer Card (Offer Ends: 3 Oct 23)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$301.80 (must be paid)
Spend	S$4,000 (day 1-90) S$4,000 (day 91-180)
Spend Period	180 days
Base Miles	14,400
Bonus Miles	60,000
Total Miles	74,400
Applicants who have cancelled the AMEX HighFlyer Card previously for the same company are not eligible.

New AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders who submit their applications by 3 October 2023 (with approval by 31 December 2023) will receive:

• 30,000 HighFlyer points with a minimum spend of S$4,000 between days 1-90 after approval
• 30,000 HighFlyer points with a minimum spend of S$4,000 between days 91-180 after approval

Alternatively, they can opt to spend S$5,000 in days 1-90 and receive a Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 luggage. 

On top of the bonus HighFlyer points or luggage, they’ll earn 14,400 HighFlyer points for spending S$8,000 (based on 1.8 HighFlyer points per S$1).

The S$301.80 annual fee must be paid. There is no requirement that you be new-to-AMEX; the offer applies even if you hold an existing AMEX consumer card. Applicants who have cancelled the AMEX HighFlyer Card previously for the same company are not eligible. 

Unfortunately, there’s no more first year fee waiver option available for the AMEX HighFlyer Card, and this card no longer earns miles on GrabPay top-ups.

That said, the AMEX HighFlyer Card does come with a complimentary Accor Plus Explorer membership with a 1-night hotel stay and up to 50% off dining. If you’re interested in this, then the AMEX HighFlyer Card’s S$301.80 annual fee represents a ~30% discount to the usual retail price of S$418.

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend (Offer Ends: 2 Oct 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$340.20 (must be paid)	S$340.20 (must be paid)
Spend	S$3,000	S$2,000
Spend Period	60 days	60 days
Base Miles	3,600	2,400
Bonus Miles	28,100 + Samsonite luggage	18,100
Total Miles	31,700 + Samsonite luggage	20,500
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal AMEX consumer card (DBS, Citi and UOB-issued AMEX cards do not count, nor does the AMEX HighFlyer Card) and have not cancelled an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Card in the past 12 months

New-to-bank cardholders who sign up for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Card by 2 October 2023 (with approval by 16 October 2023) will enjoy 28,100 bonus miles + Samsonite Red TOIIS C Spinner 75/28 Exp when they pay the S$340.20 annual fee and spend S$3,000 within 60 days of approval. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 3,600 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.2 mpd).

Existing cardholders who sign up for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Card by 2 October 2023 (with approval by 16 October 2023) will enjoy 18,100 bonus miles when they pay the S$340.20 annual fee and spend S$2,000 within 60 days of approval. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 2,400 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.2 mpd).

Do note that the calculations assume that this is your first-ever American Express Singapore Airlines cobrand card. If you have held one in the past, you need to deduct 5,000 miles from the bonus component. 

While the first year’s annual fee cannot be waived, you’ll receive a complimentary one night stay at participating Hilton properties, Hilton Silver status (which saves you the 5th night off redemptions), and four complimentary lounge passes.

AMEX Platinum Charge

AMEX Platinum Charge (Offer Ends: 26 Sep 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$1,728 (must be paid)	S$1,728 (must be paid)
Spend	S$8,000	S$8,000
Spend Period	60 days	60 days
Base Miles	6,250	6,250
Bonus Miles	37,500 + Samsonite luggage	37,500
Total Miles	43,750 + Samsonite luggage	43,750
New customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 24 months, and do not currently hold a principal AMEX consumer card (AMEX cards issued by Citi/DBS/UOB do not count, nor does the AMEX HighFlyer Card).

New-to-bank customers who sign up for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 26 September 2023 (with approval by 10 October 2023) will enjoy 60,000 bonus MR points (37,500 miles) + Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 luggage when they pay the S$1,728 annual fee and spend S$8,000 within 60 days of approval. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 10,000 base MR points (6,250 miles). 

Existing customers who sign up for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 26 September 2023 (with approval by 10 October 2023) will enjoy 60,000 bonus MR points (37,500 miles) when they pay the S$1,728 annual fee and spend S$8,000 within 60 days of approval. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 10,000 base MR points (6,250 miles). 

AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders will be able to enjoy two sets of the newly-launched S$1,354 statement credits in their first year, since these are awarded based on calendar year instead of membership year. These are valid for fashion, dining, lifestyle, air travel and entertainment; refer to the article below for more details.

Guide: AMEX Platinum Charge annual S$1,354 statement credits

Citi PremierMiles Card

Citi PremierMiles Card (Offer Ends: 31 Oct 23)
Apply
Details
	New  (Offer 1)	New (Offer 2)
Annual Fee	S$194.40 (must be paid)	Waived
Spend	S$800	S$800
Spend Period	2-3 months	2-3 months
Base Miles	960	960
Bonus Miles	30,000	8,000
Total Miles	30,960	8,960
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal Citi credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New-to-bank customers have a choice of two offers for the Citi PremierMiles Card. 

They can earn 30,000 bonus miles when they pay the S$194.40 annual fee and spend S$800 within 2-3 months of approval (the exact timeframe depends on when approval comes through; you have until the end of the second month after the approval month to spend). Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 960 base miles (S$800 @ 1.2 mpd).

Alternatively, they can earn 8,000 bonus miles when they spend S$800 within 2-3 months of approval, together with an annual fee waiver. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 960 base miles (S$800 @ 1.2 mpd).

Is it worth paying S$194.40 for the opportunity to pick up 22,000 more miles? I’d say yes, since that works out to 0.88 cents per mile, and the spending requirement is the same.

Citi Prestige Card

Citi Prestige Card (Offer Ends: 31 Oct 23)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$540 (must be paid)
Spend	S$1,000 in SGD S$1,000 in FCY
Spend Period	2-3 months
Base Miles	3,300
Bonus Miles	71,000
Total Miles	74,300
Offer valid for anyone who has not cancelled a Citi Prestige Card in the past 12 months

This month, the Citi Prestige Card has upsized its sign-up bonus to 71,000 bonus miles for cardholders who:

• Pay the S$540 annual fee (25,000 miles)
• Spend S$1,000 in local currency (23,000 miles)
• Spend S$1,000 in foreign currency (23,000 miles)

The minimum spend for local and foreign currency must be made within 2-3 months of approval (the exact timeframe depends on when approval comes through; you have until the end of the second month after the approval month to spend).

Assuming you meet both the local and foreign currency spending goals, you’ll earn a further 3,300 base miles (S$1,000 @ 1.3 mpd + S$1,000 @ 2 mpd).

What’s noteworthy about this offer is that it’s available to existing Citi cardholders as well, so holding a Citi PremierMiles Card or Citi Rewards Card won’t disqualify you from taking part. As this is the most generous sign-up offer for the Citi Prestige Card we’ve seen in a long while, I’d highly recommend jumping onboard. 

Citi Rewards Card

Citi Rewards Card (Offer Ends: 31 Oct 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	Waived	N/A
Spend	S$800
Spend Period	2-3 months
Base Miles	3,200
Bonus Miles	16,000
Total Miles	19,200
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal Citi credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New-to-bank customers can earn 16,000 bonus miles when they spend S$800 within 2-3 months of approval (the exact timeframe depends on when approval comes through; you have until the end of the second month after the approval month to spend). The first year’s annual fee is waived. 

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on online transactions (and you should, given how easy it is), you’ll earn a further 3,200 base miles (S$800 @ 4 mpd).

I consider the Citi Rewards Card to be practically essential for miles collectors, and if you don’t have one for whatever reason, that’s something you need to change.

DBS Altitude AMEX Card

DBS Altitude AMEX (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$194.40 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)	S$194.40 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)
Spend	S$2,000	S$2,000
Spend Period	30 days	30 days
Base Miles	2,600	2,600
Bonus Miles	35,600	21,600
Total Miles	38,200	24,200
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal DBS/POSB credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New-to-bank customers who apply for a DBS Altitude AMEX with the promo code ALTMEX will enjoy 35,600 bonus miles when they pay the S$194.40 annual fee and spend S$2,000 within 30 days of approval (should you not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTMEXW gets you a first year fee waiver, with 25,600 bonus miles). 

Existing customers who apply for a DBS Altitude AMEX with the promo code ALTMEXA will enjoy 21,600 bonus miles when they pay the S$194.40 annual fee and spend S$2,000 within 30 days of approval (should you not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTMEXAW gets you a first year fee waiver, with 11,600 bonus miles). 

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 2,600 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.3 mpd).

DBS Altitude Visa Card

DBS Altitude Visa (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$194.40 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)	N/A
Spend	S$2,000
Spend Period	30 days
Base Miles	2,600
Bonus Miles	32,600
Total Miles	35,200
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal DBS/POSB credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New-to-bank customers who apply for a DBS Altitude Visa with the promo code ALTVIS will enjoy 32,600 bonus miles when they pay the S$194.40 annual fee and spend S$2,000 within 30 days of approval (should you not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTVISW gets you a first year fee waiver, with 22,600 bonus miles). 

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 2,600 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.3 mpd).

DBS Vantage Card

DBS Vantage Card (Offer Ends: 31 Jan 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$594 (must be paid)	S$594 (must be paid)
Spend	S$4,000	S$4,000
Spend Period	30 days	30 days
Base Miles	6,000	6,000
Bonus Miles	60,000	40,000
Total Miles	66,000	46,000
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal DBS/POSB credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New-to-bank/existing customers will enjoy 60,000/40,000 bonus miles when they apply for a DBS Vantage Card, pay the S$594 annual fee and spend S$4,000 within 30 days of approval.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 6,000 base miles (S$4,000 @ 1.5 mpd).

Do note that we periodically see the Vantage Card’s sign-up offer upsized to 80,000/60,000 bonus miles for new-to-bank/existing customers, so if you can wait, I’d recommend holding out for that offer to return.

HSBC TravelOne Card

HSBC TravelOne Card (Offer Ends: 31 Dec 23)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$194.40 (must be paid)
Spend	S$1,000
Spend Period	1-2 months
Base Miles	1,200
Bonus Miles	20,000
Total Miles	21,200

The newly-launched HSBC TravelOne Card, which is offering 20,000 bonus miles to both new and existing customers who:

• Pay the annual fee of S$194.40
• Spend at least S$1,000 during the qualifying spending period
• Opt-in for marketing communications during the sign-up process

The qualifying spending period is as follows:

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 1,200 base miles (S$1,000 @ 1.2 mpd).

Cardholders will enjoy other perks like four lounge visits per calendar year (i.e. eight in the first membership year), 12 transfer partners (with more to come by the end of 2023), plus instant, no-fee conversions. 

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 23)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	Waived	N/A
Spend	S$2,000
Spend Period	60 days
Base Miles	2,400
Bonus Miles	25,000
Total Miles	27,400
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal UOB credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 6 months

What’s this? An uncapped UOB sign-up bonus? Surely this must be a glitch in the Matrix!

Apparently not. New-to-bank customers who apply for a KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card will enjoy 25,000 bonus miles when they spend at least S$2,000 in the first 60 days. The first year’s annual fee is waived.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 2,400 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.2 mpd).

I’ve made no secret of my issues with the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card, but when it’s all said and done, this is a card that offers an uncapped 3 mpd on SIA and Scoot tickets, Kris+, dining, online shopping and travel, and transport. If you’ve maxed out your 4 mpd allowances, or god forbid are part of the “one card” camp, then this would be the next best alternative. 

StanChart Journey Card

StanChart Journey Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 23)
Apply (Fee Waiver)
Apply (Fee Paying)
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$194.40 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)	N/A
Spend	S$3,000
Spend Period	60 days
Base Miles	3,600
Bonus Miles	45,000
Total Miles	48,600
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal StanChart credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

New this month is an improved offer for the StanChart Journey Card, where new-to-bank customers will receive 35,000 bonus miles for spending S$3,000 in the first 60 days of approval. They can also choose to pay the first year’s S$194.40 annual fee for an extra 10,000 bonus miles.

Assuming the S$3,000 is spent in local currency, cardholders will earn an additional 3,600 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.2 mpd). 

If you have plans to head overseas for the year-end holidays, my advice would be to apply for this card around mid-September, then clock your minimum spend in overseas transactions. You’ll earn 2 mpd with a rebate of the usual 3.5% FCY transaction fee, courtesy of StanChart’s year end FCY spending promo for November and December 2023. 

UOB PRVI Miles Card

New-to-bank UOB PRVI Miles Cardmembers who apply and get approved from 1-30 September 2023 will enjoy up to 45,200 bonus miles, split into:

• 20,000 miles for paying the S$259.20 annual fee
• 25,200 miles for spending S$1,000 per month for two consecutive months

There is no cap on the maximum customers eligible for either component. However, do note that you must be approved by 30 September 2023, so don’t leave your application till the last minute. 

Assuming the S$2,000 minimum spend is clocked locally, a further 2,800 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.4 mpd) will be earned. If the minimum spend is clocked overseas, a further 4,800 (S$2,000 @ 2.4 mpd) base miles will be earned. UOB assumes the latter scenario in its marketing, which is why you’ll see claims of a 50,000 miles sign-up bonus (45,200 bonus + 4,800 base) on its website.

Since the first-year annual fee is waived by default, cardholders must opt in by sending the following SMS to 77862 by 31 October 2023.

UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card

UOB VI Metal Card (Offer Ends: 31 Jan 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$648 (must be paid)	S$648 (must be paid)
Spend	S$4,000	S$4,000
Spend Period	30 days	30 days
Base Miles	5,600	5,600
Bonus Miles	80,000 + S$200 Grab voucher	40,000 + S$200 Grab voucher
Total Miles	85,600 + S$200 Grab voucher	45,600 + S$200 Grab voucher
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal UOB credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 6 months

New-to-bank/existing customers will enjoy 80,000 miles + S$200 Grab vouchers/40,000 bonus miles + S$200 Grab vouchers when they apply for a UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card, pay the S$648 annual fee and spend S$4,000 within 30 days of approval.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 5,600 base miles (S$4,000 @ 1.4 mpd).

The new-and-improved UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card features unlimited lounge access for the principal cardholder plus one guest, S$10 of Grab vouchers every month (on top of the S$200 you get as a sign-up gift), complimentary Pan Pacific DISCOVERY Platinum status, and a waiver of the usual S$25 admin fee for miles conversions.

Frankly, there should be enough to offset the annual fee in the first year at least, especially if you’re a new-to-bank customer.

My picks for September 2023

As always, the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card and Citi Rewards Card offer a waiver of the first year’s annual fee, so provided you can meet the minimum spend, then it’s basically free miles. 

This month sees the HSBC TravelOne Card extending its 20,000 miles sign-up offer to 31 December 2023, but it’s also increased the minimum spend from S$800 to S$1,000. You’ll still need to pay the S$194.40 annual fee, but you can get S$40 cash when signing up via SingSaver, and remember there’s also four free lounge visits included (eight in the first membership year, since the allowance is tracked by calendar year). 

If you count as new-to-AMEX, then 28,100 bonus miles + a Samsonite luggage with a new AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend is a good return for S$3,000 spend and payment of the S$340.20 annual fee. Existing AMEX cardholders get up to 18,100 bonus miles for S$2,000 spend, which is also worth considering since we rarely see goodies for existing cardholders.

I continue to fancy the StanChart Journey Card and its 35,000 bonus miles with just S$3,000 spend. In fact, this will be one of the best cards to use for overseas spending in November and December 2023, thanks to the 3.5% FCY fee rebate. It’s basically 2 mpd with no min. spend and no cap!

For those who earn at least S$120,000, the upsized Citi Prestige sign-up offer is mighty tempting. While the minimum spend has increased from S$800 to S$2,000, the bonus miles on offer have also been hiked to 71,000. Even better, the offer is available to existing Citi customers too.

Non-miles sign-up bonuses

💳 Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses (Non-miles)
	Spend (Period)	Reward	Remarks
DBS yuu AMEX Apply	S$500 (30 days)	S$250 (new) S$80 (existing)	Ends 30 Sep 23. T&Cs apply
DBS yuu Visa  Apply	S$500 (30 days)	S$250 (new) S$50 (existing)
CIMB Visa Signature Apply	S$988 (60 days)	S$350 cash (new)	Ends 10 Sep 23. T&Cs apply
CIMB World MC Apply	S$988 (60 days)	S$350 cash (new)
CIMB Visa Infinite Apply	S$988 (60 days)	S$350 cash (new)
SC Smart Card Apply	S$500 (30 days)	S$60 cash (new)	Ends 1 Oct 23. T&Cs apply
HSBC Revolution Apply	S$1K (1-2 mo.)	S$150 cashback + S$40 cash	Ends 31 Dec 23. T&Cs apply (1, 2)

Do note that you will only count as a new customer for the first card you apply for. Subsequently, you’re considered an existing customer. 

Conclusion

As with all credit card sign-up offers, it’s important to read through the T&Cs to confirm eligibility, qualifying spend definitions, and fulfilment timelines. Don’t panic if you don’t see the bonus immediately upon meeting the minimum spend; these usually take three months or more to process.

I also recommend saving a copy of the T&Cs for your own reference, because banks may overwrite the T&Cs when new campaigns are launched, or worse, retroactively modify them!