SingSaver has launched a flash deal for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, and it’s one of the better deals in recent memory.
From 20-27 March 2024, new-to-AMEX customers will receive an extra S$100 cash gift, on top of the public welcome offer of up to 15,800 bonus miles and S$300 eCapitaVouchers.
The cash and vouchers alone more than cover the first year’s annual fee, which means the bonus miles, lounge passes and complimentary one-night Hilton stay enjoyed by Ascend cardholders are yours for free.
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend public welcome offer
 AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend |
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| Apply | |
| New-to-AMEX Customers | |
| First Spend | 5,000 miles |
| Spend S$1,000 (Mo. 1) |
10,800 miles + S$300 eCapitaVoucher |
| Base Miles from S$1,000 (@ 1.2 mpd) |
1,200 miles |
| Total Spend | S$1,000 |
| Total Miles | 17,000 miles + S$300 eCapitaVoucher |
| S$343.35 annual fee must be paid | |
The public welcome offer for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend is valid for new-to-AMEX customers who apply and receive approval by 31 March 2024.
| ❓ Definition |
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New-to-AMEX customers are defined as those who:
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All first-time American Express KrisFlyer cobrand cardholders will enjoy 5,000 miles on their first spend of any amount. This is a once per lifetime bonus, so if you’ve held an American Express KrisFlyer cobrand card before, you won’t receive it a second time.
Cardholders who spend at least S$1,000 within the first month of approval (defined as 30 calendar days) will receive 10,800 bonus KrisFlyer miles + S$300 eCapitaVouchers.
To summarise the offer, by spending S$1,000 in the first 30 days of approval, you’ll receive:
- 5,000 bonus miles for first spend
- 10,800 bonus miles + S$300 eCapitaVouchers for meeting S$1,000 spend
- 1,200 base miles for spending S$1,000 @ 1.2 mpd
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend SingSaver offer
New-to-AMEX customers who apply via SingSaver by 27 March 2024 will enjoy an extra S$100 cash, on top of the offers mentioned in the previous section. You must apply via the links in this article to enjoy this offer; links elsewhere on The MileLion site may lead to different offers.
Do note, however, that SingSaver adopts a stricter definition of new-to-AMEX.
| ❓ Definition |
|
New-to-AMEX customers are defined as those who:
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Note the second bullet point, which disqualifies anyone who has cancelled any principal AMEX card in the past 12 months (versus just the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend).
For example, if you cancelled an AMEX Platinum Credit Card six months ago, you would be eligible for the public welcome offer on the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, but not the extra S$100 cash from SingSaver.
If you fall into that category, then you might be interested in an alternative offer for 38,800 bonus miles with S$1,000 spend in 30 days. The “new-to-AMEX” definition here follows that of the public welcome offer.
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend launches 38,800 bonus miles welcome offer
When will the bonuses be credited?
If you’re eligible for the 5,000 miles bonus for first-time AMEX Singapore Airlines cobrand cardholders, these will be credited to your KrisFlyer account after the month of approval and first spend.
The remaining bonus of 10,800 miles + S$300 eCapitaVouchers will be credited within 12 weeks of meeting the eligibility criteria. Fulfillment of this gift is handled by American Express.
The extra S$100 cash will be credited via PayNow within four months of meeting the eligibility criteria. Fulfillment of this gift is handled by SingSaver.
What counts as eligible spend?
A minimum spend of S$1,000 must be clocked within 30 days of approval.
American Express provides a list of excluded spending categories here, but the key ones to take note of are:
- Donations
- Education
- GrabPay top-ups
- Insurance
- Public hospitals and polyclinics
- SPC transactions
- Utilities
CardUp and private hospitals, and anything else not explicitly stated in the exclusion list will count as eligible spend. Do note there are certain restrictions on AMEX payments with CardUp, as summarised in the article below.
All spending on supplementary cards will pool with principal cards when determining whether the minimum spend has been met.
Terms & Conditions
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend fast-track offer
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| Details |
As a reminder, the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend is currently offering a limited-time fast track offer to KrisFlyer Elite Gold.
Instead of having to spend S$15,000 on Singapore Airlines bookings, cardholders need only spend S$12,500 on any type of transaction (excluding, obviously, those on the general exclusion list), of which S$2,500 must be on Singapore Airlines bookings.
- This offer is available regardless of whether you’re still within the first 12 months of card approval, or have crossed that threshold
- No registration is required
- A minimum spend of S$12,500 must be charged to the card from 1 February to 31 May 2024
- Of this S$12,500, at least S$2,500 must be on Singapore Airlines flight bookings purchased directly from SIA through singaporeair.com, SingaporeAir mobile app or phone bookings
Cardmembers who meet the criteria will be upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold within 8-10 weeks after the end of the offer period, i.e. by 9 August 2024.
Refer to the article below for the key details of this promotion.
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend reduces minimum spend for KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast track
Hilton free night certificate
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend cardholders receive an annual Hilton free night voucher, valid at participating Hilton properties across Asia Pacific.
The list of participating hotels for 2024 features 208 hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria Chengdu, Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, and Conrad Bangkok. Obviously, you want to get maximum value from your voucher by redeeming as expensive a property as you can find!
The free night stay does not include breakfast, but it is usually refundable at least 24-48 hours before check-in.
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend releases Hilton free night properties for 2024
Overview: AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend
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|||
| Apply | |||
| Income Req. | N/A* | Points Validity | 3 years |
| Annual Fee | S$343.35 |
Min. Transfer |
N/A |
| FCY Fee | 3.25% | Transfer Fee | None |
| Local Earn | 1.2 mpd | Points Pool? | N/A |
| FCY Earn | 2 mpd (Jun & Dec) |
Lounge Access? | Yes |
| Special Earn | 2 mpd on SIA and KrisShop, 3.2 mpd for Grab | Airport Limo? | No |
| *AMEX no longer publishes income requirements for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend. All applications are subject to internal review. For reference, the last published income requirement was S$50,000 p.a. | |||
| Cardholder Terms and Conditions | |||
The AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend has an annual fee of S$343.35, which must be paid in the first year (it can be waived from the second year onwards at AMEX’s discretion).
Cardholders earn 1.2 mpd on local spend, and 2 mpd on foreign currency spend in June and December (1.2 mpd otherwise). An uncapped 2 mpd is offered on Singapore Airlines and KrisShop transactions year-round, as well as 3.2 mpd on Grab, capped at S$200 per calendar month.
Frankly speaking, these aren’t the best earn rates on the market, and can be easily bested by other alternatives. This is a card you get for the welcome offer and hotel/lounge perks, not so much for day-to-day spend.
Key card benefits include:
- 4x lounge passes to participating Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide (including SATS Premier Lounge in Singapore)
- One-night stay at participating Hilton Hotels across Asia Pacific
- Hilton Silver status (which allows you to enjoy the 5th night free on award redemptions- very valuable if you’re buying Hilton points)
Spending S$15,000 on eligible purchases on Singapore Airlines tickets between 1 July to 30 June of the following year also gives a double miles accrual voucher, which can be applied to a booking to earn up to 5,000 bonus miles.
Don’t forget to check out my full review of the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend below.
Conclusion
From now till 27 March 2024, SingSaver is offering new-to-AMEX cardholders an extra S$100 cash when they apply for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, on top of the public welcome offer of 15,800 bonus miles + S$300 eCapitaVouchers.
This is 23,000 fewer miles than the alternative offer available, though you get an extra S$400 in cash and eCapitaVouchers to make up for it.
Just note that a stricter definition of new-to-AMEX is applied by SingSaver, and if you’ve cancelled any principal AMEX credit cards in the past 12 months, you won’t be eligible for the S$100 cash.
Hi Aaron, does buying vouchers like NTUC or cold storage or eCapitaland counts?