Roundup: Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses (May 2024)

Here’s The MileLion’s monthly roundup of the latest credit card sign-up bonuses in Singapore for May 2024. 

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!

Two highlights this month:

• American Express will continue to offer its new customer welcome bonuses to existing cardholders till 29 May 2024, which is pretty unprecedented. Normally existing customers get a much smaller bonus, if any at all!
• SingSaver’s Miles vs Cashback showdown is back for 2024, and you can earn up to 34,000 bonus miles on top of the regular gifts should Team Miles emerge victorious (and it will)

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@
AMEX KF Card Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$500 (FYF)	29.45K	58.9
HSBC T1 Card Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$500 (S$196)	20K	40
Citi Premier Miles Apply Ends 31 Jul 24	S$800 (S$196)*	30K	37.5
AMEX Plat CC Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$1K (S$327)	34K	34
AMEX KF Ascend Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$1K (S$343)	32.8K	32.8
Citi Prestige Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (S$545)	50K	25
UOB PRVI Miles Card Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (S$261)	45.2K	22.6
DBS Vantage  Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$4K (S$600)	85K	21.3
Citi Rewards Apply Ends 31 Jul 24	S$800 (FYF)	16K	20
UOB VI Metal Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$4K (S$654)	80K	20
DBS Altitude AMEX Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$3K (S$196)*	53.4K	17.8
DBS Altitude Visa Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$3K (S$196)*	46.4K	15.5
StanChart Journey Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$3K (S$196)*	45K + S$50	15
AMEX Plat Charge Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$6K (S$1,744)	79.7K + S$350 DFG	13.3
KrisFlyer UOB ⚠️ Cap Applies Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (FYF)	25K	12.5
AMEX HighFlyer Apply Ends 14 May 24	S$6K (S$305)	57.2K	9.5
^Does not include base miles *Fee waiver option available, with smaller number of bonus miles. See below for full details. @ Ignores non-miles gifts

Cost per mile refers to the annual fee divided by bonus miles. 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@
AMEX KF Card Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$500 (FYF)	29.45K	–
KrisFlyer UOB ⚠️ Cap Applies Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (FYF)	25K	–
Citi Rewards Apply Ends 31 Jul 24	S$800 (FYF)	16K	–
DBS Altitude AMEX Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$3K (S$196)*	53.4K	0.37
DBS Altitude Visa Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$3K (S$196)*	46.4K	0.42
StanChart Journey Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$3K (S$196)*	45K + S$50	0.44
AMEX HighFlyer Apply Ends 14 May 24	S$6K (S$305)	57.2K	0.53
UOB PRVI Miles Card Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (S$261)	45.2K	0.58
Citi Premier Miles Apply Ends 31 Jul 24	S$800 (S$196)*	30K	0.65
DBS Vantage Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$4K (S$600)	85K	0.71
UOB VI Metal Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$4K (S$654)	80K	0.82
AMEX Plat CC Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$1K (S$327)	34K	0.96
HSBC T1 Card Apply Ends 30 Jun 24	S$500 (S$196)	20K	0.98
AMEX KF Ascend Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$1K (S$343)	32.8K	1.05
Citi Prestige Apply Ends 31 May 24	S$2K (S$545)	50K	1.09
AMEX Plat Charge Apply Ends 29 May 24	S$6K (S$1,744)	79.7K + S$350 DFG	2.19
^Does not include base miles *Fee waiver option available, with smaller number of bonus miles. See below for full details. @ Ignores non-miles gifts

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 in.

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: 14 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$304.59 (must be paid)
Spend	S$6,000
Spend Period	90 days
Base Miles	10,800
Bonus Miles	57,200 or Samsonite Luggage
Total Miles	68,000 or 10,800 + Samsonite Luggage
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 14 May 2024 (with approval by 29 July 2024) and spend S$6,000 within 90 days of approval can choose from one of the following gifts: 

• 57,200 bonus HighFlyer points
• A Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 luggage bag

On top of the bonus HighFlyer points and luggage, they’ll earn 10,800 base HighFlyer points for spending S$6,000 (based on 1.8 HighFlyer points per S$1; 1 HighFlyer point = 1 KrisFlyer mile).

The S$304.59 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. 

The AMEX HighFlyer Card comes with a complimentary Accor Plus Explorer membership with a 1-night hotel stay and up to 50% off dining across Asia Pacific.

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend

AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend (Offer Ends: 29 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$343.35 (must be paid)
Spend	S$1,000
Spend Period	30 days
Base Miles	1,200
Bonus Miles	32,800
Total Miles	34,000
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
Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Card in the past 12 months

New-to-AMEX or existing AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend by 29 May 2024 and spend S$1,000 in the first 30 days will receive 32,800 bonus miles when they pay the S$343.35 annual fee and spend S$1,000 within 30 days of approval. 

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 1,200 base miles (S$1,000 @ 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 at any time, 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 award night redemptions), and four complimentary lounge passes. There’s also a limited-time fast-track offer to KrisFlyer Elite Gold, with a reduced spending requirement. 

AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card

AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card (Offer Ends: 30 Jun 24)
Apply
	New
Annual Fee	S$179.85 (FYF)
Spend	S$500
Spend Period	30 days
Base Miles	550
Bonus Miles	29,450
Total Miles	30,000
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 Credit Card in the past 12 months

New-to-AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card by 30 June 2024 and spend S$500 in the first 30 days will receive 29,450 bonus miles. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 550  base miles (S$500 @ 1.1 mpd).

This is the highest miles to spend ratio for any welcome offer on the market right now, and is certainly worth considering if you don’t have any AMEX cards at the moment. 

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 at any time, you need to deduct 5,000 miles from the bonus component.

AMEX Platinum Charge

AMEX Platinum Charge (Offer Ends: 29 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$1,744 (must be paid)	S$1,744 (must be paid)
Spend	S$6,000	S$6,000
Spend Period	60 days	60 days
Base Miles	4,688	4,688
Bonus Miles	79,688 + S$350 DFG voucher or Samsonite luggage	79,688
Total Miles	84,375 + S$350 DFG voucher or Samsonite luggage	84,375
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).
Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 24 months

New-to-AMEX customers who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 29 May 2024 will receive 127,500 bonus MR points (79,688 miles) and a choice of S$350 Dairy Farm Group vouchers or a Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 luggage when they pay the S$1,744 annual fee and spend S$6,000 within 60 days of approval. 

Existing AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 29 May 2024 will enjoy 127,500 bonus MR points (79,688 miles) when they pay the S$1,744 annual fee and spend S$6,000 within 60 days of approval.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 7,500 base MR points (4,688 miles). 

All AMEX Platinum Charge cardholders will be able to enjoy two sets of the newly-launched dining, lifestyle, air travel, fashion and entertainment statement credits in their first year, since these are awarded based on calendar year instead of membership year (except for entertainment credits, which are awarded per month).

This makes the first year of membership quite the sweet spot, as I’ve explained in the post below.

The AMEX Platinum Charge first-year sweet spot

AMEX Platinum Credit Card

AMEX Platinum Credit Card (Offer Ends: 29 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$327 (must be paid)	S$327 (must be paid)
Spend	S$1,000	S$1,000
Spend Period	30 days	30 days
Base Miles	694	694
Bonus Miles	34,027	32,639
Total Miles	34,722	33,333
New customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX Platinum Credit Card in the past 12 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).
Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX Platinum Credit Card in the past 12 months

New-to-bank customers who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Credit Card by 29 May 2024 will receive 61,250 bonus MR points (34,027 miles) with a minimum spend of S$1,000 within 30 days of approval.

Existing customers who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Credit Card by 29 May 2024 will receive 58,750 bonus MR points (32,639 miles) with a minimum spend of S$1,000 within 30 days of approval.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local general spending, you’ll earn a further 1,250 base MR points (694 miles).

If you find the AMEX Platinum Charge’s annual fee too expensive, you’ll be glad to know the AMEX Platinum Credit Card has a first year sweet spot of its own, giving cardmembers outsized value for their annual fee. 

The AMEX Platinum Credit Card’s first year sweet spot

Citi PremierMiles Card

Citi PremierMiles Card (Offer Ends: 31 Jul 24)
Apply
Details
	New  (Offer 1)	New (Offer 2)
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (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$196.20 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).

Citi Prestige Card

Citi Prestige Card (Offer Ends: 31 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$545 (must be paid)
Spend	S$2,000
Spend Period	2-3 months
Base Miles	2,600
Bonus Miles	50,000
Total Miles	52,600
Offer valid for anyone who has not cancelled a Citi Prestige Card in the past 12 months

The Citi Prestige Card is offering a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles for cardholders who:

• Pay the S$545 annual fee (25,000 miles)
• Spend S$2,000 by the end of the second month following approval

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

As a reminder, Citi PayAll transactions can be used to meet the minimum spend, as can transactions like insurance, hospital bills, and charitable donations- though you won’t earn rewards for these.

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 participating.

Citi Rewards Card

Citi Rewards Card (Offer Ends: 31 Jul 24)
Apply
Details
	New Only
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (FYF)
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: 31 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New Only
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)
Spend	S$3,000
Spend Period	60 days
Base Miles	3,900
Bonus Miles	53,400
Total Miles	57,300
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 ALTA60 will enjoy 53,400 bonus miles when they pay the S$196.20 annual fee and spend S$3,000 within 60 days of approval .

Should they not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTAW50 gets you a first year fee waiver, with 43,400 bonus miles.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 3,900 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.3 mpd).

DBS Altitude Visa Card

DBS Altitude Visa (Offer Ends: 31 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New Only
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles)
Spend	S$3,000
Spend Period	60 days
Base Miles	3,900
Bonus Miles	46,400
Total Miles	50,300
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 ALTV53 will enjoy 46,400 bonus miles when they pay the S$196.20 annual fee and spend S$3,000 within 60 days of approval .

Should they not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTVW43 gets you a first year fee waiver, with 36,400 bonus miles.

Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 3,900 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.3 mpd).

DBS Vantage Card

DBS Vantage Card (Offer Ends: 31 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$599.50 (must be paid)	S$599.50 (must be paid)
Spend	S$4,000	S$4,000
Spend Period	30 days	30 days
Base Miles	6,000	6,000
Bonus Miles	85,000	40,000
Total Miles	91,000	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 85,000/40,000 bonus miles when they apply for a DBS Vantage Card, pay the S$599.50 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).

If you’re a new-to-bank customer, this is the biggest-ever welcome offer we’ve seen, so give it serious consideration if you’re in the market for a $120K card.

HSBC TravelOne Card

HSBC TravelOne Card (Offer Ends: 30 Jun 24)
Apply
Details
	New & Existing
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (must be paid)
Spend	S$500
Spend Period	1-2 months
Base Miles	600
Bonus Miles	20,000
Total Miles	20,600

The HSBC TravelOne Card is offering 20,000 bonus miles to both new and existing HSBC cardholders who:

• Pay the annual fee of S$196.20
• Spend at least S$500 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 600 base miles (S$500 @ 1.2 mpd).

Cardholders will enjoy other perks like four lounge visits per calendar year (i.e. eight in the first membership year), 20 transfer partners, plus no conversion fees till 31 January 2025.

If you want this card for the free lounge visits, then take the first year fee waiver option instead (which does not come with the bonus miles).

Thankfully, HSBC is adding points pooling from 28 May 2024, which will make this card a lot more useful since you can pair it with the HSBC Revolution. 

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card (Offer Ends: 31 May 24)
Apply
Details
	New (First 100 applicants only)
Annual Fee	S$196.20 (FYF)
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

The KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card has once again extended its 25,000 bonus miles offer for new-to-bank customers, but this time they’ve added a first 100 cap, which pretty much renders the offer irrelevant to me. 

But if something compels you to apply anyway, you’ll need to spend at least S$2,000 in the first 60 days. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 2,400 base miles (S$2,000 @ 1.2 mpd).

Cardholders who spend at least S$800 on SIA Group transactions (defined as Singapore Airlines, Scoot and KrisShop) in a membership year can earn an uncapped 3 mpd on dining, online shopping and travel, and transport. If you’ve maxed out your bonus caps on other cards, then this would be the next best alternative. 

OCBC VOYAGE Card

OCBC VOYAGE Card (Offer Ends: 14 Jul 24)
Apply
Details
	New
Annual Fee	S$498 (must be paid)
Spend	S$3,500
Spend Period	1-2 months
Base Miles	4,550
Bonus Miles	40,000
Total Miles	44,550
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal OCBC credit card, and have not cancelled one in the past 12 months

From 15 April to 14 July 2024, new-to-bank customers who apply for an OCBC VOYAGE Card, pay the S$498 annual fee and spend at least S$3,500 by the end of the month following approval will receive 40,000 miles as follows:

• 15,000 miles for paying the S$498 annual fee
• 25,000 miles for spending at least S$3,500 by the end of the month following approval

They will also earn 4,550 base miles from the S$3,000 spend (@ 1.3 mpd).

StanChart Journey Card

StanChart Journey Card (Offer Ends: 30 Jun 24)
Apply (Fee Waiver)
Apply (Fee Paying)
Details
	New (Pay AF)	New (AF Waiver)
Annual Fee	S$196.20	N/A
Spend	S$3,000	S$3,000
Spend Period	60 days	60 days
Base Miles	3,600	3,600
Bonus Miles	45,000 + S$50	25,000 + S$50
Total Miles	48,600 + S$50	28,600 + S$50
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-to-bank customers who pay the annual fee will receive 45,000 bonus miles for spending S$3,000 in the first 60 days of approval. Assuming that S$3,000 is spent in local currency, cardholders will earn an additional 3,600 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.2 mpd). 

New-to-bank customers who want a first year fee waiver will receive 25,000 bonus miles for spending S$3,000 in the first 60 days of approval. Assuming that S$3,000 is spent in local currency, cardholders will earn an additional 3,600 base miles (S$3,000 @ 1.2 mpd). 

Regardless of whether you take the fee paying or fee waiver option, applying via SingSaver gives new-to-bank customers an extra S$50 cash.

UOB PRVI Miles Card

UOB PRVI Miles Card (Offer Ends: 31 May 24)
Apply (AMEX)
Apply (Mastercard)
Apply (Visa)
Details
	New
Annual Fee	S$261.60
Spend	S$2,000
Spend Period	2 months
Base Miles	2,800
Bonus Miles	45,200
Total Miles	48,000
New customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal UOB credit card, and have not cancelled a principal UOB credit card in the past 6 months

New-to-bank UOB PRVI Miles Cardmembers will enjoy up to 45,200 bonus miles, split into:

• 20,000 miles for paying the S$261.60 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 31 May 2024, 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.

UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card

UOB VI Metal Card (Offer Ends: 30 Jun 24)
Apply
Details
	New	Existing
Annual Fee	S$654 (must be paid)	S$654 (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	40,000
Total Miles	85,600	45,600
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/40,000 bonus miles when they apply for a UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card, pay the S$654 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).

Unfortunately, the S$200 Grab vouchers which were previously offered to new and existing cardholders are no longer available, which makes this offer somewhat less attractive.

That said, the minimum spend can be met through spend on education transactions, a relative rarity in this day and age. It might be worth considering in some scenarios, though the time to act was really last year.

My picks for May 2024

If you’re an existing AMEX cardholder, you should strongly consider applying for an AMEX Platinum Charge, AMEX Platinum Credit Card or AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend this month, because you’ll enjoy a new customer welcome bonus you normally wouldn’t be eligible for.

Other good picks include the Citi Rewards Card, which continues to offer 16,000 bonus miles with just S$800 spend, achievable by Amaze. There’s no annual fee to worry about in the first year either. 

If you were thinking of applying for a HSBC TravelOne Card but were deterred by the possibility of a 10,000 points conversion fee from 1 June 2024, take heart- the fee has now been delayed till 31 January 2025, and once points pooling comes into effect from end May, you’ll be able to leverage the higher earn rates of the Revolution too. 

The KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card had one of the better welcome offers for those who didn’t want to pay an annual fee, but the imposition of a first 100 cap this month renders it pretty much irrelevant unless you want to roll the dice. 

Non-miles welcome offers

Here’s a roundup of the other non-miles sign-up bonuses that are currently running in the market. 

💳 Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses (Non-miles)
	Spend (Period)	Reward^	Remarks
DBS yuu AMEX Apply	S$800 (60 days)	S$388	Ends 31 May 24. T&Cs apply
DBS yuu Visa  Apply
HSBC Advance Apply	S$500 (30 days)	S$250 eCV	Ends 21 May 24. T&Cs apply
HSBC Revo Apply
HSBC Visa Platinum  Apply
MB Horizon Apply	S$1,300 (2 mo.)	S$200	T&Cs apply
SC Simply Cash Apply	S$500 (30 days)	S$330	Ends 12 May 24. T&Cs apply
^Other rewards may be offered too, click on links for full details

Do note that you will only count as a new customer for the first card you’re approved for. Subsequent approvals will receive existing customer gifts, if any.

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!