Here’s The MileLion’s monthly roundup of the latest credit card sign-up bonuses in Singapore for September 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!
Primer: Sign-up Bonuses
👉 Primer: Sign-Up Bonuses |
A sign-up bonus can be summarised as: spend S$X in Y days to get Z miles While there are cards which offer miles with the payment of the annual fee (e.g. HSBC Visa Infinite, Standard Chartered Visa Infinite), I’m only looking at offers with a spending component, since this lets you earn miles as a by-product of spending. Some questions to ask before getting started:
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At a glance: Current sign-up bonuses
Here’s a summary of the current sign-up bonuses on the market, presented two ways:
- Payoff ratio
- 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) |
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Spend (AF) | Miles^ | Payoff@ | |
HSBC T1 Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$500 (S$196) |
30K | 60 |
DBS Altitude AMEX Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
35K | 43.8 |
Citi Premier Miles Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
30K + S$100 Trip.com gift card | 37.5 |
DBS Altitude Visa Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
30K | 37.5 |
AMEX KF Ascend Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$1K (S$343) |
36.8K + S$50 | 36.8 |
Citi Prestige Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$2K (S$545) |
50K | 25 |
UOB PRVI Miles Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$2K (S$261) |
45.2K | 22.6 |
DBS Vantage Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$4K (S$600) |
85K | 21.3 |
Citi Rewards Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$800 (FYF) |
16K | 20 |
UOB VI Metal Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$4K (S$654) |
80K | 20 |
AMEX KF Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$1K (FYF) |
16.9K | 16.9 |
StanChart Journey Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$3K (S$196)* |
45K | 15 |
KrisFlyer UOB ⚠️ Cap Applies Apply End 31 Aug 24 |
S$2K (FYF) |
25K | 12.5 |
AMEX HighFlyer Apply Ends 16 Sep 24 |
S$3K (S$305) |
24.6K + luggage | 11.5 |
AMEX Plat Charge Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$8K (S$1,744) |
81.9K + S$100 | 10.2 |
^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) |
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Spend (AF) | Miles^ | Cost Per Mile@ | |
AMEX KF Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$1K (FYF) |
16.9K | – |
KrisFlyer UOB ⚠️ Cap Applies Apply Ends 31 Aug 24 |
S$2K (FYF) |
25K | – |
Citi Rewards Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$800 (FYF) |
16K | – |
StanChart Journey Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$3K (S$196)* |
45K | 0.44 |
DBS Altitude AMEX Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
35K | 0.56 |
UOB PRVI Miles Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$2K (S$261) |
45.2K | 0.58 |
Citi Premier Miles Apply Ends 31 Oct 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
30K + S$100 Trip.com gift card | 0.65 |
DBS Altitude Visa Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$800 (S$196)* |
30K | 0.65 |
HSBC T1 Card Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$500 (S$196) |
30K | 0.65 |
DBS Vantage Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$4K (S$600) |
85K | 0.71 |
UOB VI Metal Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$4K (S$654) |
80K | 0.82 |
AMEX HighFlyer Apply Ends 16 Sep 24 |
S$3K (S$305) |
24.6K + luggage | 0.88 |
AMEX KF Ascend Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$1K (S$343) |
36.8K + S$50 | 0.93 |
Citi Prestige Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$2K (S$545) |
50K | 1.09 |
AMEX Plat Charge Apply Ends 30 Sep 24 |
S$8K (S$1,744) |
81.9K + S$100 | 2.13 |
^Does not include base miles *Fee waiver option available, with smaller number of bonus miles. See below for full details. @ Ignores the value of 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: 16 Sep 24) |
|
Apply | |
Details | |
New & Existing | |
Annual Fee | S$304.59 (must be paid) |
Spend | S$3,000 |
Spend Period | 90 days |
Base Miles | 5,400 |
Bonus Miles | 24,600 + Samsonite luggage |
Total Miles | 30,000 + 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 16 September 2024 (with approval by 17 October 2024) and spend S$3,000 within 90 days of approval will receive 24,600 bonus HighFlyer points + a Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25.
On top of this, they’ll earn 5,400 base HighFlyer points for spending S$3,000 (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: 30 Sep 24) |
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Apply |
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New | Existing | |
Annual Fee | S$343.35 (must be paid) |
S$343.35 (must be paid) |
Spend | S$1,000 | S$1,000 |
Spend Period | 30 days | 30 days |
Base Miles | 1,200 | 1,200 |
Bonus Miles | 36,800 + S$50 | 26,800 + S$50 |
Total Miles | 38,000 + S$50 | 28,000 + S$50 |
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 |
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Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Card in the past 12 months |
New-to-AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend by 30 September 2024 and spend S$1,000 in the first 30 days will receive 36,800 bonus miles + S$50 cashback when they pay the S$343.35 annual fee and spend S$1,000 within 30 days of approval.
Existing AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend by 30 September 2024 and spend S$1,000 in the first 30 days will receive 26,800 bonus miles + S$50 cashback 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 Sep 24) |
|
Apply | |
New | |
Annual Fee | S$179.85 (FYF) |
Spend | S$1,000 |
Spend Period | 30 days |
Base Miles | 1,100 |
Bonus Miles | 16,900 |
Total Miles | 18,000 |
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 |
After a few months of running an excellent welcome offer of 29,450 bonus miles for just S$500 spend, it’s a much less compelling one this time round for the AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card.
New-to-AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card by 31 July 2024 and spend S$1,000 in the first 30 days will receive 16,900 bonus miles. Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 1,100 base miles (S$1,000 @ 1.1 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.
AMEX Platinum Charge
AMEX Platinum Charge (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 24) |
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Apply | ||
New | Existing | |
Annual Fee | S$1,744 (must be paid) |
S$1,744 (must be paid) |
Spend | S$8,000 | S$8,000 |
Spend Period | 60 days | 60 days |
Base Miles | 6,250 | 6,250 |
Bonus Miles | 81,875 + S$100 | 75,000 + S$100 |
Total Miles | 88,125 + S$100 | 81,250 + S$100 |
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). |
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Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled an AMEX Platinum Charge in the past 24 months |
New-to-AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 30 September 2024 will receive 131,000 bonus MR points (81,875 miles) + S$100 cashback when they pay the S$1,744 annual fee and spend S$8,000 within 60 days of approval.
Existing AMEX cardholders who apply and receive approval for an AMEX Platinum Charge by 30 September 2024 will receive 120,000 bonus MR points (75,000 miles) + S$100 cashback when they pay the S$1,744 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).
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.
Unfortunately, this is one of the smallest welcome offers in recent memory, not to mention the minimum spend has been increased to S$8,000 from the previous S$6,000. Hopefully there’s a better offer coming in the future.
Citi PremierMiles Card
Citi PremierMiles Card (Offer Ends: 31 Oct 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 + S$100 Trip.com gift card | 8,000 + S$100 Trip.com gift card |
Total Miles | 30,960 + S$100 Trip.com gift card | 8,960 + S$100 Trip.com gift card |
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 |
Citibank has enhanced its welcome offer for the Citi PremierMiles Card by throwing in an extra S$100 Trip.com gift card, on top of the usual bonus of up to 30,000 miles.
New-to-bank customers can earn 30,000 bonus miles + S$100 Trip.com gift card 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).
Alternatively, they can earn 8,000 bonus miles + S$100 Trip.com gift card 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: 30 Sep 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 Oct 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: 30 Sep 24) |
|
Apply | |
Details | |
New Only | |
Annual Fee | S$196.20 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles) |
Spend | S$800 |
Spend Period | 60 days |
Base Miles | 1,040 |
Bonus Miles | 35,000 |
Total Miles | 36,040 |
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 ALTA35 will enjoy 35,000 bonus miles when they pay the S$196.20 annual fee and spend S$800 within 60 days of approval .
Should they not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTAW25 gets you a first year fee waiver, with 25,000 bonus miles.
Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 1,040 base miles (S$800 @ 1.3 mpd).
DBS Altitude Visa Card
DBS Altitude Visa (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 24) |
|
Apply | |
Details | |
New Only | |
Annual Fee | S$196.20 (can be waived with 10,000 fewer bonus miles) |
Spend | S$800 |
Spend Period | 60 days |
Base Miles | 1,040 |
Bonus Miles | 30,000 |
Total Miles | 31,040 |
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 ALTV30 will enjoy 30,000 bonus miles when they pay the S$196.20 annual fee and spend S$800 within 60 days of approval .
Should they not wish to pay the annual fee, applying with the code ALTVW20 gets you a first year fee waiver, with 20,000 bonus miles.
Assuming you clock the minimum spend on local transactions, you’ll earn a further 1,040 base miles (S$800 @ 1.3 mpd).
DBS Vantage Card
DBS Vantage Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 24) |
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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 for the Vantage, so give it serious consideration if you’re in the market for a $120K card.
HSBC TravelOne Card
HSBC TravelOne Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 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 | 30,000 |
Total Miles | 30,600 |
The HSBC TravelOne Card is now offering 30,000 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 (do not forget this step, or you won’t get anything!)
The previous offer, by way of comparison, offered 20,000 bonus miles for the same minimum spend.
The qualifying spending period is as follows:
Card Account Opening Date | Qualifying Spend Period |
1-31 Aug 2024 | 1 Aug to 30 Sep 2024 |
1-30 Sep 2024 | 1 Sep to 31 Oct 2024 |
1-14 Oct 2024 | 1 Oct to 30 Nov 2024 |
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.
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 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.
StanChart Journey Card
StanChart Journey Card (Offer Ends: 31 Oct 24) |
||
Apply (Fee Waiver) | ||
Apply (Fee Paying) | ||
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 | 25,000 |
Total Miles | 48,600 | 28,600 |
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-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 allows new-to-bank customers to stack the 25,000/45,000 bonus miles with a choice of extra gifts:
- Beats Studio Buds+
- 15,000 Max Miles
- S$270 Shopee voucher
UOB PRVI Miles Card
UOB PRVI Miles Card (Offer Ends: 30 Sep 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 30 September 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 Sep 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 September 2024
American Express has further enhanced its welcome offers under the 30 Million Miles Campaign by adding a further S$100 and S$50 cashback for the AMEX Platinum Charge and AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend respectively. This is available regardless of whether you’re a new-to-AMEX or existing AMEX customer.
If you’re the latter, then the AMEX Platinum Charge’s welcome offer is one of the best we’ve ever seen, and worth considering if you’ve been on the fence. It’s only the second time we’ve seen a six-digit welcome offer since the AMEX Platinum Charge relaunched in 2018!
The HSBC TravelOne Card has further extended its 30,000 miles welcome offer, which given the minimum spend of just S$500 is one of the best options around now- and it’s available to both new and existing HSBC cardholders too.
If you don’t have a Citi card yet, then 30,000 bonus miles and a S$100 Trip.com gift card for the Citi PremierMiles Card is a very good offer too, but don’t forget there’s also the option of 16,000 bonus miles with the Citi Rewards Card, which doesn’t require you to pay the first year’s annual fee.
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) |
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Spend (Period) | Reward^ | Remarks | |
AMEX Plat. CC Ends 30 Sep 24 Apply |
S$1K (30 days) |
S$350 | T&C |
DBS Live Fresh Ends 16 Sep 24 Apply |
S$500 (30 days) |
S$350 voucher | T&C |
DBS yuu AMEX Ends 30 Sep 24 Apply |
S$800 (60 days) |
S$150 | T&C |
DBS yuu Visa Ends 30 Sep 24 Apply |
|||
HSBC Live+ Ends 30 Sep 24 Apply |
S$500 (30 days) |
S$330 voucher + S$100 |
T&C |
MB Horizon No end date Apply |
S$1,300 (2 mo.) |
S$200 | T&C |
SC Simply Cash Ends 30 Sep 24 Apply |
S$500 (30 days) |
S$400 voucher | T&C |
^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!
I don’t understand why do we need to break down into Payoff Rate & Cost Per Mile?
Shouldn’t we just need 1 calculation to see the whole picture? (Annual Fee (If required for signup gift) + Required Spend) / (Base Miles + Bonus Miles)?
Only when Annual Fee and Required Spend are added up, we can see what’s the total spend out of pocket. Payoff Rate & Cost Per Mile are all missing the required information. Or am I missing something?
Because it’s wrong to conflate annual fee and min spend. Min spend is (hopefully) something you would spend anyway. Annual fee is something you only have to spend because of this welcome offer
ah make sense, thanks for explaining!
hey to confirm, the krisflyer uob doesn’t have sign up bonus (5k miles) for those who are not new to bank?