Kris+ boosts Esso petrol earn rate to 2 mpd

Esso was one of the original Kris+ merchants when the app launched back in 2018, but was a burn-only option until February 2024, when Kris+ started awarding 0.5 mpd on petrol payments.

This fairly modest earn rate was periodically boosted to 3 mpd, which eventually became the year-round rate in July 2025. Unfortunately, just one year later, the rate was scaled back to 0.5 mpd, where it’s remained ever since.

But now comes some good news: Kris+ has increased the earn rate to 2 mpd until further notice. Sure, it’s not as good as the previous 3 mpd, but it still allows you to earn a total of 6 mpd on Esso petrol, plus additional miles from Esso Smiles points.

S$5 for new Kris+ Users

Get 500 KrisPay miles (S$5) when you sign-up with code W644363 and make your first transaction

Earn 2 mpd at Esso with Kris+

From 14 September 2026, Kris+ users can earn 2 mpd on petrol and diesel purchases at Esso, four times the previous rate of 0.5 mpd.

In addition to this, members of the free-to-join Esso Smiles programme will enjoy a 12% upfront discount when paying with Kris+. This discount only applies to petrol and diesel purchases, however, so any items from the mini-mart will need to be paid for separately.

Kris+ is also running an Esso x Mastercard challenge, which awards 2,000 KrisPay miles (S$20) to the users who register and spend at least S$250 between 1 July and 30 September 2026. Registration for this offer has already closed, however, so hopefully you were able to snag it in time.

What card should you use to pay?

Miles from Kris+ are further stackable with credit card miles, and using the right card will earn an extra 3-4 mpd.

⛽ Best Cards for Kris+ Petrol Spend
Card	Earn Rate	Remarks
UOB Lady’s Card Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$1K per c. month, with Transport as bonus category
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$750 per c. month, with Transport as bonus category
Amaze + Citi Rewards Card Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$1K per s. month. 1% admin fee applies to all SGD payments
DBS Woman’s World Card Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$1K per c. month
UOB Visa Signature Apply	4 mpd	Min. S$1K, max S$1.2K on petrol and local contactless in s. month
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card Apply	3 mpd	No cap
C. Month= Calendar Month, S. Month= Statement Month

Do remember that the table above refers to the best credit cards to use for petrol via Kris+. 

For example, paying in-store with a DBS Woman’s World Card would only earn you 0.4 mpd, but when paying with Kris+, you earn 4 mpd because the online spending category is triggered.

Likewise, paying in-store with a KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card would earn you 1.2 mpd, but when paying with Kris+, you earn 3 mpd because the Kris+ bonus is triggered.

Extra miles from Esso Smiles

There is actually a triple dip opportunity here, because Esso Smiles points can be converted into KrisFlyer miles. 

Every 1 litre of Esso petrol gives you 1 Smiles point, and Smiles points can be converted to KrisFlyer miles at the following rates.

However, since 1 Smiles point can be worth up to 4 cents of petrol, the opportunity cost of redeeming miles is high. You would probably be better off using your Smiles points for petrol instead.

The exception is if you pump Synergy Supreme+, because in that case you earn both Smiles points and KrisFlyer miles. 

For example, a driver pumping Synergy Supreme+ could earn:

• 2 mpd from Kris+
• 3-4 mpd from credit cards
• 2 miles per litre of Synergy Supreme+ (assuming he converts Esso Smiles points into miles)

Since miles are awarded based on litres pumped and not money spent, it’s hard to equate this in terms of mpd, but you’ll certainly earn more than 6 mpd if you go down this route. 

Is it worth it?

Compared to the 12% discount offered to Kris+, Citi, DBS and OCBC cardholders enjoy a larger discount of 14-18% (even if you pay via Kris+ with a Citi, DBS or OCBC card, you’ll still get a 12% discount).

Pay with	Esso Smiles	Additional Discount
	+10%	+2%
	+10%	+4%
	+10%	+4% (+8% for Insignia and Vantage)
	+10%	+4%

While the Kris+ discount is smaller, most people will find that the extra miles earned make it worthwhile — unless perhaps you’re a DBS Vantage or Insignia cardholder. 

Card	Earn Rate	Discount	Cost Per Mile (by using Kris+ instead of card)
Citi PremierMiles	1.2 mpd	14%	0.47¢
OCBC Premier Visa Infinite	1.28 mpd	14%	0.48¢
Citi Prestige	1.3 mpd	14%	0.48¢
DBS Altitude	1.3 mpd	14%	0.48¢
OCBC VOYAGE	1.3 mpd	14%	0.48¢
Citi ULTIMA	1.6 mpd	14%	0.51¢
OCBC VOYAGE (Premier, PPC, BOS)	1.6 mpd	14%	0.51¢
DBS Vantage	1.5 mpd	18%	1.48¢
DBS Insignia	1.6 mpd	18%	1.51¢
*Calculated on the basis of the alternative being 7 mpd and a 12% discount with Kris+

For example, if you’re a DBS Vantage Cardholder and pump S$100 of petrol:

• Nett price after 18% discount: S$82
• Mile earned from card @ 1.5 mpd: 123 miles

Suppose the alternative would have been paying with a DBS Woman’s World Card and Kris+. For the same S$100 of petrol:

• Nett price after 12% discount: S$88
• Mile earned from card @ 4 mpd: 352 miles
• Miles earned from Kris+ @ 2 mpd: 176 miles
• Total miles: 528 miles

Therefore, by choosing to use Kris+ instead of a naked card, you are paying an incremental S$6, and receiving an extra 397 miles. This works out to 1.48 cents per mile, as shown in the table above.

The opportunity cost depends on what your alternative card would be, but unless your value per mile is extremely low, Kris+ would be the better deal.

What card should you use for petrol?

Esso is just one of several petrol chains, of course, and if you’re pumping elsewhere, here’s my guide to navigating the tradeoff between miles and discounts. 

2026 Edition: Best Credit Cards for Petrol

Conclusion

Kris+ is now offering 2 mpd at Esso, stackable with up to 4 mpd extra from credit cards. While the discount with Kris+ is slightly lower than with bank cards, the extra miles you earn should be able to cover the difference.

Don’t forget that you can stack extra miles from the Esso Smiles programme if you choose to convert your points, or if you pump Synergy Supreme+, which gives an extra 1 mpd automatically.

(HT: Captain A)