| Remember that this guide only shows you the optimum card within a category. Depending on your overall spending, it may make sense to stick to cards from only one bank as opposed to a best-of-breed strategy so as to avoid the problem of orphan points and multiple conversion fees. |
[Last updated: 3 May 2019]
Local General Spending
| 1.5 mpd |
| 1.4 mpd |
| 1.4 mpd, min $2K overall spend per statement cycle (otherwise 1 mpd) | |
| 1.3 mpd (up to 0.06/0.12 mpd relationship bonus for non-Citigold/Citigold customers) | |
| 1.2 mpd |
| 1.2 mpd (Premier & Private banking versions earn 1.6 mpd) |
| 1.2 mpd |
| 1.2 mpd |
| 1.2 mpd |
| 1.1 mpd |
| 1 mpd (1.25 mpd if previous year spending >$50K) |
UOB PRVI Miles (All variants)
DBS Altitude (all variants)
Foreign Currency Spending
| 4 mpd, if payment processing done outside of Singapore, min $1K max $2K foreign currency spending per statement cycle |
| 3 mpd, min $2K overall spend per statement cycle (otherwise 1 mpd) | |
| 3 mpd, if payment processing done outside of Singapore |
| 2.9 mpd, capped at $2,222 of foreign currency spending a year |
| 2.4 mpd, if payment processing done outside of Singapore |
| 2.4 mpd |
| 2.4 mpd (until 31 Dec 19, after which 2.3 mpd) |
| 2 mpd |
| 2 mpd |
| 2 mpd (up to 0.06/0.12 mpd relationship bonus for non-Citigold/Citigold customers) | |
| 2 mpd (2.25 mpd if previous year spending >$50K) |
 Maybank Horizon Visa Signature | 2 mpd, min $300 total card spending in a month |
Air Tickets
| 7 mpd for selected airline bookings on Expedia and UOB Travel (China Eastern, China Southern, Finnair, Garuda, Hawaiian, Korean, Qatar, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Thai, Turkish, Xiamen, Air France, American, British Airways, ANA, Asiana, Cathay, Emirates, JAL, Etihad, Jet, Qantas, SWISS). List subject to change, refer to website for latest. Capped at $3K spend till 31 Aug 19. Details here |
| 4 mpd if charged in foreign currency and payment processing done outside of Singapore (eg booking United Airlines domestic USA tickets on United Airlines US website). Min $1K max $2K per statement period |
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| 4 mpd, limit $2K per month |
| 3 mpd, limit $5K per month |
| 3 mpd, if in foreign currency and payment processing done outside of Singapore |
| 3 mpd on SIA-related transactions |
| 2 mpd on SIA-related transactions (excluding Scoot) |
| 2 mpd on SIA-related transactions (excluding Scoot) |
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature | 2 mpd, min $300 total card spending in a month |
| 1.95 mpd on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot tickets purchased through website or Platinum concierge |
UOB Lady’s Card & UOB Lady’s Solitaire
Charitable Donations
| 1.2 mpd |
| 1.1 mpd |
Dining
| 4 mpd, capped at $6K per calendar year. No longer available for application |
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| 4 mpd at selected Paradise Group, Imperial Treasure, RWS and Les Amis restaurants |
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature | 3.2 mpd, min $300 total card spending in a month. Local dining only. |
 KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | 3 mpd, min $500 spend on SIA-related transactions in a membership year. Bonus miles credited 2 months after the card anniversary |
 HSBC Revolution | 2 mpd |
 OCBC VOYAGE | 1.6 mpd |
Grab/gojek/Ryde/TADA (rides only, does not include top-ups unless otherwise stated)
| 4 mpd, limit $2K per month |
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| 4 mpd, limit $1K per month. GrabPay top ups not officially included, but numerous reports of 4 mpd being awarded |
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature | 3.2 mpd on Grab and taxis, min $300 total card spending in a month |
| 3.2 mpd, capped at $200/month. Includes GrabPay top up |
| 3.1 mpd, capped at $200/month. Includes GrabPay top up |
| 3 mpd (with min $500 spend on SIA-related transactions in a year). Also includes general taxi rides. Bonus miles credited 2 months after the card anniversary |
| 3 mpd on Grab only until 31 July 2019, limit $200 per month. Includes GrabPay top up |
Groceries
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| If PayWave is accepted (NTUC/Sheng Siong), refer to PayWave section |
Hotels (online)
| 10 mpd on Kaligo, 7 mpd on Agoda, 3 mpd on Expedia |
| 10 mpd on Kaligo, 6 mpd on Expedia, 3 mpd for other hotels, limit $5K per month. Only works if your reservation is fully prepaid online. Submitting your card info online does not guarantee the reservation is processed online |
| 10 mpd on Kaligo, 7 mpd on Agoda, 7 mpd on Expedia, 7 mpd on UOB Travel. Caps apply, full details here |
| 4 mpd, limit $2K per month. Only works if your reservation is fully prepaid online. Submitting your card info online does not guarantee the reservation is processed online |
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories. Transaction need not be online. |
| 3.2 mpd for bookings made at Agoda.com/horizon. Min $300 total card spending in a month | |
| 3 mpd, if in foreign currency and payment processing done outside of Singapore |
| 3 mpd for Agoda, AirBnB, Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Kaligo, Traveloka, Trip.com, UOBTravel.com (with min $500 spend on SIA-related transactions in a year). Bonus miles credited 2 months after the card anniversary |
Insurance Premiums
| 2 mpd, must be paid online | |
| 1.5 mpd |
| 1.2 mpd |
OCBC VOYAGE | 1.2 mpd (except Great Eastern and NTUC Income) |
| 1.3 mpd for Chubb and Prudential (via Onebill) | |
| 1.2 mpd for Chubb and Prudential (via Onebill) |
| 1.1 mpd |
Cardup | Use any general spending card to earn miles with a 2.6% fee |
| For you to earn miles on insurance premiums, you must charge the premium directly to your card. Payments through AXS will not earn any miles. |
Online Transactions
| 4 mpd, limit $2K per month |
| 4 mpd, limit $1K per month |
 OCBC Titanium Rewards | 4 mpd, limit $12K per membership year |
 UOB Preferred Platinum Visa | 4 mpd, limit $1K per month |
| 3 mpd (with min $500 spend on SIA-related transactions in a year). Bonus miles credited 2 months after the card anniversary |
| 2 mpd | |
| 2 mpd, limit $1K per month |
| The definition of eligible online transactions will differ by bank. Refer to individual card T&Cs when in doubt |
PayWave
| UOB Preferred Platinum Visa | 4 mpd, except at places which award SMART$. Limit $1K per month. Also works for Google, Apple, Samsung Pay. Applies to both local and overseas transactions. |
| 4 mpd, except at places which award SMART$. Subject to min $1K max $2K combined spending on petrol and PayWave per statement cycle. Only local PayWave transactions eligible. |
Petrol
| 4 mpd, except at places which award SMART$ eg Shell. Subject to min $1K max $2K combined spending on petrol and PayWave per statement cycle |
| 4 mpd |
| 3.2 mpd, min $300 total card spending in a month |
Public Transportation (Simply Go)
| 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| 3 mpd (with min $500 spend on SIA-related transactions in a year). Bonus miles credited 2 months after the card anniversary |
| 1.5 mpd |
| 1.4 mpd |
Shopping (offline)
| 7.8 mpd on the first $16K spent per year at Platinum EXTRA merchants, 3.9 mpd after that | |
| 4 mpd, limit $1K per month | |
| OCBC Titanium Rewards | 4 mpd, limit $12K per membership year |
UOB Lady’s Card & UOB Lady’s Solitaire | 4 mpd, capped at $1K per month for Lady’s Card and $3K per month for Lady’s Solitaire. This category must be chosen as your bonus category at the start of each quarter. Lady’s Card gets one bonus category, Lady’s Solitaire gets two bonus categories |
| 4 mpd at participating Club 21 boutiques and T Galleria by DFS Singapore |
| 3.2 mpd with min $300 single receipt spend at participating Club 21 boutiques |
| The definition of eligible shopping transactions will differ by bank. Refer to individual card T&Cs when in doubt. |
Telco Bills
| This section needs your help! Please contribute additional data points for other telcos in the comments below |
| 4 mpd, caped at $2K per month, for Singtel bills if paid via Singtel app or online via Singtel account, for M1 bills if paid via M1 app. No points if set up as recurring credit card payment. |
Citi Rewards Visa & Citi Rewards Mastercard | 4 mpd, limit $1K per month, must be paid online or via app . No points if set up as recurring credit card payment. |
| 1.2 mpd for M1 bills (details here) |
| 1.3 mpd for Singtel, M1, Starhub (via Onebill) |
| 1.2 mpd for Singtel, M1, Starhub (via Onebill) |
Utilities
| This section needs your help! Please contribute additional data points for other telcos in the comments below |
| 2.0 mpd for online utilities payments |
| 1.2 mpd for SP Utilities, Keppel Electric, iSwitch (details here) |
Hi Aaron, great site. I wanted to ask whether you know whether the DBS world woman’s card gives you the 4x mpd on international online spending? Because the card also gives 3x DBS points on overseas spend (6 miles per S$5 spend) and I wonder if this takes precedence when you buy off Amazon UK, US or use Uber overseas.
It would make sense for the banks to give you less and only give the 4mpd rate on Singapore-denominated online spend. I only ask because I used it to buy on Amazon UK a few months ago and I don’t think the 4mpd rate was credited. Thanks!
Hi Timmy, thanks for reading! You will get 10x points or 4mpd on international online spending, that takes precedence over the FCY. I have got it many times for Amazon, so you should call up DBS and check whether there is an error on their side. They can start an investigation.
Great, thanks Aaron!
So weird that OCBC’s “top card” (the Voyage card) seems to pale in comparison to it’s poorer cousin (the Titanium card) Is there any particular reason for this? Or am I missing something here?
you are confusing general spend vs category spend. the titanium rewards card will be useless for general spend at 0.4 mpd, the ocbc voyage would earn 1 mpd (which is still pretty crappy)
To correct, 1.2 mpd for the OCBC Voyage and not 1?
Hey Aaron, any idea what is the cap on spending for the Citi Rewards card?
Based on the Citibank website, it’s 120k points/year or $12k spend. However, I tried reading the T&Cs (https://www.citibank.com.sg/global_docs/pdf/rewards_2013.pdf) and it seems different. Pt 10 says there is a cap of 120k points/Citi Dollars Period, and pt 7 refers to “Citi Dollars Period” as 60 months. Does this mean a cap of 120k pts for every 60 months?
I have a feeling i’m just confusing myself here, but want to make sure before i sign up for the card.
Am comparing between this and OCBC Titanium – which would u recommend? Thanks!
Had the exact same question – it seems to me that they’ve changed the T&Cs to have a cap of 120,000 bonus citi dollars per 5 year / 60 month period, which works out to be S$12k per 5 years which would be a very low cap.
Does anyone know whether Redmart is categorised as online spend to earn the 4 mpd for DBS Woman’s World? Or is it categorised under groceries?
Use paypal when you are unsure. DBS WWMC always give 4x for paypal transactios.
Hey Aaron, what is the best card for medical expenses? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Aaron, realized you didn’t include the 10 mpd for UOB PRVI miles visa on Kaligo.
Also it can have some crazy ass promos, and get 50% bonus miles, so I hit 15 mpd instead. Pretty awesome considering its money you need to spend anyhow.
added, thanks!
Hey Aaron
Amazing blog and thanks for the many tips.
Just a quick question . I have school fees to pay (in gbp and can be paid through an online portal). Which would be the best credit card to use? Thanks in advance
Hi, do you know what will be the best card to use for online payment to overseas travel agency, specifically in this case, Oku Japan for a self guided walking trip. Not quite hotel, and I dunno if it qualifies as online retail spend under dbs woman’s world. Thanks.
Hi Aaron,
Great site! I have since embark on “refreshing” my cards drawing from what i’ve learnt here.
I have a question, I notice there doesnt seem to be a card thats useful when it comes to groceries (physically showing up at NTUC and paying with the card). Is there anything you would recommend considering thats a big bulk of my monthly expense.
Thanks!
uob prefrered platinum visa and paywave?
Aaron,
Thanks!
What would you say is the greatest difference between the UOB PPV vs UOB Visa Signature.
Hi Aaron,
Great site! I am doing my reshuffle of cards based on your website and my lifestyle needs.
One thought would be to perhaps better catergorise the sections more clearly as I nearly missed out on the Kaligo-UOB PRVI promotion as I didn’t know about the specific portal cause I didn’t read the T&C (oops!) and am too reliant on you.
EG:
Current:
Booking hotels online
Kaligo- 10 mpd for Citibank Premiermiles + DBS Altitude Visa + AMEX cards + UOB PRVI Miles
Proposed:
Booking Hotels Online
Kaligo:
UOB PRVI – https://www.kaligo.com/prvimiles (10mpd)
Citibank – https://www.kaligo.com/bonus-miles (10mpd)
DBS – https://www.kaligo.com/altitude (10mpd)
Hi Aaron,
Came to know about your site from a friend and it all looks really interesting. I use an Amex krisflyer PPScard and DBS platinum visa paywave n debit card. so all the spending I do gets me krisflyer miles. Not sure about the conversions though. mostly all my accounts are with DBS, be it savings, car loans, mortgage etc. just for the sheer of convenience of having it all at one place.
I want to follow your advice what would be your suggetion the credit cards I should switch to.
thanks
Ady
Hey Aaron,
What’s your take on the bank’s intransparent calculation of reward miles? How can we deal with it?
There is no per item reward balance change, only a statement at the end of the month. Sometimes I found big discrepancy (30%) compared to my estimation even with a very simple construct such as local vs overseas.
well honestly there’s not much we can do. all the power is with the banks here, consumers can make noise but getting anything beyond a form letter saying “we value your feedback” is wishful thinking.
Do any of the ‘online’ spend bonus cards count on PayPal transactions? Thanks
Just curious, is there any miles cards for payment of insurance premium or all insurance payment will result in none mileage/rebate payment?
What is the best card to use to pay Sp Services and Singtel?
If I make an online booking with Tokyo Disneyland Resorts, will it be considered an online purchase with the DBS Woman’s Card?
Yes
Hi there. I saw CITI premiermiles offering 10000 miles when we pay for recurring annual fee. Do you think it makes sense to pay that or any hacks around that?
u gain more paying for that If ur looking at exchanging for business or suite class
Hi,
I would like to ask if i book a travel package (hotel, air ticekts etc) from a travel agency eg: Chan Brothers at their shop, will i still earn bonus points if for example i use the DBS altitude card?
If not, then which credit card would you guys recommend? Thanks!
Cheers,
No unless the t&c says so. Try hitting sign up bonus to Amex KF Card, Uob or Citibank.
Hi Aaron
I think Citi Rewards is going to change its T&Cs – wef 4 Oct 2018, you only get 10X rewards points (i.e. 4 miles) per dollar for clothes bags and shoes up to a cap of 10,000 rewards points per month (i.e. you only get 10X rewards points / 4 miles on the first $1,000). Which is a pain if you are planning big ticket clothes bags and shoes purchases. :/
Hi,
Using the DBS WWMC – for online hotel purchases in foreign currency (fully pre-paid) is it fair to assume that this should result in 4mpd (so the online spend rate) rather than 2mpd (the foreign currency rate)? Obviously only up to $2k per calendar month.
Do readers find that DBS points for such transactions normally track accurately or that they need to chase DBS to get the right points to post?
Thanks,
S
DBS Worlds Mastercard had some issues in awarding point accurately according to one of my friend. Its better u track it urself and chase after If necessary
Hi Aaron,
I have a UOB Visa Signature prepared for the FCY hotel stay. However, any suggestion on the amount exceed 2K for the offline hotel spend? Any card can ear 4mpd?
Best regards,
PV
Use Bank of China Elite Miles instead
Does UOB PPV give 10X points for Klook in-app purchase (via ApplePay)?
Better to use DBS Woman World MC
hi, may i know which credit card to paid Sp service?
Hi,
Can I use UOB Visa Signatur/Preferred Platinum Visa for 4 mpd if the tuition fee can be paid by Paywave/contactless transaction?
If not, do you have any suggestion on this?
Many thanks and best regards,
PV
Anything, so long as contactless and not UOB Smart$ merchants, max $1k per calendar month.
Please can you add Grab and Groceries to the list? They are the two biggest spends after rent for most people
Wont uob vs be impacted by the smart$ program like the ppv too? Or am I mistaken?
Yes, it will be.
Hi Aaron,
When the bank says min spending of $1K, does it mean if you are spending less than $1k for that particular item on that statement month, you won’t get any miles?
The SC Rewards+ Credit Card has 4 mpd (10X) for foreign currency recently. However, the rewarded points (10X – 1X = 9X) are only 20000 per year, which can be used up by 2222 SGD.
Sorry for this wrong post. It is 2.9mpd due to the SC special points/miles rate.
https://milelion.com/2018/08/08/should-i-use-my-credit-card-overseas-to-earn-miles/
Please can you add a category for Grab and Gojerk? Thank you
added something on this.
thank you, you are so handsoome
UOB PPV or Visa Signature don’t get miles for petrol spend on SPC coz apparently they are also SMART merchant now. So misleading.
Just wish to share that I’ve been tracking whether UOB has actually issue the additional miles per advertised (6 miles per dollar). The tracking is tough as I have to log in to see my UNI$ every other day and compare the miles I should have gotten through booking through the dedicated UOB-Agoda site. More often that not, the additional miles have not been credited, and I have emailed and called UOB customer service rept many times, and they asked me to provide proof which I did, but the issues were always forgotten. Hence, I do not recommend UOB for booking 6mpd as it is almost impossible to track, and dealing with these are simply not worth the effort, not to mention at the end of the day, it is just 1.4 or 2.4 mpd instead of the advertised 6mpd.
Aaron, Any idea what credit card allows you to earn miles or points for payment through paypal? thanks.
UOB PRVI Card on Grab top up is not 200 dollars per month. It say 160 UNI per month, which translate to 106 dollars spending under 3 miles/dollar.
incorrect. the promotional earn rate is capped at 160 uni$, not total earn rate. where local spend is concerned, promotion earn rate is UNI$4 to $5, so cap is $200
I see. Thanks
Hi Aaron,
“Foreign currency transactions
UOB Visa Signature Card– 4 mpd, min $1K max $2K foreign currency spending per statement cycle”
Would using UOB PPV via Contactless Payments (Apple Pay, Paywave etc) overseas count for 4mpd too?
Thanks!
Yes
Will there be a section for simply go?
Hi Aaron,
UOB PPV… Contactless payments done overseas… no 4mpd? 😰
Thanks!
Oops… asked and answered… sorry.. but not listed in your Foreign section…
Does the BOC Elite Miles card really earn 1.5 mpd for public transport? I thought the revised terms and conditions specifically exclude ‘Transitlink’-related transactions.
Simplygo is not transitlink
This is fantastic but, “Grab/gojek/Ryde/TADA (rides only, does not include top-ups unless otherwise stated)” section isn’t in highest to lowest earn rates like all the other sections. UOB PRVI should be at the bottom, but it’s in the middle.
Thanks! Will do the necessary housekeeping
How about a section for utilities? Either direct with SP or through any of the OEM providers?
Need datapoints!
Citi Onebill give miles for Singtel, I believe same for starhub and M1. As onebill covers all. This is recurring bills and I tried both prestige and premiermiles and they work.
I use my Altitude for SP bills. 1.2 mpd awarded.
Similarly, I use the same card for one of the OEM provider, Keppel Electric. Likewise, 1.2 mpd awarded.
I tried but can’t find Keppel Electric in the payment organization. How did you pay for this electricity bill via Altitude?
Oh I set the card up in Keppel Electric portal.
I’ve recently used my DBS WWMC to transact at Amazon. Made my payment via RateX and checked the latter’s MCC via the DBS Virtual Assistant chatbot.
The MCC for RateX was “MCC 5699: Misc Apparel and Accessory Shops”, which should qualify for 4mpd on DBS WWMC (as well as other shopping cards like UOB PPV, OCBC Titanium Rewards, Citi Rewards etc.). Will update on the DBS bonus mpd again after I pass 15th of May. #FTR
If valid, this is a great way to save on FX fees when spending at Amazon US and still earn the 4mpd 🙂
Thanks for the update! Please let us know
Sure no worries! Benefited from a lot of the info here.
Anyway 5699 seems to be the one to corroborate the most with “ACCESSORY & APPAREL STORES” – I’ve posted my screenshot on the Telegram group 🙂
I use my AMEX Krisflyer Blue to pay for my circle life bill. 1.1mpd verified.
In this case but I can’t vouch, Ascend should reward 1.2 mpd
CRV 4mpd for both Singtel & Starhub Bill’s paid via respective apps.
Hi,
Great list of cards. For UOB PPV, is the $1k limit inclusive of both Paywave and online spend? Or does it allow $1k of Paywave and $1k of online spend ($2k total per month).
Thanks!
Total $1k p.m.
Hi Aaron,
Wanted to point out that the UOB Prvi Miles cards has a maximum spending limit per principal card account for the Apr-Jun promotion period – S$2,000 for Agoda, and S$3,000 for Expedia & UOB Travel.
I was going to use the card when I realized I’d already exceeded the limit.
Thanks!
Thanks, will add a note
Hi Aaron. I haven’t visited this page for a while and realised that insurance has been added as a category. Nice!
For insurance, I’ve been able to obtain 1.4 mpd SCVI so far (at least over last 2 years?) with min $2k transaction per statement month. I’d usually call up SC to confirm first before making the payment, however.
Thanks for the update
thank you for this data point.
thank you for this data point. what’s interesting is that the T&C of the SCB visa infinite exclude “certain insurance premiums charged to the VI card”, so there may be some issues depending on who your provider is
Citi Rewards Visa – is the cap of SGD 1,000/month a commingle amount which tallies both Grab transactions and shopping (offline/online)?
Commingle
For the Telco Section:
CRV does reward 10x for M1 App payments (one-off, not recurring) as well (Tested May 9th).
thanks, updated
Pay keppel electric using HSBC revolution, 2 mpd…
thanks, updated
This is so incredibly useful… Thanks, Aaron! 👍🏻👍🏻