If you love to travel and want to maximize your spending with travel-related perks, choosing the right credit card can help you earn miles, points, and rewards that make your trips more affordable and enjoyable. With many credit card options available in Singapore, it can be overwhelming to find the one that suits your needs. In this review, we’ll look at some of the top credit cards for travel rewards in Singapore, focusing on features such as earning potential, benefits, fees, and overall value.
1. DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
Best For: Frequent Flyers and General Travel Expenses
The DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card is a solid choice for frequent travelers, offering miles on both local and overseas spending.
Key Features:
- Earn Rate: 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spend, 2 miles per S$1 on overseas spend, and up to 3 miles per S$1 spent on online travel bookings (hotels, flights, etc.).
- Bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles upon card renewal each year.
- Perks: Complimentary travel insurance, lounge access with Priority Pass, and travel privileges with Agoda, Expedia, and Kaligo.
Annual Fee: S$192.60 (waived for the first year).
Review Summary:
The DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card is perfect for frequent flyers who want to accumulate miles quickly. The flexibility in earning points across local and overseas transactions and travel-related spending makes this card stand out. Its travel insurance and lounge access offer added benefits for international travelers. However, the miles earning rates could be higher compared to other cards in the market.
2. Citi PremierMiles Visa Card
Best For: Global Travelers and Mile Accumulation
The Citi PremierMiles Visa Card is highly regarded for its flexibility in redeeming miles and travel rewards across a wide range of airlines.
Key Features:
- Earn Rate: 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spending and 2 miles per S$1 on overseas spending.
- Bonus: 30,000 Citi Miles upon payment of the annual fee and spending S$9,000 in the first three months.
- Perks: Complimentary travel insurance, access to travel-related offers, and no expiry on miles earned.
Annual Fee: S$192.60 (waived for the first year).
Review Summary:
The Citi PremierMiles Visa Card offers excellent travel rewards with no expiry on miles, making it a great choice for those looking to accumulate miles for future travel. The high sign-up bonus and flexibility in redeeming miles across different airlines provide great value. However, the overseas spending earn rate may not be the highest, and the high spending requirement for the bonus miles can be a drawback for some.
3. American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card
Best For: Singapore Airlines Loyalists
If you frequently fly with Singapore Airlines or its partner airlines, the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card offers great value with its direct miles accumulation.
Key Features:
- Earn Rate: 1.1 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 on everyday spending and 2 miles per S$1 on eligible purchases with Singapore Airlines and Scoot.
- Bonus: Welcome bonus of up to 10,000 KrisFlyer miles.
- Perks: Access to Singapore Airlines-related travel benefits, complimentary insurance, and exclusive dining and hotel deals.
Annual Fee: S$176.55 (waived for the first year).
Review Summary:
This card is perfect for those who are loyal to Singapore Airlines and want to maximize their KrisFlyer miles. With direct earning potential on everyday purchases and double miles for Singapore Airlines and Scoot bookings, it’s a great option for frequent flyers of the airline. However, the general spend earn rate is lower than some competing travel cards, and the benefits are mainly geared toward Singapore Airlines passengers.
4. UOB PRVI Miles Card
Best For: High Earn Rate on All Spending
The UOB PRVI Miles Card is known for its high earn rate, making it ideal for those who want to accumulate miles on all types of spending, without focusing too much on travel-related expenses.
Key Features:
- Earn Rate: 1.4 miles per S$1 on local spending and 2.4 miles per S$1 on overseas spending.
- Bonus: Earn 20,000 loyalty miles when you renew your card each year.
- Perks: Complimentary travel insurance, up to S$1 million coverage, and attractive offers on hotel and flight bookings.
Annual Fee: S$256.80 (waived for the first year).
Review Summary:
The UOB PRVI Miles Card stands out for its high earn rate on both local and overseas spending, which is higher than most competing cards. For those who want to rack up miles quickly without focusing on specific categories, this card is a great option. The annual fee is on the higher side, but the benefits and earn rate may justify the cost for frequent travelers.
5. HSBC Visa Infinite Card
Best For: Premium Travel Benefits
For those who prioritize luxury travel perks, the HSBC Visa Infinite Card offers premium benefits, including airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services.
Key Features:
- Earn Rate: 1 mile per S$1 spent locally, 2.25 miles per S$1 on overseas transactions.
- Bonus: Welcome bonus of up to 35,000 air miles.
- Perks: Unlimited access to over 1,000 airport lounges, travel concierge service, and hotel privileges.
Annual Fee: S$650 (includes 35,000 miles upon payment).
Review Summary:
The HSBC Visa Infinite Card is designed for high-net-worth individuals who want a card packed with premium travel benefits. While the earn rate may not be as competitive as other travel cards, the luxurious perks, including unlimited lounge access and concierge services, make this card a strong contender for those who enjoy premium travel experiences.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card for travel rewards in Singapore depends on your travel habits and priorities. If you frequently fly with Singapore Airlines, the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card might be the best fit. For those who prefer a card with a high general spending earn rate, the UOB PRVI Miles Card is a solid choice. If you’re after premium travel perks, the HSBC Visa Infinite Card could be worth the investment.
Ultimately, it’s essential to consider your spending patterns, preferred airlines, and the travel perks that matter most to you when selecting a travel rewards card. With the right card, you can make your trips more rewarding, both in terms of comfort and cost savings.