For frequent travelers in Singapore, miles credit cards are a powerful tool for accumulating travel rewards — they not only earn extra miles and redeem free flights but also offer exclusive perks like airport lounge access, flight upgrades, and travel insurance. However, with a wide range of miles credit cards on the market, featuring varying annual fees, points rules, and additional benefits, how do you choose the best one for yourself? This article breaks down the core features, applicable scenarios, and selection strategies of 7 popular miles credit cards to help you find the perfect match based on your spending habits and travel needs.

I. How Do Miles Credit Cards Actually Work?

The core logic of a miles credit card is "spending to earn miles": Points are accumulated through daily spending (local/overseas shopping, dining, etc.), which can be directly redeemed for miles with partner airlines (such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles) or for flights, hotel stays, and other travel services via the bank's app. Points rules vary significantly between cards:

• Earning Rate: Typically, 1.2-5 miles are earned per SGD 1 spent, with overseas spending often yielding more miles than local spending;

• Points Expiry: Some cards offer permanent validity (e.g., DBS Altitude), while others expire after 37 months or 2 years;

• Redeemption Flexibility: Some cards only support specific airlines (e.g., KrisFlyer UOB Card is tied to Singapore Airlines), while others allow redemption with multiple airlines (e.g., Citi Premier Miles).

When choosing, consider your spending scenarios (e.g., frequency of overseas spending), frequently flown airlines, and needs for additional benefits (such as lounge access).

II. How to Choose a Miles-Earning Credit Card? Key Factors to Consider

1. Minimum Income Requirement: Thresholds differ for Singapore citizens/PRs and foreigners, typically ranging from SGD 30,000 to SGD 150,000 per year;

2. Annual Fee: Ranges from SGD 196.20 to SGD 599.50, with some cards offering first-year fee waivers or fee waivers upon meeting spending targets;

3. Points Earning Rate: Overseas spending usually yields higher miles than local spending (e.g., UOB PRVI Miles offers up to 5 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending);

4. Foreign Transaction Fee: Ranges from 2.25% to 3.5%; for frequent overseas spenders, prioritize cards with lower fees;

5. Additional Benefits: Number of airport lounge visits, travel insurance, airline partnership discounts, etc., which are valuable for frequent travelers.

III. In-Depth Comparison of 7 Popular Miles Credit Cards in Singapore

1. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card — Best for Instant Points Redemption

Core Advantages:

• New customers who spend SGD 25,000 in the first year can waive the next year's annual fee of SGD 196.20;

• 2.5 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending, 1.2 miles/SGD 1 for local spending;

• Supports instant redemption of airline miles and hotel stays via app, with 4 airport lounge accesses;

• Provides travel insurance (up to SGD 1,000,000 coverage).

Suitable For:

• Middle-income groups seeking flexible points redemption and with spending focused overseas;

• Users needing to balance local daily spending and cross-border expenses.

Considerations:

• Minimum annual income requirement for foreigners is SGD 60,000 (higher than SGD 30,000 for local citizens);

• 3.25% foreign transaction fee; frequent overseas spenders should weigh the costs.

2. DBS Altitude Credit Card — Permanent Validity of Points

Core Advantages:

• First-year annual fee waived (SGD 196.20); new customers meeting targets can earn up to 38,000 welcome miles;

• 2.2 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending, 1.3 miles/SGD 1 for local spending;

• Points have permanent validity, no expiration risk;

• Visa version offers 2 airport lounge accesses and supports miles redemption with multiple airlines.

Suitable For:

• "Slow accumulators" looking to accumulate miles long-term without worrying about expiration;

• Diversified travelers preferring flexible redemption (e.g., with Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific).

Considerations:

• 3.25% foreign transaction fee, on par with other cards;

• Benefits differ slightly between American Express and Visa versions; check details when applying.

3. KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card — Best for Singapore Airlines Fans

Core Advantages:

• 3 miles/SGD 1 for spending with Singapore Airlines and partners (e.g., SilkAir, Scoot), 2.4 miles/SGD 1 for other spending;

• Accelerates KrisFlyer Elite Silver status, unlocking priority boarding and extra baggage allowance;

• First-year annual fee waived (SGD 196.20); new customers get 5,000 KrisFlyer miles.

Suitable For:

• Frequent travelers with Singapore Airlines or Scoot;

• Users looking to accelerate KrisFlyer membership tier progression.

Considerations:

• Points can only be redeemed for Singapore Airlines miles, limiting flexibility;

• 3.25% foreign transaction fee; points earning efficiency is average for non-SIA spending.

4. UOB PRVI Miles Credit Card — King of Overseas Spending Points

Core Advantages:

• Up to 5 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending (including online) on dining and shopping, 1.4 miles/SGD 1 for local spending;

• 4 annual airport lounge accesses and complimentary travel insurance;

• First-year annual fee waived (SGD 261.60), ideal for frequent overseas spenders.

Suitable For:

• "Heavy overseas spenders" who travel abroad frequently or shop cross-border online;

• Business travelers seeking high points returns.

Considerations:

• Points expire 2 years after earning; redeem promptly;

• Annual fee (SGD 261.60) is higher than most peers; high spending is needed to offset costs.

5. Citi Premier Miles Credit Card — Unlimited, Never-Expiring Miles

Core Advantages:

• Miles have permanent validity with no accumulation cap, ideal for long-term travel planning;

• 2.2 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending, 1.2 miles/SGD 1 for local spending;

• First-year annual fee waived (SGD 196.20); new customers meeting targets get 30,000 miles.

Suitable For:

• Users with steady but low individual spending, needing to accumulate miles long-term;

• Travelers worried about points expiration and preferring "stress-free" accumulation.

Considerations:

• Limited additional benefits (only 2 lounge accesses);

• 3.25% foreign transaction fee with moderate points efficiency.

6. Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card — For High-End Users

Core Advantages:

• 3 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending, with extra security for online shopping (digital virtual card feature);

• 6 annual airport lounge accesses and high-value travel insurance;

• Miles have permanent validity, suitable for Priority Banking customers (minimum income SGD 30,000).

Suitable For:

• Standard Chartered Priority or Private Banking clients;

• Users seeking premium benefits with strong annual spending power.

Considerations:

• High annual fee of SGD 599.50 (no first-year waiver);

• Non-premium banking customers need annual income of SGD 150,000, a high threshold.

7. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Credit Card — Comprehensive Daily Spending Coverage

Core Advantages:

• Covers special spending categories like insurance and medical services, earning 1.2 miles/SGD 1;

• 2.8 miles/SGD 1 for overseas spending and flight bookings, plus fuel discounts;

• First-year annual fee waived (SGD 196.20); new customers meeting targets get a luggage set.

Suitable For:

• Family users with diverse spending scenarios (including medical and insurance expenses);

• "Balanced" consumers balancing daily spending and infrequent travel.

Considerations:

• Minimum income requirement for non-Malaysian foreigners is SGD 60,000;

• Moderate miles efficiency, not ideal for "points chasers."

IV. Comparative Tables of Core Parameters for 7 Cards

Table 1: Basic Information Comparison

Table 2: Points Earning Rules Comparison

Table 3: Points Validity and Additional Benefits Comparison

V. Scenario-Based Selection Guide

• Loyal Singapore Airlines Travelers: Choose KrisFlyer UOB Card for doubled points on SIA spending and faster membership progression;

• Frequent Overseas Spenders: UOB PRVI Miles offers the best 5 miles/SGD 1 rate, ideal for cross-border shopping or business trips;

• Long-Term Points Planners: DBS Altitude or Citi Premier Miles, with permanent points validity and no expiration stress;

• Budget-Conscious / First-Year Testers: HSBC TravelOne or DBS Altitude, with first-year fee waivers and balanced benefits;

• Premium Benefit Seekers: Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, with 6 lounge accesses + high-value insurance, suitable for high-income business travelers.

Conclusion

The key to choosing a miles credit card is "matching spending habits": UOB PRVI Miles for frequent overseas spending, KrisFlyer UOB for Singapore Airlines regulars, and DBS Altitude or Citi Premier Miles for flexible, stress-free accumulation.

Note that annual fees and foreign transaction fees can offset point value. Calculate the "net benefit" based on annual spending. If unsure, start with a first-year fee-free card (e.g., HSBC TravelOne) to test, then adjust based on usage.

💡 Final Reminder: Card benefits may change with bank policies. Check the official website for the latest information before applying.