Quick answer: If you want a dependable all-rounder that rewards overseas spending, the HSBC TravelOne is a solid pick. For miles that never expire, the DBS Altitude and Citi PremierMiles let you save at your own pace. Singapore Airlines loyalists will feel right at home with the KrisFlyer UOB or the Amex KrisFlyer, which credit miles straight to your account. The Standard Chartered Visa Infinite suits anyone who wants serious lounge access, while the Maybank Horizon keeps things easy across daily and travel spend.
Earning airline miles through a credit card is not about chasing the highest earn rate; it is about finding the card that suits the way your household already spends. A few overseas trips a year, a preferred airline, a routine that includes ride-hailing – each pattern points to a different choice. What follows is a guide to matching the card to your life, without fuss or pressure.
Best Credit Cards in Singapore is the parent list here, with 33 guides covering everything in this area.
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
An all-rounder that clicks for people who travel a few times a year. You earn up to 2.5 miles per dollar on overseas spend – so a couple of long-haul trips and the miles stack up fast. Local spend gets you 1.2 miles, steady for the daily kopi-and-toast routine. Four free lounge visits a year soften even the longest layover, and the travel insurance covers you up to S$1 million.
The app makes redemptions quick – you can book flights or hotels right there, no waiting. If you’re building up your spending power, the secured card option with a modest deposit opens the door without drama, and large spenders often get the annual fee waived.
This one suits the person who wants miles without overthinking it. Good overseas earn, some lounge access, and an app that handles the rest.
For someone who takes a couple of long-haul holidays each year, this card keeps the sums simple. The overseas earn rate means your airfare and hotel spend can build miles at a satisfying clip. Four lounge visits soften the transit hours, and the app makes redemption a quick, polite affair. It suits the traveller who wants a reliable companion without a complicated points structure.
Address: 50 Raffles Pl, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623
Phone: +65 6227 8889
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30am–3:30pm, Saturday 9:30am–12pm, closed Sunday
hsbc.com.sg/travelone
DBS Altitude Card
The big draw: your miles never expire. You can chip away at a business-class redemption for years without the clock ticking. Locally you earn 1.3 miles per dollar, and overseas it jumps to 2.2 miles. Two free lounge visits for Visa cardholders come in handy for a quiet pre-flight makan, and the travel insurance covers up to S$1 million.
First year’s fee is waived, so you can try it out, see if the rhythm works for your wallet, then decide. Promotional bonuses on select destinations occasionally sweeten the deal further. This card feels like the patient saver’s choice – no pressure, just steady accumulation.
You might be the sort who chips away at a business-class redemption over three or four years, and this card’s no-expiry policy is the quiet hero.
Address: 12 Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982
Phone: 1800 111 1111 (overseas +65 6327 2265)
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30am–4pm, Saturday 8:30am–12:30pm, closed Sunday
dbs.com.sg/altitude
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If you’re also looking at OCBC’s offerings, our OCBC Credit Cards in Singapore guide may help.
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
For anyone who sees Singapore Airlines as the default way to fly, this card speaks your language. You earn up to 3 miles per dollar on SIA Group purchases and on everyday dining and transport – with qualifying spend, of course. Miles land directly in your KrisFlyer account, no conversion fee, no waiting. Hit the right spend thresholds and you fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver status, which comes with perks like priority check-in. Complimentary travel insurance and exclusive SIA discounts round it out.
If your goal is to turn daily Grab rides, meals out and the annual flight home for CNY into that next redemption, this one does the heavy lifting.
The traveller whose first instinct is to check SIA flights finds this card rewarding that loyalty in ways that feel effortless.
Address: 80 Raffles Pl, #1 UOB Plaza, Singapore 048624
Phone: 1800 222 2121
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30am–4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am–12:30pm, closed Sunday
uob.com.sg/krisflyer
Citi PremierMiles Card
No cap, no expiry – that is the whole pitch, and it works. Earn 1.2 miles per dollar locally and 2.2 miles overseas, on as much spend as you can throw at it. Two lounge visits a year and travel insurance up to S$1 million keep you covered. Because the miles never disappear, you can plan a redemption years out without the jialat feeling of a balance vanishing before you used it.
If you like the idea of a straightforward, low-maintenance card that just keeps giving miles in the background, this one’s worth a look.
If you prefer a card that does not require you to track caps or expiry dates, this one offers a clean, unfussy proposition. The miles stay put until you are ready to use them, which suits a planner who books years ahead. Two lounge visits a year are just enough to make the pre-flight hour feel a little more civilised.
Address: 8 Marina View, #18-00 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Phone: +65 6224 5757
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30am–6pm, closed weekends
citibank.com.sg/premiermiles
We also have a guide on credit cards that work hard for your weekly groceries and Lazada hauls: Credit Cards for Groceries and Online Shopping in Singapore.
Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card
Stepping up to a card that feels more atas comes with real perks. You get six lounge visits a year – enough for three return trips with a guest each time – and the miles never expire. Overseas spend earns up to 3 miles per dollar, local spend 1.4 miles. The welcome bonus alone can jump-start a redemption, and the travel insurance is comprehensive.
Where this nudges ahead is the digital side: extra security layers when you shop online, which makes spending on flights or big-ticket items that much easier. It is built for people who travel enough to fill six lounge visits and want their miles to sit there patiently until the right redemption pops up.
Stepping up to a card that feels a touch more premium brings with it six lounge visits a year – enough for a couple of return trips with a guest. The miles never expire, so you can plan a large redemption at your own pace. The welcome bonus can give your balance a helpful push, and the extra digital security layers are a thoughtful touch.
Address: Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, 8 Marina Boulevard, Level 27, Singapore 018981
Phone: +65 6747 7000
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, closed weekends
sc.com/sg/visa-infinite
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Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
This one covers a lot of ground without making things complicated. Up to 2.8 miles per dollar on overseas spend and airfare, 1.2 miles on everything else. You get lounge access, fuel discounts and a welcome gift – little things that add up when you are running a household and still dreaming about the next holiday. Insurance is included, and the card works across the board on your daily spend, so you are not forced to track bonus categories closely.
If you want one card that rewards your weekly petrol run, your monthly Amazon order and your annual Bali trip, this fits the rhythm of a busy life well.
For a household that wants one card to handle the weekly shop, the petrol and the holiday booking, this one covers the ground without fuss. The fuel discounts are a small nod to the daily realities of running a car in Singapore, and the welcome gift makes the start feel a little warmer. It is a steady, unshowy way to let your ordinary spending quietly build the next getaway.
Address: 2 Battery Road, Singapore 049907
Phone: 1800-629 2265 (overseas +65 6533 5229)
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 10am–6:30pm, closed weekends and public holidays
maybank2u.com.sg/horizon
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
If your week is full of Grab trips and you book with Singapore Airlines whenever you fly, this card puts your habits to work. Earn up to 3.2 miles per dollar on Grab rides, and bonuses on SIA purchases. The base earn is 1.1 miles per dollar on everything else. Welcome bonus miles sweeten the start, and lounge vouchers and travel insurance keep you sorted on the road. Miles go straight into your KrisFlyer account, so the moment you hit the threshold, you book.
It is a targeted card – it does a few things and does them well. For the person whose loyalty to SIA is strong, and whose rideshare bill is a regular line in the monthly budget, it makes plenty of sense.
If your week is woven through with Grab rides and you naturally turn to Singapore Airlines for your flights, this card makes those habits work quietly in the background. The earn rate on Grab is especially generous, turning a simple commute or a ride to dinner into a small mile-earning event. Lounge vouchers and direct KrisFlyer credits keep the experience smooth from street to seat.
Address: 1 Marina Boulevard, #22-00 One Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989
Phone: +65 6396 6000
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, closed weekends
americanexpress.com.sg/sia-krisflyer
For a broader look at air miles cards, you can find more in our Credit Cards for Airline Miles in Singapore round-up.
How to choose
Start with how you spend. If a big chunk of your monthly bills goes to overseas purchases or travel bookings, a card with a high foreign-currency earn rate, like the HSBC TravelOne or Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, will reward you faster. If you are more of a steady local spender who wants miles to accumulate without pressure, the DBS Altitude or Citi PremierMiles remove the stress of expiry dates – your miles just sit there until you need them.
Airline loyalty tips the scales too. The KrisFlyer UOB and Amex KrisFlyer cards credit miles directly and give you perks with Singapore Airlines, so if you fly SIA enough to care about status or want to redeem on SIA flights specifically, these are natural fits. If you prefer keeping your options open across different airlines, the general-mile cards like HSBC TravelOne or Maybank Horizon give you flexibility.
A fair price range for an annual fee is usually S$190–S$600, but many cards waive the first year or offer waivers with a minimum annual spend. Check the specific terms, because a fee that looks high can still be worth it if the miles you earn cover the cost many times over.
| Card | Local Earn (miles/S$1) | Overseas Earn (miles/S$1) | Lounge Visits | Miles Expiry | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC TravelOne | 1.2 | Up to 2.5 | 4 | Check with issuer | Fee waivers for substantial spenders |
| DBS Altitude | 1.3 | Up to 2.2 | 2 (Visa) | Never expire | First year waived |
| KrisFlyer UOB | Up to 3 on SIA/dining/transport (qualifying) | Check base rate with issuer | Check with issuer | Check with issuer | Check with issuer |
| Citi PremierMiles | 1.2 | Up to 2.2 | 2 | Never expire | Check with issuer |
| Standard Chartered Visa Infinite | 1.4 | Up to 3 | 6 | Never expire | Check with issuer |
| Maybank Horizon | 1.2 | Up to 2.8 (overseas & flights) | Included | Check with issuer | Check with issuer |
| Amex KrisFlyer | 1.1 (base), up to 3.2 on Grab | 1.1 (base), bonus on SIA | Included | Check with issuer | Check with issuer |
Summary
Earning airline miles with your credit card in Singapore comes down to matching your spending habits with the right card. The HSBC TravelOne and DBS Altitude suit everyday travelers who want nice earn rates and no-nonsense redemption. SIA enthusiasts will lean toward the KrisFlyer UOB and Amex KrisFlyer, while the Citi PremierMiles and Standard Chartered Visa Infinite reward patience and premium spend. Pick the one that rewards how you already live – that’s where the miles pile up fastest.
Disclaimer: All information here is from publicly available sources and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Details can change; confirm directly with the card issuer before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card gives the most KrisFlyer miles per dollar?
The KrisFlyer UOB card offers up to 3 miles per dollar on Singapore Airlines purchases and selected everyday spending like dining and transport. The Amex Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer card earns up to 3.2 miles per dollar on Grab rides. Both credit miles directly into your KrisFlyer account.
Do air miles earned from credit cards expire?
It depends on the card. The DBS Altitude, Citi PremierMiles and Standard Chartered Visa Infinite all have miles that never expire. For other cards, you should check the terms, as expiry policies vary.
What’s the typical annual fee for an air miles credit card in Singapore?
Most cards range from about S$190 to S$600 a year. Many offer a first-year fee waiver, and some waive subsequent years if you meet a minimum annual spend. Always confirm the current fee with the bank before applying.
Can I earn miles on everyday spending like dining and transport?
Yes, all the cards listed here earn miles on local spending. The KrisFlyer UOB card, for example, gives up to 3 miles per dollar on dining and transport with qualifying spend, and most others earn between 1.1 and 1.4 miles per dollar on everyday transactions.
Which card is best if I spend a lot overseas?
The HSBC TravelOne (up to 2.5 miles per dollar), Standard Chartered Visa Infinite (up to 3 miles per dollar) and Maybank Horizon (up to 2.8 miles per dollar) all have strong overseas earn rates. Your pick may come down to additional perks like lounge access or expiry rules.
Are there cards that let you earn miles on Grab rides?
The American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer card earns up to 3.2 miles per dollar on Grab rides, which is the highest rate mentioned for that category. Other cards will still earn their base local rate on Grab, but the Amex card is specifically tailored for it.
