Are you looking for a credit card that rewards you for your travel purchases? Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude are two popular credit cards in Singapore that offer miles for your spending. But which one is the right fit for you? In this article, we will compare the two cards and help you decide which one is the best for your travel goals.
Citi PremierMiles Card and DBS Altitude Card both offer generous rewards for travel spending. With the Citi PremierMiles Card, you can earn up to 1.2 miles for every $1 spent locally and up to 2 miles for every $1 spent overseas. Meanwhile, the DBS Altitude Card offers 1.2 miles for every $1 spent locally, 2 miles for every $1 spent overseas, and 3 miles for every $1 spent on online flight and hotel bookings.
But earning miles is just one part of the equation. In this article, we will also compare the redemption options, travel perks, and fees and charges of both cards. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of which card is the right fit for you and your travel goals.
Key Takeaways
- Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude cards offer generous rewards for travel spending.
- The redemption options, travel perks, and fees and charges of both cards should be considered before making a decision.
- DBS Altitude Card offers higher rewards for online flight and hotel bookings than Citi PremierMiles Card.
Overview of Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude Cards
If you’re looking for a travel credit card in Singapore, two of the most popular options are the Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude cards. Both cards offer rewards in the form of air miles, making them an attractive choice for frequent travellers.
Key Features of Citi PremierMiles Card
The Citi PremierMiles card offers a range of benefits for those who love to travel. Here are some of the key features:
- Annual fee: $192.60 (waived for the first year)
- Earn 1.2 Citi Miles for every $1 spent locally, and 2 Citi Miles for every $1 spent overseas
- No expiry date for Citi Miles earned
- Redeem Citi Miles for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses
- Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to $1 million
Key Features of DBS Altitude Card
The DBS Altitude card is another popular option for those who want to earn air miles. Here are some of its key features:
- Annual fee: $192.60 (waived for the first year)
- Earn 1.2 miles for every $1 spent locally, and 2 miles for every $1 spent overseas
- No expiry date for miles earned
- Redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses
- Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to $1 million
While both cards offer similar benefits, there are some differences to consider. For example, the Citi PremierMiles card offers a slightly higher earn rate for overseas spending, while the DBS Altitude card offers a wider range of travel-related benefits, such as airport lounge access and discounted hotel stays.
Ultimately, the choice between these two cards will depend on your individual needs and spending habits. Be sure to compare the benefits and fees of each card carefully before making a decision.
Earning Miles
When it comes to accumulating miles, both Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude have their strengths. Here are some ways you can earn miles with each card.
Accumulating Miles on Local Spend
For local spend, DBS Altitude offers a higher earn rate of 1.2 miles per $1 spent compared to Citi PremierMiles’ 1.3 miles per $1 spent. However, Citi PremierMiles offers bonus miles for local dining and entertainment spend, with an earn rate of 3 miles per $1 spent. This makes Citi PremierMiles a better option for those who frequently dine out or attend events.
Maximising Overseas Spend for Miles
For overseas spend, both cards offer competitive earn rates. DBS Altitude offers 2.2 miles per $1 spent in foreign currency, while Citi PremierMiles offers 2 miles per $1 spent in foreign currency. However, DBS Altitude offers bonus miles for hotel and flight bookings made through Kaligo and Expedia, with an earn rate of up to 10 miles per $1 spent. This makes DBS Altitude a better option for those who frequently travel and book their own accommodations.
Bonus Miles and Promotions
Both cards offer bonus miles and promotions from time to time. For example, DBS Altitude is currently offering up to 25,600 bonus miles for new sign-ups, while Citi PremierMiles is offering up to 45,000 bonus miles for new sign-ups. Keep an eye out for these promotions to maximise your miles earning potential.
Overall, both Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude offer competitive earn rates and bonus miles for different types of spend. Consider your spending habits and travel patterns to determine which card is the best fit for you.
Redeeming Miles
When it comes to redeeming miles, both Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude offer a range of options to suit your travel needs. Here’s what you need to know about redeeming miles with both cards.
Conversion to Airline Partners
Both cards allow you to convert your miles to a number of airline partners, including Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles, and Qantas. However, it’s worth noting that DBS Altitude only allows you to convert your points to KrisFlyer miles, while Citi PremierMiles offers a wider range of airline partners.
Redemption Value and Flexibility
When it comes to redemption value and flexibility, both cards offer competitive options. Citi PremierMiles offers a range of redemption options, including flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. Plus, you can top up your miles with cash if you don’t have enough for a particular redemption.
On the other hand, DBS Altitude offers a unique feature called “Mileage Auto-Conversion”. This feature allows you to automatically convert your points to KrisFlyer miles every month, without any conversion fees. This can be a great option if you’re looking to build up your KrisFlyer miles over time.
Overall, both cards offer a range of redemption options that can suit different travel needs. It’s worth comparing the redemption rates and options for both cards to see which one offers the best value for your miles.
Travel Perks and Insurance
When it comes to travel perks and insurance, both Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude offer their own set of benefits. Here’s a closer look at what each card has to offer:
Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage
Citi PremierMiles offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including medical expenses, accidental death and travel inconveniences. The coverage is automatically activated when you charge your travel expenses to the card. The coverage is also extended to your spouse and children under the age of 23, as long as their travel expenses are charged to the card as well.
DBS Altitude, on the other hand, offers a more basic travel insurance coverage. The coverage includes accidental death and medical expenses, but it does not cover travel inconveniences such as flight delays or lost luggage. To enjoy a more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase an add-on travel insurance plan with DBS.
Exclusive Lounge Access
Both Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude offer exclusive lounge access to their cardholders. With Citi PremierMiles, you get complimentary access to over 1,000 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. You can also bring a guest with you for free. With DBS Altitude, you get 2 complimentary lounge visits per year at selected lounges in Singapore and Hong Kong. You can also purchase additional visits at a discounted rate.
Overall, if you’re looking for a credit card that offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage and exclusive lounge access, Citi PremierMiles might be the better choice for you. However, if you’re looking for a card that offers a broader variety of travel perks and gives you the option to avoid paying its annual fee, DBS Altitude might be the way to go.
Comparing Costs and Fees
When it comes to choosing between the Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude credit cards, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost and fees associated with each card. In this section, we will compare the annual fees, service fees, and charges of these two cards to help you make an informed decision.
Annual Fees and Waivers
Both the Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude cards come with annual fees, but they differ in terms of how these fees can be waived. The annual fee for the Citi PremierMiles card is $192.6, while the DBS Altitude card has an annual fee of $192.6 as well.
However, the DBS Altitude card offers an annual fee waiver for cardholders who spend at least $25,000 within a year. This means that if you use your DBS Altitude card frequently, you may be able to avoid paying the annual fee altogether. On the other hand, the Citi PremierMiles card does not offer any annual fee waivers, so you will need to pay the annual fee every year.
Service Fees and Charges
Apart from annual fees, there are other service fees and charges that you need to be aware of when using your credit card. The Citi PremierMiles card charges a late payment fee of $100 and an over-limit fee of $40. In addition, cash advance fees are charged at a rate of 6% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum charge of $15.
The DBS Altitude card also charges a late payment fee of $100, but the over-limit fee is slightly higher at $50. Cash advance fees are charged at a rate of 6% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum charge of $15.
Overall, both the Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude cards have similar costs and fees. However, the DBS Altitude card offers an annual fee waiver for high spenders, which may make it a more attractive option for those who use their credit card frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What perks come with the Citi PremierMiles compared to DBS Altitude?
The Citi PremierMiles card offers a range of travel-related perks, including two complimentary lounge access visits per year through Priority Pass, exclusive travel deals and discounts, and travel insurance coverage of up to $1 million. On the other hand, the DBS Altitude card offers similar perks, such as two complimentary lounge access visits per year through Priority Pass, but also includes other benefits like discounted airport limousine transfers and discounted hotel bookings.
How do the mile conversion rates for Citi PremierMiles stand up against those of DBS Altitude?
Both cards offer competitive mile conversion rates, with the Citi PremierMiles card offering 1.2 miles per $1 spent locally and 2 miles per $1 spent overseas, while the DBS Altitude card offers 1.2 miles per $1 spent locally and 2 miles per $1 spent overseas. However, the DBS Altitude card offers a higher rate of 3 miles per $1 spent on online flight and hotel bookings.
Can you highlight the annual fee waivers for the DBS Altitude versus the Citi PremierMiles?
Both cards offer annual fee waivers, with the Citi PremierMiles card offering a waiver for the first year and subsequent years with a minimum annual spend of $10,000. The DBS Altitude card offers an annual fee waiver for the first year and subsequent years with a minimum annual spend of $25,000.
What are the exclusive travel benefits associated with the Citi PremierMiles card?
The Citi PremierMiles card offers exclusive travel benefits such as discounts on hotel bookings, car rentals, and travel packages, as well as exclusive access to travel events and experiences. Additionally, cardholders can earn up to 10 miles per $1 spent on hotel bookings made through Agoda.
How does the welcome bonus for the DBS Altitude compare to that of the Citi PremierMiles?
The DBS Altitude card offers a welcome bonus of up to 10,000 bonus miles, while the Citi PremierMiles card offers a welcome bonus of up to 30,000 miles. However, the Citi PremierMiles card requires a higher minimum spend of $9,000 within the first three months to qualify for the bonus miles.
Are there any particular spending categories where DBS Altitude outperforms Citi PremierMiles?
The DBS Altitude card offers a higher rate of 3 miles per $1 spent on online flight and hotel bookings, while the Citi PremierMiles card offers a higher rate of 2 miles per $1 spent on overseas spending. However, both cards offer competitive mile conversion rates for local spending.