Best KrisFlyer Credit Cards in Singapore (2026)
KrisFlyer credit cards are built for one thing: helping you turn your everyday spending into Singapore Airlines miles, without juggling conversion portals or paying transfer fees.
If you already fly SIA or Scoot a few times a year, or want to start building a serious miles balance, this guide walks you through how KrisFlyer credit cards work, the key cards to compare in 2026, and practical strategies to make sure those miles actually turn into flights (not just numbers in an app).
How Do KrisFlyer Credit Cards Work?
A KrisFlyer credit card is a co-branded card linked directly to your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer frequent flyer account. Unlike a generic rewards or cashback card, these products are designed to feed miles straight into KrisFlyer, which you can later redeem for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks with SIA, Scoot, and partner airlines.
Exact benefits differ by issuer and card tier, but the overall design is to make KrisFlyer the default home for your miles.
Direct miles instead of bank points
With a co-branded KrisFlyer card, your eligible spending earns miles that are automatically credited to your KrisFlyer account—you don’t have to log in to a rewards portal, convert points, or pay a miles transfer fee. Broadly, the earn structure looks like this:
- Local spend: Most KrisFlyer cards pay around 1.1–1.3 miles per S$1 on local general spend.
- Overseas or travel spend: Foreign-currency transactions and travel bookings often earn a similar or higher rate, depending on the card. For example, the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card and AMEX KrisFlyer cards boost earnings on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+, and Pelago.
- Bonus categories: Certain cards offer accelerated miles on dining, food delivery, online retail, transport, and travel bookings, sometimes contingent on hitting a minimum annual SIA Group spend.
Because miles are “KrisFlyer-ready” the moment they post, these cards particularly suit people who want to focus on one main airline ecosystem instead of juggling multiple partners.
Core perks: What do you get?
Most KrisFlyer co-branded cards share a few core benefits:| Benefit | Mechanics |
|---|---|
| Automatic miles crediting | Earned miles post directly into your KrisFlyer account, so you don’t risk forgetting to convert bank points. |
| Welcome bonus miles | New cardholders can unlock large blocks of bonus miles when they meet a minimum spend within the first 1–2 months. |
| Travel insurance and perks | Many come with complimentary travel insurance, flight delay or baggage coverage, and sometimes extras like lounge visits or hotel night vouchers (especially on premium tiers). |
| No miles conversion fees | For cards that credit directly to KrisFlyer, there’s no separate fee to transfer miles from bank to airline; the transfer happens automatically. |
Eligibility Criteria: Who can apply?
Requirements are broadly similar to most entry-level air miles cards in Singapore:
- Minimum age: 21 years old
- Residency: Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and eligible Foreigners
- Income:
- Typically S$30,000 annual income for Singaporeans/PRs
- Higher thresholds (e.g. S$40,000+) are common for foreigners, depending on bank policy
Approval is still subject to each bank’s internal credit assessment and MAS responsible lending guidelines, so meeting the minimum income is necessary but not a guarantee.
Who should consider a KrisFlyer credit card?
KrisFlyer cards tend to make most sense if you:
- Fly Singapore Airlines or Scoot at least occasionally and want to build miles in one ecosystem
- Are a regular or aspirational traveller who values flights and upgrades more than cashback
- Have moderate to high annual spend and can comfortably hit welcome bonus thresholds (e.g. upcoming travel, weddings, renovations, or big-ticket purchases)
- Prefer to avoid the extra admin of converting bank points into airline miles and paying transfer fees
If you primarily fly on other alliances (e.g. oneworld or SkyTeam), or want flexible points across multiple airlines, you may be better off with non-KrisFlyer miles cards—which we’ll cover later.
KrisFlyer Credit Card Comparison (2026)
KrisFlyer credit cards aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some are tuned for entry-level flyers who want simple, direct miles; others are aimed at frequent travellers chasing status, hotel perks, and lounge access.
Below is a quick side-by-side of key cards, focusing on how quickly they earn miles and what perks come with them.
*MPD = Miles Per Dollar.
**American Express does not explicitly state overseas base rates, refer to card T&Cs for details.
| Card Name | Local MPD* | Overseas MPD* | Bonus Categories (Elevated MPD) | Notable Perks & Spend Exclusions | "Best For" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | 1.2 | 1.2 | 3 mpd: SIA, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+, Pelago; 2.4 mpd: dining, food delivery, online shopping/travel/transport (with min. S$1,000 qualifying SIA Group spend) | Exclusive Scoot benefits; no miles conversion fee | Everyday miles seekers; SIA/Scoot flyers |
| AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card | 1.1 | Not stated** | 2 mpd: SIA, Scoot, KrisShop, Pelago, Grab (cap applies) | S$150 cashback at Singapore Airlines (min. spend S$12,000); free travel insurance | First-timers and value-maximisers |
| AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card | 1.2 | Not stated** | 2 mpd: SIA, Scoot, KrisShop, Pelago, Grab (cap applies) | KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast track (min. S$15K annual spend first 12 months); Hilton stay; free travel insurance | SIA loyalists & frequent overseas travellers |
| DBS Altitude Visa Signature / DBS Altitude American Express | 1.3 | Up to 2.2* | NA | 2x Priority Pass visits/year; S$27.25 miles transfer fee; conversion required | Flexible chasers; lounge access seekers |
| AMEX Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card | 1.8 | 1.8 | Up to 8.5 mpd on eligible SIA Group spend (incl. bonuses); 2 mpd on overseas business spend; 1.8 mpd on local business spend | Complimentary Accor Plus membership; hotel night voucher; lounge visits; accelerated KrisFlyer Elite upgrades; no miles conversion fee | Business owners with frequent SIA travel |
Best KrisFlyer Miles Credit Cards
(S24-0487) Small (1).jpeg)
Online Promo
Earn up to 3 Miles per S$1 spend
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
- on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+ and Pelago purchases
- S$1 = 3 Miles
- on dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel and transport spend
- S$1 = Up to 2.4 Miles
- on all other spend
- S$1 = 1.2 Miles
Online Promo: Valid until 30 Sep 2026
Get S$100 Samsung e-vouchers when you spend a min. of S$1,000 in the first month from card approval. Plus enjoy 10% off at Samsung online store. T&Cs apply.
Online Promo
Most convenient way to earn KrisFlyer miles
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
- on eligible Singapore Airlines & Scoot flight bookings, KrisShop & Pelago purchases, with no cap
- S$1 = 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on eligible Grab Singapore transactions
- S$1 = Up to 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on all other eligible purchases
- S$1 = 1.1 KrisFlyer miles
Online Promo: Valid until 31 Jan 2027
- 11,000 KrisFlyer miles with min. spending of S$2,000 within first 3 months of Card approval.
- 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first transaction (first-time American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card applicants).
Online Promo
Accelerated Upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold Member
American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
- on eligible Singapore Airlines, Scoot flight bookings, KrisShop & Pelago purchases, with no cap
- S$1 = 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on eligible Grab Singapore transactions
- S$1 = Up to 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on all other eligible purchases
- S$1 = 1.2 KrisFlyer miles
Online Promo: Valid until 31 Jan 2027
- 20,000 KrisFlyer miles with annual fee payment and min. spending of S$8,000 within first 6 months of Card approval.
- 20,000 KrisFlyer miles on your first spend in the 15th month of Card Membership and upon annual fee payment.
- 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first transaction (first-time American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card applicants).
Earn Miles That Never Expire
DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
- Local Spend
- S$1 = 1.3 miles
- Overseas Spend (made in foreign currency)
- S$1 = Up to 2.2 miles
- on DBS Points earned
- No Expiry
Looking for more on air miles and travel credit cards?
Check out our air miles credit card for even deeper comparisons and tips.
Book Eligible Hotel Stays & Serviced Residences
Depending on the hotel or serviced residence chain, you can earn a fixed number of KrisFlyer miles or miles-per-dollar rate.
For instance, earn 500 KrisFlyer miles per qualifying stay at participating Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, or up to 2 KrisFlyer miles per US$1 eligible spend at InterContinental Hotels Group. Some hotel chains also offer partner reward points as alternatives, or allow you to convert between rewards points to KrisFlyer miles.
Remember to book with a miles credit card to earn extra miles on your stay!
For instance, earn 500 KrisFlyer miles per qualifying stay at participating Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, or up to 2 KrisFlyer miles per US$1 eligible spend at InterContinental Hotels Group. Some hotel chains also offer partner reward points as alternatives, or allow you to convert between rewards points to KrisFlyer miles.
Remember to book with a miles credit card to earn extra miles on your stay!
Disclaimer: Rewards earned from hotel stays can only be credited into either KrisFlyer account or hotel partner rewards programme. You cannot earn both KrisFlyer miles and partner reward points concurrently for the same hotel stay.
Rent a Car
Bet you didn’t know that car rentals and petrol can earn you KrisFlyer miles too! Again, depending on the partner, you can earn a fixed number of KrisFlyer miles per car rental, car purchase, or even by converting petrol reward points. For example, you can earn up to 500 KrisFlyer miles per HERTZ car rental or exchange Esso Smiles points for KrisFlyer miles.
Via Financial Service Partners
Last but not least, you can also earn KrisFlyer miles through eligible financial services. This includes bank partners, insurance providers, trading platforms, and even financial comparison sites like us, MoneySmart! Simply apply for a participating financial product via our website and start earning KrisFlyer miles right away.
Bookmark this credit card promotions page to stay updated on all our exclusive sign-up rewards — you won’t want to miss out on these deals! 😉
Bookmark this credit card promotions page to stay updated on all our exclusive sign-up rewards — you won’t want to miss out on these deals! 😉
How to Maximise KrisFlyer Miles with Your Cards
Once you’ve chosen your card (or cards), the next step is using them strategically so that every major expense works toward your next redemption—not just scattered miles across random programmes.
1. Build a “KrisFlyer stack”, not a single card
Rather than trying to force one card to do everything, think of your setup as a KrisFlyer stack.
This combination gives you the best of both worlds: accelerated earn on SIA ecosystem and key categories, plus flexibility when your plans change.
| Type of card | How to use? |
|---|---|
| One core KrisFlyer card |
|
| One flexible air miles card |
|
2. Map each spend type to the right card
To squeeze the most miles per dollar, match your main expenses to the card that loves them most:
| Spending category | Why? |
|---|---|
| SIA Group & Kris+ ecosystem |
Flights on Singapore Airlines and Scoot, KrisShop purchases, Pelago bookings, and Kris+ spend generally belong on your core KrisFlyer card. That’s where you unlock the highest KrisFlyer earn rates and, for some cards, the qualifying spend needed for annual perks such as cashback, hotel nights, or fast-track status. |
| Daily local spend (dining, transport, online shopping) |
Channel everyday expenses to whichever KrisFlyer card offers bonus miles on these categories—often with conditions (e.g. minimum annual SIA Group spend). If your card requires you to hit a minimum SIA spend in a membership year to unlock higher rates on these categories, plan to reach that threshold early so you don’t waste months earning only base miles. |
| Overseas & FX spend |
For foreign-currency transactions, look for the card in your stack that offers boosted overseas MPD—this is often your flexible air miles card (such as DBS Altitude at up to 2.2 mpd on FCY). When banks run promos on overseas spend, remember to register in advance and route your big foreign-currency purchases accordingly. |
| Big-ticket purchases |
Large spends like renovations, weddings, major travel bookings, big appliances are your best chance to unlock welcome bonuses and annual milestones (like status fast-tracks or free hotel nights). Try to line up these expenses with your card’s promo windows, and avoid splitting them across too many cards unless you need to hit multiple welcome bonuses. |
3. Time applications and milestones around your life
Miles strategies often live or die on timing:
- Apply just before you spend – If you have big upcoming expenses (family trip, home furnishing, insurance where eligible for miles), apply for a new KrisFlyer card just before you incur them. That makes it easier to meet minimum spend requirements for welcome miles and vouchers.
- Stagger applications – If you intend to hold both a core KrisFlyer card and a flexible bank-points card, stagger the applications. This way you’re not scrambling to hit multiple minimum spends in the same 60-day window.
- Don’t hoard beyond 36 months – KrisFlyer miles generally expire three years after accrual. Instead of hoarding indefinitely, work backwards from a target redemption (e.g. Business Class to Tokyo in 2–3 years), and redeem once you’re close to your mile goal rather than letting miles idle and expire.
Pair Your Journeys With Travel Insurance! ✈️
Get comprehensive coverage and enjoy exclusive discounts when you purchase with us!
FAQs
Do KrisFlyer miles expire?
- Yes. They expire after 3 years, at the end of the corresponding month in which they were earned.
Can KrisFlyer miles be transferred to another person?
- No, directly transferring KrisFlyer miles to someone else is not permitted. But, there are a few exceptions:
- Parental transfer to child’s account
- Redeeming miles for others
- Pooling miles together into one account
- Transferring credit card points to KrisFlyer miles
How many KrisFlyer miles are needed to redeem a “free” flight?
- The number of KrisFlyer miles needed to redeem a flight still depends on destination zone, travel class, and award type. For example, a round-trip Saver Award Economy ticket from Singapore to Tokyo (SIN–NRT) costs 54,000 miles, while a shorter regional route like Singapore to Balikpapan (SIN–BPN) costs just 17,000 miles.
How many KrisFlyer miles are needed to upgrade to business class?
- This mostly depends on your destination, award ticket type, and type of Economy class you’re upgrading from.
For instance, upgrading from Economy Flexi to Business Class with a Saver Award ticket (SIN–NRT) requires 64,000 KrisFlyer miles. How to convert KrisPay miles to KrisFlyer miles?
- You can convert KrisPay miles to KrisFlyer miles via the Kris+ app where 1 KrisPay mile = 1 KrisFlyer mile.
- Open the Kris+ app and navigate to the “Miles” section to access your KrisPay miles balance.
- Select “Transfer to KrisFlyer” option.
- Review details and confirm transfer.
Yes, it’s that easy. Although, do note that KrisPay miles must be converted to KrisFlyer miles within 7 days of earning them. Partial transfers aren’t permitted either. How quickly do miles get credited to my KrisFlyer account after spending on my card?
- For direct KrisFlyer cards like the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card and AMEX KrisFlyer series, miles are typically credited to your KrisFlyer account automatically within a few working days after your transaction posts, although some issuers batch credits monthly.
Are there spend categories that don’t earn miles?
- Yes. Common exclusions include insurance premiums, government/statutory payments, education, utilities, hospital bills, donations, prepaid account funding, and e-wallet top-ups such as GrabPay. Always check your card’s latest exclusion list before planning large spends.
Is there a cap on the number of miles I can earn monthly?
- Base miles on general spend are usually uncapped, but many cards impose caps on bonus miles for specific categories, such as Grab rides or special promo segments. For example, some AMEX KrisFlyer bonuses on Grab spend are capped at a fixed dollar amount per month, above which you earn only the standard rate. Always review the cap details in the card’s T&Cs.
How long are KrisFlyer miles valid for? Can expired miles be reinstated?
- KrisFlyer miles are generally valid for 36 months from the month they are credited. Once they expire, they usually cannot be reinstated for Singapore-based members, so it’s important to monitor expiry dates via the app or email alerts.
My miles haven’t been posted yet—what’s next?
- First, confirm that the transaction is eligible and that you’ve allowed enough time for it to be posted (often 1–3 working days, sometimes longer for overseas or offline transactions). Then check the card’s miles crediting schedule (instant vs monthly batches). If miles are still missing after that window, contact your card issuer via the app, hotline, or secure message to request a manual review.
Can I recover expired KrisFlyer miles?
- Generally no. Once KrisFlyer miles have fully expired, they cannot be reactivated for Singapore members. Some limited-time campaigns occasionally allow mileage extensions or paid extensions, but as a rule, expired miles are lost for good.
Who do I contact for KrisFlyer account issues (not card-specific)?
- For issues related to redemptions, login problems, or KrisFlyer account details, contact Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Membership Services through the official SIA website or app. For credit card-related issues—like missing miles from card spend, promo tracking, or statement questions—contact your card issuer (UOB, AMEX, DBS, etc.) through their customer service channels.