Compare Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Cards

If you are a frequent overseas traveller, and often make trips with Singapore Airlines, then you might consider a rewards credit card that lets you exchange your points for the airline’s KrisFlyer miles program. With this kind of card, you could also have access to benefits like airport lounge access or complimentary travel insurance.

If you’re contemplating a rewards credit card, one thing to keep in mind is that they can be more expensive than other kinds of credit cards, potentially carrying higher interest rates and annual fees than non-reward cards. When it comes to frequent flyer cards, interest rates can typically be around 20% per annum. It is therefore important to make sure that the costs of the card you’re considering don’t outweigh the benefits you’ll receive. You may find that a more basic rewards card with lower annual fees can be linked with a rewards program like KrisFlyer, although keep in mind that the points earn rate for such a card could likewise be lower.

If you are considering a credit card that allows you to build KrisFlyes miles to use for Singapore Airlines flights, it’s a good idea to first consider the following questions:

• Do you typically pay your closing credit card balance in full each month?
• Are you a frequent traveller, and if so, would putting points towards KrisFlyer miles and earning other travel related benefits be rewarding to you?
• Are you likely to use your card enough to earn the rewards you’d need to justify the annual fee and any interest charged?

A rewards credit card that you can use to build frequent flyer miles might not be the best option if you rarely pay off your credit card balance in full, as doing so could mean that you would potentially face high interest payments. Likewise, if you only use your credit card relatively infrequently, then you might not earn enough rewards points to make transferring them to the KrisFlyer rewards program feasible.

If you are likely to carry some debt on your credit card, it’s possible that your interest charges will outweigh the potential benefits of the card. If this is the case, you may want to consider other options like a low interest rate credit card instead.

There are a key few things to look out for when comparing rewards credit cards, including those where you can earn points to put towards frequent flyer miles. These include:

• Points earn rate: Rewards credit cards will typically allow you to earn points by spending money on eligible purchases, and participating cards will allow you to transfer them to your Singapore Airlines account for KrisFlyer miles.
• Points transfer rate: Different credit card rewards programs may allow you to exchange your rewards points for KrisFlyer miles at different rates – for example, the rate may be one, two or three points per mile. It is important to check the terms and conditions of your card to find out the exchange rate for rewards points.
• Points transfer minimums: It is also worth keeping in mind that, depending on the provider, there may be a minimum number of credit card reward points required for you to transfer to KrisFlyer miles. It is worth checking with Singapore Airlines or your credit card provider to find out if this minimum will apply to you.
• Sign-up bonuses: Some credit cards offer introductory bonuses for new cardholders, which can include rewards points. If your chosen credit card offers points as a sign-up bonus, you may potentially have enough to transfer to your Singapore Airlines and redeem them through the KrisFlyer program.
• Annual fee and interest rate: Frequent flyer cards typically charge higher annual fees and interest rates than non-rewards cards, so it is important to consider whether the benefits you’ll get from one of these cards outweigh the potential costs.
• Extras: Many frequent flyer cards offer additional perks to members, including such things as bonus travel insurance, lounge access at airports and hotel and travel credits, as well as seat upgrades for flights. Remember to read the policy terms and conditions to understand what extras you may be eligible for if you sign up.

If you’re considering taking out a credit card where you can earn rewards points to put towards KrisFlyer miles and you would like to know what’s out there on the market, you can start your search by comparing cards with Canstar, using the comparison tool at the top of this page.

Depending on the kind of card you choose, you may also be eligible for additional perks, which can include such things as:

• Airport lounge access: Some credit card rewards programs will give you a number of annual single-use passes that can be used for airport lounge access, to relax before your flight or between destinations.
• Airport transfers: Some rewards cards will offer complimentary airport transfer services to eligible customers. Depending on your provider and level of rewards membership, this perk may be available once per year, or multiple times.
• Complimentary travel insurance: Some rewards credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance for overseas trips, as long as these trips were booked with the card.
• Concierge services: Certain rewards cards offer access to concierge services, where you can receive assistance with a variety of things from booking events and hotels through to making travel plans and reservations.
• Hotel credits: Some rewards cards will offer you credits to put towards bookings with partner hotels, and in some cases, may even offer a free night’s stay to eligible travellers, depending on your level of rewards membership.
• Travel credits: Some rewards credit cards offer vouchers that can be used for flight or travel credit annually.

There are currently no credit cards in Australia that allow you to directly earn Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles. It is possible, however, to earn points from a participating rewards credit card, and then transfer these to your Singapore Airlines account in exchange for KrisFlyer miles that you can put towards a trip.

Each participating rewards credit card will have its own particular system for transferring rewards points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. In general, though, it is likely you will need to:

1. Make sure that your participating rewards credit card account is linked to your Singapore Airlines account
2. Log into your participating rewards credit card program account and choose the number of rewards points you wish to convert to KrisFlyer miles
3. Confirm the details of the transaction and follow the prompts to complete the transfer

You will need to check with your individual provider to find out how transfers work and how long the process takes, as it may not be instantaneous and may take a business day or more.

Singapore Airlines may also award bonus KrisFlyer miles when you transfer points from certain rewards credit cards to your account. Check the Singapore Airlines website to see if your credit card provider may be eligible.

KrisFlyer miles typically expire three years after they were earned, with the exception of miles that were earned from contests, which expire one year after they were earned. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore Airlines began extending the duration of KrisFlyer miles for eligible customers, however, this program is now wrapping up.

In a note to customers in 2022, however, Singapore Airlines advised that KrisFlyer miles expiring from January 2023 will no longer be eligible for complimentary extension as part of the airline’s COVID-19 membership support measures. Check the Singapore Airlines website for further details.

Yes, Singapore Airlines allows you to redeem KrisFlyer miles with a variety of partner airlines around the globe. It is advisable to check the Singapore Airlines website or contact the airline directly to find out which partner airlines you can use your KrisFlyer miles with.

Generally speaking, any everyday spending on a credit card could be considered an ‘eligible purchase’ for the purpose of rewards points. This means, for example, that things like supermarket shopping, dining out, petrol and general retail purchases would all fall under the umbrella of eligible purchases.

On the other hand, transactions including cash advances, balance transfers, BPAY payments and the payment of fees and charges on the credit card itself would not count towards reward points. It is important, however, to read the terms and conditions to find out exactly what kind of purchases count towards reward points.