The KrisFlyer UOB credit card appeals strongly to miles collectors who fly regularly with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and Star Alliance partners. With a minimum spend requirement of $5 and no spending cap, you can earn up to 3 miles per dollar on your spending. Better yet, UOB will directly credit all earned miles into your KrisFlyer Account – any conversion fee required. In this review, let’s break down the benefits and cost with the KrisFlyer UOB card and whether you should sign up today.

Table of Contents:

1. What is the KrisFlyer UOB Card
2. Main Benefits
3. Other Notable Benefits
4. Main Cost
5. Eligibility
6. How I use the Card
7. Linking Your KrisFlyer Account
8. My Verdict (Who This Card is Best For)
9. Merchant Category Codes (MCC)
10. Changelog

Key Highlights:

• Type of Credit Card: Miles (in the form of KrisFlyer miles)
• Earn Rate: 1.2 miles on general spend; up to 2.4 miles on dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel and transport; 3 miles on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+ and Pelago
• How and when are the miles awarded: For transactions that are charged and posted in a calendar month
• Minimum Spend to earn Miles: $5
• Maximum Spend to earn Miles: No cap
• Minimum Income to apply for this credit card: $30,000 per annum
• Credit Card’s Annual Fee: $196.20, waived for the first year

One Minute Summary:

• Earn 3 miles per dollar for buying air tickets on Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights
• Earn up to 2.4 miles per dollar for dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel and transport.
• With no cap on the miles earned, you can potentially earn more miles than some of the reward points credit cards.

Part 1: What is the KrisFlyer UOB Card

KrisFlyer UOB is a miles card that awards KrisFlyer miles directly for your spending. The earned miles will be automatically credited to your KrisFlyer Account at the end of each calendar month. Thereafter, you may use these Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles to redeem a flight, upgrade your seat or to indulge in various experiences that KrisFlyer offers. For example, you could redeem miles for a private yacht dinner experience with your partner.

Part 2: Main Benefits

KrisFlyer UOB operates on a three-tier awards system.

1. Base Miles
2. Accelerated Miles
3. Singapore Airlines, Kris+, Pelago Miles

Part 2.1: Base Miles

On general spending, this card earns 6 KrisFlyer miles for every S$5 spent. This is equivalent to 1.2 miles per dollar spent.

After the transaction is posted onto your card, UOB will automatically credit the miles into your linked KrisFlyer account at the end of each calendar month.

Formula: 6 KrisFlyer miles / $5 = 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spend

Part 2.2: Accelerated Miles

You can earn an additional 6 KrisFlyer miles for every S$5 spent in the following categories:

• Dining,
• Online Shopping,
• Online Travel, and
• Transport.

To qualify for accelerated miles, you will need an annual spend on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop of at least $1,000 within your card membership year. In total, you will earn 12 KrisFlyer miles for every $5 spent. This is equivalent to 2.4 miles per dollar spent.

At the end of the card membership year, UOB will automatically credit the accelerated miles into your linked KrisFlyer account in the following month.

Formula: 12 KrisFlyer miles / $5 = 2.4 KrisFlyer miles per S$1

Part 2.3: Singapore Airlines, Kris+, Pelago Miles

You will earn a total of 15 KrisFlyer miles for every S$5 spent with:

• Singapore Airlines;
• Scoot;
• KrisShop;
• Kris+;
• Pelago.

After the transaction is posted onto your card, UOB will automatically credit the miles into your linked KrisFlyer account at the end of each calendar month.

Formula: 15 KrisFlyer miles / $5 = 3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1

Summary Table: Miles Earned per Category

The miles that can be earned depend on your spending category and whether you’ve met the annual threshold.

Part 3: Other Notable Benefits

Part 3.1: Fast Track Upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status

New KrisFlyer UOB cardholders can upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Silver status by spending at least $5,000 with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and/or KrisShop within the first card membership year. Thereafter, the upgrade will take effect within 6 weeks from the last calendar month of the first card membership year.

To illustrate, let’s take the case where your first card membership year is in June this year. After fulfilling the spending requirement, the upgrade will take place by mid-July the following year. The Elite Silver status will be valid for 1 year from the date of the upgrade. Thereafter, re-qualification will be based on the standard terms under the KrisFlyer programme.

If you are already a KrisFlyer member with Elite Silver status and above, then this status upgrade programme is not applicable to you.

Usual Route to qualify for the KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status:

Typically, earning KrisFlyer Elite Silver status requires you to accumulate 25,000 Elite miles within 12 months by flying with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Star Alliance airlines, and other partner airlines.

KrisFlyer Elite Silver Privileges

• Earn an additional 25% KrisFlyer miles
• Complimentary seat selection
• Priority reservation and airport standby lists
• Priority airport check-in and boarding
• Check in an extra piece of baggage or an additional 10kg for Singapore Airlines
• Extra 5kg baggage allowance upgrade with a minimum purchase of 20kg baggage for Scoot
• Status match to Marriott Convoy Silver Elite status
• Waived or discounted service fees

Part 3.2: Bonus KrisFlyer Miles (Welcome Offer)

New KrisFlyer UOB cardmembers will earn bonus miles of 5,000 KrisFlyer miles when a single transaction of at least $5 is charged to the card. UOB will credit these welcome miles to your KrisFlyer account in the following month.

Part 3.3: Privileges on Scoot

If you are flying with Scoot, you can enjoy the following complimentary benefits:

• Priority check-in and boarding;
• Additional 5kg baggage allowance with a purchase of a minimum of 20kg baggage fare;
• Standard seat selection.

Part 3.4: Privileges on KrisShop

New KrisShopper members receive a complimentary tier upgrade to KrisShopper Insider upon completing the KrisShopper Registration Form. After signing up, you will be upgraded within 3 months and you can enjoy the Insider status for 12 months. Thereafter, you will need to fulfil the applicable spend requirements to maintain your loyalty tier.

As a KrisShopper Insider, you will earn a total of 5.5 KrisFlyer miles for every dollar spent on all KrisShop purchases made inflight on Singapore Airlines and on KrisShop.com.

Additionally, you can enter the promotion code KFUOBKS2025 at checkout on KrisShop.com to receive $20 off with a minimum spend of $120. This promotion is valid between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

Part 3.5: 2 x $15 worth of Grab Rides

Twice a year (January to June, and July to December), you can use the promotion code KFUOBCC to receive $15 off Grab rides to or from Changi Airport. To do this,

1. You must set your KrisFlyer UOB card as the primary payment method and ensure the rider is charged to your card; and
2. Be the first 1,000 to redeem the promotion code each month.

Part 3.6: 2 x $15 off ChangiWiFi

Twice a year, you can use the ChangiWiFi e-cash redemption code to receive $15 off ChangiWiFi. To do this,

1. SMS “KFUOBCC<space>16-digit card number” to 77862. An e-redemption code will be issued to you.
2. With the e-redemption code, secure your booking via Changi Recommends’s website.
3. Use your KrisFlyer UOB card to make the payment at the Changi Recommends counter.

As usual, be the first 1,000 to redeem this promotion each month!

Part 3.7: $10 Kris+ Sign Up Bonus

New Kris+ users can earn 1,000 KrisPay miles (equivalent to $10) by:

1. Logging to the Kris+ app for the first time and input the referral code KPUOB25.
2. Making a minimum payment of $5 via Apple Pay or Google Pay via the payment function in the Kris+ app.

Once credited, these sign-up bonus miles will be valid for 6 months. This promotion is valid between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

Part 3.8: Complimentary Travel Insurance

Charge the entire travel fare to your KrisFlyer UOB card to enjoy these two travel complimentary insurance benefits:

• $500,000 for accidental death or disablement whilst on public conveyance; and
• Up to $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.

Part 4: Main Cost

These are some of the cost and limitations associated with a KrisFlyer UOB card.

Part 4.1: Fees and Charges

• Annual Fee: $196.20, waived for the first year
• Cash Advance Fee: $15 or 8% of the amount withdrawn, whichever higher
• Foreign Currency Transaction Fee: 3.25%
• Interest Charges: 27.8% per annum
• Late Payment Charge: $100 per month
• Overlimit Fee: $40
• Supplementary Card: First supplementary card is free, $98.10 for subsequent cards

Within 3 months of paying the annual fee, 10,000 KrisFlyer miles will be credited to your KrisFlyer account. If the annual fee is reversed later, the miles will be clawed back. In the event that you don’t have sufficient KrisFlyer miles at the point of reversal, UOB will re-impose the full annual fee on your account.

Part 4.2: Limitations

Part 4.2.1: Computing the Miles earned

To calculate base miles earned for each qualifying charge, UOB rounds down the transaction amount to the nearest $5. Next, you will earn 6 KrisFlyer miles for each block of $5. To illustrate, if you spent $9.99 at a retail store, you will earn 6 KrisFlyer miles.

Formula: (1) Round $9.99 down to the nearest $5 block, i.e. $5; (2) Each block of $5 earns 6 KrisFlyer miles.

As you can see, $4.99 of your spending is excluded from the miles calculation. The following table illustrates this rounding effect as compared to a card that earns miles per dollar spent (e.g. Citi PremierMiles card).

In summary, the rounding effect is more significant for transactions under $40. Thereafter, the earning rate is similar to a credit card that awards miles based on a per dollar basis.

Part 4.2.2: Miles Expiry

Tracking miles with the KrisFlyer UOB card can be confusing. In general, most of the miles earned will be automatically credited into your KrisFlyer account at the end of each calendar month. Once they are credited, the KrisFlyer miles will expire three years later. Since UOB credits miles in different months, they will also expire across different months.

Part 4.2.3: Limited Partner Airlines

You can redeem the KrisFlyer miles for flights on

• Singapore Airlines,
• Scoot,
• Star Alliance, and
• Selected partner airlines.

If you prefer flying with other airlines, the KrisFlyer UOB card may not be the most suitable option.

Part 5: Eligibility

To apply for the KrisFlyer UOB card, you must meet these eligibility requirements.

• Age Requirement: At least 21 years old
• For Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents: Minimum annual income of $30,000 (between age 21 and 55), $15,000 (age 56 and above)
• For Expatriate: Minimum annual income of $40,000.

Additionally, you also need to be a member of the KrisFlyer programme.

Part 6: How I use the Card

The KrisFlyer UOB card is my go-to for general spending above $1,000. Additionally, it is also my backup card once I have exhausted the category caps on my reward points credit cards (e.g. Citi Rewards, HSBC Revolution, UOB Preferred Platinum Visa). Here is my thought process:

My family and I intend to travel at least once a year. With a young toddler, we prefer flying with Singapore Airlines. This is because their flight times are punctual, and their service is exemplary. As a result, we found flying with Singapore Airlines to be very reassuring. In our case, the air tickets usually cost more than $1,000 for three people. Hence, I find the annual spend on Singapore Airlines threshold of $1,000 achievable.

Once I meet this threshold, it unlocks 2.4 miles per dollar spent across various categories – dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel and transport. With no cap on how many miles I can earn, 2.4 miles per dollar can potentially beat the other 4 miles per dollar cards that I have. This usually happens when I spend at least $1,670 in a single transaction. For example, it could be to purchase a brand new iPhone or to book the accommodation for my overseas trip.

Calculation: $1,670 x 2.4 miles = 4,008 miles VS $1,000 x 4 miles = 4,000 miles

Finally, this card earns 1.2 miles per dollar on expenses below $1,000, making it a decent general spending option.

Part 7: Linking Your KrisFlyer Account

To earn KrisFlyer miles, you need to be a KrisFlyer member first. During the card application, enter your 10-digit membership number in the application form. If you are not an existing KrisFlyer member yet, UOB will create and assign a KrisFlyer membership account number for you. This process allows UOB to link your card to your KrisFlyer account directly.

Part 8: My Verdict (Who This Card is Best For)

If you’re invested in the KrisFlyer ecosystem, the KrisFlyer UOB card will be a valuable addition to your wallet. This is because you only need to spend $5 to start earning miles. With no earning cap, your potential to earn miles is huge.

After unlocking 2.4 miles per dollar on dining, online shopping, online travel, and transport, the KrisFlyer UOB card is more rewarding than many general miles credit cards, such as Citi PremierMiles card.

However, if you are

• Not into the “KrisFlyer ecosystem”,
• Prefers the flexibility to redeem miles on other airline programmes, or
• Do not fly frequently with Singapore Airlines or Scoot,

You may want to explore other credit cards in Singapore instead. Compare various credit card offers to find the best fit for your spending patterns.

Even if you are a KrisFlyer loyalist, I would still suggest maximising certain rewards point credit cards first (e.g. Citi Rewards). Thereafter, use KrisFlyer UOB for the overflow spending.

Part 9: Merchant Category Codes (MCC)

Here’s a detailed breakdown of which merchant category codes (MCCs) qualify for each spending category. Understanding these can help you maximise your miles earnings.

Part 9.1: Dining

For dining, the merchant’s main business activity should be classified as food and beverage. Here are the three Merchant Category Codes (MCC) that qualify as dining.

Part 9.2: Online Shopping

Online shopping’s transactions should be made at fashion websites that sell clothes, shoes, jewellery, accessories and bags as its main business activity. This includes e-commerce, mail or phone order transactions. Here are the 27 Merchant Category Codes (MCC) that qualify as online shopping.

Part 9.3: Online Travel

Online travel’s transactions should be made at the following merchants via either their official websites or mobile applications:

• Agoda
• Airbnb
• Booking.com
• Expedia
• Hotels.com
• Kaligo
• Traveloka
• Trip.com

Part 9.4: Transport

Transport’s transactions should be made at public transport, including local bus, trains and taxis. These are the two Merchant Category Codes (MCC) that qualify as transport.

Part 10: Changelog

For reference, here’s how the card benefits have evolved over time.

Part 10.1: Accelerated Miles

Existing and new UOB KrisFlyer credit card holders whose card membership ends:

• Between April 2021 and August 2021: A minimum annual spend of $300 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions in a card membership year to earn the Accelerated Miles
• Between September 2022 and March 2023: A minimum annual spend of $500 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions in a card membership year to earn the Accelerated Miles
• Between April 2023 and October 2025: A minimum annual spend of $800 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions in a card membership year to earn the Accelerated Miles
• From November 2025: A minimum annual spend of $1,000 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions in a card membership year to earn the Accelerated Miles

Part 10.2: Fast Track Upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status

You will be upgraded to the KrisFlyer Elite Silver membership tier by fulfilling the following spend requirement:

• Between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022: Meet a minimum spend of $5,000 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions, or a minimum of $50,000 total eligible spend on the card
• From 1 May 2022 onwards: Meet a minimum spend of $5,000 on Singapore Airlines Group-related card transactions

Part 10.3: Welcome Miles

• From 15 July 2019: Receive 3,000 KrisFlyer miles when you make a single card transaction of at least $5
• From 1 November 2022: Receive 5,000 KrisFlyer miles when you make a single card transaction of at least $5