Credit cards have changed the way I spend my money over the years. In the beginning, I had two credit cards only – one for business-related expenditure, and the other card for my personal expenditure. However, as I learnt more about credit card rewards, I realised I should have more than two credit cards to maximise the credit card rewards for my spending. Given that you can choose from so many credit cards, let me share my arsenal for 2025.

Table of Contents:

1. Credit Card Rewards Explained
2. How I Build My Credit Card Deck
3. Citi Rewards (Reward Points)
4. UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (Reward Points)
5. DBS yuu (Reward Points)
6. HSBC Revolution (Reward Points)
7. Citi PremierMiles (Miles)
8. Cashback, Miles, Reward Points?

Disclosure: This post on Credit Cards contains referral links. Hence, I may receive some money for coffee when you use my referral link for the credit card application. But no, there is no additional cost to you. In fact, you will receive some cash or cash equivalent incentives too! In any case, I will only recommend products or services that meet my needs and expectations.

One Minute Summary:

• Citi Rewards and HSBC Revolution accounts for my online expenditure.
• UOB Preferred Platinum Visa accounts for all my mobile contactless transactions.
• DBS yuu accounts for all my grocery expenditure.
• Citi PremierMiles is good to earn credit card rewards for large expenses (that cannot be split into smaller amounts).

Part 1: Credit Card Rewards Explained

To begin with, let’s go through a quick summary of the three common types of credit card rewards – cashback, miles, and reward points.

Part 1.1: Cashback Explained

Firstly, cashback is the most common type of reward that a credit card can give. For this purpose, the credit card will give a predefined percentage of cashback for your spending. Generally, this cashback will be used to offset your next month’s credit card statement.

Part 1.2: Miles Explained

Secondly, miles are a popular type of reward among travellers. To explain, the credit card will give you a predefined factor of bank miles or points for your spending. After you have accumulated sufficient miles (with the card), you can transfer them over to your preferred airline loyalty programme as airline miles. Thereupon, you may use these air miles to exchange for a flight ticket to your dream destination.

Part 1.3: Reward Points Explained

Finally, rewards credit cards feel like a hybrid between cashback and miles. This is because you can use the reward points to offset your spending. Alternatively, some credit cards allow you to redeem the reward points for airline miles.

Part 2: How I Build My Credit Card Deck

Generally, there are two ways to accumulate credit card rewards.

Part 2.1: The “One”

You will disregard the types of transactions and charge all your expenses onto the same card, every single time. Since we will be using one card for all your expenditures, we will select the most straightforward card with the highest earning rate for the credit card rewards. Moreover, we will select a fuss-free card, i.e. no minimum spend, and no earn cap.

If I can use one credit card only, then I will choose Citi Premier Miles. In this case, I get to earn 1.2 Citi miles per dollar spent, without any minimum spend or a rewards cap.

On the other hand, you may also choose UOB Absolute Cashback. This is because this card gives one of the highest fuss-free cashback at 1.7% (for most of the expenditure).

Part 2.2: The “Deck”

One of the drawbacks of “The One” is that there are various situations when you can earn a higher credit card reward. For this purpose, you will need to charge the right type of expenditure (to be clear, this will be based on the Merchant Category Code) to the right credit card.

For example, if I use Citi Rewards to purchase an item online, then I can earn 10X Points for this transaction. This is equivalent to an effective earning rate of 4 miles per dollar (read Part 3.1 for the calculation). As compared to “The One”, by using the right credit card, you can earn a higher credit card reward from “The Deck”.

At present, I prefer to accumulate miles for the credit card rewards. This is because I hope to go on an overseas vacation at least once a year. With this in mind, the following are the credit cards that I am holding onto to help me achieve my mile collection objective.

Part 3: Citi Rewards (Reward Points)

Citi Rewards accounts for all my online transactions.

Part 3.1: Main Benefit

• 10X Points for online purchases (e.g. online grocery, food delivery, ride-hailing);
• 10X Points for in-store shopping purchases (e.g. at department stores, clothing stores);
• 1X Point for all other purchases.

After accumulating sufficient points, you may convert them into either airline miles or cash rebates. As an avid traveller, I will focus on the miles conversion. If you wish to learn about its cash rebate conversion, check out: Citi Rewards Card Review Singapore: More than an Online Shopping card

For the miles conversion, Citibank allows you to convert 25,000 points for 10,000 airline miles. Based on 10X Points, you will need to spend $2,500 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 4 miles per dollar for your spending.

Formula: (1) $2,500 x 10 Points = 25,000 Points = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $2,500 = 4 miles per dollar

By comparison, based on 1X Point, you will need to spend $25,000 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 0.4 miles per dollar for your spending. In this case, you will be better off using another credit card (e.g. Citi PremierMiles gives 1.2 miles per dollar spent). Hence, I will suggest against using Citi Rewards for any transactions that generate 1X Points only.

Formula: (1) $25,000 x 1 Points = 25,000 Points = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $25,000 = 0.4 miles per dollar

It is important to realise that there is a 60-month points validity period. In detail, the accumulated points will expire five years after your card issuance.

Part 3.2: Main Cost

• 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: 27.9% per annum
• Late Payment Charge: $100
• Overlimit Fee: $40

Part 3.3: Main Usage

Here is a list of how I use Citi Rewards on a day-to-day basis.

• Link with Fave app to pay for food at hawker centres;
• Link with ShopBack QR to pay for purchases at selected merchant outlets;
• Pay for online purchases (e.g. Amazon, Lazada, Shopee);
• Pay for my mobile service bill through the provider’s online portal (I’m using Giga);
• Pay for the home’s internet service;
• Pay for food delivery (e.g. Deliveroo, FoodPanda)
• Pay for subscriptions (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple iCloud+);
• Pair it with Instarem’s amaze card to convert the offline transaction into an online one (contactless).

Summing up, Citibank caps the bonus points at 9,000 Bonus Points per statement month. To optimise the 10X Points earnings, you should spend at most $1,000 in a statement month.

Part 3.4: Eligibility

• Age Requirement: At least 21 years old;
• For Singapore Citizens or Residents: Minimum annual income of $30,000;
• For Expatriate: Minimum annual income of $42,000.

Part 3.5: Sign Up Promotion

If you are interested in this card, then use my referral link (a collaboration with SingSaver) to unlock the following offer as a new Citi Card Holder:

Spend a minimum qualifying spend of $500 within 30 days of card approval to receive one of the following reward options:

• $400 cash via PayNow
• $430 Grab Voucher
• Apple iPad (A16) 11″ WiFi 128GB (worth $499)
• Apple Watch SE Gen 3 40mm (GPS + Cell) (worth $419)
• Dyson Airstrait (worth $799)
• Top up $50 for Dyson Digital Slim Submarine™ (worth S$699)
• Top up $300 for Nintendo Switch 2 (worth $719)

Promotion Period: 5 December 2025 to 14 December 2025

Part 4: UOB Preferred Platinum Visa

UOB Preferred Platinum Visa is my favourite credit card for mobile contactless spend. Additionally, I can also use it for online shopping too.

Part 4.1: Main Benefit

• UNI$10 for every $5 spend on selected online transactions;
• UNI$10 for every $5 spend on mobile contactless transactions;
• UNI$10 per $5 spend on the accumulated spend on SimplyGo transactions.

After accumulating sufficient points, you may redeem them for rewards from the UNI$ rewards catalogue, or to convert the points into airline miles.

For the miles conversion, UOB allows you to convert UNI$5,000 to 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles or 10,000 Asia Miles. Based on UNI$10 per $5 spend, you will need to spend $2,500 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 4 miles per dollar for your spending.

Formula: (1) $2,500 / $5 block x UNIS$10 = UNI$5,000 = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $2,500 = 4 miles per dollar

By comparison, based on UNI$1 for every $5 spend on all other retail transactions, you will need to spend $25,000 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 0.4 miles per dollar for your spending. In this case, you will be better off using another credit card (e.g. Citi PremierMiles gives 1.2 miles per dollar spent). Hence, I will suggest against using UOB Preferred Platinum Visa for any transactions that generate UNI$1 Points only.

Formula: (1) $25,000 / $5 block x UNI$5,000 = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $25,000 = 0.4 miles per dollar

It is important to realise that there is a 2-year points validity period. In detail, the accumulated UNI$ will expire 2 years from the last day of each periodic quarter in which the UNI$ was earned. Moreover, the expired UNI$ cannot be replaced or reinstated.

Part 4.2: Main Cost

• 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
• Overlimit Fee: $40

Part 4.3: Main Usage

UOB Preferred Platinum Visa accounts for all my mobile contactless transactions, e.g. payWave for public transport (via SimplyGo), dining, retail shopping. To ensure that you maximise the earned points, you need to add your card to either Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Thereafter, wave your mobile device against the Visa payWave Readers.

It is important to realise that you won’t earn 10x points if you make a payWave transaction using your credit card, or swiping the card through a Point of Sale terminal. Instead, add the card to

At this time, UOB caps the bonus points at UNI$2,000 per calendar month. To optimise the UNI$10 earnings, you should spend at most $1,110 in a calendar month.

Formula: $1,110 / $5 block x UNI$9 = UNI$1,998 (that’s the closest you can get to UNI$2,000)

Part 4.4: Eligibility

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

Part 5: DBS yuu (Reward Points)

If you are into the yuu “ecosystem”, the DBS yuu card will give you unbeatable cash rebates or miles for your spending.

Part 5.1 Main Benefit

• 10 yuu Points for spending at participating merchants;
• A total of 36 yuu Points when you spend at least $800 at 4 different participating merchants in a calendar month;
• 0.5 yuu Point for spending at non-participating merchants.

For every 200 yuu Points, you can offset $1 for your purchase. Based on 10 yuu Points, you need to spend $20 for 200 yuu Points; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 5% cash rebates for your spending.

Formula: (1) $20 x 10 yuu Points = 200 yuu Points = $1 offset; (2) $1 / $20 = 5% cash rebates

When you spend at least $800 at 4 different participating merchants in a calendar month, you will earn 36 yuu Points per dollar spent; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 18% cash rebates for your spending.

Formula: (1) $800 x 36 yuu Points = 28,800 yuu Points = $144 offset; (2) $144 / $800 = 18% cash rebates

By comparison, based on 1 yuu Point, you will need to spend $200 for 200 yuu Points; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 0.5% cash rebates for your spending. In this case, you will be better off using another credit card (e.g. UOB Absolute Cashback gives 1.7% cashback per dollar spent). Hence, I will suggest against using DBS yuu for any transactions that generate 1 yuu Point only.

Formula: (1) $200 x 1 yuu Point = 200 yuu Points = $1 offset; (2) $1 / $200 = 0.5% cash rebates.

Part 5.2: Main Cost

• 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 Fee: $100

Part 5.3: Main Usage

At this time, I use DBS yuu for four types of expenditure:

• Pay for the groceries at Giant, Cold Storage;
• Purchase household items at Guardian;
• Order food delivery via foodpanda;
• Rides on bus and MRT via SimplyGo.

Summing up, DBS caps the Bonus Award at 28,800 reward points in a calendar month. To optimise the 36 yuu Points that you can earn, you should spend between $800 and $822.86 in a calendar month. You may learn more about the DBS yuu card in this article: DBS yuu Card Review Singapore: Unbeatable Cash Rebates for Your Spending

Part 5.4: Eligibility

• Age Requirement: Between 21 and 75 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 $45,000.

Part 6: HSBC Revolution (Reward Points)

In addition to Citi Rewards, HSBC Revolution also accounts for my online expenditure. And the best part is that there is no annual fee associated with this card!

Part 6.1: Main Benefit

• 10X Reward points for online purchases.

After accumulating sufficient points, HSBC allows you to convert 25,000 points for 10,000 airline miles. Based on 10X Reward points, you will need to spend $2,500 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 4 miles per dollar for your spending.

Formula: (1) $2,500 x 10 Points = 25,000 Points = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $2,500 = 4 miles per dollar

By comparison, based on 1X Reward points, you will need to spend $25,000 for 10,000 airline miles; this is equivalent to an effective conversion rate of 0.4 miles per dollar for your spending. In this case, you will be better off using another credit card (e.g. Citi PremierMiles gives 1.2 miles per dollar spent). With this in mind, I will suggest against using HSBC Revolution for any transactions that generate 1X Point only.

Formula: (1) $25,000 x 1 Points = 25,000 Points = 10,000 airline miles; (2) 10,000 miles / $25,000 = 0.4 miles per dollar

It is important to realise that there is a 37-month points validity period. In detail, the timeline begins one month after the Reward points are given to you.

Part 6.2: Main Cost

• Annual Fee: Zero;
• Foreign Currency Transaction Fee: 3.25%.

Part 6.3: Main Usage

At this time, HSBC Revolution is the “backup” card to Citi Rewards. This is because both cards offer rewards for similar spending categories. For example,

• Pay for online purchases (e.g. Amazon, Lazada, Shopee);
• Pay for my mobile service bill through the provider’s online portal (I’m using Giga);
• Pay for the home’s internet service;
• Pay for subscriptions (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple iCloud+);

Summing up, HSBC caps the bonus points at 9,000 Bonus Points per statement month. To optimise the 10X Points earnings, you should spend at most $1,000 in a statement month.

Part 6.4: Eligibility

• Age Requirement: At least 21 years old;
• For Singapore Citizens or Residents: Minimum annual income of $30,000;
• For Expatriate: Minimum annual income of $40,000.

Part 6.5: Sign Up Promotion

If you are interested in this card, then use my referral link (a collaboration with SingSaver) to unlock the following offer as a new HSBC Card Holder:

Spend a minimum qualifying spend of $500 within 30 days of card approval to receive one of the following reward options:

• $400 cash via PayNow
• $430 Grab Voucher
• Dyson Airstrait (worth $799)
• Apple iPad (A16) 11″ WiFi 128GB (worth $499)
• Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier Elite EU (worth S$439)
• Top up $50 for Dyson Digital Slim Submarine™ (worth S$699)
• Top up $50 for Dyson OnTrac™ headphones (worth S$699)
• Top up $50 for Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (worth S$649)

Promotion Period: 15 December 2025 to 24 December 2025

Part 6.6: Caveat

• Effective 1 January 2024, you will no longer earn 9X Bonus Reward points for MCC 4722 (Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, e.g. Agoda, Klook) and MCC 7011 (Lodging-Hotels, Motels and Resorts, e.g. Airbnb).
• Effective 1 May 2024, you will no longer earn 9X Bonus Reward points for MCC 5814 (Fast Food), MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores/Supermarkets) and MCC 5499 (Misc Food Stores – Default).
• Effective 15 July 2024, you will no longer earn 9X Bonus Reward points for contactless transactions.
• Effective 1 January 2025, you will no longer earn 9X Bonus Reward points for MCC 3000 to 3350, MCC 3351 to 3500, MCC 3501 to 3999, MCC 4411, MCC 4511 (Travel related merchants).
• Between 1 July 2025 and 28 February 2026, you can earn 9X Bonus Reward points on online travel and contactless spending.

Part 7: Citi PremierMiles (Miles)

Citi PremierMiles is probably one of the first few credit cards that I have. All in all, I like the simplicity that is associated with this card – no minimum spend, and no earn cap. Additionally, the Citi Miles that I earn do not expire. As a result, I could most probably keep this card for a long time.

Part 7.1: Main Benefit

• 1.2 Citi Miles per dollar on local spend;
• 2.2 Citi Miles per dollar on foreign currency spend;
• Citi Miles never expires;
• 2 complimentary visits to airport lounges worldwide.

Part 7.2: Main Cost

• Annual Fee: $196.20, receive 10,000 Citi Miles when you pay the annual fee (equivalent to about 51 miles per dollar);
• Foreign Currency Transaction Fee: 3.25%.

Part 7.3 Main Usage

• Pay merchants via Citi PayAll (to earn miles for the otherwise excluded MCCs);
• Pay merchants via Cardup or ipaymy (check out: Best Way to pay Insurance Premium Singapore);
• Enjoy complimentary visits to airport lounges worldwide;

Part 7.4: Eligibility

• Age Requirement: At least 21 years old;
• For Singapore Citizens or Residents: Minimum annual income of $30,000;
• For Expatriate: Minimum annual income of $42,000.

Part 7.5: Sign Up Promotion

If you are interested in this card, then use my referral link (a collaboration with SingSaver) to unlock the following offer as a new Citi Card Holder:

Spend a minimum qualifying spend of $500 within 30 days of card approval to receive one of the following reward options:

• $400 cash via PayNow
• $430 Grab Voucher
• Apple iPad (A16) 11″ WiFi 128GB (worth $499)
• Apple Watch SE Gen 3 40mm (GPS + Cell) (worth $419)
• Dyson Airstrait (worth $799)
• Top up $50 for Dyson Digital Slim Submarine™ (worth S$699)
• Top up $300 for Nintendo Switch 2 (worth $719)

Promotion Period: 5 December 2025 to 14 December 2025

Part 8: Cashback, Miles, or Reward Points?

Overall, you can see that I have more reward points credit cards than cashback or miles credit cards. Citi Rewards offers more miles (after conversion) than all the general miles credit cards (e.g. Citi PremierMiles). For DBS yuu, 18% cash rebates are just too lucrative.

On the other hand, I’m keeping my HSBC Revolution card because I got them before the bank revised the terms and conditions. As there is no annual fee for this card, I’m neutral on whether to keep it.

If you want a detailed breakdown of how I use each card for each type of expenditure, check out: How to Maximise Credit Card Rewards Singapore: 2025 Edition

First Published: 16 June 2021
Last Updated: 2 September 2025