Kris+ Guide: How to (Still) Maximise Miles With The Best Credit Cards Pairings After Its Nerf

The Kris+ app nerfed impressive earn rates of (up to) 9 mpd down to 6 mpd and 3 mpd earn rate for many merchants.

While the battle between cashback, miles, and rewards credit cards persists as an age-old debate, many astute credit card connoisseurs would lean more towards miles as the better and more lucrative rebate in the long run. Essentially, each mile earned on your expenses “funds” your next getaway out of the country; and the emergence of miles-centric apps like the Kris+ app really drove across that point!

But for more context: the Kris+ platform was introduced in 2021 featuring a dazzling welcome promotion of up to 9 miles per S$1 spend (mpd) on participating dining, retail, and lifestyle merchants. Although this bonus miles earn rate was initially planned to be a limited-time promo only, it was extended indefinitely… that is, until now.

Since 1 October 2023, Kris+ has reduced the bonus miles earn rates across multiple partners in an adjustment exercise. Obviously, this news doesn’t bode well for the common folk and especially not for those loyal to Singapore Airlines.

Table of contents

• Overview: Kris+ bonus miles earn rate reductions
• Which Kris+ partners still earn 9 mpd?
• Best Kris+ app & credit card combos
• Conclusion

Kris+ bonus miles earn rate cuts

In total, there are currently 448 participating merchants under the Kris+ app, but only a handful are being affected. Out of these merchants, here’s how many of them are shifted down in earn rates:

• 378 are unchanged
• 8 have reduced from 9 mpd → 6 mpd
• 12 have reduced from 9 mpd → 3 mpd
• 14 have reduced from 7 mpd → 6 mpd
• 26 have reduced from 6 mpd → 3 mpd
• 10 have reduced from 5 mpd → 3 mpd

Evidently, many merchants’ bonus miles earn rates are being downgraded from 9 mpd, 6 mpd, and even 5 mpd to a mere 3 mpd. But hold up, although comparatively low to their original rates, 3 mpd doesn’t seem that bad – especially considering that 3 mpd is the bonus miles earn rate for some credit cards like KrisFlyer UOB. So what’s the big deal?

While that may be true, the converse is also true that this now means that other miles credit cards like HSBC Revolution, Citi Rewards, and the UOB Lady’s/Lady’s Solitaire Cards outperform Kris+ earn rates because they all earn bonus 4 mpd.

So while all hope isn’t lost in spite of this Kris+ cut, it’s not the most ideal situation either; or as some might say, Kris+ might be in its “flop era” now. 😳

Which Kris+ partners still earn maximum miles on their transactions?

But that aside, there still remains a significant number of merchants that earn up to 9 mpd on the Kris+ app. Take a look at our table below:

For the full list of merchants and miles earn rate changes, refer to this PDF.

As expected, the majority of eligible 9 mpd partners still comprise dining merchants, with a smattering of lifestyle, entertainment, groceries, and retail merchants in between. 

Disclaimer: It should be noted that these categories are rough gauges and might not be definitive – with overlapping categories or them being subject to change. Please refer to the Kris+ Partner page for greater clarification.

That said, this same disclaimer applies to how merchants are categorised by banks (for credit cards) determined by their respective merchant category codes (MCCs). One bank’s classification might differ from another bank’s. These classification differences alone will determine whether your transaction qualifies for your credit card’s bonus cashback, miles, or rewards points, or not.

💡 Pro-tip: Avoid confusion by using the MAX AI to verify a merchant’s MCC eligibility before transacting with your card.

Read more:
1-for-1 Buffet Dining Promotions in Singapore
26 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Singapore
6 Ala Carte Buffets to Enjoy in Singapore

What are the best credit cards to pair with the Kris+ app still?

But enough about the Kris+ changes in their miles rewards system for now; the real question is, which credit cards are still the best to pair with the app to maximise rebates on?

Before we proceed, here are a few things to note about how Kris+ reads transactions:

• Kris+ payments are all transacted in-app via Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Kris+ payments are online transactions
• Kris+ payments maintain the same, original MCC of the transaction as if paid in person

For cashback 💵

• Overall
• Dining
• Shopping
• Groceries

Note: All these credit cards under 'Overall' can be used for online shopping, grocery, and dining spend since they earn cashback for all online/mobile contactless spend.

Just make sure to check your payment's MCC eligibility before transacting to ensure your transaction is valid for cashback.

Credit card	Key attributes
OCBC FRANK Card Apply Now	8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend   Extra 2% cashback on selected eco-merchants   Min. S$800 spend per calendar month, capped at S$100 cashback
DBS Live Fresh Card Apply Now	5% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend   Extra 5% cashback on selected eco-merchants   Min. S$600 spend per calendar month, capped at S$75 cashback
UOB EVOL Card Apply Now	8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend   Min. S$600 spend per statement month, capped at S$60 cashback
Maybank Family & Friends Card Apply Now	8% cashback on 5 (out of 10) preferred categories: includes groceries, dining & food delivery, retail & pets, entertainment, online fashion, beauty & wellness, and more   Min. S$800 spend per calendar month, capped at S$125 cashback

Credit card	Key attributes
Citi Cash Back Card Apply Now	8% cashback on groceries   6% cashback on dining   Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$80 cashback
OCBC 365 Card Apply Now	5% cashback on dining worldwide and online food delivery   3% cashback on groceries   Tier 1: Min. S$800 spend per calendar month, capped at S$80 cashback  Tier 2: Min. S$1,600 spend per calendar month, capped at S$160 cashback
CIMB World Mastercard Apply Now	Unlimited 2% cashback with min. S$1,000 spend (per statement month) on dining and online food delivery, luxury goods, and digital entertainment Unlimited 1% cashback if min. S$500 spend per month only

Credit card	Key attributes
CIMB Visa Signature Card Apply Now	10% cashback on online shopping, groceries, beauty & wellness   Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$100 cashback
CIMB World Mastercard Apply Now	Unlimited 2% cashback with min. S$1,000 spend (per statement month) on dining and online food delivery, luxury goods, and digital entertainment   Unlimited 1% cashback if min. S$500 spend per month only

Credit card	Key attributes
Citi Cash Back Card Apply Now	8% cashback on groceries   6% cashback on dining   Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$80 cashback
OCBC 365 Card Apply Now	5% cashback on dining worldwide and online food delivery   3% cashback on groceries   Tier 1: Min. S$800 spend per calendar month, capped at S$80 cashback  Tier 2: Min. S$1,600 spend per calendar month, capped at S$160 cashback
Maybank Family & Friends Card Apply Now	8% cashback on 5 (out of 10) preferred categories: includes groceries, dining & food delivery, retail & pets, entertainment, online fashion, beauty & wellness, and more   Min. S$800 spend per calendar month, capped at S$125 cashback
CIMB Visa Signature Card Apply Now	10% cashback on online shopping, groceries, beauty & wellness   Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$100 cashback

For miles ✈️

• Overall
• Dining
• Shopping
• Groceries

Credit card	Key attributes
KrisFlyer UOB Card Apply Now	3 mpd on dining, online food delivery, online shopping, and others   Min. S$800 annual spend on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop required   Up to US$200,000 e-Commerce protection
Citi Rewards + Instarem amaze Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online transactions: Shopping Ride-hailing apps Food delivery Groceries Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month
DBS Woman’s World Card Apply Now	4 mpd on online purchases, both local and overseas   Bonus miles capped at S$2,000 per calendar month   Complimentary e-Commerce protection
HSBC Revolution Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online and mobile contactless transactions: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Ride-hailing apps Travel Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card	Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Drugstore Electronics Entertainment and ticketing Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month

Credit card	Key attributes
UOB Lady’s Card Apply Now UOB Lady’s Solitaire Card Apply Now	Up to 6 mpd on one/two enrolled category(ies) respectively: Dining Beauty & Wellness Family Fashion Entertainment Travel Transport Bonus miles capped at S$1,000/S$3,000 spend per calendar month respectively
HSBC Revolution Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online and mobile contactless transactions: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Ride-hailing apps Travel Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card	Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Drugstore Electronics Entertainment and ticketing Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card Apply Now	3.2 mpd on local dining, transport, petrol, and hotel bookings via Agoda   Min. S$300 spend per month

Credit card	Key attributes
KrisFlyer UOB Card Apply Now	3 mpd on dining, online food delivery, online shopping, and others   Min. S$800 annual spend on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop required   Up to US$200,000 e-Commerce protection
Citi Rewards + Instarem amaze Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online transactions: Shopping Ride-hailing apps Food delivery Groceries Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month
DBS Woman’s World Card Apply Now	4 mpd on online purchases, both local and overseas   Bonus miles capped at S$2,000 per calendar month   Complimentary e-Commerce protection
HSBC Revolution Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online and mobile contactless transactions: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Ride-hailing apps Travel Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card	Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Drugstore Electronics Entertainment and ticketing Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month
OCBC Titanium Rewards Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online shopping purchases    Extra 2% cash rebate at BEST Denki   Bonus miles capped at 120,000 OCBC$ per year   Complimentary e-Commerce protection

Credit card	Key attributes
Citi Rewards + Instarem amaze Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online transactions: Shopping Ride-hailing apps Food delivery Groceries Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month
HSBC Revolution Card Apply Now	4 mpd on eligible online and mobile contactless transactions: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Ride-hailing apps Travel Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card	Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend: Shopping Groceries Dining and food delivery Drugstore Electronics Entertainment and ticketing Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month

Overall for cashback, the OCBC FRANK Card, UOB EVOL Card, and Maybank Family & Friends Cards are our top picks for both catering to online transactions and general spending eligibilities.

Meanwhile, for miles, the Citi Rewards Card (paired with Instarem amaze), DBS Woman’s World Card, and KrisFlyer UOB Card are solid contenders for the same above reasons. 

Essentially, you can earn up to 13 mpd on eligible transactions if you use a 4 mpd miles card on a 9 mpd merchant. Earning miles on all your lifestyle expenses doesn't get better than this! 🙊

However, we’d like to point out the slight edge that the KrisFlyer UOB Card given its co-branded nature. Since it’s directly partnered with KrisFlyer, you earn KrisFlyer miles. This completely removes the hassle of tracking miles expiry or paying a conversion fee each time. 

Whereas for the aforementioned miles cards or travel credit cards (e.g. DBS Altitude, Citi PremierMiles, OCBC 90°N, etc.), their miles are either earned in rewards points or in their bank’s own form of expiry-free miles. Either way, you’ll still have to pay the conversion fee each time to redeem the points/bank miles for frequent flyer miles. 🤷🏻

Read more:
Which Banks Pool Credit Card Points?
Everything You Need to Know About Miles Credit Card Fees

Conclusion: Is the Kris+ app still worth it in 2023 and beyond?

Honestly, yes. 

To date, the Kris+ app is still a great app to accumulate miles quickly in tandem with your credit cards. In fact, it’s one of the best travel hacks to let your spending “sponsor” your next holiday overseas. Since it’s native to the KrisFlyer programme, all your KrisFlyer miles are directly earned and credited to your account each time you spend with the app. 

What’s more, being able to pair your favourite miles cards on the app (via Apple Pay or Google Pay) basically expedites the miles-earning process tenfold.

So despite the nerf to its miles-earn programme, the Kris+ app is still a viable option to rack up miles on everyday spend effortlessly for your next ticket out of the country! 😉✈️

Read these next:
6 Ways to Redeem Your Miles Without Travelling
7 Credit Cards For Booking Flights and Hotels
Single vs Annual Trip: Which Travel Insurance Should You Get?
8 Best Travel Tips For Budgeting, Safety, and Hacks