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

Emma Lam

Emma Lam

Last updated 12 October, 2023

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


Kris+ bonus miles earn rate cuts

Earn rate
Before 1 Oct 2023
After 1 Oct 2023
9 mpd
161
154
7 mpd
14
6 mpd
173
177
5 mpd
10
1
3 mpd
33
98
2 mpd
3
1.5 mpd
1
1
1 mpd
13
14

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?

KrisFlyerUOBCreditCard

KrisFlyer UOB Card Welcome Offer: Be one of the first 100 eligible new-to-UOB credit cardmembers to get up to 31,000 miles plus a first-year annual fee waiver when you apply and take the least days to make a min. spend of S$2,000 within 60 days from card approval date. Valid till 31 October 2024. T&Cs apply.

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:

Bonus 9 mpd earn rate
Merchant
Category
10 SCOTTS – Grand Hyatt Singapore
Dining 🍽️
25 Degrees Burger, Wine & Liquor Bar (Hotel G)
Dining 🍽️
5 on 25 – Andaz Singapore
Dining 🍽️
665°F – Andaz Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Alley on 25 – Andaz Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Alma by Juan Amador
Dining 🍽️
Amici Events and Catering
Dining 🍽️
Amo
Dining 🍽️
Aether House
Dining 🍽️
Affordable Wines
Dining 🍽️
ANTI:DOTE (Fairmont Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Art di Daniele Sperindio
Dining 🍽️
Arteastiq (Jewel Changi Airport)
Dining 🍽️
Arteastiq (Mandarin Gallery)
Dining 🍽️
Arteastiq Bistro (Plaza Singapura)
Dining 🍽️
Asian Market Cafe (Fairmont Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
ATICO LOUNGE
Dining 🍽️
atout
Dining 🍽️
Atrium Restaurant – Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Dining 🍽️
Bacha Coffee
Dining 🍽️
BAKALAKI Greek Taverna
Dining 🍽️
Bar Square – Andaz Singapore
Dining 🍽️
BBQ Express
Dining 🍽️
Botanico at The Garage
Dining 🍽️
Braci
Dining 🍽️
Bratpack
Retail 🛍️
Breitling
Retail 🛍️
Cajun On Wheels (Plaza Singapura)
Dining 🍽️
CARs
Services 👋🏼
Chagaan Cashmere
Retail 🛍️
Chokmah
Retail 🛍️
CLOVE
Dining 🍽️
Club 5 (PARKROYAL on Beach Road)
Dining 🍽️
Coldwear
Retail 🛍️
Creative Jewellery Studio
Retail 🛍️
CYC Made to Measure
Services 👋🏼
Dear Collective
Retail 🛍️
Delibowl
Dining 🍽️
Delsey Paris
Retail 🛍️
EA Detailer
Services 👋🏼
Eden and Elie
Retail 🛍️
Edge (Pan Pacific Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Farm Frozen
Groceries 🛒
Festive Desk – Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Services 👋🏼
FIRE
Dining 🍽️
FLNT
Dining 🍽️
For the Love of Laundry
Services 👋🏼
GEMMA
Dining 🍽️
Ginett Restaurant & Wine Bar (Hotel G)
Dining 🍽️
Ginger (PARKROYAL on Beach Road)
Dining 🍽️
GROHE
Electronics & Technology 🔌
Hai Tien Lo (Pan Pacific Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Herschel Supply Co
Retail 🛍️
Honeymill
Groceries 🛒
HoneyWorld
Groceries 🛒
Ipse ipsa ipsum
Retail 🛍️
Island Creamery
Dining 🍽️
Janice Wong Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Jete Studios
Lifestyle 🤸🏼
Jiang-Nan Chun – Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Jyan Yoga Studio
Lifestyle 🤸🏼
KEVIN SEAH
Services 👋🏼
Keyaki (Pan Pacific Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Kim Choo Kueh Chang
Dining 🍽️
Kiztopia
Entertainment 🎮
L’Angelus
Dining 🍽️
LeCaine Gems
Retail 🛍️
Les Bouchons
Dining 🍽️
LEVANT
Dining 🍽️
LeVeL33
Dining 🍽️
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant (Sheraton Towers)
Dining 🍽️
Lime (PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering)
Dining 🍽️
Lime House
Dining 🍽️
Little Big Garden
Retail 🛍️
Little Italy Salumeria
Dining 🍽️
Lobby Lounge & Bar (Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre)
Dining 🍽️
LPB Market
Groceries 🛒
Maharaja’s Tailors
Services 👋🏼
Manna Bistro & Grill
Dining 🍽️
Matchday Central
Entertainment ⚽
Mayer
Retail 🛍️
Mikuni (Fairmont Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Mimi Restaurant
Dining 🍽️
Mitsu Sushi Bar
Dining 🍽️
MONTI
Dining 🍽️
Mr Stork – Andaz Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Nila Aromatherapy
Retail 🛍️
NOBU Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Nuodle
Dining 🍽️
One-Ninety Bar – Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Dining 🍽️
One-Ninety Restaurant – Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Origin Grill (Shangri-La Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
OverEasy
Dining 🍽️
Pacific Marketplace (Pan Pacific Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
Paper Rice
Dining 🍽️
Pastaria Abate
Dining 🍽️
Peach Blossoms (PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)
Dining 🍽️
Penhaligon’s
Retail 🛍️
Peppermint (PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)
Dining 🍽️
Portman’s Bar (PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay)
Dining 🍽️
Perk by Kate
Retail 🛍️
Prego (Fairmont Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
PUMA
Dining 🍽️
Revel Fit
Lifestyle 🤸🏼
RISIS
Retail 🛍️
Ristorante Da Valentino
Dining 🍽️
Si Chuan Dou Hua (PARKROYAL on Beach Road) 
Dining 🍽️
Si Chuan Dou Hua (Top of UOB) 
Dining 🍽️
Singapore Sidecars
Services 👋🏼
SKAI Bar (Swissôtel The Stamford) 
Dining 🍽️
SKAI Restaurant (Swissôtel The Stamford) 
Dining 🍽️
Skyline Bar (PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay) 
Dining 🍽️
SO France Bistro
Dining 🍽️
SO France Market
Dining 🍽️
Softhaus
Dining 🍽️
Solo Ristorante
Dining 🍽️
Southbridge
Dining 🍽️
State Property
Retail 🛍️
StraitsKitchen – Grand Hyatt Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Sunnystep
Retail 🛍️
Tandoor (Holiday Inn® Singapore Orchard City Centre) 
Dining 🍽️
Tapas,24
Dining 🍽️
The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.
Retail 🛍️
The Ballet & Music Company
Lifestyle 🩰
The Coconut Club
Dining 🍽️
The Dining Room (Sheraton Towers)
Dining 🍽️
The Line (Shangri-La Singapore)
Dining 🍽️
The Little Gym Singapore
Lifestyle 🤸🏼
The Nursery Café & Bar
Dining 🍽️
The Nursery Singapore 
Retail 🛍️
The Par Club Singapore 
Entertainment ⛳
The Ring Boxing Community
Lifestyle 🥊
The Shirt Bar
Retail 👔
The Shop – Grand Hyatt Singapore
 
The Spot
Dining 🍽️
The Stamford Brasserie
Dining 🍽️
The Summerhouse
Dining 🍽️
The White Tiffin
Dining 🍽️
The Whole Kitchen
Dining 🍽️
The Working Capitol
Lifestyle 💻
The Xiang Pavilion
Dining 🍽️
Tian Fu Tea Room
Dining 🍽️
Timbuk2
Retail 🫖
TONITO Latin American Kitchen 
Dining 🍽️
Travel Zone
Retail 🧳
Trickeye @ Southside
Entertainment 👁️
UNA at Alkaff Mansion
Dining 🍽️
Uni Gallery By Oosterbay
Dining 🍽️
Victorinox
Retail 🗡️
Virtual Room
Entertainment 🎮
WAKANUI Grill Dining Singapore
Dining 🍽️
Window on the Park (Holiday Inn® Singapore Orchard City Centre)
Dining 🍽️
Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
Dining 🍽️
Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant - Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Dining 🍽️

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 💵

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
ocbc_card_Frank-3
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
DBS-Live-Fresh-Student-Card-1
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
uob-evol-1024x644
8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend
 
Min. S$600 spend per statement month, capped at S$60 cashback
Maybank Family & Friends Card

 

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
8% cashback on groceries
 
6% cashback on dining
 
Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$80 cashback
OCBC 365 Card
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
CIMB-WORLD-MASTERCARD_2019-LR-1024x674

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
10% cashback on online shopping, groceries, beauty & wellness
 
Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$100 cashback
CIMB World Mastercard
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
Citi_Cashback_Platinum_Mastercard
8% cashback on groceries
 
6% cashback on dining
 
Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$80 cashback
OCBC 365 Card
OCBC365
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
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
10% cashback on online shopping, groceries, beauty & wellness
 
Min. S$800 spend per statement month, capped at S$100 cashback


For miles ✈️

Credit card
Key attributes
KrisFlyer UOB Card
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
Amaze-Front-1-01
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
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
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
uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137
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
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Card
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
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
uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137
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
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
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
Amaze-Front-1-01
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
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
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
uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137
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
OCBC-Titanium-Rewards-U1200626-Front-RGB-2
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
Amaze-Front-1-01
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
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
uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137
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! 😉✈️

Looking for the best credit cards to complement your spending patterns and expenditure in 2024? Check out our Ultimate Credit Card Guide that covers all things credit cards in Singapore – from choosing between a cashback, miles, or rewards credit card to planning your credit card strategy.

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

Although she struggles *slightly* in resisting good deals and sales, Emma is on a lifelong journey to understand what financial independence as a Z-llennial means. That said, her inner child is still very much alive… with animals and gaming being her weaknesses.

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