The Citi PremierMiles Card has been around for nearly two decades and continues to be one of the most recognisable travel cards in Singapore. While its early years were positioned as a premium card, today it’s far more accessible — anyone earning at least S$30,000 per year can apply.

The real question is: Has it aged well? The short answer — yes, with caveats. Citi has tweaked its rewards, tightened some offers, but also expanded benefits like transfer partners and PayAll campaigns.

Instead of diving into every historical detail, here’s what actually matters to you now:

• More accessible income requirement: Originally targeted at high-income earners, today the minimum annual income is the MAS standard of S$30,000.

• Welcome offers remain strong: Citi regularly runs sign-up promotions with large bonus miles — useful if you’re planning big spend soon.

• Transfer partner variety: Citi Miles can be converted to over 10 frequent flyer and hotel partners, giving you more flexibility than banks like UOB or OCBC.

• Lounge access still included: You’ll get a couple of Priority Pass visits a year. Handy if you’re flying budget airlines out of Changi but still want a quiet lounge before boarding.

• Citi PayAll campaigns: Once a game-changer for buying miles on rent, school fees, or income tax payments. Today, the promotions are less generous, but still useful if you’re topping up miles for a redemption.

• Everyday earn rates unchanged: You still get 1.2 miles per dollar (local) and 2.0 miles per dollar (overseas). This isn’t market-leading, but it’s reliable as a “catch-all” card when your other specialised cards don’t apply.

The Citi PremierMiles Card is a solid all-rounder for those who want to earn miles on both everyday spend and big-ticket expenses. Its key benefits include a simple earn rate of 1.2 mpd locally and 2.2 mpd overseas, plus attractive bonuses like 10 mpd on Kaligo and up to 7.2 mpd on Agoda bookings. You’ll also enjoy miles that never expire, Citi PayAll flexibility, and travel perks like lounge visits and insurance coverage.

On the downside, there’s a conversion fee for miles transfers and a service fee for PayAll, which slightly eat into your returns. Overall, while it may not outshine more specialised 4 mpd cards for niche categories, it remains one of the best general spend miles cards in Singapore — especially for frequent travellers who value simplicity and flexibility.

• Sign up by 28 Feb 2026 and spend a minimum of S$800 within 2 months of your Card Approval Date to enjoy up to 30,000 miles when you pay the first-year annual fee.

• Sign up by 28 Feb 2026 and spend a minimum of S$800 within 2 months of your Card Approval Date to receive 8,000 miles if you choose to waive the first-year annual fee.

Rewards and perks

Fees

Eligibility

History and evolution

The Citi PremierMiles Card has gone through a few iterations over the years. When it was first introduced, it was available on the AMEX, Mastercard and Visa networks. The AMEX version was discontinued in 2019, and from April 2020 onwards, all new cards have been issued exclusively on the Mastercard network.

If you’re still holding on to the older Citi PremierMiles Visa, don’t worry — your card remains valid and will continue to be renewed unless you opt to switch. Should you decide to move over to the Mastercard, all your Citi Miles are automatically carried forward, so you won’t lose out on anything.

In practice, there’s little difference between the Visa and Mastercard versions, though new sign-ups are only available on the Mastercard. For the purpose of this review, we’ll be referring to the Mastercard edition, but the features apply broadly across both networks unless stated otherwise.

• The annual fee of S$196.20 is payable, and paying it can unlock a bonus miles offer (e.g. 10,000 Citi Miles in the first year).

• Applying the correct promo code is necessary to qualify for the welcome offer.

• Minimum spend of S$800 within the first 2 months allows you to earn bonus miles.

• Citi Miles never expire, making them easy to accumulate over time.

• Each miles transfer to a frequent flyer programme costs S$27.25 (inclusive of GST).

• Only one new-to-bank bonus applies per customer — even if you apply for multiple Citi cards at the same time.

To get the Citi PremierMiles Card, you’ll need an annual income of at least S$30,000 if you’re a Singaporean or PR, and S$42,000 if you’re a foreigner. This is in line with MAS rules for unsecured credit cards.

If you don’t meet the requirement, Citibank may still offer you a way in through a secured card. This means placing about S$10,000 as a fixed deposit with the bank, and in return you’ll get a credit limit pegged to 80–90% of that deposit. It’s less flexible than the standard version, but it’s a practical route if you want to build credit or enjoy the same card benefits without meeting the income cut-off.

Earn rates at a glance

• Local spend: 1.2 miles per dollar

• Foreign currency spend: 2.2 miles per dollar

• Conversion: 100 Citi Miles per dollar

Comparison to other cards

Citi PremierMiles keeps things simple with 1.2 mpd on local and 2.2 mpd on foreign currency spend — a steady earn rate that sits just shy of UOB PRVI Miles and HSBC TravelOne, but with the added benefit of miles that never expire.

Bonus opportunities

• Earn up to 10 mpd on hotel bookings made through Kaligo.

• Earn up to 7.2 mpd on hotel bookings made through the dedicated Agoda–Citi portal.

• Citi Miles earned on these platforms are credited as part of your regular statement and no minimum spend is required to qualify for the bonus rates.

• From time to time, Citi also partners with travel brands and booking platforms to offer exclusive discounts or bonus mile promotions, which can be accessed through the Citibank promotions page.

Citi Miles features

• Expiry: Citi Miles never expire, making them suitable for long-term accumulation. This is a key advantage for cardholders who prefer to save up for bigger redemptions.

• Pooling: Citi Miles cannot be pooled across all cards. Other Citi cards may earn Citi ThankYou Points, which are separate from Citi Miles, though both can be redeemed for airline miles and other rewards.

• Cancellation impact: If you cancel your Citi PremierMiles Card, any unused Citi Miles tied to it will be forfeited. Always redeem or transfer before closing the account.

Citi Miles conversion

• Transfer fees: Each conversion costs S$27.25 (inclusive of GST).

• Partners and transfer time: Citi Miles can be transferred to over 10 airline partners (e.g. KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Etihad Guest, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus) as well as select hotel programmes. Transfers usually take 1–3 working days, but some partners may take longer.

Excluded transaction categories

Certain spending does not earn Citi Miles. Exclusions include:

• Annual fees, interest, late charges, GST, and other bank-imposed fees

• Funds transfers and bill payments (including via Citibank Online)

• Education-related payments

• Government services (e.g. taxes, fines, postal services, parking)

• Insurance premiums and underwriting

• Financial institutions (e.g. banks, brokerages)

• Charitable and non-profit organisations

• Gambling and betting-related transactions

• Prepaid card and e-wallet top-ups (e.g. GrabPay, YouTrip

• Transit-related transactions

• Any merchant or category excluded at Citibank’s discretion

How Citi Miles are credited

• Credit timeframe: Miles are credited within 1–2 working days after a transaction posts.

• Calculation method: Earn rates are straightforward.

• • 1.2 mpd on local spend

  • 2.2 mpd on foreign currency spend

• No rounding penalty: Unlike some cards that calculate in blocks of S$5, Citi PremierMiles calculates by every S$1, so you earn miles even on small purchases.

Citi Miles expiry

Never expire. Once transferred to a frequent flyer or hotel programme, the converted miles/points follow the partner’s expiry rules (e.g. KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years).

Points accumulation examples

Citi PremierMiles calculates miles on each dollar spent rather than rounding to S$5 blocks, so it can edge out the UOB PRVI Miles card on smaller, uneven transactions.

Other important details

Expiry policy for points: Since Citi Miles never expire, you don’t need to worry about redemption windows. Once converted, however, partner programmes’ rules apply.

Transfer partners

Citi PremierMiles cardholders can convert Citi Miles into more than 10 frequent flyer programmes, including KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Etihad Guest, Qatar Privilege Club, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, and more. Select hotel partners are also available. This broad range makes the PremierMiles one of the most flexible cards for travellers looking beyond a single airline alliance.

Transfer costs

Each transfer incurs a flat fee of S$27.25 (inclusive of GST). This applies regardless of partner, so it’s generally best to consolidate Citi Miles and transfer in larger blocks rather than frequent small amounts.

Minimum transfer amount

Transfers can only be made in fixed blocks, and you’ll need to meet Citibank’s minimum transfer requirement before converting Citi Miles to a partner programme. Citibank does not publish the exact minimum block size on its public pages.

Transfer time

Transfers can take up to 14 working days, depending on the airline or hotel partner, as stated in Citibank’s Terms & Conditions. Actual crediting times may vary by programme, so it’s best to allow up to two weeks when planning a redemption.

Points expiry

• Citi Miles: Never expire as long as your account is in good standing

• Partner programmes: Once transferred, expiry policies are dictated by the respective partner (e.g. KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years).

Transfer issues to watch out for

• Hotel transfers are generally poor value compared to airline miles, so they are best avoided unless you have a specific redemption in mind.

• Citi does not offer instant top-ups, so plan transfers early if you need miles for a time-sensitive booking.

Foreign currency fees

The Citi PremierMiles Card charges a 3.25% foreign currency fee on overseas transactions. While the card earns 2.2 miles per S$1 spent overseas, the fee slightly reduces the net value of those miles. After factoring in the conversion cost, the effective cost per mile comes to about 1.48¢ per mile, which is on the higher side compared to some competitors.

Cost per mile for overseas transactions

At 1.48¢ per mile, Citi PremierMiles is less competitive than cards like the UOB PRVI Miles or HSBC TravelOne (1.35¢ per mile). However, its appeal lies in other features: Citi Miles never expire, there’s a wide selection of transfer partners, and the card is relatively fuss-free with no minimum spend requirements. This makes it better suited for those who value simplicity and flexibility over squeezing the lowest possible cost per mile.

Comparison of foreign currency fees by issuer

Citi PremierMiles delivers a steady 2.2 mpd on foreign currency spend, though its cost per mile (~1.48¢) is slightly higher than UOB PRVI Miles and HSBC TravelOne (~1.35¢). Still, its edge lies in miles that never expire and a wide pool of transfer partners, making it attractive for travellers who value flexibility over the absolute lowest cost per mile.

Recommendations

If you’re looking for the lowest cost per mile on foreign currency spend, the UOB PRVI Miles and HSBC TravelOne cards outperform Citi PremierMiles. That said, Citi PremierMiles remains a good choice for travellers who want a no-frills, general spending card with miles that never expire and access to a broad set of airline partners — benefits that can outweigh the slightly higher effective cost per mile.

Income tax payment facility

Citi PremierMiles cardholders can use Citi PayAll to settle their annual income tax. These payments earn the standard local rate of 1.2 miles per S$1, unless a limited-time promotion (e.g. tax season campaigns) offers a boosted earn rate. A processing fee applies to each transaction, which increases the effective cost per mile.

Comparison with other providers

Citi PremierMiles allows you to pay income tax via Citi PayAll, but at 1.2 mpd and a 2.6% fee, the cost per mile (~2.17¢) is on the high side. Third-party platforms like ipaymy or CardUp paired with high-earning cards generally deliver cheaper miles. If your goal is simply to maximise value, these alternatives make more sense. Citi PayAll is best reserved for those who prioritise convenience or want to take advantage of occasional boosted earn rate promotions.

Priority Pass membership

Citi PremierMiles cardholders receive a Priority Pass membership that grants two complimentary lounge visits per membership year. This benefit is relatively modest compared to premium cards but still valuable for occasional travellers who want a comfortable space before their flight.

The two free visits can be used solely by the cardholder or shared with a guest (e.g., one visit each). Once the two visits are used, additional entries are charged at US$35 per visit.

Priority Pass provides access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including popular facilities such as the Plaza Premium Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1.

Citi PremierMiles matches the DBS Altitude Visa Card, which also offers two free visits annually, but lags behind the UOB PRVI Miles Card, which provides up to four complimentary visits.

Other Citi PremierMiles benefits

Beyond lounge access, Citi PremierMiles comes with a range of useful travel perks:

• Hotel booking perks: Earn bonus miles on selected platforms — for example, up to 10 mpd on Kaligo bookings and up to 7.2 mpd on Agoda (via the dedicated Citi portal).

• Flexibility of Citi Miles: Citi Miles can be transferred to over 10 frequent flyer programmes worldwide, giving travellers more options than cards limited to one or two partners.

• No expiry on miles: Unlike some bank points systems, Citi Miles never expire, making this card attractive for those who prefer to accumulate rewards over time.

Note: These benefits are not exhaustive. Cardholders should always check the official Citibank website for the most up-to-date list of perks and detailed terms and conditions.

Recurring promotions for Citi PremierMiles are typically focused on travel partners. Common examples include:

• Bonus miles on hotel bookings through Kaligo (up to 10 mpd) or Agoda via the dedicated Citi portal (up to 7.2 mpd).

• Seasonal discounts and rebates when booking flights or hotels with Citibank’s travel partners.

As with most cards, these promotions are not permanent and rotate throughout the year. Cardholders should keep an eye on Citibank’s promotions page and opt in when relevant deals are announced to maximise their miles.

Overseas spending promotions

Citi PremierMiles frequently runs new-to-bank welcome offers, which have historically ranged from up to 30,000 miles with a minimum spend of S$800 within the first 2 months, to larger campaigns offering as high as 45,000 miles when higher minimum spend thresholds are met. These promotions tend to surface around peak travel periods and are a key draw for new applicants, given the card’s relatively accessible S$30,000 income requirement.

From time to time, Citibank also launches targeted overseas spending campaigns, where cardholders can earn bonus miles when charging foreign currency transactions. These campaigns are usually capped and require registration, but they can boost the effective earn rate above the standard 2.2 mpd for overseas spend.

The Citi PremierMiles Card is a solid option if you’re looking for a straightforward entry into the miles game. It offers 1.2 mpd on local spend and 2.2 mpd overseas, with the key advantage that Citi Miles never expire — making it easy to accumulate rewards over time without pressure to redeem quickly.

Another highlight is the ability to transfer Citi Miles to more than 10 airline partners, including popular programmes like KrisFlyer and Asia Miles, giving travellers flexibility in how they use their miles. You’ll also receive two complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year, which, while modest, is a nice bonus for occasional travellers.

On the flip side, the annual fee of S$196.20 and limited lounge access make it less compelling for frequent flyers. Competing cards like the UOB PRVI Miles or HSBC TravelOne deliver stronger earn rates and more value on overseas spend.

Bottom line: Citi PremierMiles works best for those who want simplicity, expiry-free miles, and flexibility in airline transfers. If your goal is to maximise miles at the lowest possible cost, other cards may serve you better.

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