Updated: 2 Dec 2025
The information displayed above is for reference only. The actual rates offered to you will be based on your credit score and is subject to the provider's approval.

The information displayed above is for reference only. The actual rates offered to you will be based on your credit score and is subject to the provider's approval.

If you’re planning to head overseas for a year-end holiday, one of the key decisions you’ll need to make is what cards to bring along. Even if you plan to use mostly cash, it’s always a good idea to have some cards as a backup, or for situations where cash may not be accepted (such as in-app payments).

As much as we want to maximise the miles on every transaction, a common mistake that first-time miles chasers make is to only look at quantitative factors, such as earn rates. But not all points are made equal! For example, if two cards offer the same earn rate, you would want to pick the card that wins on qualitative factors, such as non-expiring points, more transfer partners, or free points conversions. By that same token, a lower-earning card could still trump a higher-earning card once points quality is taken into account. That’s why it’s crucial to look beyond top-line earn rates, and in this column, I’ll explain what makes credit card points truly useful, and highlight which banks excel in this area.