Last updated on July 21st, 2023
Earning miles rewards that you can redeem for airline tickets has never been easier with the abundance of credit cards that offer great miles rewards – two of which are DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer. Choosing which one is more suited for you ultimately depends on your travel habits.
Below are the benefits that each card offers.
Contents
The difference between DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer
Both DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer offer miles rewards for no minimum spend, with additional travel benefits perfect if you frequently travel. The difference between the two is the eligible transactions where you can earn miles.
Here is how you can earn miles for each card.
Miles per Dollar
DBS rewards miles for all local and foreign spending
You can earn miles for all your transactions using your DBS Altitude credit card as it offers miles rewards for all local and foreign currency spending.
| Local Currency Spending | 1.2 miles/$1 |
| Foreign Currency Spending | 2 miles/$1 |
If you use your card for online travel-related spending, you can also earn up to 3 miles/$1 for online flight and hotel transactions!
| Online Flight and Hotel Transactions* | Additional Miles | Total Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Local Currency | 1.8 miles/$1 | 3 miles/$1 |
| Foreign Currency | 1 mile/$1 | 3 miles/$1 |
*Online flight and hotel transactions are online retail transactions made on flight and/or hotel merchants.
You may want to note that the additional miles you can earn by using your DBS Altitude card for online flight and hotel transactions are rewarded only up to $5,000 worth of spending per month.
Also, note that DBS rewards miles per block of $5.
UOB rewards KrisFlyer miles for spending with Singapore Airlines Group
To earn miles from your UOB KrisFlyer card, you must be a member of the KrisFlyer Programme.
If you frequently transact with Singapore Airlines Group, UOB KrisFlyer is a great option as it offers great miles rewards for spending with Singapore Airlines Group. Below are the transactions which you can earn miles from.
| Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop Transactions | 3 KrisFlyer Miles/$1 |
| All Other Transactions | 1.2 KrisFlyer Miles/$1* |
*You are also eligible to earn an additional 1.8 KrisFlyer Miles/$1 for all your other transactions for the year once you reach the minimum spend the amount of $500 on transactions with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop for the membership year. This means that you can also earn up to 3 KrisFlyer Miles for all other transactions!
You may want to note that similar to DBS, UOB rewards miles only in increments of $5.
For a list of merchant categories exclude from UOB KrisFlyer’s miles rewards, you may view the Terms & Conditions.
Minimum Spend
Both DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer have no minimum spend amount. However, both cards also reward only in increments of $5.
Maximum Miles Cap
You can earn as much miles as you want as both DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer do not have a miles cap.
Miles Expiry
Whereas DBS miles do not expire, the KrisFlyer Miles you earn from your UOB KrisFlyer card expire in 36 months as per the KrisFlyer Programme’s terms and conditions.
If you want to extend the validity of your KrisFlyer Miles, you may request so subject to additional fees.
Miles Redemption
5,000 DBS miles can be converted to 10,000 miles of the following partner programs:
- KrisFlyer Miles
- Asia Miles
- Qantas Points
You may also convert 1,000 DBS miles to 1,500 AirAsia BIG Points or 200 DBS miles to 170 KrisPay Miles.
Other redemption options offered by DBS are as follows.
- E-Vouchers
- Payment for online purchases
- Cash credits
- Donations
You may view DBS’ Rewards Programme Terms and Conditions for a full list of redemption options.
On the other hand, KrisFlyer Miles earned from your UOB KrisFlyer card can be redeemed through Singapore Airlines’ redemption site. The following are the available redemption options:
- Award tickets
- Flight upgrades
- Payments for Scoot Airlines and KrisShop
- KrisFlyer vRooms
- Figgy Points
- Shangri-La Golden Circle Award Points
- Donations
Note that while UOB KrisFlyer directly rewards KrisFlyer Miles, DBS Altitude allows you to convert your miles to other partner programs. This gives you more flexibility to use your miles with other airlines of your choice!
Eligibility
While DBS and UOB have the same age and minimum annual income requirements for Singaporeans, UOB has a significantly higher minimum annual income requirement for foreign nationals.
| DBS Altitude | UOB KrisFlyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 21 years old | 21 years old |
| Minimum Annual Income (Singaporeans) | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Minimum Annual Income (Foreign Nationals) | $45,000 | $80,000 |
Other Benefits
Complimentary Travel Benefits
DBS Altitude offers complimentary Priority Pass
If you get a DBS Altitude Visa card, you are eligible for a complimentary Priority Pass membership entitling you to 2 complimentary airport lounge visits per membership year. This is a great benefit if you love long-haul travelling!
UOB KrisFlyer offers complimentary benefits for flying with Scoot Airlines
Getting a UOB KrisFlyer card gives you a wide range of benefits for flying with Scoot Airlines:
- Complimentary priority check-in and boarding for Scoot flights
- Complimentary additional 5kg baggage allowance for Scoot flights if you purchase 20kg to 35kg baggage allowance
- Complimentary standard seat selection for Scoot flights
- Booking flexibility waiver for flight changes on Scoot
In addition, UOB also provides the following travel insurance coverage:
- Travel personal accident insurance of up to $500,000
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation up to $50,000
Other Rewards
Get travel-related vouchers and more ways to earn miles from DBS and UOB
When you purchase TravellerShield Plus using your DBS Altitude card, you are eligible for either of the following:
- 60% off a single trip plan
- 30% off an annual multi-trip plan + $50 Lazada voucher
You can also earn increased miles for booking via Kaligo using your DBS Altitude card as DBS rewards 10 miles/$1 on hotel bookings via Kaligo!
UOB KrisFlyer, on the other hand, offers a longer list of benefits perfect for travellers:
- $20 off your purchases from KrisShop
- 2 x $15 worth of Grab Rides to or from Changi Airport
- 2 x $15 off ChangiWiFi
- $5 GrabFood rebates
On top of the 3 KrisFlyer Miles rewarded for spending on the Singapore Airlines group, you can also earn additional 1.5 KrisFlyer Miles/$1 if you use your UOB KrisFlyer card to purchase on KrisShop! Note that miles are offered in blocks of $5.
Since KrisFlyer Miles expire in 36 months, UOB KrisFlyer allows you to get a one-time 12-month validity extension of up to 60,000 KrisFlyer miles for no additional fees!
Get bonus miles from DBS and UOB
When you renew either your DBS Altitude or UOB KrisFlyer cards by paying the annual fees, you are eligible to earn a bonus of 10,000 miles on your card anniversary! This is a great way to earn more miles every year!
Fees
DBS and UOB have the same annual fees and principal card annual fee waiver.
| Annual Fee – Principal Card | $192.60 |
| Annual Fee – Supplementary Card | $96.30 |
| Annual Fee Waiver – Principal Card | 1 year |
However, DBS also offers a waiver of principal card fees if you reach $25,000 spend for the year!
DBS offers lower interest rates than UOB
| DBS Altitude | UOB KrisFlyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Interest – Card Transactions | 26.80% p.a. | 26.90% p.a. |
| Interest – Cash Advances | 26.80% p.a. | 26.90% p.a. |
Final Verdict
Both DBS Altitude and UOB KrisFlyer offer great miles rewards and other benefits.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of what each card offers:
| DBS Altitude | UOB KrisFlyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Miles per Dollar | 6 Miles/$5 for local currency transactions10 Miles/$5 for foreign currency transactions15 Miles/$5 for online flight and hotel transactions | 15 KrisFlyer Miles/$5 for Singapore Airlines Group6 KrisFlyer Miles/$5 for all other transactions |
| Minimum Spend | None | None |
| Miles Cap | None | None |
| Miles Expiry | None | 36 months(can be extended for additional fees) |
| Miles Redemption | KrisFlyer Miles Asia Miles Qantas Points AirAsia BIG Points KrisPay Miles E-Vouchers Payment for online purchases Cash credits Donations | Award tickets Flight upgrades Payments for Scoot Airlines and KrisShop KrisFlyer vRooms Figgy Points Shangri-La Golden Circle Award Points Donations |
| Travel Benefits | Complimentary Priority Pass | Complimentary Priority Check-In Complimentary Baggage Allowance Complimentary Seat Selection Booking Flexibility Waiver Travel Insurance of up to $500,000 |
| Anniversary Bonus Points | 10,000 Miles | 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles |
| Annual Fee | $192.60 – Principal $96.30 – Supplementary | $192.60 – Principal $96.30 – Supplementary |
| Interest Rate – Card Transactions | 26.80% p.a. | 26.90% p.a. |
| Interest Rate – Cash Advances | 26.80% p.a. | 26.90% p.a. |
DBS Altitude is for you if you love flying with different airlines
DBS Altitude may be best for you if you love travelling with different airlines as it offers up to 15 miles/$5 for online flight transactions not limited to the Singapore Airlines Group. You also have more flexibility in converting your miles to other airline miles. Plus, the complimentary priority pass is a great perk if you usually access airport lounges worldwide!
UOB KrisFlyer is for you if you love flying with Singapore Airlines
UOB KrisFlyer has a wealth of benefits for Singapore Airlines customers. It offers increased miles rewards for Singapore Airlines Group Transactions and great travel benefits for flying with Scoot Airlines. If you frequently travel with Scoot, this affiliate card is perfect for you!
👉🏻 Credit Card Deals
Are you interested in signing up for a credit card? Check out some of the deals below!
UOB KrisFlyer
DBS Altitude
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