Which Credit Card is Best to Buy Airline Tickets and Hotels in 2025?

• Free lounge access & unlimited expiry-free miles: DBS Altitude Visa Card 

• Premium travel benefits: American Express Platinum Card | UOB PRVI Miles World Mastercard | UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card

• Singapore Airlines perks & fee-free miles transfer to KrisFlyer account: UOB KrisFlyer Card | American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Card | American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Card

• Hotel bookings: UOB Lady’s Card | DBS Woman’s World Card | UOB Visa Signature

Looking for the absolute best Singapore travel credit card for travel in a sea of options? We know it can get confusing. Figuring out which credit card is perfect for buying your flight tickets, hotel stays, travel insurance, or Airbnb accommodations can be tricky.

This is why we have rounded up the top-rated travel credit cards and more to use to book your next flight and hotel. Oh, and we've got some cool travel tips and NATAS fair airline promos for you, too – here’s to spending your way to your next getaway!

The Merchant Category Code (MCC) for airline tickets varies depending on how you book them.

When booking directly with an airline, the MCC typically falls within the 3000–3299 range or MCC 4511. For instance, Singapore Airlines is categorised under MCC 3075, while Scoot may be classified as MCC 4511. It's worth noting that the MCC remains consistent whether you're booking a commercial ticket or redeeming an award ticket.

If you purchase tickets via online travel platforms like Expedia, Traveloka, or Skyscanner, the MCC for these transactions will generally be MCC 4722.

Understanding these codes can be helpful, especially for managing rewards programmes or determining card benefits linked to specific MCC categories.

To know which credit card to use for your hotel booking, you will need to consider the MCC or whether the transaction is processed online or offline. 

If you pay directly at the hotel or through its official website, the transaction will typically fall within the MCC 3500–3999 range for major hotels. Smaller hotels and Airbnb are usually categorised under MCC 7011. When booking hotels through OTAs like Agoda or Booking.com, the transaction generally codes as MCC 4722.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that booking for a hotel via OTA is not necessarily the same as paying for a hotel via an OTA. This means if you book through an OTA and pay at the time of booking, your transaction code will be MCC 4722. However, if you book through an OTA and choose to pay at the hotel, then your transaction code will be MCC 3500-3999 or MCC 7011.

Ever dream of using your everyday purchases to earn free airline tickets? Enter the world of air miles credit cards! These cards reward you with points, called miles, for your spending, allowing you to redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks. 

While they often come with annual fees, savvy travellers can leverage the best of these cards to save significantly on their travel expenses. But before you jump in to book your next big holiday, it’s best to consider your travel habits and spending to see which card is the right fit for you.

Not all travel is created equal, and neither are credit cards!  Finding the best credit card for your airline ticket and hotel bookings depends on your travel frequency, preferred airlines, and spending habits. With a plethora of options offering bonus miles, travel perks, and rewards, navigating the world of air miles credit cards can be overwhelming. But fear not, with the right considerations, you can unlock significant savings and elevate your travel experience.

When it comes to the best credit card for flights and the best credit card for hotel bookings, you can’t look past what DBS Altitude Visa has to offer.

This credit card lets you earn 2.2 mpd on overseas spend and 1.3 mpd on local spend. 

Do note that the miles will be awarded as DBS Points, for every S$5 spent. 

The best part? Miles earned on the DBS Altitude Visa doesn’t expire! You can transfer your earned miles to frequent flyer programmes like KrisFlyer or Asia Miles to redeem your next flight. 

Exclusive to DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card, cardmembers can enjoy two free Priority Pass lounge visits every 12 months of membership!

Are you a discerning individual who appreciates life’s finer things and loves travelling? Do you also happen to be a high-income earner (or at least, rich in assets)? If you answered “yes” to both questions, then the AMEX Platinum Charge Card is just for you.

Despite the card’s hefty annual fee of S$1,744, card owners will enjoy luxurious perks such as:

• Up to S$1,354 statement credits across lifestyle, entertainment, dining, and travel*

  • S$200 local dining credits

  • S$200 overseas dining credits

  • S$400 lifestyle credits^

  • S$150 fashion credits

  • S$204 entertainment credits

  • S$200 airline credits with Singapore Airlines or Scoot^ 

• S$800 worth of FINE HOTELS AND RESORTS benefits

• Complimentary upgrades for hotel loyalty programmes (Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status, Radisson Rewards Gold Status)

• Free access to the Platinum Concierge Desk and 1,400 airport lounges worldwide (including The Centurion® Lounge) (worth S$1,238)

• Golf privileges

• Complimentary access to the elite, members-only Tower Club Singapore

• Up to 50% savings on your Love Dining food bill

• Global assistance and more

The UOB PRVI Miles World Mastercard is a standout choice for those seeking the best credit card for airfare and hotel bookings. With the card’s impressive base and bonus earn rates, accumulating miles for your next trip has never been easier. 

Plus, if you're a KrisFlyer UOB Account holder, you're eligible for up to an additional 6 bonus KrisFlyer miles for every S$1 spent.

Another significant advantage is the lack of a cap on the miles you can earn, making it ideal for both big and small spenders. 

Whether you're planning a local staycation or an international adventure, the UOB PRVI Miles World Mastercard ensures that every dollar spent moves you closer to your next dream destination.

The UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card stands out as a premier choice for avid travellers seeking to maximise their air miles accumulation effortlessly – and live the good life while doing so!

On top of its generous base and bonus earn rates, cardholders enjoy up to 8% cashback on dining and other categories, as well as complimentary airport transfers to Singapore Changi Airport to make those late-night red-eye flights a breeze. 

You can also choose to redeem your rewards for miles, cashback, or vouchers, giving you greater flexibility in optimising your points to the max.

Plus, if you hit the minimum spend of S$50,000 in a year, you’ll enjoy 20,000 loyalty miles! Exclusively for UOB PRVI Miles AMEX cardholders only.

The KrisFlyer UOB Card is an easy-to-use KrisFlyer miles credit card for those who enjoy flying with Singapore Airlines and Scoot (or travelling in general). This miles credit card lets you earn 3 mpd on SIA-related flights and purchases, dining, online food delivery, online shopping, online travel (including Airbnb) and transport, and 1.2 mpd on all other spend.

There’s no limit to how many miles you can earn, and there’s no miles conversion fee that you need to deal with — your miles will be automatically credited to your KrisFlyer account. 

A travel-oriented credit card through and through, you’ll be pleased to know that the KrisFlyer UOB Credit 

Card offers a host of tangible travel benefits anyone would appreciate:

• Fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver status (with min. S$5,000 SIA-related spend)

• S$20 KrisShop rebate (with min. S$120 spend on a single KrisShop transaction using promo code KFUOBKS2025)

• S$15 off Grab rides

• S$15 off ChangiWiFi

• Additional baggage allowance on Scoot

• Priority check-in and boarding on Scoot

• Standard seat selection on Scoot, and more

The only drawback for this card is the fact that bonus miles earned on dining, online transactions and transport transactions will only be awarded within two months after the card membership year. 

Read our full KrisFlyer UOB Card review here for a more in-depth breakdown including information on exclusive SingSaver promos.

Are you a discerning individual who appreciates life’s finer things and loves travelling? Do you also happen to be a high-income earner (or at least, rich in assets)? If you answered “yes” to both questions, then the AMEX Platinum Charge Card is just for you.

Despite the card’s hefty annual fee of S$1,744, card owners will enjoy luxurious perks such as:

• Up to S$1,354 statement credits across lifestyle, entertainment, dining, and travel*

  • S$200 local dining credits

  • S$200 overseas dining credits

  • S$400 lifestyle credits^

  • S$150 fashion credits

  • S$204 entertainment credits

  • S$200 airline credits with Singapore Airlines or Scoot^ 

• S$800 worth of FINE HOTELS AND RESORTS benefits

• Complimentary upgrades for hotel loyalty programmes (Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors Gold Status, Radisson Rewards Gold Status)

• Free access to the Platinum Concierge Desk and 1,400 airport lounges worldwide (including The Centurion® Lounge) (worth S$1,238)

• Golf privileges

• Complimentary access to the elite, members-only Tower Club Singapore

• Up to 50% savings on your Love Dining food bill

• Global assistance and more

If you frequently travel with Grab and fly with Singapore Airlines, the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer card will get you there faster. 

Earn 2 KrisFlyer Miles for every S$1 spent on Grab locally (excluding top-up charges for GrabPay) and 2 KrisFlyer Miles for every S$1 spent on Singaporeair.com, SingaporeAir mobile app and KrisShop (in-flight and online), with no cap.

Additionally, stand to gain Singapore Airline S$150 cashback when you spend S$12,000 within the promotion period, 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. Moreover, the first-year annual fee is waived for both the primary and supplementary credit card holders. 

However, it's important to note that Grab rides are capped at S$200 each calendar month. Despite this limit, if you consistently clock S$200 in Grab rides monthly, the points earned in a year (7,440 miles) are almost worth a one-way ticket to Bali.

Read our full AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card review here.

When earning miles, there’s little to no difference between using your credit card to purchase a commercial airline ticket outright or to cover taxes and surcharges on an award redemption. Therefore, it’s best to choose a credit card with benefits that suit your travel style. 

If you’re buying airline miles directly from the airline, the purchase will code as an airline transaction. However, if you purchase airline miles through foreign third-party apps, like points.com, these could count as MCC 7399, which falls under Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified.

For those seeking a card that offers flexibility along with generous rewards, the UOB Lady's Card stands out as an exceptional choice. 

Tailored specifically for the discerning spender, this card offers up to 6 miles per dollar on one of seven categories that you can select based on your lifestyle preferences - Fashion, Dining, Travel, Beauty and Wellness, Family, Transport, or Entertainment. This makes it one of the most versatile and best rewards credit cards for quickly accumulating miles towards your next holiday.

Another benefit that sets the UOB Lady's Card apart is its LuxePay feature, allowing cardholders to indulge in their favourite luxury brands with a 0% interest 6 or 12-month instalment plan. 
Additionally, enjoy peace of mind with complimentary e-commerce protection for all your online purchases, ensuring both your transactions and goods are safeguarded.

Cardholders also benefit from UOB$ rebates on daily essentials, entertainment, and shopping, enhancing the value of every dollar spent. Furthermore, the promise of same-day delivery upon card approval ensures you can start enjoying the benefits of your card without delay.

However, remember that the 10X UNI$ (or 4 miles) earn rate applies to expenditures within your chosen category, offering unparalleled rewards flexibility. And you only select one rewards category each quarter, so choose wisely to maximise your benefits.

The UOB Visa Signature Card is a versatile choice for those who value both miles and cashback. It excels in rewarding users for overseas, petrol, and contactless transactions, offering a compelling 4 miles per dollar, subject to a minimum spend of S$1,000 on overseas and local spend respectively per statement month, capped at UNI$4,000.

With the UOB Visa Signature, every S$5 spent in these categories earns you UNI$10, which can be converted to miles, further amplifying your travel rewards. The card’s travel insurance coverage of up to S$500,000 coverage adds an extra layer of protection for your trips, ensuring peace of mind wherever your adventures take you.

While the card does not offer direct airport lounge access, the substantial travel insurance coverage and flexible rewards system—allowing for both cashback and miles—make it a standout choice for frequent travellers and those looking to maximise rewards on their everyday spend.

If you’re booking hotel accommodations directly, some excellent credit card options include the UOB Lady’s Card, DBS Woman’s World Card, and UOB Visa Signature.

For the UOB Lady’s Card, you can earn up to 4 miles per dollar (mpd) by selecting "Travel" as your bonus category. Meanwhile, with the DBS Woman’s World Card, your transaction must be processed online to qualify for the 4 mpd bonus rate. 

These cards offer competitive rewards that can maximise your benefits for direct hotel bookings.

Booking a hotel through an OTA can earn you up to 10 mpd if you have the right card. This reward rate is often available through the OTA’s public landing page or exclusive pages designated for certain cardholders.

However, keep in mind that these transactions require online payment at the time of booking rather than payment at the hotel. 

Additionally, bookings made via OTAs could be more expensive compared to booking directly through the hotel’s website. It’s always wise to compare prices and evaluate whether the potential miles earned justify the higher cost.

If you purchase hotel points through foreign third-party apps, like points.com, these could count as a foreign transaction under MCC 7399, which will be under Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified.

Credit card miles are great because they can be exchanged for things like free flights, flight upgrades, gifts or even cash rebates that you can use to offset purchases. 

Some frequent flyer programmes even let you redeem your miles for hotel loyalty programme points — this can translate into free hotel nights! 

In short, miles can be put towards your next holiday or vacation. However, you’ll have to be strategic with the cards you use to get the best rewards and added benefits possible. 

As a matter of fact, some air miles credit cards offer miles while others offer rewards points that you can later redeem for miles. Depending on your preference, the right miles credit card for you may or may not be the same as the most ideal one for your friend or family member. 

Some KrisFlyer credit cards that can let your directly earn points when you fly with Singapore Airlines include: 

• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card

• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

• KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card 

That being said, you don’t necessarily need to use these co-branded KrisFlyer credit cards to earn KrisFlyer miles on Singapore Airline flights— other miles and reward credit cards let you redeem your miles and rewards points for KrisFlyer miles, or offer limited-time promotions too!

Some examples include DBS Altitude, HSBC Revolution, OCBC VOYAGE, OCBC 90°N, UOB PRVI Miles, Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card and more.

To check your KrisFlyer miles expiry, follow these simple steps:

• Step 1: Log in to your KrisFlyer account on singaporeair.com or the SingaporeAir mobile app

• Step 2: Navigate to ‘Miles’, then ‘Miles Validity’

The page will show you the number of miles expiring in the next 12 months, if any.

In case you didn’t already know, KrisFlyer miles expire in three years at the end of the equivalent month in which they were earned.

Some credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance coverage when you charge your full travel tickets or travel fares to the cards. 

For example, Maybank Horizon Visa Signature offers up to S$1 million in coverage, while UOB PRVI Miles and CIMB Visa Signature offer up to S$500,000 in coverage. 

Be sure to read the terms and conditions to find out what’s covered exactly and whether or not you have to ‘activate’ the coverage before travelling! 

As it stands, some complimentary travel insurance on credit cards is more holistic than others as they even cover things like luggage delay, missed flight connections, loss of luggage etc. This offers you the best coverage possible, especially when paired with regular travel insurance, taking one worry off your mind so you can fully immerse yourself in your trip

To make the most out of air miles credit cards, it's wise to focus on cards that align with your spending habits and travel goals. 

Regularly review your travel credit card benefits, as some offer bonus miles for specific categories like dining, online shopping, or overseas expenditures.

Always keep an eye out for credit card promotions, especially from local airlines like Singapore Airlines or Scoot, or partner platforms like Agoda. This could take the form of limited-time rates for certain cardholders, or special member reward earn rates.

Consolidating your spending on one or a few credit cards can also help you accumulate miles faster, especially for big-ticket items like hotel bookings and airline tickets.

Be mindful of the expiry dates of your miles to ensure you use them before they vanish. 

Lastly, consider cards with flexible redemption options, allowing you to transfer miles to various frequent flyer programs and maximising your potential for free flights and upgrades.

Securing a miles card can be a game-changer for frequent travellers, turning mundane purchases into exciting travel opportunities. The right credit card not only fast-tracks you to your next vacation but also elevates your travel experience with exclusive perks. 

If you're a strategic spender who enjoys plotting out ways to maximise rewards, a miles card could unlock a world of travel possibilities. With air miles credit cards, you could potentially turn everyday spending into free flights, upgrades, and more. They also come with benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary travel insurance. 

However, they're not without drawbacks.
 
Some have high annual fees and require significant spending to earn and redeem miles effectively. The earning rates can also vary greatly depending on the purchase, making it essential to choose a card that matches your spending patterns. 

Additionally, miles tend to have expiry dates, and without careful management, you might lose them before getting a chance to use them.

Overall, it’s important to ensure the benefits outweigh any fees and that you're keen on staying active in managing and redeeming your miles to truly make it worthwhile!

As you know, the easiest way to earn miles is through cards that offer sign-up bonuses. 

The next best would be to pick a credit card that gives you the highest miles per dollar earn rate so you can earn while booking hotel stays, flight tickets, and more. Whether you opt for one that earns you miles directly or one that earns you rewards points, picking a credit card with a high earning rate will see you earn your way to your next getaway faster!

However, it is important to note the minimum spend required to earn the relevant earn rates.

Not all cards are created equal. Make use of different travel credit cards based on your spending so that you can maximise the benefits earned.

Depending on the benefits that you would like to receive, picking a card that allows you to pick different rewards could be more beneficial. For example, Citibank ThankYou Points can be redeemed for electronics, gift cards as well as travel rewards.