Kris+ Guide: How to (Still) Maximise Miles With The Best Credit Cards Pairings After Its Nerf
updated: Nov 15, 2024
The Kris+ app nerfed impressive earn rates of (up to) 9 mpd down to 6 mpd and 3 mpd earn rate for many merchants.
written_by SingSaver Team
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.
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?
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.
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 💵
Overall
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Dining
|
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 |
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 |
Shopping
|
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 |
Groceries
|
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 |
|
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 ✈️
Overall
|
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
|
4 mpd on eligible online transactions:
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:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month |
|
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card
|
Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month |
Dining
|
Credit card |
Key attributes |
|
UOB Lady’s Card
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Card
|
Up to 6 mpd on one/two enrolled category(ies) respectively:
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:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month |
|
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card
|
Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend:
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 |
Shopping
|
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
|
4 mpd on eligible online transactions:
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:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month |
|
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card
|
Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,110 spend per calendar month |
|
OCBC Titanium Rewards Card |
4 mpd on eligible online shopping purchases
Extra 2% cash rebate at BEST Denki
Bonus miles capped at 120,000 OCBC$ per year
Complimentary e-Commerce protection |
Groceries
|
Credit card |
Key attributes |
|
Citi Rewards + Instarem amaze Card
|
4 mpd on eligible online transactions:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month
|
|
HSBC Revolution Card |
4 mpd on eligible online and mobile contactless transactions:
Bonus miles capped at S$1,000 spend per calendar month |
|
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card |
Up to 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment spend:
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. 🤷🏻
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! 😉✈️
about_the_author
SingSaver Team
At SingSaver, we make personal finance accessible with easy to understand personal finance reads, tools and money hacks that simplify all of life’s financial decisions for you.