Changes to AMEX SQ PPS Club Credit Card

[SQ773ER]

I got a mailer from AMEX in which they announced changes and enhancements to the program with effect of 1st May 2016. In a nutshell the changes and enhancements are:

- local spending: new KF miles earn rate at 1.3 miles for every S$ up to S$3800 each month, with 1.4 miles for each S$ above S$3800 each month.
- overseas spending: same earth rate as above, with 2 miles for each S$ above S$3800 each month
- 50% KF miles redemption voucher if you spend more than S$75K in a year, capped at 50K miles
- double KF Miles accrual voucher when you spend S$15K or more on your card on singaporeair.com in a year, capped at 10K miles
- new annual fee of S$551.05 (GST incl.) and S$80.25 for each supplementary card vs. S$267.50 and free sup. cards.
- discontinuance of 10K KF miles bones when reaching S$50K a year

Having used this card for 10 years now, I have seen the benefits and privileges dwindling. With the new annual fee (double from current fee) and the poor earn ratio, I am seriously considering to cancel the card as local banks offer cards with a much better KF miles earn ratio.

Such a shame as the card used to be good for earning KF miles as well as the 50% KF redemption voucher upon membership renewal was a good benefit (although this was cancelled a few years back).

I haven't heard if AMEX and SQ are changing the program for the other co-branded card. Does anyone know?

[bubbles]

I just got the same mailer but for the AMEX Krisflyer gold card. So it looks like they are doing it for all KF-related cards?

For Amex KF Gold, the changes are:
- new KF miles earn rate is now $1 = 1.1 mile vs $1.60 = 1 mile previously
- new annual fee is $176 vs $117
- they removed the 50%+50% bonus KF miles
- Overseas spend is $1 = 2 miles for anything charged in June and December only

While the earn rate is better now, I'm quite sad that they removed the 50%+50% bonus KF miles!

On a separate note, Standard Chartered has a new Visa Infinite card where if you sign up you get 35k KF miles

[RCTP]

Same for the AMEX Krisflyer ascend card. No more bonus miles when exceeding 1k spending per month. Earn rate has been changed and annual fees increased from 256 to 300 plus.

My experience will be "enhanced" soon.

[CarbonMan]

On a separate note, Standard Chartered has a new Visa Infinite card where if you sign up you get 35k KF miles

Yes, of course, that comes with a $550 fee. And every dollar spent, you get 1.4 miles ... but, you need to exceed $2K a month to earn those miles. There's always a catch, alas.

[bubbles]

Yes, of course, that comes with a $550 fee. And every dollar spent, you get 1.4 miles ... but, you need to exceed $2K a month to earn those miles. There's always a catch, alas.

Yeah forgot to mention about the fee bit :\

any good visa card that gives good earn rate. Been hearing about citi premier miles

[SQ773ER]

Yes, of course, that comes with a $550 fee. And every dollar spent, you get 1.4 miles ... but, you need to exceed $2K a month to earn those miles. There's always a catch, alas.

So comparing the AMEX PPS vs. StanChart Visa Infinite (annual fees are in the same range), the StanChart is a better choice since you get 35K KF Miles upon signing up vs. zero benefit with the AMEX PPS card

I am using the Citi PremierMiles Visa as well and their earn rate is good with 1.2 miles for each S$ on local spend and 2 miles for each S$ on overseas spending. Upon paying the annual fee of S$192.60 you will get 10K bonus miles! Best benefit of this card is that CitiMiles never expire and conversion rate to KF is 1 to 1!

With AMEX they credit your miles monthly to your KF account and miles will expire according to KF T&C.

[bubbles]

I am using the Citi PremierMiles Visa as well and their earn rate is good with 1.2 miles for each S$ on local spend and 2 miles for each S$ on overseas spending. Upon paying the annual fee of S$192.60 you will get 10K bonus miles! Best benefit of this card is that CitiMiles never expire and conversion rate to KF is 1 to 1!

With AMEX they credit your miles monthly to your KF account and miles will expire according to KF T&C.

How much do you have to pay for transfer fees when transfering your miles to KF?

For StandChart Visa Infinite, there's also a scheme where you can charge your income tax to the card and earn points - good for those here earning big bucks

[demue]

Same for the AMEX Krisflyer ascend card. No more bonus miles when exceeding 1k spending per month. Earn rate has been changed and annual fees increased from 256 to 300 plus.

My experience will be "enhanced" soon.

Puh, I just got the card end March signing up for the Bonus offer version and plan to put 10K SGD on it in the 3 months to trigger the 35K bonus. Just in time I guess before they cull the offer. Called CSR and confirmed I'm enrolled for the bonus offer version as the material one gets is just the standard one mentioning the 5K KF mls only.

[jbflyer]

for the AMEX Krisflyer ascend card, spend $15K within 1 year, KF elite gold status will be offered. no flying required..

[alian]

If I'm not wrong the terms is $15k spent on singaporeair.com ... so flying is still required but ... now it can be for other people you book for.

[Kyo]

for the AMEX Krisflyer ascend card, spend $15K within 1 year, KF elite gold status will be offered. no flying required..

Didn't realise this was the case... that's super easy to attain.

Edit: Just checked - where does it say this?

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/c...d-credit-card/

[alian]

It's not online yet. Only to the letters sent out to card holders.

Website will probably updated when the new program kicks in. I.e. May 2016

[jbflyer]

If I'm not wrong the terms is $15k spent on singaporeair.com ... so flying is still required but ... now it can be for other people you book for.

Yah... have to spend on singpaoreair.com.

Didn't realise this was the case... that's super easy to attain.

Edit: Just checked - where does it say this?

https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/c...d-credit-card/

it is not online yet..

[Kyo]

That's superb news... Almost like PPS$ but for KF Gold members

[fone]

New T&Cs for the new Ascend card (as from FlyerTalk).

https://icm.aexp-static.com/Internet...lyerAscend.pdf

Not sure if the KF Gold "promotion" will there every year or just this time.

As I'm the one paying first for all the travel for my company, not sure if I should get my wife to get the card, so that she can get KF Gold (so that my family of 4 can go to the lounge when we travel *A, together with my A3 *G).