Author: Pauline Galeano

Citi Rewards Credit Card Review An easy-to-earn 4 mpd coupled with a wide variety of transfer partners; 4 mpd on online transactions, caps, exclusions, points, transfers, and fees. Once upon a time, this was marketed as a card for shopaholics to earn bonus points when buying bags, shoes or clothes. Insiders knew “bags, shoes and clothes” was just a suggestion; cardholders could earn 4 mpd on all manner of things including Points.com purchases, ride-hailing and even GrabPay top-ups, for a period. In March 2019 the bonus scope officially expanded to cover almost all online transactions— essential for any miles chaser,…

Key Changes to the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa From 1 October 2025, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa will split its S$1,110 monthly bonus cap into two S$600 caps for mobile contactless and online transactions. Find out what changes, what stays the same, and how to manage your spending. Starting from 1 October 2025, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa will no longer have a single monthly bonus cap of S$1,110. Instead, the card will split the cap into two categories: This is not the first time UOB has done this. The same changes were seen on the UOB Lady’s Solitaire and…

A New Way to Redeem KrisFlyer Miles On 1 November 2025, Singapore Airlines will add a new way to use KrisFlyer miles called Access awards. On the same day, the updated redemption charts will take effect. With Access awards, KrisFlyer members can use miles to secure confirmed seats immediately on Singapore Airlines flights. The number of miles needed depends on seat demand and seasonality, and can change throughout the year. How Access Awards Work Access is a new award type that joins Saver and Advantage options. It is only for flights operated by Singapore Airlines, not Scoot or partner airlines.…

The UOB Visa Signature is one of the oldest UOB cards. It launched in 2006 with a striking purple design. Today, it still offers one of the most versatile ways to earn miles in Singapore. You can earn 4 mpd on local and overseas spending, but the caps and minimum spend can trip you up if you are not careful. This card is no longer heavily promoted, but it still works well for those who want to earn miles quickly. It also pools points with other UOB cards, making redemptions easier. Changes to the Card Recent changes have affected how…

From now until 30 September 2025, new purchases of AMEX My Travel Insurance come with either a Samsonite luggage or up to S$150 eCapitaVouchers. Customers also receive S$5–20 in referral credits. American Express has refreshed the welcome gifts for its My Travel Insurance plans. Policyholders can now enjoy up to S$150 in eCapitaVouchers (eCV) or a Samsonite luggage when buying either a single-trip or annual plan. In addition, there is a referral bonus of S$5–20 in statement credits for purchases made through the referral programme. This is less generous than the previous referral offer, which provided up to 5,000 MR…

With 4 mpd on all foreign currency (FCY) spending and a wide range of bonus categories, the Maybank XL Rewards Card is an easy recommendation— as long as you’re under 40. This card offers 4 mpd on overseas spending, including education, hospitals, and utilities, plus bonus rates on dining, shopping, travel, and entertainment. Verdict ☑ Take It☐ Take It Or Leave It☐ Leave It Summary: With 4 mpd on FCY spend and multiple bonus categories, this card stands out— provided you’re not over 40. Pros Cons Overview: Maybank XL Rewards Card FeatureDetailsIncome RequirementS$30,000 p.a.Annual FeeS$87.20 (First 2 Years Waived)Supplementary FeeFreeLocal Earn0.4…

From now until 19 October 2025, new applicants for the HSBC Premier Mastercard can receive up to 106,200 bonus miles. This promotion is available to both new and existing HSBC cardholders, with no annual fee for those who qualify as HSBC Premier customers. The HSBC Premier Mastercard has recently seen several improvements. Enhancements include higher earn rates, unlimited airport lounge access for up to four cardholders, and double the complimentary airport limo rides, all without fees for Premier customers. These updated benefits take effect immediately, and HSBC has added a new welcome offer of up to 106,200 bonus miles. Both…

My friends think I’m part of a secret society. Or, at the very least, they think I’m swimming in debt. It usually happens when I post a photo from the road. Last month, it was from a balcony at a resort in Hawaii, where the cash rate is $1,100 a night. The month before that, it was a picture of my legs stretched out in a lie-flat seat on a flight to Tokyo, holding a glass of Krug champagne. When I get back home, the questions are always the same. “Did you get a raise?” “Did you win the lottery?”…

Stop using your hard-earned credit card points for cash back. Here is the math behind increasing your reward value by 1,000%. I was staring at the checkout screen on Amazon, hovering my mouse over the button that said “Pay with Points.” It was tempting. I had accumulated 60,000 points on my premium travel credit card. The bank told me that 1 point equaled 1 cent. Therefore, my stash was worth $600. I could get a new espresso machine, maybe a few pairs of shoes, and call it a day. It felt like “free money.” But something stopped me. I remembered a conversation…

Master the Art of Travel Hacking to Fly First Class for the Price of Economy Imagine this: You are walking past the long lines at the economy check-in, breezing through the priority security lane, and settling into a private lounge with complimentary champagne and gourmet food. When you board the plane, you aren’t turning right toward the cramped seats; you’re turning left into a lie-flat suite with a door, pajamas, and a multi-course meal. The person sitting next to you likely paid $10,000 or more for that ticket. But you? You paid $50 in taxes and fees. This isn’t a…