frequent flyer Archives | MoneyDigest.sg

Unlock Free Lounge Access with Your Credit Card

For frequent jetsetters, nothing feels more indulgent than stepping away from the crowded terminal and into the calm of an airport lounge. More than a waiting area, it is a sanctuary where you can settle into a plush seat, sip a complimentary drink, enjoy a hot meal, and even catch up on work without the usual airport frenzy.

This experience is no longer reserved for business class tickets or elite frequent flyers. With the right credit card, you can unlock a global network of lounges that quietly elevate your travel routine.

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At the top of the scale sits the American Express Platinum Card, often regarded as the gold standard for those who value both breadth and luxury. Cardholders earn 0.69 miles per S$1.60 spent locally and enjoy unlimited worldwide lounge access. The exclusivity comes at a steep cost with an annual fee of S$1,744, but for those who fly often, the comfort and convenience often outweigh the price.

For travelers seeking balance between cost and perks, the Citi PremierMiles Card has long been a crowd favorite. It offers 1.2 miles per local dollar and 2.2 miles per overseas dollar, along with two complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year at more than 1,300 airports. The annual fee of S$196.20 makes it a practical choice for those who may not travel every month but still want comfort when they do.

The DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card delivers strong value, especially for those who maximize overseas spending. Cardholders earn 1.3 miles per local dollar and up to five miles per overseas dollar, paired with two complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year. With an annual fee of S$196.20, it is a solid option for travelers who want their everyday spending to translate into meaningful travel rewards.

At the entry level, the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card with an annual fee paying version extends a taste of premium travel. It earns 1.2 miles per local dollar and two miles per overseas dollar, plus two Priority Pass lounge visits annually. The annual fee of S$196.20 makes it an approachable choice for younger professionals or occasional travelers who want to enjoy the benefits of lounge access without overcommitting.

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In the end, the value of free lounge access depends on how often you fly and how much you prize comfort before takeoff. For some, unlimited entry is worth every dollar of the fee. For others, a couple of complimentary visits each year provide the right balance. What is clear is that modern credit cards are reshaping the way we travel, making airport lounges less of an exclusive privilege and more of a practical perk.

Sources: 1 & 2

Airlines Are Restricting Power Banks on Planes

As a frequent flyer, my husband and I never board without a power bank. It has become as essential as a passport, keeping phones alive on long haul flights or during layovers. But these pocket-sized lifelines have turned into aviation’s latest safety concern in recent years.

The problem is simple yet serious. Lithium ion batteries can overheat, and when they do, the results are dramatic. In 2023, two passengers on a Scoot flight bound for Singapore were injured when a power bank caught fire before take off in Taiwan. Last year, the United States Federal Aviation Administration reported three cases of battery overheating incidents on planes every two weeks. This is compared with less than one a week in 2018. By early 2025, passengers on Batik Air and Air Busan recorded frightening scenes of smoke and flames in the cabin, again traced back to faulty power banks.

Faced with this growing risk, airlines are drawing clear boundaries. From 1 April 2025, Scoot and Singapore Airlines passengers were no longer allowed to charge their devices using portable power banks during flights. The devices may still be carried on board, but only in hand luggage. Batteries up to 100 watt hours are acceptable, while larger ones between 100 and 160 watt hours will require airline approval. Checked baggage remains strictly prohibited.

The rules do not stop there. Emirates will tighten its policies in October 2025, limiting passengers to one power bank each, banning use entirely during flights, and requiring the device to be stored under the seat rather than in overhead compartments.

Globally, regulators are also stepping up. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has banned power banks exceeding 160 watt hours, while China has gone further by prohibiting any without a CCC safety certification mark. In the United States, more than a million Anker power banks were recalled after reports of fire hazards.

For Singapore travelers, what used to be a travel essential now comes with strict conditions. Forgetting the rules could mean parting with your power bank at the gate, or worse, finding yourself in the middle of an emergency onboard.

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The change may feel inconvenient, but regulators argue it is about keeping the skies safer in an age when nearly every passenger carries a battery. And as incidents increase, airlines are making it clear that safety comes first, even if that means your phone may run out of power while flying.

Sources: 1,2 ,3,4, & 5

The Best Credit Cards for Frequent Travellers

Many of us are ignorant about how much side benefits our daily spending can reward us because of the many complicated terms and conditions that come with signing on a credit card. But trust me, once you’ve figured out the one (or multiple) card that fits your lifestyle, you’ll wish you had started using them earlier.

Unless you are impossibly rich or are covered by your company, hardly any one of us would be willing to pay over $10,000 for a First Class seat for what may be a few hundred dollars’ worth of flight ticket.

But what if you had the opportunity of enjoying First Class without having to fork out actual money?

That is why accruing air miles on your credit cards is the way to go.

Your next question would then be: what are some of the most travel-friendly credit cards to use to convert as many dollars into air miles?

If you’re a serial traveller, or have a dream to be one, this is going to be one post that will help you re-evaluate your credit card spending with these points below.

I give you a breakdown below on the best credit cards to get the best (miles) bang for your buck with the least limitations.

Citibank PremierMiles Visa Card

With a Citibank PremierMiles Visa Card, earn 10 mpd for booking hotels online on Kaligo. What this card trumps over the other credit cards is that you don’t have to pay in foreign currency, there is no limit on spending per month, and you certainly don’t have to fully prepay your reservation online – that means you can cancel your hotel reservations anytime without incurring any charges!

Apart from hotel bookings, earn 2.4 Citi miles per S$1 overseas spend in foreign currency and 1.2 Citi miles per S$1 local spend.

1 Citi Mile = 1 Mile with KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, Royal Orchid Plus and etc.

For new customers – Get 30,000 bonus miles with an annual fee payment of $192.60 and when you spend a minimum of $7,500 within the first 3 months.

Find out more perks about this card here.

DBS Woman’s World Card

Earn 4 miles per dollar when you purchase air tickets online. Unlike other credit cards, this card doesn’t limit you to certain carriers you book with and there is no minimum monthly spending. The only drawback is that you can only spend $2K a month.

UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card

An easy go-to card for everyday spending. Earn 4 miles per dollar each time you pay with Paywave/ Samsung Pay/ Apple Pay/ Google Pay on the go. The only limit is that you can only spend up to $1000 per calendar month, except where SMART$ are issued.

BOC Elite Miles World MasterCard

Earn 5 miles per dollar on your overseas currency transactions. There is no minimum or maximum spending, so this is one convenient card you can carry around while travelling and not have to worry about using to shop overseas!

Learn more about these credit cards now!

Best Credit Cards For Frequent Flyers

Visualize beautiful and serene sandy beaches of Boracay, Philippines or the bountiful shopping escapades in New York City, USA. Your everyday spending using your frequent flyer or air mileage credit card can turn your dreams into reality. Bringing the world closer to you, here are the best credit cards in Singapore that you shall consider:

4. DBS ALTITUDE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD

DBS Altitude American Express Card offers rewards for air mileage and dinner deals. Dinner deals include discounts at over 1, 000 places nationwide with the DBS Indulge program. For example, cardholders get 1-for-1 Buffet Dinner at Hotel Jen Singapore.

With a fee of S$180 every year (waived for 1 year), and a minimum annual income of S$80, 000 for Singaporean, PR, and Foreigners, you can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent on online flight and hotel transactions. Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent overseas and 1.2 miles for every dollar spent locally. The best thing about this is that your accumulated miles will never expire! Use it at your convenience.

3. ANZ TRAVEL VISA SIGNATURE CARD

ANZ Travel Visa Signature Credit Card’s minimum annual income eligibility for Singaporeans/PR is S$60, 000 while its S$90, 000 for Foreigners. With ANZ Travel Visa Signature, you may indulge on the complimentary access to airport limousine at departure or to airport lounges around the world. Earn 2.8 miles per S$1 spent on direct flight booking with Qantas and Jetstar airlines and 1.4 miles per S$1 for local spending. Aside from giving you rewards on air mileage, this card lets you convert your Travel$ to Cash Credit. The annual fee of S$200 is waived for a year.

2. CITI PREMIERMILES CARD

I cannot begin to enumerate the wide selection of rewards, Citi PremierMiles Card can gives to its faithful cardholders. You earn 2 Citi Miles for every dollar spent overseas and 1.2 Citi Miles for every dollar spent locally. These miles are redeemable in 70 airlines worldwide!

By signing on to S$193 fee a year (waived in the first year) and a minimum annual income of S$60, 000 for Singaporean, PR, and Foreigners, you are entitled to not just milage rewards but also dining and petrol deals. Enjoy up to 14% discount at Esso stations and 13.6% discount at Shell stations. Exclusive dining deals to Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, Yan Ting, LaBrezza, Tiffin Room, Long Bar Steakhouse, Bar & Billiard Room and more, are courtesy of Citi Gourmet Pleasures. What’s more? REceive 10, 000 Citi Miles upon annual membership renewal and round-trip ticket to Bali on Singapore Airlines with S$12, 500 (15, 000 miles) spending.

1. AMERICAN EXPRESS SINGAPORE AIRLINES KRISFLYER GOLD CREDIT CARD

With the lowest minimum annual income eligibility among these 4 cards…American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card requires S$30, 000 annual income for Singaporean/PR and S$60, 000 for Foreigners. Enjoy 1 KrisFlyer mile for every S$1.60 spent. Earn 50% more KrisFlyer miles when you charge S$5, 000 or more to your card in a year and 50% additional KrisFlyer bonus miles for a minimum spend of S$12, 000 in a year. Not only is the first year waived but you also get a welcome bonus of KrisFlyer miles.

Worry not about the accumulation process since miles are credited directly to your KrisFlyer account.

Read Also: Best Credit Cards for Travel

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