OCBC Voyage Card

[Thai_Rak_Thai]

I'm rubbish at this. Is the calculation worth?

 

[Allen_C_Sharp]

I'm rubbish at this. Is the calculation worth?

Either buy at 2.14c per mile or 2c per mile.
More expensive than citi premier 1.926c per mile, but if u dun have much miles and have upcoming travel, can still consider buying.

 

[Awesom Andy]

A RTW in F is only 360,000 miles, it won't be easy spending all that 500,000 miles.

 

[continuum]

I'm rubbish at this. Is the calculation worth?

It's among the worst that banks offer. But the advantage is you get a lot of miles upfront. HSBC Visa Infinite offers 30,000 miles upfront for $488 (1.63 cents per mile), while DBS and Citibank offer 10,000 miles upon renewal for $192.60 (1.93 cents per mile).

 

[Awesom Andy]

But the advantage is you get a lot of miles upfront.

If for some strange reason that you need to get so many miles in a hurry, then it's about the only choice. And if you can work out a RTW award itinerary in F, and have it on hold while you transfer the miles over, then it can be a significant savings. An F RTW ticket from Singapore on SQ (and star alliance partners) start at about $24k for the 29,000 miles version, and up to $30k for the 39,000 miles version. However, there are different stop over rules.

 

[dunmesswifme]

I paid $3,210 when i signed up for the card recently. Nevermind that it's slightly more expensive than other banks. I can straightaway redeem 2 return biz tickets to Shanghai.

If I was offered the 500,000 miles option, I would have taken it!

 

[Awesom Andy]

I paid $3,210 when i signed up for the card recently. Nevermind that it's slightly more expensive than other banks. I can straightaway redeem 2 return biz tickets to Shanghai.

If I was offered the 500,000 miles option, I would have taken it!

Was it through the Voyage program or transferred to Krisflyer?

 

[jermss]

I'm rubbish at this. Is the calculation worth?

Wouldnt this $10k be more than enough to get you two Suite tickets on SQ from Singapore to New York?

Krisflyer needs about 220,000 for a RTF on Suites.

how much is a suite ticket? over $10k right?

 

[Thai_Rak_Thai]

Wouldnt this $10k be more than enough to get you two Suite tickets on SQ from Singapore to New York?

Krisflyer needs about 220,000 for a RTF on Suites.

how much is a suite ticket? over $10k right?

Don't know sir...waiting to pay my annual fee first

 

[jermss]

Don't know sir...waiting to pay my annual fee first

i also dont know sir.. waiting for other experts...

but if its true... that to claim a Suite ticket on SQ you will only need 220,000miles.. then you technically pay $10k to buy one get one free suite ticket to NY.

seems a bit wishful.

 

[Awesom Andy]

One way suite redemption from Singapore to New York is 110,000 miles. If you redeem online, there's a 15% discount, i.e. 93,500 miles. Return would be double that, being 187,000 miles. However, you would still need to pay tax and surcharges, being roughly $1000 for the return trip. Despite this, it's still significantly cheaper than a F ticket, being at least $17k return. Of course, availability is a big issue for redemptions. Very often, people can't get redemptions for the flight/cabin they want, and getting multiple tickets is a lot more difficult than getting just one.

 

[jermss]

One way suite redemption from Singapore to New York is 110,000 miles. If you redeem online, there's a 15% discount, i.e. 93,500 miles. Return would be double that, being 187,000 miles. However, you would still need to pay tax and surcharges, being roughly $1000 for the return trip. Despite this, it's still significantly cheaper than a F ticket, being at least $17k return. Of course, availability is a big issue for redemptions. Very often, people can't get redemptions for the flight/cabin they want, and getting multiple tickets is a lot more difficult than getting just one.

so given if you book early and booking 2 redemption F tickets.. that would be 187,000 x2= 374,000+ $2000cash
versus
$17kx2= $34k.

seems like a good bargain no for renewal of $10k- 500,000miles. you sort of get two years worth of good flying for holidays sorted.

 

[Awesom Andy]

so given if you book early and booking 2 redemption F tickets.. that would be 187,000 x2= 374,000+ $2000cash
versus
$17kx2= $34k.

seems like a good bargain no for renewal of $10k- 500,000miles. you sort of get two years worth of good flying for holidays sorted.

Although booking early still might not be able to get you 2x F tickets. Sometimes, they can be really mean and only release 1 ticket although I'm not familiar with SQ F redemptions. 2x business class tickets are more likely though if early enough but it's not as valuable. Economy class redemptions are also possible but I think you might end up paying more this way.

 

[chesterchen]

Just chanced on this new "feature" under OCBC's Internet Banking.

Under Rewards, Transaction History.

It tells you each individual transaction and how much VM it earned!

Am amazed at the detail that OCBC does.

Power!

 

[stajin]

i think a lot of people give bad reviews on this card.... i do agree that its crap with the no fee waiver on principal and supplementary cards but if you are a person who eats out a lot in sg whether it be fine dining or local/hawker dining the earn rate is the best at 2.3x ... this card would only be used for dining and nothing else.

also if you redeem your vm with ocbc you get miles back with that FF program (good if you book economy class tickets, not only for cheaper miles to redeem compared to booking via sia online, but also you get miles back)

i guess bottom line is this card is good for ONLY dining locally at 2.3miles/$ , most other cards only give you
1-1.4 (except citi ultima - which not many ppl have anyways)

also an earn rate at 2.3 overseas.. only a handful could beat that as well.

 

[Awesom Andy]

i think a lot of people give bad reviews on this card.... i do agree that its crap with the no fee waiver on principal and supplementary cards but if you are a person who eats out a lot in sg whether it be fine dining or local/hawker dining the earn rate is the best at 2.3x ... this card would only be used for dining and nothing else.

also if you redeem your vm with ocbc you get miles back with that FF program (good if you book economy class tickets, not only for cheaper miles to redeem compared to booking via sia online, but also you get miles back)

i guess bottom line is this card is good for ONLY dining locally at 2.3miles/$ , most other cards only give you
1-1.4 (except citi ultima - which not many ppl have anyways)

also an earn rate at 2.3 overseas.. only a handful could beat that as well.

Not sure what kind of local/hawker dining would accept credit cards, but most here would've gotten another card that would earn more miles for dining. I don't think that card is available anymore, however.

When redeeming VM, I think it would be wise to check which booking class code you're being booked into. Not all classes are miles earning, and quite a few in economy class would earn at a low fraction (10 - 50%).

 

[stajin]

Not sure what kind of local/hawker dining would accept credit cards, but most here would've gotten another card that would earn more miles for dining. I don't think that card is available anymore, however.

When redeeming VM, I think it would be wise to check which booking class code you're being booked into. Not all classes are miles earning, and quite a few in economy class would earn at a low fraction (10 - 50%).

haha true, no hawker would take cc. however for those that havent signed up with the uob pp amex, this is the next best for dining ?

I am sure OCBC reps read these posts, I just don't understand why companies don't improve their products ? Also how long does it take to get approval for this card after submitting application? ive heard from 1 month to 3 days..

 

[chesterchen]

I really like the benefits of the HSBC VI card, with like $5000 spending per quarter will get you unlimited limo rides to the airport, unlimited Priority Pass. They have added benefits like being able to pay Income Tax while earning points etc.

Only drawback is that you need minimum spending for 2 years before being able to earn 1.5/2.5 miles for every local/overseas dollar spent. And also miles earned would be KF, which can be quite hard to exchange for choice flights.

Pro and cons bah.

 

[stajin]

im curious as to whether bank CSR / reps on these forums actually listen to advice/feedback from users regarding their products. If so, why do the banks not change / improve on their products. I am sure majority of the forum users here are quite well versed in the different types of credit cards in singapore.

ive seen OCBC reps post a few random posts "pm me for more info..." but none will actually do anything or give feedback or change any of their products.

What a shame.

 

[jermss]

I really like the benefits of the HSBC VI card, with like $5000 spending per quarter will get you unlimited limo rides to the airport, unlimited Priority Pass. They have added benefits like being able to pay Income Tax while earning points etc.

Only drawback is that you need minimum spending for 2 years before being able to earn 1.5/2.5 miles for every local/overseas dollar spent. And also miles earned would be KF, which can be quite hard to exchange for choice flights.

Pro and cons bah.

my main complain about this card is the ridiculous spending you have to use on the card to get a free limo ride to the airport...

other than that.. if you look at it from another angle.. you pay the card fees.. you get 5000miles.. and also this card gives you the flexibility to pick any airline you want to fly with.. unlike other miles card that is mostly tied to SQ only. However, i have not yet to redeem anything yet.. so lets see how that goes....