calling all miles expert

[_nivla]

Getting married this year + bto house reno is ongoing hence got a few big ticket items coming right up
i do not use any miles credit card except Citi Premiermiles due to no expiry on the miles
but since i have some big ticket items to purchase soon, was thinking if i should sign for new credit card (eg. HSBC TravelOne, DBS altitude etc), and since I will be a new card holder to the bank i will be eligible for welcome miles provided that i pay for the annual fees

1) Are these cards worth signing up for? Feel free to recommend other cards that is worth signing up to use for big ticket items?
2) Do you guys also recommend paying the annual fees in exchange for the welcome miles?

Thanks in advance!

 

[reddevil0728]

Getting married this year + bto house reno is ongoing hence got a few big ticket items coming right up
i do not use any miles credit card except Citi Premiermiles due to no expiry on the miles
but since i have some big ticket items to purchase soon, was thinking if i should sign for new credit card (eg. HSBC TravelOne, DBS altitude etc), and since I will be a new card holder to the bank i will be eligible for welcome miles provided that i pay for the annual fees

1) Are these cards worth signing up for?

Sure why not?

Feel free to recommend other cards that is worth signing up to use for big ticket items?

Depends on what you are buying

2) Do you guys also recommend paying the annual fees in exchange for the welcome miles?

Thanks in advance!

Depends on how much you value a mile

 

[_nivla]

Sure why not?

Depends on what you are buying

Depends on how much you value a mile

purchasing home appliances (eg. tv, fridge, sofa, bathroom fittings etc)
for wedding be the restaurant within the hotel (full payment for wedding day)

honestly never really bothered about miles but since have once in a lifetime chance to clock up some big miles, thinking if paying the annual fees (from 100++ to 300++) is going to be worth it from your experience

 

[reddevil0728]

purchasing home appliances (eg. tv, fridge, sofa, bathroom fittings etc)
for wedding be the restaurant within the hotel (full payment for wedding day)

honestly never really bothered about miles but since have once in a lifetime chance to clock up some big miles, thinking if paying the annual fees (from 100++ to 300++) is going to be worth it from your experience

How much research if any have you don’t so far?

 

[fire]

Feel not worth collecting miles already since krisflyer revamp the mileage required per flight. Not sure about other airline miles program though

I rather check which card offer the best cash rebate instead

 

[BBCWatcher]

It’s practically never worth chasing miles, points, or rebates if you’re going to pay any credit card interest. Also please note that temporary 0% installment plan payment offers almost never qualify for credit card miles, points, or rebates.

Whenever shopping for something, you shouldn’t let the existence of miles, points, rebates, or other incentives influence your core purchase decisions. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this, or this much?” and “Can I afford it?” And “Is this the best deal (supplier)?” THEN decide how best to pay for it.

 

[BBCWatcher]

I rather check which card offer the best cash rebate instead

“Cash is king,” as the saying goes. It’s at least much easier to value.

 

[reddevil0728]

It’s practically never worth chasing miles, points, or rebates if you’re going to pay any credit card interest. Also please note that temporary 0% installment plan payment offers almost never qualify for credit card miles, points, or rebates.

Whenever shopping for something, you shouldn’t let the existence of miles, points, rebates, or other incentives influence your core purchase decisions. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this, or this much?” and “Can I afford it?” And “Is this the best deal (supplier)?” THEN decide how best to pay for it.

sorry. maybe you are reading something that i am not. did TS say anything about instalment plans all that?

 

[Euqorab]

Riding on the interest-free instalments in case TS is keen, do look out for those promotions whereby some cards got give extra vouchers if you use those interest free purchases… not sure if they still exist, but I remember I get like $200 rebates when I bought aircon from gain city on IPP plan years ago….

 

[Euqorab]

For hotel banquets, better to max out cash rebates… be it UOB one card (see if the hotel can let you make monthly down payments) to max out the $2000 monthly and what have you…

can also look out for cards Xmas promotions whereby there may offers or free gifts

 

[Euqorab]

Nowadays the ideal rate is 4 miles per dollar spend…

For paying annual fee, try Amex Kris ascend they also give u one night hotel stay each year membership fee paid… but usual block out dates, limited availability etc applies… can go to staycation or short getaway with you future husband or wife or spouse amidst the wedding and house preps!!!

 

[hwmook]

Feel not worth collecting miles already since krisflyer revamp the mileage required per flight. Not sure about other airline miles program though

I rather check which card offer the best cash rebate instead

you need to have your own valuation for miles then decide how to maximize miles and cash rebate card. I also use cash rebate card that can give me 6-8% cash rebate then use the money to 'buy' miles using ipaymy and cardup.

 

[DevilPlate]

https://milelion.com/credit-cards/guide/

do yr own research

For me tired of chasing CC stuff, js have UOBOne card + 1 other unlimited cashback card gaodim liao

 

[iceblendedchoc]

Getting married this year + bto house reno is ongoing hence got a few big ticket items coming right up
i do not use any miles credit card except Citi Premiermiles due to no expiry on the miles
but since i have some big ticket items to purchase soon, was thinking if i should sign for new credit card (eg. HSBC TravelOne, DBS altitude etc), and since I will be a new card holder to the bank i will be eligible for welcome miles provided that i pay for the annual fees

1) Are these cards worth signing up for? Feel free to recommend other cards that is worth signing up to use for big ticket items?
2) Do you guys also recommend paying the annual fees in exchange for the welcome miles?

Thanks in advance!

I take it you are aiming to fly minimum business class and best bang for miles first class for the miles game because any lower class will not yield miles per cent performance.

You also should decide which miles program you want to use (Krisflyer is a poor choice nowadays due to increasing miles and limited seats for saver, you literally have to plan 1 year in advance to secure any business or first class seats using miles or prepared to fly within 1 month with their monthly promotion to selected cities)

most of the cards that reward 4 miles and more have limitation spends per month. Those without limitation typically reward lesser miles. Plan your spending around it. UOB lady card also okay for a 4 miles card as long as it is the correct category selected. Suggest you look at mainly miles and mileslion for their recommendation on cards for your case uses. They are pretty detailed.

 

[BBCWatcher]

I take it you are aiming to fly minimum business class and best bang for miles first class for the miles game because any lower class will not yield miles per cent performance.

Miles are only worth what YOU would pay in cash for the seat. If for example you’d pay $2,580 for a first class seat, but the airline lists the price as $5,674, the miles you’d redeem for that seat are worth the former (less taxes and fees you still need to pay in cash), not the latter.(*)

Why too many “travel experts” believe otherwise is a mystery. In reality, they probably don’t really believe airline miles are worth advertised fares. But they do believe in credit card signup kickbacks.

(*) Miles don’t earn interest, unlike cash you’ve received. You should also deduct lost interest. And miles often expire, and it’s often not possible to redeem odd amounts of residual miles (“wastage”). There are also mile devaluation risks that are more significant than cash devaluation risks. You also don’t generally earn miles or elite status credits on award tickets. All of these factors work to reduce the value of miles. Unfortunately you won’t find many “travel experts” who share these plain facts. Miles may still be worth chasing, but they’re a lot less valuable than they superficially seem.

 

[reddevil0728]

Miles are only worth what YOU would pay in cash for the seat. If for example you’d pay $2,580 for a first class seat, but the airline lists the price as $5,674, the miles you’d redeem for that seat are worth the former (less taxes and fees you still need to pay in cash), not the latter.(*)

Why too many “travel experts” believe otherwise is a mystery. In reality, they probably don’t really believe airline miles are worth advertised fares. But they do believe in credit card signup kickbacks.

(*) Miles don’t earn interest, unlike cash you’ve received. You should also deduct lost interest. And miles often expire, and it’s often not possible to redeem odd amounts of residual miles (“wastage”). There are also mile devaluation risks that are more significant than cash devaluation risks. You also don’t generally earn miles or elite status credits on award tickets. All of these factors work to reduce the value of miles. Unfortunately you won’t find many “travel experts” who share these plain facts. Miles may still be worth chasing, but they’re a lot less valuable than they superficially seem.

are we talking about not paying cc in full and pay interest here?

 

[BBCWatcher]

are we talking about not paying cc in full and pay interest here?

All credit card mile/point/rebate game playing presumes zero credit card interest and zero late payment fees. If you ever incur those costs, you’ve lost at least that round.

To value miles and points properly requires some reasonably careful analysis.

 

[reddevil0728]

All credit card mile/point/rebate game playing presumes zero credit card interest and zero late payment fees. If you ever incur those costs, you’ve lost at least that round.

To value miles and points properly requires some reasonably careful analysis.

agree

 

[HoGnix]

All credit card mile/point/rebate game playing presumes zero credit card interest and zero late payment fees. If you ever incur those costs, you’ve lost at least that round.

To value miles and points properly requires some reasonably careful analysis.

Even with zero late payment fees, pay Credit Card to buy appliances or pay for something is already paid certain premium compared with pay by Cash. Almost for all home appliances, you can find and order them in neighborhood shop and pay by Cash with certain discounts.
If you can settle a wedding diner with full Cash and getting a discount, the saving is far more then Credit Card rebate.

 

[reddevil0728]

Even with zero late payment fees, pay Credit Card to buy appliances or pay for something is already paid certain premium compared with pay by Cash. Almost for all home appliances, you can find and order them in neighborhood shop and pay by Cash with certain discounts.
If you can settle a wedding diner with full Cash and getting a discount, the saving is far more then Credit Card rebate.

going around hunting for the best deal isn't "free" "free"