The Top Credit Cards for Earning KrisFlyer Miles: KrisFlyer stands out as one of the top frequent flyer programs for Australian travelers, especially when aiming to book Business or First Class seats with Singapore Airlines and its Star Alliance partners. For many KrisFlyer members, earning miles from credit card spending is a primary method to accumulate points.
In Australia, KrisFlyer boasts a wide array of credit card partnerships, including American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, and Visa. With eligible credit cards, there are abundant opportunities to earn points.
We’ve recently updated our list of the highest KrisFlyer-earning cards available in the market. This includes an overview table to help you compare the cards you currently have in your wallet with those on the market. Additionally, we’ve highlighted some of the current sign-up bonuses available for eligible new card applicants.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer-earning credit cards
| Card | Offer | KrisFlyer Miles earn rate / $ spent | Points Cap | Annual Fee | Our Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Diners Club Card + World Mastercard | 1 mile on Diners 0.375 miles on Mastercard | uncapped | $299 | Read Here |
| HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card | 0.8 miles up to $3,000 per statement period, and 0.4 miles thereafter, uncapped | uncapped | $450 | Read Here |
| American Express Velocity Platinum | 0.80 miles on general spend 0.32 miles at government bodies 1.45 miles with Virgin Australia | uncapped | $375 | Read Here |
American Express Platinum Card | 0.75 miles on all eligible spend, and 0.33 miles on spend at government bodies | uncapped | $1,450 | Read Here |
American Express Platinum Business Card | 0.75 miles on all eligible spend, and 0.33 miles on spend at government bodies | uncapped | $1,750 | Read Here |
American Express Explorer | 0.66 mile, and 0.33 miles on spend at government bodies | uncapped | $395 | Read Here |
| American Express Business Explorer | 0.66 mile, and 0.33 miles on spend at government bodies | uncapped | $149 | Read Here |
| ANZ Rewards Black | 0.66 miles up to $5,000 per statement period, and 0.33 miles thereafter uncapped | uncapped | $375 | Read Here |
| St.George Amplify Signature Visa | 0.5 miles | uncapped | $279 | Read Here |
| Westpac Altitude Black | 0.41 miles | uncapped | $295 | Read Here |
| Citi Prestige Mastercard | 0.4 miles on general spend 0.8 miles at major petrol stations, supermarkets and retailers 1.2 miles at major restaurants, airlines and international spend | uncapped | $700 | Read Here |
| American Express Platinum Edge | 0.33 miles on general spend including utilities and ATO 0.66 mile on overseas spend 1 miles at supermarkets and petrol stations | uncapped | $195 | Read Here |
| Commbank Ultimate Awards Card | 0.33 miles on general spend 0.66 miles at major supermarkets, department stores and petrol stations 1 mile on international spend | $10,000 per statement period | $35/month | Read Here |
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How to analyse this list
For all the cards and promotions featured on this page, we focus solely on the ‘effective earn rate’. Not familiar with this term? It refers to the rate at which points from the parent bank or credit card rewards program are transferred to KrisFlyer. This allows for a direct comparison of the points earn rates across different credit card rewards programs, even if they vary.
By delving into the details behind each card’s headline earn rates and transfer rates to frequent flyer programs, we aim to provide clarity amidst the complexity.
Moreover, each card offers additional benefits, such as the ability to earn points with other competing airlines. Annual fees and terms and conditions can also vary among cards, so it’s essential to review the comprehensive guide for each one.
Consideration should also be given to the signup bonus of a card. A generous signup bonus might help offset a lower earn rate on a card. Additionally, factors such as monthly credit card spending and the duration you plan to hold the card can influence your decision.
Please note that the details of each card offer, including bonuses, fees, and other offers mentioned on this page, are accurate as of the publication date. However, it’s important to be aware that we regularly update offers over time, although not necessarily immediately when a bank modifies its terms.
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Transferring to KrisFlyer through Velocity
One of the notable aspects of the partnership between Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia is the immediate transferability of points/miles between their respective programs. This exchange occurs at a rate of 1.55 points/miles in one program equating to one point/mile in the other.
For instance, 1.55 Velocity Points can be converted into one KrisFlyer mile, and conversely, 1.55 KrisFlyer miles can become one Velocity Point. However, it’s worth noting that there is a slight devaluation each time you convert, so frequent back-and-forth transfers are not advisable.
What does this mean for credit card selection? Essentially, it broadens the range of credit cards that can effectively earn KrisFlyer miles by allowing transfers from any Velocity-linked card. To initiate a transfer, you’ll need a minimum of 5,000 points in Velocity.
This partnership also implies that it’s unlikely we’ll see a KrisFlyer-branded credit card re-entering the Australian market. While Westpac previously issued one, it’s no longer available to new applicants.
Therefore, in this round-up of KrisFlyer-related cards, we’ve included Velocity-branded cards. The points earned are specified in terms of their effective earn rate per dollar after transferring points to KrisFlyer.
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