MileWise Card Rating (1-4)
1️⃣ Core Card to Use 🔥 |
2️⃣ Use Only When There Is a Promotion 🎯 |
3️⃣ Apply Only for Sign-Up Bonus (SUB) 💰 |
4️⃣ Don't Bother Applying 🚫 |
MileWise Commentary: I’m generally not interested in general spending cards that offer just 1.x mpd, but DBS occasionally runs solid promotions for the DBS Altitude Card—like 5 mpd on online travel and foreign currency in Q4 2024. They also offer occasional cashback promos via the DBS PayLah app, where you get $X cashback for spending $Y. Since hitting the qualifying spend isn't always feasible with the WWMC alone (capped at S$1.5k/month), an uncapped general spending card can be useful. Given that DBS points pool with the WWMC, I’d only use this card if there’s a promotion or if I’ve maxed out my 4-6 mpd cards.
Card Summary
1.3 mpd on all online transactions
2 free lounge visits (Visa version only)
Non-expiring points which pool with other DBS cards ( Notable, DBS WWMC)
No problems getting an annual fee waiver
10,000 miles for $196.2 annual fee, should I do it?
The key question when deciding whether to pay an annual fee for miles is: What is a mile worth to you? If you redeem miles for business or first-class flights, they can be worth significantly more than their cash alternative, making the deal more appealing. However, if you primarily redeem miles for economy flights or use them for non-flight options like vouchers, the value may not be as compelling.
Based on common benchmarks, KrisFlyer miles are often valued at around 1.5 cents each, which means 10,000 miles would be worth roughly $150. In this case, paying $196.20 for them isn't an outright loss, but it’s not necessarily a great deal unless you need the extra miles to top up for an upcoming redemption. Before deciding, consider whether you could earn the same miles through regular spending or promotions at a lower effective cost. For more content on miles valuation, check out my other post here.
Card Technical Specifications
🏷️Annual Fee: | $196.2/year |
|---|---|
💰 Income Requirement: | $30,000/year |
🌍 Foreign Currency Fee: | 3.25% (Visa); 3% (AMEX) |
⏳ Points Expiry: | No Expiry |
✈️ Transfer Partners: | KrisFlyer, Asia Miles |
🔄 Transfer Ratio: | 1 DBS Point = 2 miles |
📦 Transfer Block: | 5,000 DBS Points (10,000 miles) |
💳 Transfer Fee: | $27.25 per transfer or $43.60/year |
🔗 Points Pooling: | Yes, with other DBS cards for a single transfer |
📌 How/When Points Are Credited: | Base & bonus points are credited immediately when the transaction is posted |
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