KrisFlyer credit cards

Boost your KrisFlyer Miles balance with a credit card that earns KrisFlyer Miles. Make an informed decision with this comparison of earn rates, sign up bonuses, annual fees, and additional benefits.

By   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 10 Apr 2024

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Comparing KrisFlyer credit cards

American Express Platinum Card

On website

Apply by 25 June 2024

American Express Platinum Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

N/A

Annual fee

$1,450.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply by 25 June 2024, are approved, and spend $5,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
  • Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car hire.
  • Enjoy up to $400 per calendar year when you dine from a curated collection of over 1,400 hand-selected restaurants both locally and abroad. Terms and Conditions apply.

Pros

  • Receive 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year.
  • Enjoy up to $400 Global Dining Credit per calendar year.
  • Access to more than 1,400 lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge.
  • Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.

Cons

  • The annual fee of $1,450.
American Express Explorer Credit Card

On website

American Express Explorer Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

23.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$395.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $4,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
  • Receive a $400 Travel Credit each year towards any flights, hotels, and car hire when you book online with this card.
  • Includes complimentary domestic & international travel insurance.

Pros

  • The 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when approved and reach spend requirement within the first 3 months.
  • Receive a $400 travel credit every year.
  • Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases except for government bodies in Australia where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent (uncapped).
  • Get two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion® Lounge.

Cons

  • The $395 p.a. annual fee.
American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card

On website

Apply by 15 May 2024

American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

23.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$375.00 p.a. ongoing

Highlights

  • Receive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Available to new Amex Card Members only.
  • Complimentary Virgin Australia return Economy domestic flight between selected cities each year after your first Card spend each anniversary year.
  • Enjoy 2 complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each anniversary year at selected domestic airports.

Pros

  • Receive up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Complimentary Virgin Australia return Economy domestic flight between selected cities each year after your first Card spend each anniversary year.
  • Enjoy 2 complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each anniversary year at selected domestic airports.
  • Receive 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits, when you spend a minimum of $50,000 within your card membership year.
  • Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.
  • Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.
  • Add up to 4 additional cardholders for free.

Cons

  • The interest rates applied to balances carried over is on the high end.
  • There is no balance transfer offer on this card.
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

On website

American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

23.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$0.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • $0 annual fee in the first year, saving you $195.
  • Earn 3 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent at major supermarkets and petrol stations.
  • Enjoy $200 to spend on travel each year that can be used on eligible flights, hotels, or car hire when booked through American Express Travel.

Pros

  • $0 annual fee in the first year, saving you $195.
  • Receive $200 to spend on eligible domestic and international flights, hotels, or car hire with American Express Travel.
  • Smartphone Screen Cover for smartphone screen repairs up to $500.

Cons

  • The ongoing purchase rate of 23.99%.
Westpac Altitude Black Credit Card (Altitude)

Apply by 31 July 2024

Westpac Altitude Black Credit Card (Altitude)

Balance transfer

N/A

Purchase rate

19.99% p.a. ongoing

Annual fee

$150.00 for 1st year

Highlights

  • Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Points. Receive 100,000 Altitude bonus points by spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within 120 days of card approval. Additionally, get 50,000 points after your first eligible purchase in year 2. Exclusions apply.
  • Initial $150 p.a. annual fee ($295 p.a. thereafter), applicable to new cardholders only.
  • Earn 6 Altitude points per $1 on Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates flights bought in Australia, subject to eligibility criteria.

Pros

  • Earn up to 150,000 bonus Altitude Points when you meet the criteria.
  • Additional savings with the $150 first-year annual fee ($295 p.a. thereafter).
  • Earn 1.25 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases
  • Get 2 complimentary lounge passes each year with Priority Pass.

Cons

  • The high annual fee of $295 p.a. after the initial year.

Anyone who's ever flown Business or First Class with Singapore Airlines will tell you how good it is. Thankfully, KrisFlyer has several partnerships with local credit card rewards programs, giving Australians the opportunity to earn KrisFlyer Miles.

How to compare credit cards that earn KrisFlyer Miles

Here are some of the most important features to examine when comparing offers.

  • Earn rate. Higher earn rates are better but don't overlook points caps and tiers based on spending or elevated earn rates for different spending classifications, such as dining or travel.
  • Conversion rate. Since there are no directly linked KrisFlyer cards in Australia, there is a conversion rate from the credit card rewards program to KrisFlyer that may vary between programs.
  • Sign up bonus points. Check the details of the offer, since hitting the target can quickly boost your KrisFlyer Miles balance.
  • Other benefits. Factor in common additional perks such as travel insurance, 24/7 concierge service, or access to airport lounges. They only have value if you can use them.
  • Annual fee. Don't overlook how much it will cost to keep the account open and whether it's worth paying.

How to convert rewards points to KrisFlyer Miles

Many credit card reward programs in Australia allow you to transfer your rewards points to KrisFlyer Miles with a simple conversion.

  1. Log into your credit card rewards program account and select the option to convert points to Miles.
  2. Choose Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
  3. Enter the number of points to transfer and submit the form.
  4. Points will be deposited in your KrisFlyer account. Note that this is not instantaneous, and it can take up to 15 business days for the transaction to be processed.

Pros and cons

So, what are the pros and cons of the KrisFlyer Miles program?

Pros

  • Earn KrisFlyer Miles on everyday spending. There aren't many other ways to earn KrisFlyer Miles in Australia without flying with Singapore Airlines.
  • Bonus KrisFlyer points. Trigger the credit card sign up bonus offer, then transfer points to KrisFlyer.
  • Valuable additional benefits. KrisFlyer Miles-earning cards are higher-end and come with additional perks such as international travel insurance or access to airport lounges.
  • Use KrisFlyer Miles to fly with Star Alliance partners. Access award flights with other Star Alliance Airlines, as well as Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Alaska Airlines and Vistara.

Cons

  • Expensive annual fees. Having a credit card that earns KrisFlyer points can cost hundreds of dollars. You'll need to work out whether the combined benefits justify its cost.
  • Earning limits. Caps and thresholds can impede high-spenders from maximising their earning potential.
  • KrisFlyer Miles expire after three years. Even if you have an active account, there's a three-year time limit on using your Miles. Don't convert your Australian rewards program points into KrisFlyer Miles until you are ready to use them.

FAQs

Can I earn KrisFlyer Miles with any credit card?

No, not all credit cards give you the chance to earn KrisFlyer Miles. You'll have to look for a card that is part of the KrisFlyer program or has a points conversion partnership with Singapore Airlines, such as the rewards credit cards issued by Australia's four major banks.

How long does it take for points to transfer from a rewards program to KrisFlyer?

In our experience, it can take several days for points to show up in KrisFlyer after transferring from a rewards program. The ANZ Rewards program, for example, says to allow up to 15 business days.

Are points conversion rates the same for all credit cards?

No. The conversion rate varies between different rewards programs, and can require 2.0, 2.5 or even 3.0 credit card rewards points for each KrisFlyer Mile you wish to acquire.

Which Australian credit card rewards programs partner with KrisFlyer?

Points can be transferred from many rewards programs, including Westpac Altitude Rewards, St George/Bank of Melbourne/Bank SA Amplify Rewards, ANZ Rewards, Commonwealth Bank Awards, American Express Membership Rewards, NAB Rewards, HSBC Rewards Plus, Citibank Rewards, Suncorp Rewards and Diners Club Rewards.