Travel Updates : New Scoot award chart: Redeem flights from just 1,500 KrisFlyer miles

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/13/new-scoot-award-chart-redeem-flights-from-just-1500-krisflyer-miles/

Apple Intelligence : 

Scoot has introduced a new award chart for KrisFlyer members, allowing fixed-price redemptions starting from 1,500 miles each way. The chart offers two award types: Saver and Advantage, with Saver requiring fewer miles but having limited availability. Award tickets are non-refundable, but date changes are permitted with additional fees.

Scoot has introduced a new award chart for KrisFlyer members, allowing them to redeem flights at fixed rates. This new option complements the existing Miles + Cash system, where the number of miles required varies with the airfare. While the award chart offers better value, availability is limited to a subset of seat inventory.

Excited to redeem KrisFlyer miles for Koh Samui flights again, especially for budget travellers who prefer Scoot.

Opinion : 

The killer for me is still the limited selection of available seats.

Need to sit together for practical reasons with a family of 6 people (3 adults, 3 young kids)

Rewards Updates : UOB Lady’s Cards: Which bonus categories should you choose?

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/11/uob-ladys-card-which-bonus-categories-should-you-choose/

ChatGPT : 

UOB Lady’s Cards give 4 mpd on selected bonus categories (Dining, Family, Fashion, Transport, Travel, Entertainment, Beauty/Wellness) but only 1 category for Lady’s Card (S$1K/month cap) or 2 for Lady’s Solitaire (S$750/category cap, S$1.5K total). Categories can be changed quarterly.

Best picks depend on spend patterns and other cards you own. Dining is broad but has MCC gaps; Family is mainly supermarkets; Transport suits high taxi/petrol spend; Travel caps limit big-ticket use; Entertainment/Beauty are niche. Fashion is powerful via HeyMax vouchers (MCC 5311), covering many merchant types indirectly.

Author’s choice: Dining + Fashion, splitting across principal/supplementary cards to manage caps.

Opinion : 

UOB Lady's Card for the win!

Shopee purchases are included too.

Rewards Updates : Terrible Twos: What now for family travel?

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/10/terrible-twos-what-now-for-family-travel/

ChatGPT : 

When a child turns two, they must have their own airline seat, ending the cheap 10% infant fare. Child fares are much higher—often 75–80% of adult prices—and full miles are needed for award seats, with few exceptions (Air France-KLM, TAP Portugal). Aaron Wong outlines four travel options:

1. All in Business Class – costly, rarely worth it for toddlers.

2. All in Economy – cheaper, but harder on long-hauls.

3. Split family seating – one parent in Business, others in Economy.

4. Avoid flying – opt for cruises or regional trips instead.

Opinion : 

Didn't know Milelion guy had a kid.

1 kid is easy to manage. 3 kids are when the real challenge is 😜

I've to opt economy for family of 6 travellers (3 adults, 3 kids). 

Just makes sense financially.

It's not so much about the airline experiences anymore, but the memories you create with your loved ones.

Rewards Updates : PSA: HealthHub and Health Buddy now coding as MCC 9399 on some cards

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/10/psa-healthhub-and-health-buddy-now-coding-as-mcc-9399-on-some-cards/

ChatGPT : 

HealthHub and Health Buddy payments with Citi Rewards Mastercard/Visa are now coding as MCC 9399 (Government Services), making them ineligible for rewards. Previously, they coded as MCC 8099 (Medical Services), allowing up to 4 mpd. DBS Woman’s World Card transactions still code as 8099, with points awarded, and NUHS app remains unaffected for all cards. The MCC change may be issuer-specific, so other cards can still earn 1.2–2 mpd. Users are advised to check MCC before paying, using tools like HeyMax, Instarem, or DBS Digibot.

Opinion : 

MCC code management is such a chore.

We're so high tech in many areas.

We need transparency of this through the apps.

Rewards Updates : Nerfed: Chocolate Finance Drops Top-up Programme Rate to 2.5% and 2.2% p.a. on First S$50,000 From 1st September 2025

Source : 

https://sethisfy.com/nerfed-chocolate-finance-drops-rate-1st-september-2025/

ChatGPT : 

From 1 September 2025, Chocolate Finance will cut interest rates on its Top-up Programme for the third time this year:

Balance Tier	Current Rate (till 31 Aug)	New Rate (from 1 Sep)
First S$20,000	3.0% p.a.	2.5% p.a.
Next S$30,000	2.7% p.a.	2.2% p.a.
Above S$50,000	Target 2.7% p.a.	Target 2.2% p.a.

- Effective yield will drop to around 2.32% p.a. on S$50,000.

- The Top-up Programme will still run until 31 Dec 2025 or S$1.5B AUM.

- Chocolate Finance tops up returns to meet guaranteed rates if fund performance is lower. If fund returns exceed the set rate, the firm keeps the excess.

- Bond funds, which back the programme, are expected to do well as interest rates fall.

This follows similar rate cuts by UOB One, OCBC 360, and other digital banks.

Opinion : 

Every "safe" product interest rate is falling...

2.5% ain't that bad. But it doesn't beat inflation.

Diversify across riskier assets.

Rewards Updates : Should you downgrade to the UOB Lady’s Card?

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/04/should-you-downgrade-to-the-uob-ladys-card/

ChatGPT : 

Due to the 1 Aug 2025 nerf to the UOB Lady’s Solitaire—lowering its monthly bonus cap from S$2,000 to S$1,500, and splitting it into S$750 per category—the regular UOB Lady’s Card may now be more attractive.

Key Comparisons:

Feature	Lady’s Card	Lady’s Solitaire
Bonus Categories	1	2
Monthly Bonus Cap	S$1,000	S$750/category (S$1,500 total)
Minimum Income	S$30,000 p.a.	S$120,000 p.a.
Annual Fee	S$196.20	S$414.20

Downgrade If:

- You prefer simplicity and tracking one bonus category

- You’re a single-category spender (e.g., travel)

- You can’t fully utilize both categories each month

Alternatives:

- Metal Solitaire card retains the old S$2,000 flexible cap, but it’s invite-only with a S$589.99 non-waivable fee and high spend requirement.

Logistics:

- No fee refunds on downgrade

- Must re-select bonus category

- Bonus cap changes apply next month

Bottom Line: If you mainly use one bonus category or find tracking two limits tedious, downgrading to the UOB Lady’s Card makes sense.

Opinion : 

Interesting development.

Sticking with trio of UOB cards combo, Lady/Prvi/PPV.

Rewards Updates : Nerfed: Trust Bank and MariBank Slash Interest Rates From 1st September 2025

Source : 

https://sethisfy.com/nerfed-trust-bank-and-maribank-slash-interest-rates-from-1st-september-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nerfed-trust-bank-and-maribank-slash-interest-rates-from-1st-september-2025

ChatGPT : 

Feature	Trust Bank	MariBank	GXS Bank
Effective Date	1 Sep 2025	1 Sep 2025	6 Aug 2025
Base Interest Rate	0.10% p.a.	1.28% p.a.	1.38% p.a. (Savings Pocket)
Max Interest Rate	1.30% p.a. (union) 1.20% p.a. (non-union)	1.28% p.a.	1.38% p.a.
Promo Rate	Possible 2.50% p.a. (TBC Sep)	Up to 3.08% p.a. on S$10K (new users)	Extra 1.2% p.a. on S$6K (new users)
Requirements	Salary credit, card spend, balance tiering	None	None for base; promo requires signup
Max Balance for Interest	Up to S$1.2 million	S$100,000	S$75,000 (MAS cap for digital banks)
Cashback/Card Promo	Up to 1% cashback; 0% FX fee	Up to 4.5% cashback (card spend)	Up to 6% cashback + S$3 per ten

Opinion : 

Savings interest is heading lower and lower.

So don't leave too much money in the banks 😉

Diversify accordingly to your risk preference.

Rewards Updates : PSA: Kris+ ends instant miles earning for Pelago

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/08/01/psa-kris-ends-instant-miles-earning-for-pelago/

ChatGPT : 

As of 1 August 2025, Kris+ no longer credits miles instantly for Pelago bookings. Instead, miles will be credited 1 day after the activity is completed, addressing abuse concerns from instant mile redemption and subsequent cancellations.

Key changes:

- Old system: Instant miles crediting via Kris+

- New system: 1-day post-activity crediting

- Pelago website/app: 7-day crediting remains unchanged

Kris+ vs Website/App:

Feature	Kris+	Pelago Website/App
Miles earn rate	Up to 6 mpd (promo-based)	3 mpd
Crediting time	1 day after activity	7 days after activity
Promo codes	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
HeyMax/ShopBack	❌ Not compatible	✅ Supported

Reminder: Transfer KrisPay miles to KrisFlyer within 21 days or risk them being stuck and devalued. Use the auto-transfer feature to avoid forgetting.

This change removes a popular fast-track method for redeeming KrisFlyer miles, though higher earn rates still make Kris+ a strong option—if used wisely.

Opinion :

Even more planning required for our already busy lives... 😥

Rewards Updates : Psst: The UOB PRVI Miles Visa is a Visa Infinite once again!

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/07/21/psst-the-uob-prvi-miles-visa-is-a-visa-infinite-once-again/

Apple Intelligence : 

Newly issued UOB PRVI Miles Visa cards are now Visa Infinite, offering benefits like Visa Infinite Concierge, GHA DISCOVERY Titanium status, and Avis President’s Club status. While some benefits are limited or available to Visa Signature cardholders, the GHA DISCOVERY Titanium membership is a worthwhile perk. The card has a minimum income requirement of S30,000 and an annual fee of S261.60.

Opinion : 

Wonderful news for a user like me 😄

But I'm unlikely to use any of the additional benefits.

Continuing to use the card to book big ticket airlines for my big family to gain miles.

Rewards Updates : Exclusive Sonic-themed Merchandise up for grabs for ShopperLink Members!

Source : 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DShJpWsxh/

Information : 

🎁 Exclusive Sonic-themed Merchandise up for grabs for ShopperLink Members! 🌀✨

Celebrate SG60 with Sonic the Hedgehog and get your hands on limited-edition merchandise! 🛍️💙

Simply download the ShopperLink app, create an account and earn ShopperLink Points when you shop at participating shops to redeem! 

Here’s what you can redeem: 

🎮 Exclusive Sonic-themed Stainless Steel Mug with Lid - perfect for your daily dash of Sonic speed!

🎮 Exclusive Sonic-themed Umbrella - stay dry and stylish in the rain with Sonic and Friends! 

Redemption Period is from 19 July to 23 August! 

📢 Keep an eye out for more details and get ready to score some awesome Sonic-themed prizes! 🎁🏆 

While stocks last, terms & conditions apply.

Opinion : 

Good time to claim the rewards again. Products look ok.

App redemption is down right now 😅, even affecting the basic scan receipts functionality 😔

Rewards Updates : How Much Can You Earn as a Shopee Collection Point?

Source : 

https://blog.moneysmart.sg/shopping/how-much-shopee-collection-point-earns/

ChatGPT : 

Shopee Collection Point hosts earn $0.20–$0.30 per parcel, which works out to $90–$135/month for 15 parcels/day or $600–$900/month for 100 parcels/day. Hosts must commit to at least 4 weekdays and 1 weekend day, 8 hours/day.

Pros: Flexible side income, low entry barrier, community service.

Cons: Privacy disruptions, frequent visitors, strict opening hours.

Best suited for: HDB residents or shop owners who are home most of the day. It’s worth it if you can handle the volume and interruptions while maintaining boundaries.

Rewards Updates : Discover the Top Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore for a Luxurious Travel Experience

Source : 

https://lobangsiah.sg/discover-the-top-air-miles-credit-cards-in-singapore-for-a-luxurious-travel-experience/

ChatGPT : 

✈️ Top Air Miles Credit Cards in Singapore (2025)

1. Citi PremierMiles

- ⭐ 1.2 mpd (local), 2 mpd (overseas), no expiry.

- ✅ Lounge access, travel insurance, flexible airline/hotel transfers.

- 🎁 Welcome gifts via SingSaver (e.g. $400 cash or Dyson Airwrap).

2. DBS Altitude

- ⭐ 1.3 mpd (local), 2.2 mpd (overseas), up to 3 mpd for flight/hotel bookings.

- ✅ No expiry, $1M travel insurance, 2 lounge visits/year.

- 🎁 Sign-up perks via SingSaver.

3. OCBC 90°N

- ⭐ 1.3 mpd (local), 2.1 mpd (foreign), bonus with Agoda.

- ✅ No expiry, flexible redemption in 1,000-mile blocks.

- ✅ DragonPass lounge, spa/dining perks.

4. Standard Chartered Journey

- ⭐ 1.2 mpd (local), 2 mpd (overseas), 3 mpd (online transport/food/groceries).

- ✅ Points don’t expire, 2 lounge visits/year, travel insurance.

- 💡 Good for Grab/Deliveroo/RedMart users.

5. Amex KrisFlyer

- ⭐ 1.1 mpd (local), 2 mpd (overseas), 3.1 mpd (Singapore Airlines/Scoot).

- ✅ Miles go directly to KrisFlyer with no manual conversion.

6. UOB PRVI Miles

- ⭐ 1.4 mpd (local), 2.4 mpd (overseas), 6 mpd (online flight/hotel bookings).

- ✅ Uncapped miles, travel insurance, valid for 2 years.

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🧠 What to Consider in a Miles Card:

- ✅ High earn rates (at least 1.2 mpd local).

- ✅ No expiry or long validity on miles.

- ✅ Bonus categories: travel, online, dining.

- ⚠️ Watch out for earn caps and foreign currency fees.

- 🎁 Use welcome bonuses to jumpstart your miles.

- ✈️ Look for perks: lounge access, insurance, easy redemptions.

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💡 Tip:

Use rewards cards as pseudo-miles cards by maximizing high-mpd categories and converting points to miles. Always pay full balances to avoid negating rewards.