Author: Shane

Citibank introduces more payment categories for PayAll

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Now you can also ‘buy’ miles at 1.5 to 2 cents per mile for payments for taxes, condo management fees and utility bills The PayAll service has been an excellent solution in plugging the gap in the miles game and now it has gotten even better with the introduction of more categories. Remember, PayAll can only be accessed through the Citibank mobile app, so be sure to download the app first (from Apple Store or Google Play Store). New categories When PayAll was first introduced earlier this year, Citibank only limited the payments to education and rent payments, although I’m still skeptical as to how they would enforce it. In this recent development, Citibank has now expanded the list of payments to include tax payments to IRAS, condo management fees and electricity bills. Unlike the first rollout of payments for rent and education, there is a fixed list of payees this time round. You will need to specify the MCST that you are paying to, for instance. Recap: Cost per mile Here’s the cost per …

Mileslife suspends operations in Singapore

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Announcement made last night through the Mileslife app, although not unexpected. Mileslife last night put out a sudden announcement that it was suspending operations in Singapore: ‘Suspended temporarily’ While Mileslife did say it’s a ‘temporary’ suspension and said they are hoping to return by July, it remains to be seen if they can even successfully return to the market. If you have been following their development closely, you will have come across many signs of issues brewing with Mileslife since several months ago. It started with this case of a merchant in China complaining about the non-payment of dues owed, and following that, a spate of ‘temporary suspension’ of partnerships by several airlines including Singapore Airlines and British Airways. There were also reports of Mileslife merchants who had verbally told customers that they were not accepting Mileslife payments anymore, including Crystal Jade group of restaurants. It’s worthwhile to note that while Mileslife has suspended operations in Singapore, from online reports it seems like they are still working well in Hong Kong and China, although the …

LOUNGE REVIEW: Ryurin Lounge, Naha International Airport, Okinawa

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On my way home to Singapore from Okinawa with Cathay Pacific today, I had the chance to check out the Ryurin Lounge at the airport. One good perk of having Marco Polo Club status – even just with Silver – is that you will get access to a lounge as long as you are flying with Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon. Naha International Airport is largely a domestic airport with a small international terminal. The last time I was here, the international check-in area was a tiny two-row space, but it has since been moved to a larger hall on the third floor of the terminal to accommodate the growth in international air traffic. Despite the number of international flights coming into Okinawa, there is still only one lounge: the Ryurin Lounge which effectively serves all airlines and their premium customers. At the time of writing, the lounge serves customers of the following airlines: China Airlines Hong Kong Airlines Asiana Airlines Cathay Pacific / Cathay Dragon Air China Korean Air EVA Air China Eastern The …

Earn up to 20,000 bonus Asia Miles on trips between US and Southeast Asia

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Offer only open to residents of Southeast Asia. Register and fly from now to 31 July 2019. Cathay Pacific is currently running an Asia Miles promotion, offering up to 20,000 bonus Asia Miles for trips between Southeast Asia and USA. The promotion Current Asia Miles members will earn between 5,000 and 10,000 each way between Southeast Asia and select destinations in US. You will receive 5,000 Asia Miles each way for economy class, 8,000 Asia Miles each way for premium economy and 10,000 Asia Miles each way for business class. There is unfortunately no bonus for first class (then again, if you can afford to buy a first class ticket, you really shouldn’t be worrying about bonus miles). To receive the bonus miles, you must register for the promotion here, before you begin your trip. Registration of the promotion and the entire trip have to be completed before 31 July 2019. The bonus miles will be credited 6 to 8 weeks after your trip, although in reality Asia Miles usually comes in pretty quickly. The …

A look at the UOB Krisflyer Credit Card – is it any good?

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After launching the UOB Krisflyer account with some flak and tweaks down the road, UOB has most recently launched yet another co-brand card: the UOB Krisflyer credit card. Now, UOB is only the second financial institution to launch a Krisflyer-branded card, after American Express. The short list Income requirement: S$30,000 p.a. for Singaporeans, S$40,000 p.a. for foreigners. Annual fee: S$192.60, waived for first year Renewal gift: 10,000 miles when annual fee is paid Sign up bonus The sign-up bonus is essentially in two tiers, one for all customers who apply for the card, and one for new-to-UOB customers. For all applicants, if your card application is approved by 30 June 2019, you will receive 5,000 bonus Krisflyer miles if you spend at least $5 within the first 60 days of getting your card. For this bonus, you will first receive 3,000 miles in your Krisflyer account within the next month after the first spend, while the remaining 2,000 miles will be posted by 31 October 2019. If you are new to UOB (i.e. this is …