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Whether it's about navigating the latest market events, unpacking a complex financial concept, understanding the various asset classes or simply sharing practical money tips you can use day-to-day, this is your chance to ask me anything (AMA).
Below are some questions I’ve received that I thought might be relevant to you:
Points expiration is something to watch, but it’s not as big a problem as it seems. Most credit cards have generous expiration policies, with points lasting several years or even indefinitely. For example:
DBS Altitude: Points never expire
Citi Rewards: Points are valid for about five years
Some cards, like the DBS Woman’s World Mastercard, have shorter expiration periods (12 months), but banks often offer convenient redemption options:
DBS Altitude cardholders can pay an annual fee (about $43) for automatic quarterly transfers of their DBS points to miles. This eliminates the hassle of tracking expiry dates.
Even though I personally don’t use the DBS Altitude much, I have it for this quarterly auto-redemption programme since I do use (and earn points on) the DBS Woman’s World Mastercard frequently.
Remember that for banks like DBS and UOB, points from multiple cards are pooled together, allowing you to redeem them in one go with a single fee.
By contrast, Citi does NOT pool points across its cards, so you’d need to pay separate redemption fees for each card.
If you’re not a big spender, consolidating cards within one or two banks (that pool points) is much, much easier.
Q: Any tips for maximising local spend in Singapore?
For general out-and-about “in-person” spend where you can physically tap your card (or phone), then I always suggest the UOB Visa Signature, given its flexibility across merchants and high spending cap ($2,000 per statement month).
However, do note that you need to spend a minimum of S$1,000 on contactless transactions with the UOB Visa Signature within a statement month to get this 4 miles per dollar rate.
For online transactions or delivery services, the UOB Lady’s Card or Lady’s Solitaire Card is a strong contender. These allow you to select one or two bonus categories—such as dining, online shopping, or groceries—and earn enhanced rewards of 4 miles per dollar. It’s all about tailoring your cards to your lifestyle and spending needs.
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Q: Why is it important to tailor my credit cards to my lifestyle and spending habits?
Your spending patterns—whether online or in-person, on dining or travel—shape the rewards you’ll benefit from. Think of credit cards as a tool that complements your lifestyle rather than dictating it.
You don’t want to spend just to chase rewards; instead, integrate the right cards into your existing spending habits. This way, you optimise rewards on money you’d already be spending.
Like investing, spending on credit cards (and accumulating points) is a very personal experience since we all spend differently.
And remember, not all cards are created equal. Some banks advertise flashy promotions, but these often have significant limitations. Always read the fine print to ensure the card’s perks align with how you spend.
If you need help with this, check out some of my resources here:
Miles Consulting: https://timtalksmoney.com/miles-consulting
If you have a burning money, miles or investing question you want me to address, submit it here and I’ll try to answer it in a future post: https://timtalksmoney.com/forms/0463a682-f290-4ec5-a7fa-a11c3a0aa08d