Hot Amex Deals: Get Miles, Cashback, and Other Benefits With Amex Platinum and KrisFlyer Ascend

For a limited time, new and existing cardholders can enjoy 2 promos from American Express! Well, actually 3, but do read on for more details.

Get up to 40,000 miles welcome offer for Amex KrisFlyer Ascend plus an extra S$50! This is on top of the usual benefits of a free hotel night. At the same time, new and existing Ascend cardholders will have an easier path towards getting KrisFlyer Elite Gold that offers them benefits and perks when travelling with Singapore Airlines (and other Star Alliance carriers).

Also, Amex Platinum Charge is offering a choice between S$800 statement credits or 98,000 Membership Rewards points worth 61,250 miles. Oh and regardless which you pick, you get not one but two Samsonite suitcases!

Not a miles person? Well, Amex True Cashback’s promo isn’t exciting, but you might find it more for you. See the last section in this article for more details.

Stack 2 promos

If you’re a new Amex cardholder eyeing the Amex Platinum Charge offer, it can also be worthwhile applying for the Amex KrisFlyer Ascend first so that you enjoy both promos in an optimal manner.

KrisFlyer Ascend: welcome Promo of up to 40,000 Miles

Worth it?

The welcome offer of 37,600 miles (40,000 minus the base 2,400) is worth anywhere between S$376 to S$564 if you value miles at between 1 to 1.5 cents each. This alone can more or less offset the annual fee of S$397.85, and you are of course free to enjoy the other perks such as getting a free hotel stay at participating Hilton properties and 4 lounge passes. The added S$50 given when using the link above certainly sweetens the deal.

Don’t forget also that just because 37,600 miles is worth S$376 (or whatever your valuation is) to you doesn’t mean you can easily buy miles at 1 cent each. Of late, it has been noticeably more difficult to procure miles cheaply compared to last time where it was relatively easy getting them at as low as 0.8 cents each. If you want a bunch of miles in the near future, this is a great chance to pick up a sizeable number quickly.

Easier fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold

Until 31st July 2025, Amex KrisFlyer Ascend cardholders can also have an easier time qualifying for a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold status with Singapore Airlines. Normally, Ascend cardholders need to spend S$15,000 solely on Singapore Airlines and/or Scoot flights within the first 12 months of the card membership.

During the period of February to July 2025, new and existing cardholders need to spend just S$6,000 on Singapore Airlines and/or Scoot flights, and another S$10,000 on non-excluded spend to get fast-tracked to KrisFlyer Elite Gold.

Personally, I’ve found the following benefits of the gold tier quite nice to have:

• Priority check-in
• Priority boarding
• Priority baggage
• Additional 20kg baggage
• Lounge access
• Status match to other loyalty programmes

For economy flights especially, priority check-in is a lifesaver at busy airports, and being among the first few to board the plane also means more chance of getting overhead compartment space where you sit. It’s not life-changing, I thought, until I was at a very crowded Taoyuan International and really thankful that I could waltz in an empty priority check-in line.

Amex Platinum Charge: two Samsonsite suitcases + choice of S$800 or 88,000 bonus Membership Rewards points

When you sign up for the Amex Platinum Charge and meet the requirements, Amex offers a choice of S$800 statement credits or 98,000 bonus points. The latter offer is really 88,000 bonus points (or 55,000 miles) on top of the 10,000 you get for meeting the minimum spend of S$8,000.

I think both are fairly equal gifts, though I would personally lean towards getting the points because of how versatile they are. Don’t forget that the Membership Rewards points given by American Express Platinum Charge can be transferred to EVA Air! Since Singapore Airlines flights can be booked as much as 23% cheaper with EVA Air miles, points like what Amex Platinum gives should be accorded a premium.

Amex Platinum offers a whole host of benefits including a free hotel night and unlimited lounge access on top of other statement credits too, so together with the sign-up offer one should be easily able to justify the S$1,744 annual fee for the first year at least. You can always decide after a year whether to continue with the card.

Amex True Cashback is back too

If you’ve been waiting to sign up for the Amex True Cashback card, its promo is back after a hiatus. New cardholders can get the following:

What to spend on?

You need to meet the minimum spend to qualify for rewards. Do note that there are transactions which are excluded. Read the terms and conditions carefully when applying.

Generally, retail transactions like buying stuff or dining out are very safe. Things like bill payments, education expenses and CardUp or ipaymy become a lot iffier and depends on the bank your card is from.

Do check out this article on what you can spend on to meet the minimum spend:

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Seth Wee was a licensed financial adviser representative from 2009 to 2025, with over 16 years of experience in Singapore’s financial advisory industry.

He started Sethisfy.com in 2019 to share practical insights on credit cards, banking products, and miles strategies, helping readers identify financial products that deliver the best value. Seth has been featured in CNA, Channel 8, Today, and a host of other publications. In 2025, he was also part of a panel at CPF’s Ready For Life festival.

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