Buy Unlimited Discounted Miles with the UOB Reserve Card - A Glance into an Elite Credit Card in Singapore

If you have seen my complete list of credit card renewal miles in Singapore, you would have noticed that the UOB Reserve Card offers 100,000 renewal miles each year. One of the ways to get invited for this exclusive credit card is to be a UOB Privilege Reserve Client with S$2,000,000 in deposits/investments with the bank. Not much is known about this card until recently when I noticed a couple of posts from Ghost07 in FlyerTalk. Apparently cardholders of the UOB Reserve Card are able to purchase unlimited discounted miles from UOB at an equivalent rate of S$19 per 1,000 miles. 

UOB Reserve Card | Photo Credit: UOB

Being able to purchase unlimited miles at just S$19 per 1,000 block is amazing - a return Business Class trip on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Tokyo starts from just 68,000 KrisFlyer Miles with approximately S$130 of applicable taxes. Using the discounted rate that UOB Reserve Cardholders can purchase from the bank, this Business class redemption will cost approximately S$1,422. Compared to an average revenue ticket of S$4,330, this is akin to having 67% off - of course, one might argue about the missed opportunity to earn PPS Status with KrisFlyer and the elite miles that you would have gotten on a revenue ticket. 

First Class | Photo Credit: Singapore Airlines

Apart from the benefit to purchase miles directly from the bank, the UOB Reserve Card also offers one of the best mile-earning rates (for a general spending card) in Singapore. Here are some of the other features and benefits of this elite credit card:

1. Purchase Unlimited Discounted Miles from UOB

As mentioned earlier, you can purchase unlimited discounted miles from UOB. 

2. High Earn Rate for General Spending

Local Currency: Earn UNI$4 per S$5 (1.6 Miles per S$1)
Foreign Currency: Earn UNI$5 per S$5 (2.0 Miles per S$1)

Suites on Singapore Airlines' A380

3. Renewal and Bonus Miles - 100,000 + 100,000

You get 100,000 miles by simply paying for the annual fee - at the time of writing, the annual fee is at S$3,600 before GST (S$3,852 after GST). While it definitely isn't the most cost-effective way to get miles based on renewal, the opportunity to purchase 1,000 miles at S$19 is simply incredible. Spend above S$250,000 in a given year and you will earn a bonus of 100,000 miles - spend on income tax, property tax and business expenses count towards this target. 

Enjoy up to 50% off with a Club at the Hyatt Membership 

4. Access to Members-only Clubs

Enjoy access to Tower Club and China Club in Singapore. Cardholders will also have access to Home House and Eight Members Club in London. Other benefits include having access to the Privilege Banking Suites in Singapore, free golf at Sentosa, yearly health screening, Club at the Hyatt membership and complimentary limousine transfers (minimum spend required). 

5. Hotel Status and Elite Benefits

Enjoy a complimentary Hilton HHonors Gold membership by simply being a cardholder. Cardholders will also be able to enjoy travel perks like room upgrades, welcome amenities, daily breakfast and late check-out at participating hotels. 

Plaza Premium Lounge (Singapore)

6. Unlimited Lounge Access and Flight Discounts

Cardholders of the UOB Reserve Card can enjoy unlimited Priority Pass access to lounges worldwide. There are also promotional prices on Business/First Class/Suites on Singapore Airlines for cardholders (but why would you do that when you have access to unlimited discounted miles?!). Other benefits like travel insurance, airport transfers and free hotel room nights apply.