HSBC Advance Visa Platinum Credit Card to Become Cashback Card from July 2017
The HSBC Advance Visa Platinum Credit Card is dead (for mile-chasers anyway) and it will become a cashback card soon - the 4 miles per dollar promotion will end officially on 31 May 2017 and you will only earn 1X (0.4 miles per dollar) Rewards point with eligible dollar spent in the month of June 2017. You will have to redeem all your Reward points by 31 August 2017 or they will be converted into cashback on 01 September 2017 at a 100 Reward points to $0.25 rate.
Photo Credit: HSBC
Obviously this is a terrible move (but I presume the bank has been losing a lot of money from this promotion) and I will definitely be moving money out of the HSBC Advance account but in the meantime, the OCBC VOYAGE Card offers 2.3 miles per dollar on food which is not a bad deal considering how the UOB PPA is no longer available for application. It's time to move back to DBS and UOB credit cards. Thanks HSBC, it has been a fun (albeit short) ride!
While seasoned miles chasers often look to foreign carriers for significant cost savings and sweet spots, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer remains the undisputed default for the vast majority of Singaporeans. From the sheer number of credit card transfer partners to the preference for direct flights over stopovers, KrisFlyer is the Ya Kun of the miles game.
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Following the November 2025 devaluation, the value of a KrisFlyer mile has undoubtedly dropped. While Saver awards remain the gold standard, it is time to revisit a perk that has always existed but is often ignored: the Advantage Award stopover. By leveraging the complimentary stopover on one-way Advantage redemptions, you can effectively book a second holiday for free - provided you travel within 30 days.
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Effective 1 December 2025, UOB will lower the interest rates on the UOB One Account for the third time this year. The maximum Effective Interest Rate (EIR) will drop from 2.50% p.a. to 1.90% p.a. for account holders with a balance of S$150,000 who credit their salary and meet the minimum card spend. This revision represents a reduction of S$900 in annual interest for those maximising the account.
As we bid farewell to 2025, I take a look back at my hotel stay statistics for the year. With 91 nights at Marriott and 70 at Hyatt, I have solidified my top-tier status where it matters most. However, with Hilton’s introduction of Diamond Reserve, my strategy for 2026 is shifting. Here is a breakdown of my nights, status retention plans, and why I am prioritising World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy in the new year.