Overseas spend some banks charge a higher conversion rate. Example M2C always at around 2.1% and UOB around 2.1% to 2.5% (more like 2.5%). UOB is also expensive with KRW at 3.9%

This post has been edited by Chronotech: Jan 18 2024, 10:53 PM

Purely airmiles would be to earn with UOB VI and redeem with Zenith at 6,400 UniRinggit for 1,000 KF miles (or Enrich). UniRinggit pools across the cards. This is a feature that is around for years now. Need to check on the first year free annual card fees with Zenith if you are looking at this option? UOB changes T&C often. Zenith card still has some of the World Elite Mastercard benefits although features like Lounge Key was replaced with Plaza Premium lounges after the Citibank acquisition.

Full disclosure I have moved out of spending with UOB as my main cards as customer support is really problematic these days.

It will be faster realistically if you earn airmiles from both flights and card reward points. The challenge is the redemption tickets or class upgrade waitlists for those long haul flights once you have the required KF miles.

UOB seems the better card for KF miles or whichever airline on their list. Customer service is horrible even Maybank is way better when you call.

Looks like I have to rethink cancelling my UOB Zenith card given the Maybank redemption fiasco. Local spending with 50% annual renewal bonus is better than M2P cards for miles conversion. In addition to unlimited KLIA premier limo and USD500k travel benefits including medical under the World Elite Mastercard benefits. For overseas spending some of their cards give 8x to 10x points and you can redeem for 6,400 points for 1,000 KF through Zenith card WITHOUT any restrictions.

Still a massive downgrade when the card was Citibank Prestige. At least UOB waive all the SST for main and supplementary cards.

There are promos for all of their card except Zenith with 3 years annual fee waiver and RM400 cash back on some easy first 3X transactions. Zenith carries a RM1,000 annual so its RM600 after rebate. Just one card UOB Privi Miles card (with 3 years fees waiver) gets 10x overseas spend and 9,000 points for 1,000 KF miles (need to check that as I don't use Privi Miles). Zenith brings the redemption down to 6,400 points. If you travel a lot the unlimited premier limo from KLIA with Zenith can get your fees paid back quite fast and more. Privi Miles only budget limo from KILA. Zenith has 12X Plaza Premium globally if you ever need that benefit.

Note that UOB foreign exchange conversion is around 0.5% more expensive than M2P on average. Someone on the forum did the maths and said even at Privi Miles conversion it works out to USD0.005 per KF mile (half USD cents) and KF redemption value is probably three times that. You need to run your own maths and see if it makes sense for you.