The AMEX Solitaire PPS Credit Card is an exclusive credit card designed for Singapore Airlines’ Solitaire PPS Club members. While it provides premium perks like Business-to-First Class upgrade vouchers, The MileLion reports that its low earn rates and high spending requirements for rewards create a significant opportunity cost compared to standard miles-earning cards.
Why do the AMEX Solitaire PPS earn rates underperform?
The card’s earning structure relies on a tiered system that creates a “drag” on the total miles earned. For the first S$3,800 spent in a calendar month, cardholders earn 1.3 miles per dollar (mpd) on both local and foreign currency transactions. Higher rates of 1.5 mpd for local spend and 2.4 mpd for foreign currency spend only apply to every dollar spent above that S$3,800 threshold.
This tiered approach means a cardholder’s weighted average earn rate will always be lower than the advertised maximums. For example, if a user spends S$5,000 in a month, their blended earn rate is approximately 1.35 mpd, not the 1.5 mpd advertised for high spenders.
The impact of the S$3,800 threshold
The structure is further complicated by the fact that local and foreign currency spending are not cumulative. To unlock the higher tiers, a cardholder must exceed S$3,800 in local currency or S$3,800 in foreign currency alone. Mixing the two will not trigger the increased rates.
How does the Solitaire PPS card compare to other options?
When compared to other popular miles-earning cards in Singapore, the AMEX Solitaire PPS Credit Card often falls behind in both local and overseas spending efficiency. According to data analyzed by The MileLion, competitors offer more straightforward and higher earning potential.
| Credit Card | Local Earn Rate | Foreign Currency (FCY) |
|---|---|---|
| AMEX Solitaire PPS | 1.3 to 1.5 mpd | 1.3 to 2.4 mpd |
| UOB PRVI Miles | 1.4 mpd | 3.0 mpd |
| KrisFlyer UOB | 1.2 mpd | 1.2 mpd (3 mpd on SIA/Scoot) |
The KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card, for instance, offers an uncapped 3 mpd on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, and Pelago transactions. This rate is significantly higher than the 2 mpd offered by the Solitaire PPS card for the same categories.
Is the high spend required for perks worth it?
The AMEX Solitaire PPS Credit Card offers two primary high-tier rewards, but both require substantial annual spending. The first is a Business-to-Suites or First Class upgrade voucher, which requires S$50,000 in spending on Singapore Airlines tickets via official channels. The second is a 50,000 KrisFlyer miles redemption voucher, which requires S$75,000 in total retail spending.
The MileLion points out a significant opportunity cost here. A cardholder spending S$50,000 on Singapore Airlines tickets using the KrisFlyer UOB card would earn roughly 150,000 miles. In contrast, the same spend on the Solitaire PPS card would yield approximately 100,000 miles. The “reward” of an upgrade voucher essentially costs the cardholder 50,000 miles in lost earning potential.
What are the critical exclusions and fees?
Cardholders must navigate a growing list of transaction exclusions. Major categories that do not earn KrisFlyer miles include insurance premiums, utilities, public transport (SimplyGo), GrabPay top-ups, and charitable donations. Additionally, payments to public hospitals and polyclinics are excluded.
Foreign currency transactions incur a 3.25% fee, which is standard for the market. When factoring in the 1.3 mpd base rate for foreign spend, users are effectively “buying” miles at a cost of approximately 2.5 cents each. Furthermore, all KrisFlyer miles earned are valid for only three years from the date they are credited to the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AMEX Solitaire PPS Credit Card?
The card is exclusively available to principal Solitaire PPS Club members. Supplementary members do not qualify for the card.
Is there a minimum income requirement?
American Express no longer publishes an official income requirement, stating that applications are subject to internal assessment and regulatory minimums. Historically, the requirement was S$30,000 per annum.
Does the card include travel insurance?
The card provides S$1,000,000 coverage for accidental death or permanent disability on public conveyances. It also covers travel inconveniences like baggage delays. However, it does not cover medical expenses or medical evacuation.
Want to master your miles? Explore our other credit card reviews or miles optimization guides to ensure you’re getting the most value from every dollar spent.
