After the emotional roller coaster that UOB Malaysia has put its customers through, it's worth taking a step back to reconsider UOB's overall credit card strategy.
With my recent move to the UK, I’ve found it challenging to keep my reviews up to date, particularly for the UOB Visa Infinite, UOB PRVI Miles Elite, and UOB Zenith World Elite cards, which are all noteworthy in light of recent developments. My apologies if you're new to my blog and have come across outdated information.
However, given the interest many of you have in selecting the best credit card for your year-end travel and shopping plans, I wanted to share my insights promptly. While I've previously touched on the changes to the UOB Visa Infinite card, I also mentioned that these changes render the UOB PRVI Miles Elite card less valuable. Let's dive into why that is.
Recap: UOB Visa Infinite Buffed
To begin with, the UOB Visa Infinite now offers 10X UNIRMs for overseas spending, along with a unique benefit of 5X UNIRMs for dining expenditures, provided you spend a minimum of RM1000 on dining each month.
Meanwhile, the UOB PRVI Miles Elite also provides 10X UNIRMs for overseas spending but differentiates itself by offering 5X UNIRMs specifically for airline ticket purchases.
This raises an important question: how frequently do you actually buy airline tickets? For most people, airline ticket purchases aren't a regular expense. While you might earn a significant amount of UNIRMs on these infrequent transactions, the overall benefit may not be as compelling as it initially seems.
Moreover, with the recent issues faced by Malaysia Airlines, it's unlikely that many of you will be booking flights with them in the near future, especially if you're utilizing the UOB credit card ecosystem, which is well-regarded for its competitive KrisFlyer and Asia Miles conversion rates.
Likewise, it's equally improbable that a substantial portion of your airline spending will go toward local carriers like AirAsia and Batik Air, which don't represent a significant spending category for most users. Instead, most of your airline spending is likely on international carriers such as Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific, which already qualifies as overseas spending and thus would earn you 10X UNIRMs.
FlyKingsley has some brilliant videos on Singapore Airlines flights, so for those of you rare enthusiasts still committed to Malaysia Airlines, there's no better time to switch to a better carrier. Note: We're two different people with the same name!
Seriously, I cannot fathom how the conversion rate of 9,000:1,000 airline miles is the same for Enrich, KrisFlyer and Asia Miles, but people still choose to convert their UNIRM to Enrich miles!
The Bottom Line
I’ve mentioned this before, and I understand some of you may be tired of hearing it, but the UOB Visa Infinite remains a stellar all-rounder credit card. It's challenging to find another card that matches its airline miles accrual rates.
The closest competitor might be the CIMB Visa Infinite, which, despite a lower annual income requirement of RM60,000 compared to the UOB Visa Infinite’s RM120,000, made a misstep by increasing the bonus points threshold by fivefold.
So, this leads us to the critical question: is it still worthwhile to obtain the UOB PRVI Miles Elite card given the enhanced benefits of the UOB Visa Infinite?
It depends. One aspect that might attract people to the UOB PRVI Miles Elite is that it grants supplementary cardholders lounge access—a benefit not extended to supplementary cardholders of the UOB Visa Infinite.
However, with many other credit cards now offering lounge access, you might not need the UOB PRVI Miles Elite just to bring a guest into the lounge, saving you the hassle and cost of the UOB PRVI Miles Elite’s annual fees, which are ambiguously addressed on its product page.
Expect a Devaluation!
Finally, a word of caution: I suspect that UOB's recent move to increase the conversion threshold from 9,000 to 12,000 UNIRMs was not a mistake but rather a deliberate decision.
I anticipate further devaluations in the months ahead, though I hope to be proven wrong. Even if these devaluations occur, the UOB Visa Infinite is likely to remain the best option in its category for airline miles accumulation, so I am not overly concerned. Still, I wanted to bring this to your attention to avoid any disappointment if changes happen down the line.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the UOB PRVI Miles Elite card may no longer be as compelling an option as it once was, especially when compared to the enhanced benefits offered by the UOB Visa Infinite.
I've opted to keep the UOB Zenith out of this article for now, as I'd like to write a little bit more in-depth on that in a separate article.
For those who prioritize earning airline miles, the UOB Visa Infinite clearly outshines its sibling. However, if supplementary benefits like lounge access for additional cardholders are a priority for you, the UOB PRVI Miles Elite could still offer value. As always, the best choice will depend on your specific spending patterns and travel preferences.
As the landscape of credit card rewards continues to evolve, staying informed is key. I will keep monitoring these developments and updating you on any significant changes. Until then, consider your own travel and spending habits carefully to decide which card aligns best with your needs.
Be sure to check out my Ultimate Guides for full comparisons on credit cards.
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