American Express has launched a new welcome bonus for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, which offers up to 45,000 bonus miles for cards approved by 31 January 2027.
On paper, this looks like a significant improvement, given that it’s 50% higher than the previous offer of 29,800 bonus miles.
However, that’s where the good news ends. American Express has octupled the minimum spend to S$8,000, while also doubling the waiting period required to count as a new-to-AMEX customer. Furthermore, 20,000 of the 45,000 bonus miles will only be awarded 15 months later — after you pay the second year’s annual fee!
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend welcome offer
 AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend |
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| Apply |
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| New-to-AMEX | Existing | |
| First Spend | 5,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
| Spend S$8,000 (First 180 days) |
20,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
| Base Miles from S$8,000 (@ 1.2 mpd) |
9,600 miles | 9,600 miles |
| Pay Second Year Annual Fee | 20,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
| Total Spend | S$8,000 | S$8,000 |
| Total Miles | 54,600 miles | 34,600 miles |
American Express is offering two different sign-up offers for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, depending on whether you count as a new-to-AMEX or existing AMEX customer.
New-to-AMEX
| ❓ Definition |
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New-to-AMEX customers are defined as those who:
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All first-time American Express KrisFlyer cardholders will enjoy 5,000 bonus miles on their first spend of any amount. This is a once per lifetime bonus, so if you’ve held an American Express KrisFlyer card before, you won’t receive it a second time.
New-to-AMEX customers who pay the first year’s S$397.85 fee and spend at least S$8,000 within the first 180 days of approval will receive 20,000 bonus miles.
They will receive a further 20,000 bonus miles for paying the second year’s S$397.85 fee and making a spend of any amount in the 15th month of card membership.
Existing customers
| ❓ Definition |
| Existing customers are defined as those who have not cancelled a principal AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend in the past 24 months. |
All first-time American Express KrisFlyer cobrand cardholders will enjoy 5,000 miles on their first spend of any amount. This is a once per lifetime bonus, so if you’ve held an American Express KrisFlyer cobrand card before, you won’t receive it a second time.
Existing customers who pay the first year’s S$397.85 fee and spend at least S$8,000 within the first 180 days of approval will receive 10,000 bonus miles.
They will receive a further 10,000 bonus miles for paying the second year’s S$397.85 fee and making a spend of any amount in the 15th month of card membership.
When will the bonuses be credited?
If you’re eligible for the 5,000 bonus miles for first-time AMEX Singapore Airlines cobrand cardholders, these will be credited to your KrisFlyer account after the month of approval and first spend.
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