Selecting the best cards for wedding banquets can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide helps you to navigate your options and strategies to pick the best credit card, ultimately helping you earn valuable rewards for your wedding day.
Many people on my TikTok channel have asked about the best credit card for their wedding banquet. While I created a video on this topic in 2023, credit card rewards programs can change frequently. This blog post will provide an up-to-date overview of your options.
Should I Choose Miles vs. Cashback:
This is a common dilemma. Miles cards offer the potential for free flights, but they require more effort. You need to track spending categories, card benefits, and expiration dates for miles. Some cards, like the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa, have specific ways to earn bonus miles (e.g., mobile contactless payments). Additionally, high-earning miles cards often have expiration dates for accumulated miles. You need to strategize to earn miles quickly enough and transfer them to frequent flyer programs (like KrisFlyer) before they expire. Some banks allow combining points from multiple cards for a single transfer fee (e.g., UOB Lady + UOB PPV + UOB Visa Signature). However, others require a separate transfer fee for each card. While I value the travel savings from miles, it can be a complex system. In busy periods, a simpler cashback card might be a better choice. Cashback offers straightforward rewards that you can redeem for cash.
The Bottom Line:
Consider your lifestyle and priorities. Miles offer the potential for cheaper travel, but require more effort to manage. Cashback is simpler and easier to understand.
Merchant Category Code matters
Planning a wedding can be expensive, with wedding banquets costs often ranging from S$10,000 to S$20,000. To maximize your rewards, it’s important to choose the best credit card for wedding banquet of your choice. Here’s why the Merchant Category Code (MCC) matters.
What is an MCC?
An MCC is a four-digit code that categorizes businesses for credit card transactions. This code determines your potential rewards. For instance, Wheeler’s Estate (an eatery) falls under MCC 5812 (Eating Places and Restaurants), while Pan Pacific Hotel falls under MCC 7011 (Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts).
How do I find out my wedding venue’s MCC?
There are a few ways to find your venue’s MCC:
- HeyMax.ai: This website offers a quick but less accurate way.
Pro-tip: you should sign up for heymax.ai account here first to get 500 miles upon sign up and 500 miles when you complete 3 transactions.
- DBS Chatbot (Most Accurate):
- Block a DBS or POSB credit card on the DBS/POSB app.
- Initiate a payment for your venue (don’t worry, it won’t go through).
- Check the DBS Chatbot (desktop version) for the failed transaction details. The MCC code name will be displayed.
Here is the Step-by-step guide on the DBS Chatbot Method:
Step 1: On the DBS App, go to your credit card and click on Payment Controls > Lock Card Temporarily.
Step 2: Then you can make your payment and expect the payment to be declined.
Step 3: On the DBS Desktop, at the bottom right hand corner, you will see the Chatbot. Select Credit Card Transaction > Choose Your Card > View Transaction History > Pending Transactions > Declined Transactions
Here’s an example of what a transaction might look like:
Lastly, you can search the Merchant Category Name on this Citibank MCC list – V means Visa Cards, M means Mastercard Cards.
If using the DBS chatbot isn’t ideal, some venues offer food tastings before booking. You could use this chance to test the MCC by making a small payment with a credit card. However, keep in mind you might only get one chance to pay, so choose wisely.
Miles Credit Card For Wedding Banquet Strategy
Here’s a strategy to maximize rewards using both miles and cashback cards, assuming your venue allows monthly installments:
Many high-earning miles cards (offering 4 miles per dollar) have spending caps per month. To maximize points, consider:
- Splitting payments: If allowed, split your banquet cost across multiple cards to reach each card’s spending cap.
- Check spending caps: Always verify the spending cap for each card (statement month or calendar month) to maximize your points.
Best Miles Credit Cards for Wedding Banquets for Hotel Venue Payments
Here are some card options for both partners, you can use one or all of them but be aware of recent changes:
- UOB Solitaire and Above: Effective April 1st, 2024, the monthly spending cap for UOB Solitaire and above will decrease to S$2,000 (UOB Lady’s Classic remains unchanged at S$1,000).
- A Tiktok follower, eggandtonic, shared with me that some hotels allow for you to do online payment (in her case, Conrad). If so, you can add DBS Women’s World Mastercard to the below strategy with a monthly spending cap of S$1.5K.
Cards | Earn Rate | Monthly Spending Cap |
4 miles per dollar | S$1,000/S$2,000 | |
 UOB Preferred Platinum | 4 miles per dollar | S$1,100 |
 UOB Visa Signature | 4 miles per dollar | S$2,000 |
Optimal Combined Monthly Spending to receive Maximum Miles:
S$5,100 (if UOB Lady’s Classic) or S$7,100 (if UOB Solitaire)
Best Miles Credit Cards for Wedding Banquets for Restaurants Venue Payments
Planning a restaurant wedding banquet offers more credit card flexibility (you can use one or all of them):
Cards Mentioned Previously: You can still consider the cards previously discussed (be sure to check updated terms). Two additional cards are suitable for restaurants.
Cards (If venue is restaurants (MCC 5812) | Earn Rate | Monthly Spending Cap |
4 miles per dollar | $1,000 / $2000 | |
UOB Preferred Platinum | 4 miles per dollar | $1,100 |
 UOB Visa Signature | 4 miles per dollar | $2,000 |
4 (not suitable for hotel restaurants if the MCC is travel MCC) | $1,000 | |
3 miles per dollar | Uncapped |
Optimal Combined Monthly Spending to receive Maximum Miles (exclude UOB Krisflyer):
$6,100 (if UOB classic) or $8,100 (if UOB Solitaire)
ONE Ultimate Miles Credit Card For Wedding Banquets (Restaurant Venue Only)
UOB Krisflyer Credit Card: This card offers a potential one-card solution for uncapped 3 miles per dollar restaurant spending (assuming the restaurant falls under the restaurant MCC and you meet the annual spending requirement of S$800 on Singapore Airlines or Scoot). So you can charge the card up to your credit limit in a single transaction.
Important Note: Miles Wait Time for UOB Krisflyer: Be aware that bonus miles (1.8 miles per dollar) might take up to 14 months to be credited to your account.
Pro-tip: Get this card, before getting the other UOB cards if you are a new-to-bank UOB credit card holder.
UOB Krisflyer Sign Up Promotion:
- Receive S$50 Cash via PayNow when you spend S$500 within the first month.
- Only for the first 1,000 Eligible Applicants
- Valid until 30 November 2024
- Read Terms and Conditions here
- Must fulfill spending requirement to receive gift confirmation
- Remember to check for SingSaver email to secure your rewards after you have applied!
Stackable with Bank Rewards:
- Receive up to 31,000 miles plus first year annual fee waived (S$194.40 incl. GST) when you spend at least S$2,000 within 60 days of card approval to be eligible for rewards
- Valid for the first 100 applicants per month during the promo period
- Promotion valid for new-to-UOB Credit Card holders only
- Promotion is valid until 30 November 2024
- Read Terms and Conditions here
Given the current rewards landscape, cashback credit cards might offer a more compelling value proposition for hotel wedding banquets compared to specific miles cards that earn below 3 miles per dollar.
Best Cashback Credit Cards For Wedding Banquets: All Venues
Cashback credit cards offer a more straightforward approach, without needing to worry about venue type (hotel or restaurant).
Here are just two credit cards I recommend to complement the strategy above:
Why UOB:
- Save on Miles Conversion: Combine UNI$ earned across all your UOB cards to avoid conversion fees.
- High Cashback (with a catch): Earn a generous 3.33% cashback with the UOB One Credit Card. But remember, you need to spend $2,000 per quarter to get the full $200 cashback bonus.
- Boost Your Savings: Link your UOB Lady’s Card or UOB One Card with a UOB One Account to get a top interest rate of 4.00% p.a. on up to S$100,000 in savings (as long as you deposit your salary there). Heads up: This benefit doesn’t apply to the UOB Krisflyer Credit Card. Use that card for restaurants instead, but it won’t contribute to the higher interest rate.
ONE Ultimate Cashback Credit Card For Wedding Banquets: (All Venues)
Looking for a no-fuss option for your entire banquet payment? These credit cards offer flat cashback rates on all restaurant and hotel wedding banquets:
Cards | Earn Rate | Minimum Spend | Notes |
2% | No Minimum Spend | if the venue accepts Mastercard | |
1.7% | No Minimum Spend | only if venue accepts American Express | |
1.5% | No Minimum Spend | I like this card over the Citi cashback+ because the cashback is credited back into your following month's statement | |
1.6% | No Minimum Spend | You will need to accumulate the cashback in denominations of S$10 and redeem via SMS | |
1.5% | No Minimum Spend | 3% cashback for first $5,000 in first 6 months, on the condition that your venue accepts American Express |
Conclusion:
Choosing the right credit card for wedding banquet of your dream can be tricky. This guide helps you navigate Miles vs. Cashback options and understand how the Merchant Category Code (MCC) affects your rewards. From finding your venue’s MCC to maximizing your bank account interest, you’ll be equipped to pick the perfect card to earn valuable rewards for your wedding day. Remember to consider your lifestyle, and future usage of the cards and check latest terms before applying! Lastly, you can apply via the Apply Here buttons above to help me keep creating these guides for you.
Credit cards change their T&Cs every so often and it is difficult to stay updated. That’s why I created a Telegram Broadcast where you can receive timely bite-sized updates to get the most out of your spending.
