Overview:
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?
Here is the best way to find your venue’s MCC:
- 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 for the failed transaction details. The MCC code name will be displayed.
- 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:
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- UOB Lady’s: UOB Lady’s Classic will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$1,000 per month, while UOB Solitaire and above will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$2,000. Payment can be done via online or contactless.
- UOB Preferred Platinum will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$1,000 per month if payment can be made via mobile contactless.
- UOB Visa Signature will give you 4 miles per dollar with minimum spend of S$1,000 and maximum spend of S$2,000 per month if payment can be made via mobile contactless.
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- 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.
UOB Lady's Card
Earn 4 miles per dollar on 1 or 2 chosen categories
Best Miles Credit Cards for Wedding Banquets for Restaurants Venue Payments
Here are some card options for both partners, you can use one or all of them:
- UOB Lady’s: UOB Lady’s Classic will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$1,000 per month, while UOB Solitaire and above will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$2,000. Payment can be done via online or contactless.
- UOB Preferred Platinum will give you 4 miles per dollar with a spending cap of S$1,000 per month if payment can be made via mobile contactless.
- UOB Visa Signature will give you 4 miles per dollar with minimum spend of S$1,000 and maximum spend of S$2,000 per month if payment can be made via mobile contactless
- UOB Krisflyer will give you unlimited 3 miles per dollar on dining category if you can hit the minimum annual spend of S$800 per month on Singapore Airlines, Scoot or KrisShop.
UOB Lady's Card
Earn 4 miles per dollar on 1 or 2 chosen categories
UOB Krisflyer Card
Earn uncapped 3 miles per dollar on SIA group spend and 2.4 miles per dollar on dining, online shopping, transport & select travel with min. S$1,000 SIA spend/year.
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 Card
Earn uncapped 3 miles per dollar on SIA group spend and 2.4 miles per dollar on dining, online shopping, transport & select travel with min. S$1,000 SIA spend/year.
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:
AMEX True Cashback Card
Earn 1.5% unlimited cashback on almost everything
DCS Ultimate Platinum Card
Earn 2% cashback on almost everything
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.
💡 We believe in always paying our credit card bills on time and in full. It is only by doing that, can we fully maximise our credit card benefits.
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