In the bustling world of credit cards, two types of users
generally stand out – the miles chasers and the cashback enthusiasts. But what
if I told you there’s a card that doesn’t quite fit into either camp, yet still
holds its own in terms of value? Welcome to the intriguing world of the AMEX
Capita Card.
Many savvy credit card users might overlook this card due to
its seemingly less competitive benefits. Yet, for the discerning eye, the AMEX
Capita Card harbors unique advantages that can accumulate into significant
savings. In this blog post, I’ll delve into these lesser-known benefits and
share why the AMEX Capita Card has earned a permanent place in my wallet. Let’s
debunk some myths and discover this hidden gem together.
Unassuming Benefits At First Glance
At first glance, the benefits might seem unimpressive. The
card offers 1X STAR$ (equivalent to a 0.5% rebate) for spending anywhere,
anytime, a 3X STAR$ on CapitaStar Voucher Purchases, a 4X STAR$ on spending at
participating merchants in CapitaLand Malls in the heartlands, and up to a 3%
rebate (awarded in 6X STAR$®) when spending at participating merchants in
CapitaLand Malls downtown. Given these rates, I’d typically prefer to use a
miles-equivalent card like the Amaze Card +Citibank Rewards Card combo or UOB
Preferred Platinum, which offer 4 miles per dollar of spending.
The Hidden Potential: Discounted eCapitaVoucher
Despite its underwhelming appearance, the Amex Capita Card
has secured a permanent spot in my wallet. The primary draw lies in the
potential to score e-Capitavouchers at a discounted rate during promotional
periods. These campaigns, while sporadic and occurring just 3-4 times annually,
afford significant opportunities to bolster my stash of eCapitaVouchers.
For example, the latest offer allows Capita Amex Card
holders to buy eCapitaVouchers with a generous 9.6% rebate. This rebate is
given in the form of bonus eCapitaVouchers and STAR$, making it, in my view,
one of the highest cashback rewards attainable through everyday spending. Given
my workplace’s convenient proximity to Bugis Junction, Raffles City, and Bugis
Junction, this deal enables me to enjoy a 9.6% rebate on my day-to-day
expenditures.
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| Source: https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/benefits/promotions/shopping/capitacardecv/ |
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| Source :https://www.americanexpress.com/sg/benefits/promotions/shopping/capitacardecv/ |
Historically, some of these offers have even featured rebates as high as 10%. However, securing these deals does come with a few caveats. Firstly, staying updated with the latest promotions requires diligence in checking the CapitaStar App or email updates if you’re subscribed to them. Secondly, these promotions often come with a cap on the number of redemptions. With the increasing popularity of the CapitaStar App, any delay in checking out the promotion, even just 2-3 days, could mean missing out on the opportunity.
So while the rewards are attractive, they come with a couple of minor inconveniences: staying up-to-date with promotions and acting swiftly to ensure you don’t miss the redemption window. But for those who can manage these aspects, the potential savings make it well worth the effort.
Expanding Usage of CapitaLand Vouchers
Contrary to common belief, eCapitaVouchers aren’t restricted
solely to CapitaLand Malls. They can also be used in other shopping centers
like Paragon, Clementi Mall, Seletar Mall and even Ion Orchard (though points
aren’t awarded for receipt scanning at Ion Orchard). Using eCapitaVouchers to make
purchases can also earn you about 5-10 STAR$® per dollar spent, depending on the
purchase category.
Free Parking: A Perk for Car Owners
Lastly, for my fellow car owners who frequent CapitaLand Malls, there’s the bonus perk of 3-hour free parking per day. To take advantage of this, you need to spend $1,200 per calendar month with your Amex Capita Card. One easy method to meet this spending requirement is by topping up your Grab Pay Wallet using the AMEX card and spending it directly through Grab Pay Wallet, or via platforms such as iPayMy or CardUp. While the latter two options incur a minimal administrative fee, they also get you that free parking.
Moreover, buying eCapitaVouchers using the Amex Capita Card counts towards the $1,200 spending requirement for free parking. And there’s a cherry on top – if your spending exceeds $1,800, you get to enjoy privileged parking, with a select few purple lots reserved just for privileged parking qualifiers. For those who need guidance on registering for the free parking, here is the link to the guide: Register for Free Parking.
To Sum It All Up!
in the credit card race. It might not give you the most points per dollar
spent, but if used wisely, it provides a variety of unique benefits that can
add up to substantial savings, especially for those of us who frequent the
malls and establishments under the Capitaland umbrella.
The key to optimizing your credit card rewards lies in
understanding your spending habits and aligning them with the right card. It’s
my hope that this post has shed some light on the lesser-known benefits of the
Amex Capita Card and presented you with another option to consider in your
quest for maximizing rewards.
If you’ve found this information useful, or if you have any
questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! My current mode of communication is
through Twitter. You can follow me and drop your questions or thoughts on my
handle @makesmewonder. I look forward to engaging with you in the
realm of credit card strategies and maximizing their potential!
Stay tuned for more insider tips and tricks in the
fascinating world of credit cards, and as always, spend responsibly!