Card payments provider CardUp has launched a new deal for American Express cardholders over the next four months, with a return of the platform’s special offers from 1.8% fee for some specific cards, allowing you to buy miles from 1.36 cents each.
That’s a solid discount on the provider’s usual 2.6% Amex payment fee, though it’s limited to new CardUp users. Existing customers aren’t left out though, with a 2.1% fee offer that brings your miles cost down to 1.58 cents each – competitive for Amex cards.
The latest offer could be worthwhile if you have upcoming expenses before year-end, such as rent, income tax, insurance premiums, or education fees.
The deal is running for payment due dates from now until 6th January 2026. To allow for processing time, you must schedule your payment by 31st December 2025 at 6pm Singapore Time to be eligible.
New customers – 1.8% Amex deal
If you’re new to CardUp, or have signed up for a personal account but have yet to schedule a payment through the platform, you’re eligible for the 1.8% fee offer on American Express payments using the code 25AMEX18
| 25AMEX18 |  |
1.8% | ||
| One-time payment with a selected Singapore-issued American Express card (new users). | ||||
Applicable cards are Amex cards issued in Singapore, with the exception of:
- Amex True Cashback Card
- Amex Corporate Card
- Amex cards issued by DBS and UOB
There is no minimum payment, but the maximum is S$3,500. If your payment exceeds S$3,500, CardUp’s regular 2.6% fee will apply to the amount over and above this amount.
Only domestic payments are eligible to use the promo code, and do be aware that some of CardUp’s regular payment options aren’t supported for Amex cards, like car loans and renovation expenses (see the full list here).
The code can be applied once per user, but is limited to the first 200 redemptions (if the code still works at the payment confirmation stage, the offer is still available).
Existing customers – 2.1% Amex deal
If you’re an existing CardUp customer, meaning you’ve made a personal payment through the platform before, you’re eligible for the higher 2.1% fee offer on American Express payments using the code 25AMEX21
| 25AMEX21 | |
2.1% | ||
| One-time payment with a selected Singapore-issued American Express card (existing users). | ||||
Applicable cards are Amex cards issued in Singapore, with the exception of:
- Amex True Cashback Card
- Amex Corporate Card
- Amex cards issued by DBS and UOB
There is no minimum payment, but the maximum is S$3,000. If your payment exceeds S$3,000, CardUp’s regular 2.6% fee will apply to the amount over and above this amount.
Only domestic payments are eligible to use the promo code, and do be aware that some of CardUp’s regular payment options aren’t supported for Amex cards, like car loans and renovation expenses (see the full list here).
The code can be applied once per user, but is limited to the first 450 redemptions (if the code still works at the payment confirmation stage, the offer is still available).
What’s the cost per mile?
Here are some cost per mile examples for selected Singapore-issued American Express credit cards with these promotional CardUp deals.
| Card | Mpd | New Users (1.8% fee) |
Existing Users (2.1% fee) |
 Amex KF PPS |
1.3 | 1.36¢ | 1.58¢ |
 Amex KF Solitaire PPS |
1.3 | 1.36¢ | 1.58¢ |
 KF Ascend |
1.2 | 1.47¢ | 1.71¢ |
 KF Blue |
1.1 | 1.61¢ | 1.87¢ |
 Amex Centurion |
0.98 | 1.80¢ | 2.10¢ |
 Amex Platinum Charge |
0.78 | 2.27¢ | 2.64¢ |
 Amex Platinum CC |
0.69 | 2.56¢ | 2.98¢ |
 Amex Platinum Reserve |
0.69 | 2.56¢ | 2.98¢ |
Note that the Amex HighFlyer Card does not earn miles for CardUp transactions.
Terms and conditions
CardUp’s terms and conditions for the 25AMEX18 and 25AMEX21 offers can be found here.
American Express also has a set of terms for these promo codes, available here.
DBS Amex alternative
Since CardUp is excluding Amex cards issued by DBS in this promotion, those holding the DBS Altitude Amex card should consider using ipaymy, with an uncapped 2.4% fee for eligible Amex cards (CardUp charges a standard 2.6% fee for Amex).
Here is the cost per mile for that card, using ipaymy.
| Card | Mpd | Cost per Mile (2.25% fee) |
 DBS Alt Amex |
1.3 | 1.80¢ |
With CardUp, the cost per mile for the DBS Altitude Amex is 1.95 cents.
Summary
CardUp is once again offering new and existing customers with selected Amex cards discounted fees of 1.8% and 2.1% respectively when making a one-time payment between now and 31st December 2025, allowing you to ‘buy’ miles from 1.36 cents each for a range of expenses.
The deal is the cheapest way to generate miles for bill payments using most Amex cards at the moment, so take advantage soon if you can, because each promo code is limited (200 redemptions for new customers, 450 redemptions for existing customers).
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(Cover Photo: CardUp)