He frequently travels in business and first class using credit card points.

• A combination of credit cards can allow travelers to fly in business and first class without breaking the bank.
• The MileLion founder, Aaron Wong, reveals that the miles-chasing game involves some effort but offers a "five-star experience on a one-star budget."

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most travelers is flying in business and first class, particularly on international flights.

An economy ticket on Singapore Airlines costs less than a business class ticket by up to five times, and a first-class ticket costs 13 times more than a business class ticket.

These cabins are frequently reserved by affluent business travelers, as well as the wealthy, including the "Crazy Rich Asians."

A round-trip economy class ticket from Singapore to London on Singapore Airlines, booked six months in advance, costs SG$1,700. A business class ticket costs SG$6,300, while a first-class ticket costs just over SG$13,000.

On shorter flights, the difference in cost between economy, business, and first class may not be as significant. For instance, a flight from Singapore to Tokyo Haneda airport in economy class costs approximately SG$1,300, while a business class ticket costs around SG$4,200 and a first class ticket costs SG$7,600.

In 2015, Aaron Wong, a former management consultant from Singapore, left his job to establish The MileLion, a travel website. Now, he flies approximately eight to nine business and first-class flights annually.

He flies on both short and long flights, and the best part is that he does it almost for free.

A 'best miles card?'

Wong emphasized that maximizing points earned on credit card expenditures and converting them to airline miles is crucial, but it's not as straightforward as choosing any mile-earning credit card and spending a lot of money.

He said, "There isn't a single best card; it's subjective."

Wong advised that individuals who are referred to as "miles chasers" should enroll in cards that align with their spending patterns.

Several credit cards offer "bonus" miles for different spending categories, such as online purchases, dining, groceries, and transportation.

A typical "bonus" rate in Singapore is 4 miles per dollar spent, which is more than the 1.2-1.4 miles on other credit cards.

"Just as different tools in a toolbox have specific purposes, people should choose the right card for their needs. Using a beer opener for wine would be ineffective, just as using a beer bottle opener to open every kind of beverage would be impractical."

Wong stated that spending $30,000 on a credit card that earns 1.4 miles per dollar would result in approximately 45,000 miles, enough for a round-trip economy class ticket to Perth. On the other hand, if one were to allocate the same $30,000 across multiple cards that offer bonus miles, one could potentially earn 120,000 Singapore Airlines miles, which could secure a round trip to Cape Town in business class.

He remarked, "If you used a card that earns 1.3 miles per dollar instead of one that earns 4 miles per dollar, you missed out on 2.7 miles of free value."

The 'nitty gritty'

Unlike holding a cashback card, which provides a percentage of money back on spending, Wong acknowledged that the miles game can be challenging.

To maximize miles earned, users must monitor which cards offer the highest mileage rewards, comprehend the specific terms and conditions, such as bonus categories, exclusions, and the pooling of points from cards issued by the same bank.

In Singapore, DBS credit cards allow points to be combined, but Citibank Singapore credit cards do not have this feature.

While some credit card points never expire, others have a validity period. Additionally, some cards automatically convert spending to miles, while others give bank points that must be redeemed for miles.

"Many people feel intimidated when it comes to credit cards, with some believing that they need at least 10 cards to maximize points. However, the truth is that three or four cards may be enough for most people, except for those who spend large amounts annually."

In Singapore, many cards that offer bonus miles have a limit on the amount of spending that can earn additional miles. For instance, Citi's Rewards card in Singapore awards only 4 miles per dollar on the first $1,000 of monthly expenditure.

Although there are many obstacles, Wong believes the benefits are worth it: "The rewards are excellent, which is why individuals are willing to invest that much time and mental energy."

Since miles are available, I don't need to pay thousands to fly in business class.

Wong advises aspiring "miles chasers" not to spend more to acquire more miles, but instead to focus on finding ways to earn more miles without overspending.

He believes that miles are just rewards for purchases that a person would have made anyway, providing a "five-star experience on a one-star budget."