Summary
The true value of earning miles on rent depends on Cost Per Mile (CPM), and CardUp's 1.83% fee often results in a poor CPM of 1.5¢ to 4.5¢ for most credit cards.
Rently's eGIRO model provides a consistently better and more predictable CPM of ~1.30¢ because its rewards are not dependent on tricky credit card bonus categories.
While CardUp can be superior with specific 4 mpd cards, this is a rare edge case that doesn't apply to the majority of renters in Singapore.
For a reliable way to earn miles on rent and access unique services like Lower Move-In Costs, consider using Rently's eGIRO tiers.
For years, using credit card payment platforms to earn miles on rent has been a popular strategy in Singapore, with services like CardUp being a common suggestion. They plug into your credit card, process your rent as a transaction, and let you rack up miles on what would otherwise be a dead expense.
But here's the honest truth: if you've been running the numbers and wondering whether the math actually works in your favour - that nagging suspicion is worth listening to. As one r/singaporefi user put it: "Does the math actually work out? Would love to hear from someone who's successfully made it worthwhile."
Rently operates on a structurally different model. Rather than simply routing your credit card payment to your landlord, it offers a tiered miles-earning system via eGIRO (direct bank debit) - and for many renters, the numbers come out meaningfully better.
This article is a transparent, side-by-side breakdown for the renter who tracks CPM, has read the MileLion Rently review, and needs the numbers laid out cleanly to see why Rently's model is often superior.
The Only Metric That Matters: Cost Per Mile (CPM)
If you're optimising for miles, CPM is the single most important number. Everything else - earn rates, fee percentages, bonus categories - is just an input into this formula:
CPM = Fee Paid ÷ Miles Earned
Lower CPM = cheaper miles. Simple. The question is whether CardUp or Rently delivers a lower CPM on your rent specifically. Let's run the numbers on a standard Singapore rent of S$3,500/month.
CardUp: CPM Breakdown
CardUp's standard promotional fee for rent is 1.83% under the RENT23 promo code. Note that fees have been creeping up - this is the current promo rate, not the floor.
Fee on S$3,500 rent: $3,500 × 1.83% = $64.05/month
Now here's where it gets tricky. CardUp transactions are coded primarily under MCC 7399 (Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified). This MCC is notoriously stingy for miles earn rates - most Singapore credit cards treat it as a general or administrative spend category:
Card TierEarn Rate on MCC 7399Miles on $3,500CPMBase earn (most cards)0.4 mpd1,400 miles4.57¢Mid-tier earn1.2 mpd4,200 miles1.52¢High-tier (select cards)4.0 mpd14,000 miles0.46¢
The range is brutal. If your card earns 0.4 mpd on CardUp's MCC - which is the reality for most general spend cards - you're paying 4.57¢ per mile. That's not miles hacking; that's paying premium for miles you could buy directly at better rates.
For the majority of CardUp users on rent, the realistic effective CPM sits between 1.5¢ and 2.5¢, sometimes higher depending on your card and whether it excludes payment processors from bonus earn.
Rently: CPM Breakdown (eGIRO Tiers)
Rently's eGIRO model works differently. Instead of earning miles through your credit card's reward programme, you pay a tiered fee directly to Rently and receive Max Miles - a transferable rewards currency powered by HeyMax. There's no MCC ambiguity, no card exclusion risk, and no dependency on which bank you hold your account with (MileLion).
Here's how the tiers break down on the same S$3,500/month rent:
TierFee %Monthly FeeMiles EarnedCPMeGIRO Tier 10.4%$14.001,050 Max Miles (0.3/dollar)1.33¢eGIRO Tier 21.3%$45.503,500 Max Miles (1.0/dollar)1.30¢CC Tier2.8%$98.00CC miles + 0.3 Max Miles/dollarDual stack
As of April 2026 pricing, both eGIRO tiers offer a CPM in the 1.30-1.33¢ range - consistently better than what most CardUp users achieve on rent.
The CC tier at 2.8% is best understood as a dual-stacking play: you pay a higher fee, but you simultaneously earn your credit card's regular miles and an additional layer of Max Miles from Rently. This is useful if you're chasing a credit card sign-up bonus (SUB) spend target or want to stack rewards without giving up Max Miles entirely.
What are Max Miles? They're issued via HeyMax and are transferable to over 25 airline and 8 hotel loyalty programmes. The KrisFlyer conversion rate is approximately 0.83 Max Miles → 1 KrisFlyer mile, with occasional 1:1 promotions during "Max Miles Day" events. If you're a KrisFlyer loyalist, it's worth timing your transfers.
When CardUp Actually Wins
Fair is fair. There is a scenario where CardUp beats Rently on CPM - and if you're in this camp, it's worth knowing.
The condition: You hold a card that earns 4 mpd on MCC 7399, and you can fully utilise its bonus earn cap with your rent payment.
The example: The DBS Woman's World Card is commonly cited as a strong CardUp pairing. If your rent falls within the card's monthly bonus spend cap and earns the full 4 mpd:
Fee: 1.83% on $3,500 = $64.05
Miles: 3,500 × 4 = 14,000 miles
CPM: $64.05 ÷ 14,000 = 0.46¢/mile
That's a CPM that beats Rently's 1.30¢ by a wide margin. On paper, it's exceptional.
But here's the reality check:
Spending caps bite hard. High-bonus cards typically cap their bonus earn at $1,000-$2,000/month. A $3,500 rent means the overhang earns at base rate (often 0.4 mpd), blowing up your blended CPM.
Exclusions are expanding. Banks have been quietly adding payment processors - including CardUp - to their rewards exclusion lists. MileLion's CardUp card guide is the best place to verify current exclusions before assuming your card will earn.
It's fragile. Promo codes expire. Card terms change. The 0.46¢ CPM requires everything to work perfectly, every month. For a majority of Singapore renters without that specific card combination, it's not a realistic baseline.
So yes - if you hold the right card, have headroom in your bonus cap, and your bank hasn't excluded payment processors, CardUp can deliver a better CPM than Rently. But this is a genuine edge case, not the default outcome.
When Rently Wins (For Most Renters, That's Here)
If the 4 mpd scenario above doesn't describe your situation - and for most renters, it won't - Rently's structural advantages become much more relevant.
1. Predictable, competitive CPM without card dependency
Rently's eGIRO tiers offer a locked-in CPM of ~1.30-1.33¢, regardless of which bank you use. There's no question of whether your card will earn on MCC 7399, no banking on promo codes staying live, and no risk of a card policy change wiping out your strategy.
For the question many r/singaporefi users ask - "is CardUp better than Rently for miles?" - the honest answer is: for most renters without a high-bonus card that works cleanly on CardUp's MCC, Rently's eGIRO tiers win on CPM.
2. Dual stacking for credit card enthusiasts
If you're chasing a SUB or want to earn CC miles and Max Miles simultaneously, Rently's CC tier at 2.8% lets you do exactly that. CardUp earns CC miles only - there's no additional layer.
3. Max Miles are genuinely flexible
Bank-specific points (DBS Points, Citi Miles) lock you into a single loyalty ecosystem. Max Miles transfer to 25+ airline and 8 hotel partners, giving you optionality that matters - especially if you want to compare redemption sweet spots across airlines before committing.
4. Lower Move-In Costs and billing cycle service
This is Rently's true differentiator. No other rent payment platform in Singapore offers these services. If you're starting a new lease and need to preserve cash flow, or if you need a short-term billing cycle bridge, Rently has a product for it. CardUp doesn't.
The Verdict
CardUp is a useful tool for specific, well-optimised setups - and it may make sense for other payment types like taxes or insurance. But for rent specifically, Rently's eGIRO tiers consistently offer a better CPM for the majority of users, without the fragility of card-specific strategies.
If you've been running spreadsheets and wondering whether the math really works in your favour, the numbers above should give you a clear answer.
Run Your Own Numbers
Don't take our CPM calculations at face value - run them against your own rent. Rently's miles calculator at rently.sg/earn-rewards lets you input your exact monthly rent and see your CPM across tiers in real time.
The math is there. Make it work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rently or CardUp better for earning miles on rent in Singapore?
For most renters in Singapore, Rently is the better option. Rently's eGIRO payment tiers offer a predictable and competitive Cost Per Mile (CPM) of around 1.30¢, which is a great value. CardUp is only superior in very specific cases where you have a high-earning credit card (e.g., 4 mpd) that works with its payment category and your rent fits within the card's monthly bonus cap.
What are Max Miles and how do they work?
Max Miles are a flexible rewards currency that you earn through Rently's platform. They are powered by the rewards aggregator HeyMax and can be transferred to over 25 airline loyalty programs (like Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, British Airways Avios) and 8 hotel programs. This flexibility allows you to choose the best redemption option across different loyalty schemes, unlike bank points which are tied to one ecosystem.
How does Rently’s Lower Move-In Costs help renters?
Rently’s Lower Move-In Costs feature helps you manage your upfront costs when moving into a new home. Instead of paying the standard two-month security deposit as a large lump sum, Rently pays it on your behalf and you pay monthly over your lease. This is particularly useful for expats, first-time renters, or anyone looking to preserve their cash flow during the expensive process of moving.
Can I trust Rently with my rent payments?
Yes, Rently is a secure platform for managing rent payments. It uses eGIRO, a direct debit system established by Singapore's banking association, which ensures your rent is paid directly from your bank account to your landlord's account on time. This process is automated, traceable, and provides a clear record of payments for both you and your landlord.
What is the true cost of earning miles on rent?
The true cost is measured by Cost Per Mile (CPM), calculated by dividing the fee you pay by the number of miles you earn (CPM = Fee ÷ Miles). A lower CPM means you are acquiring miles more cheaply. Rently's eGIRO tiers offer a low CPM of ~1.30¢. In contrast, using a standard credit card with CardUp can often result in a high CPM of 2.5¢ to over 4.5¢, which is generally considered poor value for miles.
Why can't I just use my credit card directly to pay my landlord?
Most landlords in Singapore are individuals, not businesses, and are not set up to accept credit card payments. They typically require payment via bank transfer or cheque. Services like Rently and other payment platforms bridge this gap by acting as an intermediary, allowing you to use your preferred payment method (credit card or eGIRO) to pay your landlord while earning rewards on the transaction.
Who should use CardUp instead of Rently for rent?
You should only use CardUp for rent if you belong to a niche group of miles optimizers. This means you must hold a specific credit card that (1) offers a high bonus earn rate (like 4 mpd) on CardUp's specific Merchant Category Code (MCC 7399), (2) has a monthly bonus spending cap large enough to cover your rent, and (3) your bank has not excluded CardUp from earning rewards. If you do not meet all these criteria, Rently's eGIRO tiers will almost certainly provide a better and more reliable value.