Best Credit Cards in Singapore – April 2024

MoneyMate
Updated:
MoneyMate best credit cards illustration

Credit cards sometimes get a bad rap for leading people to spend beyond their means.

Used wisely though, credit cards can also be one of the best ways to save money on things you’re already spending on.

But with so many options available, how do you decide on which card to get?

That’s what we’ll cover today.

We’ll recommend 11 credit cards that we think are best in their respective categories, then go over our reasons for each one.

We’ll also answer some of the most commonly asked questions about credit cards at the end.

11 Best Credit Cards for Singapore

Credit CardKey FeaturesBest For
HSBC Revolution Card
  • No annual fee or minimum spend
  • 4 MPD / 10X points on online and contactless spend
Versatility and low maintenance
Standard Chartered Smart Card
  • 6% cashback on everyday spend like Ya Kun, Netflix, Spotify, and public transport
  • No annual fee or minimum spend
Fuss-free rewards on everyday spending
Citi Cash Back+ Card1.6% unlimited cashback with bonus 8.4% cashback on first S$3,000 spendCashback for large expenses for the first year
UOB Absolute Cashback Card1.7% unlimited cashbackConsistent unlimited cashback
Citi PremierMiles
  • 2 MPD on foreign spend
  • 7 MPD on Agoda
  • 10 MPD on Kaligo
Travel spending
Citi Cash Back Card6 – 8% cashback on dining, groceries, and petrol worldwideFoodies and cooks
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card3.2 MPD for dining out, public transport, Grab, taxi, petrol, and Agoda bookingsEarning miles for local spend
UOB KrisFlyer Card3 MPD for dining & food delivery, transport, travel, online shopping, and purchases with SIA groupKrisFlyer miles
Maybank Platinum Visa Card3.33% cashback on all local and foreign spendCashback for low spenders (>$300/mo)
Maybank Family & Friends Card8% cashback globally on your choice of 5 categories (out of 10)Cashback for moderate budgets (>$800/mo)
UOB Lady’s Card4 MPD / 10X points on a category of your choiceFlexible spending categories

1. HSBC Revolution Card

PROMO: Receive a Dyson AM07 (worth S$459) or Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 (worth S$349) or S$250 eCapitaVoucher or 15K Max Miles (worth a free flight to Tokyo, Japan)

HSBC Revolution Credit Card

The HSBC Revolution Credit Card is an excellent option for digitally-savvy working adults who mostly shop locally. While the 10,000 point cap may feel restrictive to high spenders, it’s a fuss-free card that allows you to earn great rewards from the get-go.
No Minimum
Monthly spend required
3%
Cashback up to S$5,000 spend for first 6 months
1.5%
Cashback on dining
Read full review
PROMO: Receive a Dyson AM07 (worth S$459) or Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 (worth S$349) or S$250 eCapitaVoucher or 15K Max Miles (worth a free flight to Tokyo, Japan)

Want a fuss-free credit card? The HSBC Revolution Card may fit the bill.

Why we think it’s best: With no annual fees, this is a well-rounded starter credit card for young working professionals. The bonus rewards earn rate applies to all online and mobile contactless payments, which covers just about any purchase you’d use a card for.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$40,000 annual income.

Annual fees: None!

Key features: 

  • 10X Reward Points (or 2.5% cashback) for online and contactless payments
  • 1% extra cashback with your HSBC Everyday Global Account
Current promotion: Receive a Dyson AM07 (worth S$459) or Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 (worth S$349) or S$250 eCapitaVoucher or 15K Max Miles (worth a free flight to Tokyo, Japan) with a minimum spend of S$500 by the end of the following month from card approval date. (Valid until 2 June 2024) Click to apply.

2. Standard Chartered Smart Card

PROMO: Receive Dyson AM07 (worth $459) or Sony WF-1000XM5 (worth $429) or S$300 Shopee Voucher AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

Standard Chartered Smart Card

This Standard Chartered offering gives you 6% cashback on a short list of qualifying merchants. With its great sign-up promotions and lack of annual fees, it’s not a bad card to have – even if just for a year.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive Dyson AM07 (worth $459) or Sony WF-1000XM5 (worth $429) or S$300 Shopee Voucher AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

Some cards reward you with loads of miles for airline ticket purchases and foreign spending. Others reward you closer to home.

Why we think it’s best: Sure, you could get better cashback at the same stores with other cards. But you’d be hard-pressed to find one with no minimum spend or annual fees. That makes the SC Smart Card an easy go-to option when you’re renewing your Netflix subscription or grabbing breakfast at Ya Kun just before work.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$60,000 annual income.

Annual fees: None!

Key features:

  • 6% cashback in 360°Reward Points on:
    • Fast Food: Burger King, KFC, MacDonald’s, Subway
    • Coffee and Toast: Fun Toast, Toast Box, Ya Kun
    • Digital Subscriptions: Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube
    • Daily Commute: Bus and MRT
Current promotion: Receive Dyson AM07 (worth $459) or Sony WF-1000XM5 (worth $429) or S$300 Shopee Voucher AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE with a minimum spend of $250 within 30 days of card approval. (Valid until 1 September 2024). Pay Day Surprise: Every 10th applicant of participating Citi & Standard Chartered credit cards will receive S$100 bonus Shopee voucher on top of existing rewards! (Valid until 5 September 2024) Click to apply.

3. Citi Cash Back+ Card

PROMO: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

Citi Cash Back+ Card

The Citi Cash Back+ Card sits in the middle of the pack with its unlimited cashback rate and exclusions. Combined with its excellent welcome promotions, this is a card worth considering if you’re new to Citibank.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

10% cashback on an unlimited cashback card? Unheard of. But let’s see why…

Why we think it’s best: Most providers offer unlimited cashback in the range of 1.5 – 1.7%. They’re excellent when you’ve already hit the caps on your usual cashback cards and don’t want to settle for a paltry 0.1% rebate. The Citi Cash Back+ may not be the highest in the range, but it’s great if you’re expecting large purchases in the near term.

Say you’re buying new gadgets or taking your family on a holiday, for example. Citibank’s current welcome offer gives you 10% cashback on the first S$3,000 spent – and 1.6% unlimited cashback thereafter. Be sure to time your purchases just after the card approval.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$42,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $194.40, waived for the first year

Key features: 

  • 1.6% unlimited cashback year-round with no minimum spend
  • 0.4% bonus cashback if you’re a Citi Plus customer
Current promotion: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE with a minimum spend of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. (Valid until 1 September 2024). Pay Day Surprise: Every 10th applicant of participating Citi & Standard Chartered credit cards will receive S$100 bonus Shopee voucher on top of existing rewards! (Valid until 5 September 2024) Click to apply.

4. UOB Absolute Cash Back Card

PROMO: Receive S$350 cash credit* + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

UOB Absolute Cashback Card

UOB touts its Absolute Cashback Card as having the best unlimited cashback rate, and it’s upheld that reputation so far. With almost no spending exclusions, this is a must-have card for insurance premiums, GrabPay top-ups, healthcare bills, and more.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive S$350 cash credit* + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

While the Citi Cash Back+ is first-rate for the initial two months, the UOB Absolute Cashback stands out for consistent unlimited cashback for the long term.

Why we think it’s best: Many unlimited cashback cards exclude bills like GrabPay top-ups. Not the UOB Absolute Cashback. Feel free to put big expenses like school fees, hospital bills, telco and utility bills, rental payments, and e-wallet top-ups on this card.

And at 1.7%, this is the highest stable unlimited cashback rate you’ll find.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$40,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $194.40, waived for the first year

Key features:

  • 1.7% unlimited cashback with no minimum spend
  • One free supplementary card
  • Almost no exclusions
Current promotion: First 200 new-to-UOB credit card customers receive S$350 cash credit + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers when you are one of the first 200 applicants and make a min. spend of S$1,000 per month for 2 consecutive months from card approval date. (Valid until 31 March 2024) Click to apply.

5. Citi PremierMiles Card

PROMO: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or 21K Heymax Miles or S$350 Shopee AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

Citi Premier Miles Card

The Citi PremierMiles Card is designed for the occasional traveller looking to accumulate miles at their own pace. It offers decent miles earning rates with Citi Miles that never expire.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or 21K Heymax Miles or S$350 Shopee AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

At first glance, the Citi PremierMiles may not be the hottest choice for accumulating miles. But take a closer look and you’ll see a plethora of welcome bonuses, renewal bonuses, and mile-earning promotions that you won’t want to miss.

Why we think it’s best: If you frequently use booking platforms to secure the best travel deals, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with this card. Agoda and Kaligo purchases give you 7 and 10 MPD respectively.

Citi also has a wide range of airline partners, so you won’t be locked into a single airline.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$42,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $194.40, waived for the first year

Key features: 

  • 2 MPD on foreign currency spend and 1.2 MPD on local spend
  • 2 complimentary airport lounge visits per year
  • Earn miles on rent, insurance premiums, taxes, utilities, and education expenses with Citi PayAll
  • Up to S$1,000,000 travel insurance coverage when you charge your airfare to the Citi PremierMiles Card
Current promotion: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or 21K Heymax Miles or S$350 Shopee AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE when you spend a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. (Valid until 1 September 2024). Pay Day Surprise: Every 10th applicant of participating Citi & Standard Chartered credit cards will receive S$100 bonus Shopee voucher on top of existing rewards! (Valid until 5 September 2024) Click to apply.

6. Citi Cash Back Card

PROMO: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

Citi Cash Back Card

8% cashback on groceries is already a good deal, but the Citi Cash Back Card tops it off by giving you rebates on grocery purchases worldwide. If you spend quite a bit on cooking and dining out, this is a card worth considering.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE

If travelling the world in search of a good meal is your thing, the Citi Cash Back Card may be an apt companion.

Read also: Best Cashback Credit Cards for Singapore

Why we think it’s best: There aren’t too many cards giving you this much cashback for dining and groceries, and we all know that food can be a big cost.

Most other cards offering rebates for food will cap your cashback per category, limiting you to a few hundred in monthly food expenses. In contrast, the Citi Cash Back Card has a single combined cap – this way, you can claim rebates for much more of your dining and grocery expenses.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$42,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $194.40, waived for the first year

Key features: 

  • 6% cashback on restaurants and cafes worldwide
  • 8% cashback on groceries and petrol worldwide
  • 20.88% fuel savings at Esso and Shell
Current promotion: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Supersonic (worth S$699) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or S$350 Shopee Vouchers AND enjoy PAY DAY SURPRISE with a minimum spend of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. (Valid until 1 September 2024). Pay Day Surprise: Every 10th applicant of participating Citi & Standard Chartered credit cards will receive S$100 bonus Shopee voucher on top of existing rewards! (Valid until 5 September 2024) Click to apply.

7. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card

PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback

Maybank Horizon Card

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card is an entry-level miles card with a generous 3-year fee waiver and free supplementary cards. The 3.2 MPD for local spend goes beyond the usual rates offered by most other miles cards.
Read full review
PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback

Dreaming of your next holiday? This card gives you a way to work towards free tickets.

(Read also: 2022 List of the 7 Best Miles Cards for Singapore)

Why we think it’s best: Most cards offering air miles give you the best miles-per-dollar (MPD) rates only for overseas or travel spending. This is one of the few cards that gives you high MPD for local spending, so you can still rack up those miles while homebound.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Malaysians must have at least S$45,000 annual income; other foreigners, at least S$60,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $180, waived for three years. Automatic annual fee waiver with S$18,000 minimum spend per year.

Key features: 

  • 3.2 MPD for dining, petrol, public transport, Grab, taxi rides, and Agoda bookings. 2 MPD for travel spending and foreign transactions. Requires minimum spend of $300 monthly
  • VIP lounge access when you charge S$1,000 in a single retail transaction within 3 months prior to travelling
  • Free travel insurance coverage of up to S$1,000,000 when you charge your full travel fare to the card
Current promotion: The first 5,000 approved applicants (first-time cardholders) will get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback. when they charge S$600 for each of the first two consecutive months after approval. Click to apply.

8. UOB KrisFlyer Card

PROMO: Receive up to 31,000 miles + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

UOB Krisflyer Card

The UOB KrisFlyer Credit Card offers a 3mpd bonus rate on items an average person is likely to spend on. But if you’re thinking of getting this card, you’ll need to consider the timeframe and whether you’re willing to be locked into the card until your bonus miles are awarded.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive up to 31,000 miles + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

Like the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature, this card gives you high MPD for local spending – with the perk of extra miles when you spend with any Singapore Airlines brand.

Why we think it’s best: Granted, this card is for those who mainly fly SIA or Scoot. But if that’s you, the UOB KrisFlyer Card is great because your high MPD earn rates aren’t limited to overseas spend or certain times of the year.

(The AMEX KrisFlyer Card, for example, only gives you boosted MPD rates for 2 months out of the year.)

UOB also gives lots of bonus miles as a welcome gift to new card applicants, so you can accumulate those miles quickly.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$40,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $192.60, waived for the first year

Key features:

  • 3 KrisFlyer miles per dollar spent on SIA, Scoot, KrisShop, and Kris+
  • 3 KrisFlyer miles per dollar spent on dining, food delivery, online shopping, travel, and transport with minimum S$800 annual spend on SIA, Scoot, and KrisShop
  • KrisShop rebates and complimentary tier upgrades
  • Fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver status
  • 10,000 KrisFlyer miles when you renew the card
  • One free supplementary card
  • Promo: Get up to 32,000 miles for new-to-KrisFlyer UOB card applicants. Valid until 31 Jan 2023.
Current promotion: Receive up to 31,000 miles when you pay the first-year annual fee of S$194.40 (incl. GST) and make a minimum spend of S$2,000 within 60 days from card approval + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers when you are one of the first 200 applicants and make a min. spend of S$1,000 per month for 2 consecutive months from card approval date. (Valid until 31 March 2024) Click to apply.

9. Maybank Platinum Visa Card

PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex Spinner 66/24 Luggage (worth S$336) or an Apple AirPods 3rd Gen with Lightning charging case (worth S$261.40) or S$200 cashback + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes + a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week

Maybank Platinum Visa Card

The Maybank Platinum Visa Card is a great starter option for lower spenders with a S$300-500 monthly budget. While its rebate isn’t the highest in the market, the fuss-free nature of this card more than makes up for it.
Read full review
PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex Spinner 66/24 Luggage (worth S$336) or an Apple AirPods 3rd Gen with Lightning charging case (worth S$261.40) or S$200 cashback + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes + a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week

A low-maintenance starter card for cashback.

Why we think it’s best: Most cashback cards require a minimum spend of between S$600 to S$800, failing which you’ll earn a lousy 0.02 – 0.05% cashback. The Maybank Platinum Visa only requires a S$300 minimum spend for you to earn 3.33% in rebates, making this an excellent choice for low spenders.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Malaysians must have at least S$45,000 annual income; other foreigners, at least S$60,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $80 (or $20 charged quarterly), waived for three years. Automatic fee waiver when you charge to the card once every 3 months.

Key features: 

  • 3.33% cashback with a minimum spend of S$300 for every month in a quarter
  • Links with the Maybank SaveUp programme for bonus interest on your savings
  • Complimentary travel insurance cover of up to S$500,000
Current promotion: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex Spinner 66/24 Luggage (worth S$336) or an Apple AirPods 3rd Gen with Lightning charging case (worth S$261.40) or S$200 cashback (Valid until 31 December 2023) + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes + a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week (Valid until 20 December 2023) Click to apply.

10. Maybank Family & Friends Card

PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes in our epic 101! Milestone Giveaway, plus a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week

Maybank Family and Friends

With an expansive list of eligible spending categories, the Maybank Family & Friends Card is one of the best cashback cards you’ll find. It’s not the best card for travel-related transactions, but it’s an easy go-to card for everyday expenses locally.
Read full review
PROMO: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes in our epic 101! Milestone Giveaway, plus a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week

A practical choice to get cashback from expenses that most of us are likely to incur.

Why we think it’s best: This card covers a number of everyday expense categories like online streaming, transport, dining, food delivery, and groceries. It also has one of the highest cashback caps we’ve seen.

Eligibility requirements: Citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Malaysians must have at least S$45,000 annual income; other foreigners, at least S$60,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $180, waived for three years

Key features: 

  • 8% cashback on your choice of 5 out of these 10 options: transport, dining and food delivery, groceries, mobile/internet/TV plans, entertainment, online fashion, pharmacies, retail and pets, sports, beauty and wellness with minimum S$800 spend
  • Cashback capped at S$25 per category, or a total of S$125 monthly
  • One free supplementary card
Current promotion: Get a pair of American Tourister Linex 66/24 Luggage TSA (worth S$336), or an AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case (worth S$261.40), or S$200 cashback with a minimum credit card spend and/or CreditAble account withdrawals every month of S$600 for 2 consecutive months from card approval date. (Valid until 31 December 2023). + 1x chance to win your share of up to S$200,000 in prizes in our epic 101! Milestone Giveaway, plus a chance to win S$5,000 bonus cash each week. (Valid until 20 December 2023) Click to apply.

11. UOB Lady’s Card

PROMO: Receive S$350 cash credit* + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

UOB Lady’s Card

The UOB Lady’s Card may be the only offering on the market that lets you match high earn rates to your spending habits. The catch is that – of course – it’s for ladies only.
Read full review
PROMO: Receive S$350 cash credit* + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers*

A card offering flexibility – and exclusive to women.

Why we think it’s best: You can change your preferred spending category every quarter, and there’s no minimum spend required for the high earn rates.

Eligibility requirements: Female citizens/PRs over 21 years of age with at least S$30,000 annual income. Foreigners must have at least S$40,000 annual income.

Annual fees: $192.60, waived for the first year

Key features: 

  • 10X points / 4 MPD for the first S$1,000 spend in a category of your choice, no minimum spend required
  • Available categories include beauty & wellness, fashion, dining, family, travel, transport, and entertainment
  • E-commerce protection on online purchases
  • 0% interest-free payment plan over 6 or 12 months
  • One free supplementary card
Current promotion: First 200 new-to-UOB credit card customers receive S$350 cash credit with a minimum spend of S$1,000 per month for 2 consecutive months upon card approval + Receive an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$691.60) or Dyson Airwrap (worth S$859) or S$350 Vouchers when you are one of the first 200 applicants and make a min. spend of S$1,000 per month for 2 consecutive months from card approval date. (Valid until 31 March 2024) Click to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Cards

How many credit cards should I have?

However many you can feasibly keep track of! But if you need a concrete number, keep two to three credit cards – four, at most. You’ll need to monitor your credit statements every month, so you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew.

Credit cards help you prove that you’re good at paying money back on time. That sends positive signals to banks in case you need to take out a loan in future.

But having too many cards can actually hurt your credit score, since it makes you appear desperate for credit. Sticking with two or three credit cards is optimal, so you can spread out your purchases across cards while also building a good credit history.

What is an annual fee for a credit card?

This is the fee you’ll pay to card providers in exchange for the card’s benefits. Most of the time, the better the benefits, the higher the fees. You’ll have to consider how much value you’re actually getting from a card to decide if it’s worth its annual fee.

In Singapore, entry-level credit cards for working adults usually have an annual fee of $192.60 (including GST). Most cards waive this for at least the first year, but you’ll find a few with longer waivers. Some cards, like the HSBC Revolution Card, have no annual fees at all.

What is a credit card minimum payment?

This is the minimum you have to pay back every month, failing which you’ll face late payment penalties. In Singapore, most banks require at least $50 or 3% of the payable amount, whichever is higher.

We advise always spending within your means, though. Never spend what you don’t think you can pay back in full every month.

Can I get a joint credit card?

Yes, you can apply for supplementary cards under the same credit account. Supplementary cardholders enjoy lower annual fees (or none at all), so you’ll save at least a hundred dollars every year.

The age requirements are usually lower as well, so parents can get cards for their kids.

In most cases, purchases on the supplementary cards will earn the same rewards as on the principal card. That means more cashback, points, or whatever you’re aiming for, though you’ll have to watch out for caps as well. If you need to meet a certain minimum spend, having a few people work towards the same goal always helps.

The downside is that any liabilities will fall on the principal cardholder, so be sure you can trust the person you’re giving the supplementary card to. A single credit account also has just one credit limit even if there are multiple supplementary cards.

What happens if I can’t keep up with repayments?

A few things:

  1. You’ll be smacked with late payment charges
  2. You’ll have to pay interest on the outstanding amount, which adds up really quick
  3. Your credit score will drop

Then there are the longer-term implications. If you’re over 90 days past due, you’ll be in default. This shows up on your credit report. The next time you apply for a credit card or perhaps a housing loan, the bank will see that you defaulted and are unlikely to approve your application.

If you think you may have trouble making repayments, contact your card provider as soon as possible and see if you can work out an alternative arrangement.

What is a balance transfer for credit cards?

When people have trouble making their credit card repayments, banks sometimes offer them the option of a balance transfer. This is when you transfer your credit card debt to a new short-term loan facility.

Instead of paying the credit card’s exorbitant penalties and interest, you’ll repay your debt on the terms of the new loan agreement. In short, balance transfers buy you time to pay off your credit card debt.

It’s not free, of course. Currently, you’ll pay between 1.5 – 4.88% in processing fees, depending on the duration of the balance transfer you choose. But that’s better than the 20 – 28% annual interest you would’ve paid for your remaining credit card debt.

How do I cancel a credit card?

Assuming you’ve already paid off the remaining balance and redeemed any rewards, you can simply call your bank to cancel your credit card. Some banks also allow you to cancel the card via their app.

If you have to go through a human agent to cancel the card, be prepared for the questions they’ll ask about why you’re cancelling. You can simply say that you don’t use the card often or that you don’t need its benefits. They may also make counter-offers to try to keep you as a customer, but don’t feel obligated to entertain these.