HSBC Revolution vs Citi PremierMiles vs SCB Simply Cash: Best Credit Cards in Singapore

Rewards Structure

Up to 20X Reward Points (8 miles) per $1 on eligible contactless & online spends in dining, shopping, travel, ride-hailing, taxis, and subscriptions. Pair with HSBC Everyday Global Account for max rate.

Otherwise, up to 10X Reward Points per $1

1X Reward Points on all other spending

1.2 miles per $1 on eligible local spend

2.2 miles per $1 on eligible foreign currency spend

Up to 10 miles per $1 with Kaligo, 7.2 via Agoda (via Citi portal).

1.5% unlimited cashback on all eligible spend

No cap, no minimum spend required

Annual fee & waiver

No annual fee

$196.20 (1st year waiver)

$196.20 (1st year waiver)

Minimum annual income

$65,000 (General)

$30,000/$40,000 if you have $50,000+ total relationship balance (TRB) with HSBC

$30,000 (Singaporeans / PRs)

$42,000 (Foreigners)

$30,000 (Singaporeans / PRs)

$90,000 (Foreigners)

Caveats

Points expire after 37 months

Bonus miles earn capped at $1,500 per month (For 20X rate)

Requires $50,000 EGA balance for max earn rate

3.25% foreign transaction fee

Annual fee applies from 2nd year onwards

3.25% foreign transaction fee

$27.25 miles transfer fee per conversion

Excludes certain categories (AXS, insurance, government)

3.5% foreign transaction fee

Annual fee from year two ($196.20)

⭐ Best for

Frequent online/contactless spenders keen on flexible rewards and no annual fee

Regular travellers who value evergreen (non-expiring) miles and want higher overseas earn rates

Budget-conscious spenders seeking simple, unlimited cashback without tracking categories or hitting cashback caps

Quasi-cash & gambling

6050, 6051, 7511, 7995, 9754

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Money transfers & prepaid/e-wallet top-ups

4829, 6529, 6530, 6532–6538, 6540

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Insurance

5960, 6300

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Education

8211, 8220, 8241, 8244, 8249, 8299

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Utilities

4900

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Hospitals

8062

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Government services & taxes

9211, 9222, 9223, 9311, 9399, 9402, 9405

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Charitable & political organisations

8398, 8651

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

AXS & SAM transactions

6532, 6533 (and named merchants)

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Balance transfers, cash advances & card fees

6010, 6011, 6012

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

❌ Excluded

Step

Action

Details

1

Check eligibility requirements

Verify that you meet the minimum application criteria for your chosen card:

• Min. 21 years old
• Min. annual income:
  • HSBC Revolution: $65,000 (or $30k / $40k with $50k EGA balance) for all
  • Citi PremierMiles: $30,000 for Singaporeans / PRs; $42,000 for foreigners
  • SCB Simply Cash: $30,000 for Singaporeans / PRs; $90,000 for foreigners

2

Gather required documents

Prepare all necessary documentation before starting your application.

For Singaporeans/PRs:

• NRIC (front & back)
• Latest computerised payslip OR 3-6 months CPF contribution statement
• Income Tax Notice of Assessment (self-employed or commission-earners)

For foreigners:

• Passport (min. 6 months’ validity)
• Employment Pass or S Pass
• Latest payslip (3 months) OR salary crediting bank statement
• Proof of address (utility bill, tenancy agreement, bank statement)

3

Apply via MoneySmart

Start your application by clicking the "Apply Now" button via MoneySmart for any of the three cards.

Upon application, your Singpass MyInfo will be accessed to verify your identity and retrieve income details (for Singapore residents). This significantly speeds up approval.

Once successfully submitted, the approval-in-principle page should appear within a few minutes.

4

Wait for approval

After accurately entering your personal details on the bank's online portal and uploading your documents, wait for the bank to approve your application.

Credit card applications with Singpass MyInfo may be approved instantly or take up to 3 working days. Meanwhile, manual uploads may take between 5–7 days.

5

Receive and activate your card

Once approved, receive access to your digital card within 24 hours via the bank app and activate it to start earning miles on it immediately!

Your physical card will arrive in 3–5 working days via registered mail. Overseas card use can also be activated on each bank's app directly.

6

Bonus: Meet minimum spend to claim sign-up gifts

Most cards require a minimum spend within a specified timeframe (typically 30-60 days) to unlock welcome bonuses.

Check MoneySmart’s card comparison tool for current exclusive promotions offering cash rebates, SmartPoints, bonus miles, or lucky draw entries for new cardholders. These offers often include:

• Cash rebates or reward points
• Bonus airline miles
• Lucky draw entries
• Enhanced earn rates for initial period

Log into your MoneySmart account after meeting the minimum spend requirement to claim your welcome bonus within the stipulated deadline (typically 60-90 days post-approval).