Why Trust MoneySmart?In Singapore, there’s no true “one-size-fits-all” credit card. The best credit card for you comes down to your spending habits and financial goals.
The two most popular paths are: an unlimited cashback card (for those who value simplicity with no complex requirements), or a “category boost” miles/rewards card (for those keen to maximise return in specific spending categories like travel, groceries, or dining).
Most Singaporeans pick one core card—cashback or miles—and supplement if they want to double down on rewards. Let’s break down the top options for each type of user.
For specific types of purchases
Some cards excel at niche needs, like heavy online spending, contactless payments, or overseas use with low fees.
HSBC Revolution Card
Earns 10X reward points (equivalent to 4 miles or 2.5% cashback per $1) on online and contactless purchases, including dining and shopping
No annual fee
Excellent for those who pay by mobile wallet or shop online frequently
Cashback Credit Card by Trust
1% instant unlimited cashback on all eligible spend
Zero foreign transaction fees, ideal for overseas shopping
Choose a lifestyle category for up to 15% cashback each quarter (useful for those who focus spend)
Choose a niche card if:
You do most shopping online or prefer tap-and-go payments
You want a no-annual-fee card for backup/frequent overseas spend
You value added perks like foreign fee waivers and partner merchant offers.
For hassle-free, uncapped cashback
Flat, uncapped cashback cards are ideal for those who want fuss-free rewards. There’s no need to track monthly spend or jump through hoops to get your rebates. Just spend and earn automatically.
UOB Absolute Cashback Card
1.7% unlimited cashback on nearly all local and overseas spend (including categories like insurance, school fees, bills, and healthcare)
No minimum spend or cashback cap
Annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
Automatic bill offset on your next statement
Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card
1.5% unlimited cashback (need to spend $800/month to qualify)
No cap, annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
Good for daily expenditure and large purchases
Citi Cash Back+ / OCBC INFINITY Cashback Card
Both offer 1.6% unlimited cashback with no minimum spend or caps
Citi: Simple, fuss-free cashback credited monthly; auto bill offset
OCBC: Manual redemption, but applies on both local and overseas spend
Annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
Why pick an unlimited cashback card?
Earn consistent rewards on everything from groceries to insurance
No need to remember category tiers, minimum spends, or caps
Redemption is automatic or just a few clicks
Suited for those with variable or high spend, or who dislike management hassle
For maximising rewards on specific spending
Rewards or “category boost” cards give high rebates for targeted spend—great if you channel your spending into certain categories. They usually have caps and require a minimum monthly spend to unlock the best rates.
UOB One Card
Up to 10% cashback at partner merchants like Grab, Shopee, Cold Storage, 7-Eleven, and McDonald's with $2,000/month spend
Other categories (e.g. utilities, groceries) earn up to 8% or flat 3.33% with lower spend
Suitable for those with steady household and recurring bills
DBS yuu Card
Up to 18% rebate in yuu points at major retailers (Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, BreadTalk, etc.) when you hit $600/month at participating merchants
Points never expire; can be redeemed for groceries, dining, travel
Good for deal seekers who want to be rewarded for daily essentials spend
Choosing a category-card makes sense if:
Your largest monthly spending is in a few categories like groceries, dining, or online shopping
You’re willing to meet the required minimum spend each month
You like the idea of maximising rebates, with a little more effort
Key note: Always match the card categories to your true monthly spend and watch out for the cap. If your expenses vary, an unlimited cashback card may be easier.
For frequent travelers accumulating miles
If your goal is to redeem flights, travel cards help you rack up miles—especially on overseas spend, travel bookings, and sometimes online purchases.
Citi PremierMiles Card
Earn 1.2 miles per $1 locally and 2.2 miles per $1 overseas
Miles never expire
Two complimentary lounge visits yearly; earn more miles on hotel/travel bookings via certain partners
Annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
UOB PRVI Miles Card
3 miles per $1 in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam (including online spends in these countries)
1.4 miles per $1 locally, 2.4 miles per $1 in other overseas spend
Up to four complimentary airport lounge visits annually
Annual fee: $261.60 (1st year waived)
DBS Woman’s World Card
4 miles per $1 on all online purchases (capped monthly)
1.2 miles per $1 on overseas purchases
Annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
Up to 3 miles per $1 on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop and selected lifestyle spends
Direct earn into your KrisFlyer account; Exclusive benefits on Scoot (via flyscoot.com/krisflyeruob), Kris+, Grab rides and more
Annual fee: $196.20 (1st year waived)
Pick a miles card if you:
Travel regularly (for work or leisure) and want to redeem flights/upgrades.
Spend substantially overseas or on airlines/hotels.
Prefer a miles-earning strategy for both daily expenses and special trips.
Appreciate perks, such as airport lounge passes and travel insurance.
Note: Cards differ in which partners earn bonus miles. Always check T&Cs for details.
How to decide on the best credit card
The ideal card depends entirely on your lifestyle and financial goals. Many savvy Singaporeans stack one cashback card for everyday spend and a miles card for travel or big-ticket purchases. Here’s how to select quickly:
Checklist:
What do you spend most on? (Dining, groceries, travel, online shopping?)
Do you want fuss-free, flat rewards—or are you keen to maximise by tracking minimums and bonus categories?
How often do you travel? (If often, a miles card can supercharge your rewards.)
Are you a single-card minimalist, or open to using 2–3 cards for different scenarios?
Fast self-selection:
If you don’t want to track categories, go for an unlimited cashback card
If you have big spends in a few areas and want max returns, pick a category rewards card
If you travel regularly, choose a miles card or pair it with a cashback card for daily spends
For deeper comparisons, check out MoneySmart’s complete listing of the best credit cards. Don’t forget to review income eligibility, annual fees, and promotional deals before you apply.
