Why Trust MoneySmart?Looking for the best credit cards in Singapore with no annual fee? You have two main types to choose from: cards with permanent annual fee waivers, and cards that offer a waiver for the first year but may require you to call in future years.
The right choice really depends on your spending habits, such as whether you focus on online shopping, daily essentials or travel, and on your willingness to request annual fee waivers if needed.
Cards with permanently waived annual fees
HSBC Revolution Credit Card
No annual fee for life
10X Rewards (≈4 miles or 2.5% cashback) per $1 on eligible online and contactless spend
No minimum spend; rewards points expire after 37 months
Great for: fuss-free online shopping, dining, travel, flexible rewards
UOB EVOL Credit Card
Annual fee waived with at least 3 purchases a month
Up to 10% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend
0% FX fees on overseas spending; capped cashback
Great fit for: digital natives who shop online regularly
CIMB World Mastercard
No annual fee for life
Up to 2% unlimited cashback on dining, online food delivery, digital entertainment, taxis, luxury goods
1% cashback on all other spend
S$1,000 monthly spend unlocks 2% cashback rate
Good for: foodies, people who frequent entertainment venues, those who like unlimited cashback
Cashback Credit Card by Trust
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fee
Up to 15% cashback in your chosen category (rotatable quarterly; capped)
1% unlimited cashback on other eligible spend
Ideal for: Frequent travellers or focused spenders who use their card mainly for one category
Cards with fee waivers upon request
Many popular Singapore credit cards come with a first-year annual fee waiver and will often waive the fee for later years if you reach a minimum spend or request it, typically via phone or online banking.
OCBC 365 Credit Card
S$196.20 annual fee; first two years waived, further waivers on request
5% cashback on everyday dining
6% cashback on fuel spends (Caltex, Esso & Sinopec)
Good for: those who spend on dining
Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card
S$196.20 annual fee; first year waived, further waivers on request
1.5–2% unlimited cashback (mostly no minimum spend; occasional promotion with min. spend requirements)
Good for: those who want simple unlimited cashback across all spends
UOB Absolute Cashback Card
First year fee waiver (can request for further waiver subject to bank approval)
Unlimited 1.7% cashback on almost all retail spend
No minimum spend, no cash back cap
Great option for big spenders who dislike excluded spend categories
UOB One Card
S$196.20 fee; first year waived, future waivers possible by meeting min. spend requirements
Up to 10% cashback at McDonalds, Grab, SimplyGO, and Shopee
Up to 3.33% cashback on all retail spend (min. spend: S$600, S$1,000, or S$2,000/month)
Great for: disciplined spenders maximising utility/daily rewards
How to choose the right no-annual-fee card
Picking the right card starts with understanding your spending patterns, financial priorities, and comfort with admin work. Here are a few key factors to guide your decision:
Match your spending to the rewards structure
Think about where most of your spending goes. Is it online shopping, dining, transport, travel, or utilities?
If you spend heavily in specific categories (e.g. travel or online), a rewards or miles card may give you more value
If your spending is more spread out, an unlimited cashback card may be simpler and more predictable
Check how “no annual fee” works
Some cards offer lifetime waivers, so you’ll never need to worry about renewal fees
Others give a first-year waiver, and you’ll need to request a waiver each year or hit a spending threshold to keep the fee waived
if you don’t want to track or call yearly, a lifetime waiver card is less hassle
Factor in your admin tolerance
If you prefer a hands-off experience, go for cards with lifetime fee waivers.
If you’re willing to manage your account actively (e.g. calling for waivers, tracking minimum spend), you may have more options with better earn rates.
Consider how you’ll use the rewards
If you travel often, rewards cards that earn miles may offer better long-term value.
If you prefer simple savings, cashback cards might suit you better.
If you don’t consistently redeem miles, cashback may be more practical.
Finally, before you apply, always confirm the latest waiver policy, eligibility, and card features directly with the issuer to avoid unexpected charges.
Related links
Product details and annual fee waiver policies are accurate at the time of publishing. Check MoneySmart or issuer sites for the latest offers before applying.
