Choices are never easy. That’s why, we do the math, so you don’t have to. Compare This, a SingSaver series, is here to help make decisions a little easier for you.
Limitless, cap-less cashback credit cards that don’t need you to keep tabs on anything. Dive in to learn which one could be your wallet’s new best friend.
Looking for a straightforward cashback credit card that lets you earn unlimited rewards on practically everything? Zoom in on Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Simply Cash. These flat-rate cashback credit cards reward you no matter how big or small your purchases are.
Although they are quite similar, they aren’t the exact same. In this Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cashback+ vs SCB Simply Cash triple threat comparison, you will learn more about what each card has to offer as well as important things to be mindful of.
Table of contents
- Similarities between these cashback cards
- Comparison #1: Cashback workings
- Comparison #2: Ability to earn cashback on bill payments
- Comparison #3: Cashback redemption
- Comparison #4: Extra perks
- Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
Looking for the best credit cards to complement your spending patterns and expenditure in 2024? Check out our Ultimate Credit Card Guide that covers all things credit cards in Singapore – from choosing between a cashback, miles, or rewards credit card to planning your credit card strategy.
Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Simply Cash
Credit card | Key benefits |
AMEX True Cashback Card
|
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend or cap
3% welcome cashback bonus on up to S$5,000 spend within first 6 months of card approval
Receive cashback within the same month's statement
|
Citi Cash Back+ Card
|
1.6% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend or cap |
Standard Chartered Simply Cash Card
|
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend or cap |
What do these cashback credit cards have in common?
Amex True Cashback, Citi Cash Back+ and SCB Simply Cash are accessible cashback credit cards with entry-level minimum income requirements. (We're looking at around the S$30,000 annual income range.)
A common attribute of all three credit cards is that there is no cap on the base cashback you can earn. Also, there’s no minimum spend required to start earning cashback on your purchases.
All three credit cards are straightforward and easy to use, perfect for those new to the world of credit cards or those who simply prefer something ultra fuss-free.
How these cashback credit cards differ
Comparison #1: Cashback workings
AMEX True Cashback |
Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Simply Cash |
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend and no cap 3% cashback on first S$5,000 spent within the first 6 months |
1.6% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend and no cap Welcome bonus cashback subject to ongoing promotions at the time |
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, no min. spend and no cap |
Taking a closer look at AMEX True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Simply Cash, you’ll find that the AMEX and Citi cards let cardmembers earn extra cashback for the first couple of months without having to jump through hoops at all.
However, out of the two, AMEX True Cashback offers the most consistent welcome bonus cashback promotion where new-to-AMEX cardholders can earn 3% cashback on the first S$5,000 spend within first 6 months of card approval.
Remember: This 3% cashback is unlimited, and can be virtually earned on any spending thanks to the card's broad range of eligible merchants. For clarity on excluded merchants, refer to their MCCs exclusions here.
Comparison #2: Ability to earn cashback on bill payments
AMEX True Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Simply Cash | |
Earning cashback on bill payments | Yes | No | No |
While you can quite literally earn cashback on almost every purchase using any of the three cashback credit cards, take note that Citi Cash Back+ and SCB Simply Cash do not let you earn cashback on bill payments (including via Citibank Online).
Consider AMEX True Cashback if you’re keen on earning rewards on your utility bills and phone bills.
💡Pro-tip: You can also earn 1.5% cashback on commonly-excluded categories like education fees, insurance premiums, and medical bills!
Comparison #3: Cashback redemption
Amex True Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Simply Cash | |
Cashback redemption | Receive cashback automatically within the month in the same statement as your purchases | Redeem cashback via Citi app/SMS or with Citi Pay with Points — cashback earned doesn’t expire | Cashback for your eligible spends in each statement cycle will be credited into your card's next statement month |
If having a say in how you utilise your rewards is important to you, you’ll appreciate the flexibility that Citi Cash Back+ offers. For AMEX True Cashback and SCB Simply Cash, your cashback can only be used to offset your bill statements.
Comparison #4: Extra perks
AMEX True Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Simply Cash | |
Extra perks | Complimentary travel insurance of up to S$350,000 when you charge your travel ticket to the card Curated retail, travel, dining and entertainment offers. Details here Curated offers and extra savings on home improvement purchases. Details here True Love Weddings: 5% off new wedding packages at selected venues when you pay with your card |
Citi World Privileges: Get dining, lifestyle, travel and shopping deals locally & in 95 other countries Enjoy extra cashback with Citi PayAll, subject to fees and T&Cs |
The Good Life®: Enjoy card offers and privileges at over 3,000 outlets in Asia from dining offers to shopping, travel and lifestyle benefits Enjoy extra cashback with SC EasyBill, subject to fees and T&Cs |
Although you get to enjoy a slew of lifestyle deals and promotions with all three cashback credit cards, AMEX True Cashback is hard to beat thanks to its generosity towards its cardmembers.
It is the only card amongst the three to throw in complimentary travel insurance and a straightforward 5% off wedding packages at selected venues. The 5% discount should amount to quite a sum, considering how pricey wedding packages at hotels are these days.
And they even take it a step further by considering your future home improvements in mind. Their curated selection of partner discounts and savings on selected home renovation merchants will help shave some costs in your home reno budget!
Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
It’s a tough one to pick out a winner in the Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Simply Cash comparison. Each cashback credit card has its own merits and which one is the most suited to you really depends on what you’re looking for, and perhaps, the overall experience the credit card has to offer, taking into account all the nitty gritty details.
Choose AMEX True Cashback: If you want a fuss-free, reliable cashback credit card that comes with extra perks like free travel insurance and rewards on your monthly bill and insurance payments, AMEX True Cashback is a fantastic choice.
If it helps, know that American Express provides the best customer service hands down, though it’s not the easiest to get a fee waiver from your second year onwards.
Choose Citi Cash Back+: If you spend largely in Singapore Dollars and you appreciate getting the option to choose how you spend your earned cashback, Citi Cash Back+ is a great cashback credit card to have in your pocket. Its base cashback rate of 1.6% is marginally higher than the 1.5% offered by Amex True Cashback and SCB Simply Cash.
🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Apply for multiple products to increase your chances! Valid till 22 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
SingSaver Exclusive Offer: Receive the following rewards when you sign up for a Citi Credit Card:
🚀Fastest Rewards Fulfilment🚀: Get the cash rewards within four (4) weeks after successful application — the fastest rewards fulfilment yet! T&Cs apply.
*📣For Citi PremierMiles Card: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80) or 18K Heymax Miles or 50,000 yuu Points or S$350 cash via PayNow upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. This card offer is exclusively available on SingSaver. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
Get an additional S$100 eCapitaVoucher when you simultaneously open a Citi Citigold Account. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
*📣For Citi Prestige Card: Get a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80) or 18K Heymax Miles (worth S$300) or 50,000 yuu Points or S$350 cash via PayNow upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. This card offer is exclusively available on SingSaver. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
*📣ONLY AVAILABLE ON SINGSAVER📣
Other Citi Credit Cards: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or a Hinomi H1 Classic V3 Ergonomic Office Chair (With Headrest) (worth S$659) or an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408) or 50,000 yuu Points or S$350 cash via PayNow upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
For Citi SMRT Card and Citi M1 Platinum Visa Card: Receive an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30) or Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or 50,000 yuu Points or S$350 cash via PayNow upon activating and spending (min. S$500 spend) within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
⬆️Reward Upgrade Campaign⬆️: Upgrade your rewards when you top specific amounts. Valid until 10 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
- S$980 for a MacBook Air 13" 256GB M3 (worth S$1,599.00)
- S$1,200 for an Apple iPhone 16 Pro 256GB (worth S$1,1,749.00)
- S$1,786 for a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Gray 12+512GB 5G (worth $2,128.00)
Choose SCB Simply Cash: SCB Simply Cash is the fussiest sibling amongst the three. While it lets you earn extra cashback as a cardmember — not just for the first few months — there are hoops you’ll have to jump through.
🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Apply for multiple products to increase your chances! Valid till 22 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
SingSaver Exclusive Offer: Enjoy the following rewards when you sign up for a Standard Chartered credit card. Eligible for new Standard Chartered cardholders only.
🚀Fastest Rewards Fulfilment🚀: Get the cash rewards within four (4) weeks after successful application — the fastest rewards fulfilment yet! T&Cs apply.
Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card: Receive a Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599) or a Nintendo Switch OLED (worth S$549) or an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.2 Wifi 64GB (worth S$479) or S$400 Lazada Voucher or S$380 Cash when you apply and spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card activation & approval. Valid until 1 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
Standard Chartered Smart Card and Rewards+ Card: Receive a Flujo BEA Ergonomic Office Chair (worth S$549) or an Apple AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation) (worth S$249) or S$280 Lazada Voucher or S$240 Cash via PayNow when you apply and spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card activation & approval. Valid until 2 Decemebr 2024. T&Cs apply.
Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card Only: Receive up to 60K Max Miles or a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 (worth S$600) or S$200 Lazada Voucher or S$190 Cash via PayNow when you apply and spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card activation & approval. Valid until 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
Get the additional 45k miles when you apply with annual fee payment (S$196.20 incl. GST) and make a min. spend of S$3,000 within 60 days of card approval. Valid until 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
⬆️Reward Upgrade Campaign⬆️: Upgrade your rewards when you top up specific amounts. Valid until 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
- S$380.00 for a Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 UK (worth S$699.00)
- S$450.00 for a Flujo Ayla Ergonomic Office Chair (worth S$1,139.00)
- S$1,050.00 for a Macbook Air 13" 256GB M3 (worth S$1,599.00)
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