In all likelihood, you got a new credit card not only for its perks, but its can’t-miss signup gift. Here’s a look at some of the best ones being offered by banks in Singapore.
Banks often use attractive welcome rewards as a means to entice consumers to snag a credit card, and also to stand out from the rest of the pack. But before you apply for a credit card to get yourself that reward, let’s first examine when is the best time for you to get a credit card.
When should you get a new card
- When you are new to bank
Being new to the bank is one of the main criteria to be eligible for a credit card’s sign up reward. To be classified as a new-to-bank customer, you cannot have owned the bank’s credit card in the last 12 months. This means that fortunately, you are not limited to receiving just one sign up bonus from the bank in your lifetime.
If you play your cards right, you can enjoy the welcome gifts from the same bank every few years. If you are an existing customer, you will not be eligible for most of the bank’s welcome promotions. You can instead consider applying for the credit cards from other banks to make the most of sign up promotions.
- When you have a big spending coming up
Most credit card welcome bonuses require a minimum spending within the first three to six months. It often ranges between S$3,000 and S$6,000.
If you know you have a big ticket purchase coming up, such as home furniture, wedding expenses or multiple travel bookings, you can consider getting a new credit card beforehand. This allows you to hit the spending requirement with ease.
Welcome offer: Enjoy S$80 cashback and a 6-month Disney+ subscription upon card activation. Valid till 31 Dec 2021. T&Cs apply. Apply for the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card now!
List of cards eligible for this promotion here.
Credit card preferences also differ based on lifestyles. Some prefer to chase miles, while others might opt for monetary returns in the form of cashback. Here are the credit card welcome offers currently available.
Miles Credit Cards
For the globetrotters, having a miles card (or a wallet full of miles cards) is a given. Earning miles on all your spending can go towards paying for your next travel (whenever that will be). You can even earn yourself a luxurious experience by flying first class with your miles.
Here are the miles card for you to consider to help you get a headstart on your miles journey.
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Requirements | Key highlights of card |
| American Express KrisFlyer Credit Card | Up to 13,300 KrisFlyer Miles 1-night stay at Andaz Singapore with breakfast for two (worth S$440++) | Spend SS$3,000 in the first 3 months of card approval Apply and receive approval from 1 Oct 2021 – 31 Jan 2022 | 1.1mpd on local spend 3.1mpd on Grab (capped at S$200 every month) 12,000 Bonus KrisFlyer miles or S$150 Statement Credit upon upgrade to KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Receive S$80 Statement Credit when you successfully refer a friend |
| American Express KrisFlyer Ascend | Up to 21,000 KrisFlyer miles 1-night stay at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa (worth S$460++)< | Spend S$5,000 in the first 3 months of card approval Min. annual income of S$50,000 Apply and receive approval from 1 Oct 2021 – 31 Jan 2022 | 1.2mpd on local spend 3.2 mpd on Grab (capped at S$200 every month) Complimentary one night stay at participating Hilton Properties each year Four complimentary airport lounge access passes each year |
| Citi PremierMiles | 45,000 Citi Miles OR 18,000 Citi Miles and first year annual fee waiver Earn 7 miles per S$1 on Agoda Earn 10 miles per S$1 on Kaligo | Spend S$9,000 in the first 3 months of card approval OR Spend S$4,000 in the first 3 months of card approval Apply by 31 Mar 2022 | 1.2mpd on local spend Two complimentary visits every year to airport lounges worldwide Citi Miles never expire |
| Citi Rewards | 30,000 Citi ThankYou Points | Spend S$3,000 in the first 3 months of card approval Apply by 31 Mar 2022 | Earn 10X Rewards Points (4 miles) on: – Online and retail purchases – Rides with Grab, Gojek etc. – Online food delivery – Online groceries |
| Citi Prestige | 62,500 Citi ThankYou Points or a tablet worth S$499 or hairdryer worth S$599 | Pay the annual fee Min. annual income of S$120,000 Apply by 31 Mar 2022 | 5 ThankYou Points (two miles) for every S$1 spent overseas 3.25 ThankYou Points (1.3 miles) for every S$1 spent locally Unlimited complimentary access to hundreds of Priority Pass airport lounges 8 complimentary one-way airport limousine transfers |
| DBS Altitude | Get up to 38,000 miles when you apply using the promo code ALTAF | Charge minimum of S$6,000 in 90 days from card approval date Apply by 31 Jan 2022 | 1.2mpd on local spend 3mpd on online flight and hotel transactions |
| HSBC Revolution | Get up to S$200 cashback | Sign up via SingPass MyInfo and spend S$500 in the first month after card approval Valid till 28 Feb 2022 | 10X Reward points (4mpd) on contactless payments and online purchasess 1 Reward point (0.4mpd) for all other spends Enjoy complimentary ENTERTAINER with HSBC access |
| HSBC Visa Infinite | Receive S$550 worth of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Vouchers and S$30 cashback | Min. annual income of SS$120,000 Apply online using SingPass MyInfo | 1mpd for local spend Enjoy complimentary ENTERTAINER with HSBC access Unlimited access to over 1,100 VIP airport lounges worldwide |
| The American Express® Platinum Credit Card | Receive a complimentary 1-night stay at The Fullerton Hotel, Premier Courtyard room (worth up to S$600) Enjoy a S$200 statement credit | Spend S$5,000 in the first 3 months of card Pay annual fee Valid till 31 Jan 2022 | Earn two Membership Rewards Points for every $1.60 spent Up to 50% off your food bill at over 50 restaurants Receive S$120 statement credit when you successfully refer a friend |
| Standard Chartered Visa Infinity X Card | Get 30,000 air miles upon payment of annual fees | Pay $695.50 annual fee Min. annual income of S$80,000 | Get
6 months
of Disney+ subscription when you successfully activate your card Two complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges around the world each year 360° Points never expire |
If you have plans to spend close to S$5,000 over the next few months, you can consider the American Express cards. However, if you aren’t a big spender, you can instead consider the Krisflyer UOB or the Citi Rewards card.
Cashback Credit Cards
The most generous welcome gifts tend to be offered for miles cards, in the form of miles or reward points. However, not everyone chases miles, especially with the uncertainty surrounding travel, brought about by COVID-19. If you prefer a cashback credit card, here are a few that do offer welcome gifts.
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Requirements | Key highlights of card |
| American Express CapitaCard | Up to 195,000 STAR$® (worth S$195 eCapitaVouchers) | Spend S$1,500 within the first three months of card approval and sign up via SingPass MyInfo Valid till 31 Jan 2022 | Earn 5 STAR$® for every S$1 spent on eligible purchases of goods and services outside CapitaLand Malls Earn up to 3% rebate (awarded in 6X STAR$® or 30 STAR$®) when you spend at participating merchants in CapitaLand Malls in town. Earn an additional 50 STAR$® when you spend at participating merchants in participating CapitaLand Malls Referral bonus of 20,000 STAR$® (worth $20 CapitaVouchers) when you refer a friend |
| American Express True Cashback | Receive up to S$120 CapitaVouchers Additional S$30 CapitaVouchers when you sign up by 31 Jan 2022 3% Cashback for the first 6 months, up to S$5,000 spend | Minimum S$500 spend in the first month of card approval | 1.5% cashback on all purchases No min. spend required and no cap on cashback Register to enjoy additional 1% cashback on all foreign currency spend |
| Citi Cash Back+ | Up to S$225 cashback when you apply via MyInfo on the Citibank website and spend S$5,000 in the first 3 months | Get 4.5% cash back on up to S$5,000 spend in the first 3 month | 1.6% cashback on all spend No min. spend required, no cap |
| HSBC Advance | Up to S$200 cashback | Make one qualifying spend to get S$50 cashback; S$500 min. spend to get S$120 cashback Apply with MyInfo via SingPass to get S$30 cashback | 1.5% cashback on all purchases (if you spend S$2,000 or less) Up to 2.5% cashback (if you spend more than S$2,000) 1% bonus cashback if you’re an HSBC Everyday Global Account holder and meet the monthly criteria Enjoy ENTERTAINER with HSBC perks |
| OCBC FRANK | Get S$50 cashback for the first 200 eligible applicants | Spend a minimum of S$300 by the end of the next month following card approval Valid till 31 Jan 2022 | 6% cashback on online purchases 6% cashback on mobile contactless payment and foreign currency spending You can read our review of the OCBC FRANK’s revamp here |
The American Express True Cashback, Citi Cash Back+, and HSBC Advance cards have competitive offers but act fast because these all end later in the month. The cards’ cashback rates are nothing to scoff at either and might prove to be more valuable than air miles in this environment.
Exclusive SingSaver promotions
On top of these welcome gifts, SingSaver also offers exclusive promotions from time to time. You can earn yourself items such as wireless earbuds, Grab vouchers or cash via PayNow. Check out the current promotions available for the different banks below.
Read these next:
Cashback vs Miles vs Rewards: Which Is The Best Type Of Credit Card For You?
Credit Card Housekeeping: 3 Reasons To Cancel Unused Credit Cards
6 Credit Cards Which Give Free Access to Airport Lounges
Best Cashback Credit Cards In Singapore 2022
Top 6 Air Miles Credit Cards In Singapore 2022
By Ching Sue Mae
A flat white, an adventure-filled travel and a good workout is her fuel. This Manchester United fan enjoys sharing knowledge on personal finance while chasing the dream of financial independence.
