Most Popular Credit Cards In Singapore (2021) – Benefits And Drawbacks

SingSaver team

SingSaver team

Last updated 22 November, 2021

Wondering which popular credit card to apply for? Here’s a round-up of the top seven most applied credit cards on SingSaver in 2021 to get you started.

 

Which are the most popular credit cards in Singapore? Depending on what you value and what you spend on each month, you can save thousands of dollars in cashback, rewards points or air miles each year simply by choosing the right credit card.

Based on our data, these are the top seven credit cards that people applied for on SingSaver in 2021:

#1 Citi Cash Back+ Mastercard: Unlimited 1.6% cashback on all eligible purchases

Citi Cash Back+ Mastercard is a popular one for good reason: it lets you earn a flat rate 1.6% cashback on all eligible purchases. There’s no minimum spend in order to start earning cashback and no cap on how much cashback you can earn. Plus, your cashback doesn’t expire. 

To redeem your cashback, simply choose to offset your bill with Citi Pay with Points via the Citi Mobile app or opt for cash rebate via SMS.

Pros Cons
1.6% cashback on all eligible spending with no min. spend and no cap Cash rebates can be redeemed only in denominations of S$10, S$20 or S$50 via SMS
Cashback earned does not expire  
Redeem cashback instantly via SMS or Citi Pay with Points  
Up to 14% discount at Esso and Shell petrol stations  
Enjoy deals and discounts with Citi World Privileges  

SINGSAVE_SUPERSAVER_AUG-CAMPAIGN_IN-BLOG-ARTICLE_800x250

🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional 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.

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For Citi PremierMiles Card and Citi Prestige Card: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), 18K Heymax Miles, 50,000 Yuu Points or S$320 Cash 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 9 December 2024.  T&Cs apply.

Get an additional S$100 eCapitaVoucher when you simultaneously open a Citi Citigold Account. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

Citi SMRT and M1 Cards: Receive a Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

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Other Citi Credit Cards: Receive a Hinomi H1 Classic V3 Ergonomic Office Chair (With Headrest) (worth S$659), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

Rewards Upgrade Campaign_BLOGARTICLE_800x250 (1)

⬆️Reward Upgrade Campaign⬆️: Upgrade your rewards when you top specific amounts. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

  • S$100 for an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$499)
  • S$1,080 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$1,586 for a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Gray 12+512GB 5G (worth S$2,128.00)

 

#2 Standard Chartered Unlimited Credit Card: Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all eligible purchases

The SCB Unlimited Card is a fuss-free cashback credit card to consider if you’re looking to earn unlimited 1.5% cashback on all eligible spending. There’s no minimum spend, no cashback cap and no need for you to track your spending categories. 

Also, you can expect to earn up to a total of 3% cashback when you deposit funds in your Unlimited$aver account. This applies to your expenses beyond the first few couple of months, unlike limited-time bonus cashback promotions that other cards offer. 

Pros Cons
1.5% cashback on all spend, no min. spend and no cashback cap Cannot be used for EZ-Reload
Enjoy offers and privileges for online, dining, retail and more with The Good Life®  
Enjoy an accelerated cashback rate of up to 3% when you deposit funds in your Unlimited$aver account  
2-year annual fee waiver  
 

#3 Citi Cash Back Card: High cashback rates for dining, groceries, petrol

The Citi Cash Back Card offers one of the highest cashback rates for groceries, dining and petrol compared to other cards in the market. Coupled with a relatively low minimum monthly spend of S$800, it’s a well-rounded, multi-purpose card ideal for dining out, supermarket shopping or fuelling up if you own a car.

Pros Cons
8% cashback on grocery shopping, both online and at major supermarkets (local & overseas) Min. monthly spend of S$800 required to earn bonus cashback
6% cashback on dining at restaurants, cafes, fast food eateries, and caterers  S$80 combined cashback cap across all categories
8% cashback on petrol spending   
Up to 20.88% savings at Esso and Shell, inclusive of 8% cashback for petrol spending  
0.25% cashback for all other spending, even if you do not meet the min. monthly spend  
Enjoy deals and discounts with Citi World Privileges  

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🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional 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.

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For Citi PremierMiles Card and Citi Prestige Card: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), 18K Heymax Miles, 50,000 Yuu Points or S$320 Cash 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 9 December 2024.  T&Cs apply.

Get an additional S$100 eCapitaVoucher when you simultaneously open a Citi Citigold Account. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

Citi SMRT and M1 Cards: Receive a Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

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Other Citi Credit Cards: Receive a Hinomi H1 Classic V3 Ergonomic Office Chair (With Headrest) (worth S$659), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

Rewards Upgrade Campaign_BLOGARTICLE_800x250 (1)

⬆️Reward Upgrade Campaign⬆️: Upgrade your rewards when you top specific amounts. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

  • S$100 for an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$499)
  • S$1,080 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$1,586 for a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Gray 12+512GB 5G (worth S$2,128.00)


#4 Citi Rewards Card: 10X rewards on online and shopping purchases

The Citi Rewards Card is a trusty one to have if you’re someone who shops frequently at fashion and department stores. This rewards card is also a fantastic pick if you have the habit of turning to the internet for all your needs. 

Whether you shop online, buy groceries online, order meals or hop on rides on the regular, the Citi Rewards Card lets you earn 10X rewards points on up to the first S$1,000 spent in the statement month. 

Pros Cons
10X rewards points (4mpd) on online spending except travel 10X rewards are capped at 10,000 points per statement month i.e. S$1,000 spent
Online category includes online shopping, taxi/ride-hailing apps, food delivery, online groceries 10X rewards excludes travel purchases online and non-fashion purchases offline
10X rewards points (4mpd) on offline fashion shopping and department stores  
1X rewards point (0.4mpd) on all other spending  
No min. spend required to earn rewards points  
Enjoy deals and discounts with Citi World Privileges  

SINGSAVE_SUPERSAVER_AUG-CAMPAIGN_IN-BLOG-ARTICLE_800x250

🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional 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.

CITI PREMIERMILES_KV1_IN BLOG BANNER_800x250 (2)

For Citi PremierMiles Card and Citi Prestige Card: Receive a Samsonite Straren Spinner 67/24 + 2X AirTag (worth S$690.80), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), 18K Heymax Miles, 50,000 Yuu Points or S$320 Cash 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 9 December 2024.  T&Cs apply.

Get an additional S$100 eCapitaVoucher when you simultaneously open a Citi Citigold Account. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

Citi SMRT and M1 Cards: Receive a Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

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Other Citi Credit Cards: Receive a Hinomi H1 Classic V3 Ergonomic Office Chair (With Headrest) (worth S$659), an Apple iPad 9th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$508.30), an Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 + Magsafe Charger (worth S$408), 50,000 Yuu Points, or S$320 Cash upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid until 9 December  2024. T&Cs apply.

Rewards Upgrade Campaign_BLOGARTICLE_800x250 (1)

⬆️Reward Upgrade Campaign⬆️: Upgrade your rewards when you top specific amounts. Valid until 9 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

  • S$100 for an Apple iPad 10th Gen 10.9 wifi 64GB (worth S$499)
  • S$1,080 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$1,586 for a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Titanium Gray 12+512GB 5G (worth S$2,128.00)

 

#5 HSBC Revolution Credit Card: 10X rewards on online and contactless purchases

It’s not hard to see why the HSBC Revolution Credit Card is well-loved amongst credit card users. For a start, there’s absolutely no need to track your spending categories — you can earn 10X rewards points (4mpd) on all online and contactless purchases on the first S$1,000 spent in the calendar month. 

Plus, there’s no annual fee to deal with at all. To make things even sweeter, you get free ENTERTAINER with HSBC access with this card!

Pros Cons
10X rewards points (4mpd) on online purchases  Cap of 10,000 rewards points per calendar month on eligible purchases
10X rewards points (4mpd) on contactless payments Qualifying transactions for 10X rewards points have additional exclusions
1X rewards point (0.4mpd) on all other spending  
No min. spend required to earn rewards points  
No annual fee for life  
Free ENTERTAINER with HSBC access, with 1-for-1 dining, lifestyle and hotel deals  

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SingSaver Exclusive Offer: Enjoy the following rewards when you sign up for an HSBC credit card.

  • Flujo SmarTrax Standing Desk (worth S$739, available for HSBC Live+ Card only)
  • Dyson Micro 1.5kg Vacuum (worth S$599, available for select cards)
  • Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S20+ EU (worth S$449, available for HSBC Advance Card only)
  • Apple Bundle - Apple AirPods 4 with ANC + AirTag 4 Pack (worth S$398)
  • Apple Watch SE (GEN 2) GPS 44mm (worth S$389)
  • 17,000 Max Miles (for HSBC TravelOne and Revolution cards)
  • S$199 cash via PayNow

To qualify, activate your HSBC credit card, provide marketing consent, and spend a minimum of S$500 by the end of the following calendar month from your card account opening date. HSBC TravelOne Card applicants must also pay the annual fee of S$196.20 (incl. GST). Valid till 2 January 2024. T&Cs apply.

 

#6 American Express True Cashback: Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, including school fees and bills

Apply for AMEX True Cashback Card

True to its name, the American Express True Cashback is the OG when it comes to easy cashback. This credit card lets you earn 1.5% cashback on literally everything you spend on, including frequently excluded transactions like school fees, utility bills and more. This in itself is a standout feature of this card. 

Plus, it comes packed with extra perks along with the fact that you can earn 3% cashback on the first S$5,000 spent within the first six months of card approval. 

Pros Cons
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend, with no min. spend required and no cap Bonus 3% cashback only applies to first S$5,000 spent
3% cashback on first S$5,000 spent within the first six months  
Automatic cashback credited within the month  
Exclusive American Express True Cashback Card Offers and True Love Weddings privileges  
Free travel insurance benefits of up to S$350,000 when you purchase your travel ticket with this card  
 

#7 Standard Chartered Rewards+ Credit Card: 10X rewards on foreign currency purchases

Do you find yourself spending in foreign currency all the time? If so, the Standard Chartered Rewards+ Credit Card could be the perfect addition to your wallet. This credit card lets you earn 10X rewards points on each S$1 spent in foreign currency on overseas retail, dining and travel transactions. You can also earn 5X rewards points on local dining transactions charged to this credit card.

Pros Cons
10X rewards points for every S$1 spent in foreign currency on overseas retail, dining and travel transactions Additional rewards points (i.e. 9X and 4X rewards points) are capped at 20,000 points per year starting from card approval date
5X rewards points for every S$1 spent on dining transactions Purchases from local hotel restaurants and supermarkets aren’t likely to be considered as qualifying dining transactions
1X rewards point for every S$1 spent on all eligible spend  
No min. spend required, 2-year annual fee waiver  
Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to S$500,000 when you charge your full travel fare to the card  
 

What’s the best credit card for you? 

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to determining the ‘best’ credit card. 

In order to narrow down the best credit cards that would likely work for you, your lifestyle and needs, consider these few factors: 

  • Your spending behaviour (i.e. what you spend on, how much you tend to spend)
  • Your preference for cashback, air miles or rewards points 
  • Annual fees 
  • Minimum spend requirement
  • Overall rewards system structure (i.e. pick a card that rewards you on everything or the categories you spend the most on) 
  • The extra perks that the cards offer

Compare credit cards the easy way on SingSaver 

Whether you’re on team cashback, air miles, or rewards points, you can always save time by comparing the various cards on SingSaver. Apply through us and receive exclusive welcome gifts on top of the bank’s own sign-up bonuses!

Read these next:
Top Credit Card Promotions And Deals On SingSaver
Credit Card Comparison: Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Unlimited
Credit Card Comparison: Citi Rewards vs OCBC Titanium vs HSBC Revolution
Best Cashback Credit Cards In Singapore
Cashback vs Miles vs Rewards: Which Is The Best Type Of Credit Card For You

 

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