PAssion POSB Debit Card: The Decisive Review Guide (2021)

With MasterCard payment capabilities, plenty of promotions and perks, yet no annual fee, the PAssion POSB Debit Card may be just right for you. 

At the basic end of the spectrum, you have your ordinary ATM card, which is great for withdrawing cash when you need it, and not much else. 

At the other end you have credit cards, which are packed full of capabilities, features and privileges, but come with annual fees - some quite costly!

Is there a card that straddles the middle ground, providing the convenience and reach of card payment networks, and credit card-like privileges and perks, but without all those pesky fees? 

Why, yes there is. And it’s called the PAssion POSB Debit Card. 

Read on to find out how this card works, and whether it’s the ideal card for you.

What the PAssion POSB Debit Card can do for you

PAssion POSB Debit Card product summary:

• 15% off selected hotels on Agoda.com
• 1-for-1 promos on the 10th of every month
• 10% cashback on dining and groceries (capped at S$50 per month) for first two months, new applicants only 
• 4% rebate at Cold Storage, Market Place, Jasons, Giant and Guardian
• 3% cashback for online shopping
• 1% cashback at Takashimaya with no minimum spend
• Complimentary PAssion Membership privileges worth S$12
• SimplyGo on buses and trains

Why should you choose the PAssion POSB Debit Card?

#1: Attractive perks and savings (if you don’t mind jumping through a few hoops)

The PAssion POSB Debit card is capable of some pretty decent perks and savings, including up to 10% cashback on dining and groceries, and 4% rebate when shopping at Cold Storage, Giant, and other Dairy Farm Group stores. 

However, in order to take advantage of these perks, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops. For instance, the 10% cashback promo is only open to new signups, and requires a minimum spend of S$500 per month to qualify. Also, the maximum cashback you can get is capped at S$50 per month, and is only applicable to the first two months. 

And as for the 4% rebate perk, rather than direct cashback, you’ll receive bonus TapForMore points, which you’ll have to convert to vouchers to offset your spending. 

By far the best perk available is the 15% off selected hotel stays when you book through Agoda.com. Thankfully, this perk works as advertised - you just have to look for the corresponding offers.

Another great perk that's more temporal in nature would be the 1-for-1 promos offered on the 10th of every month. The range of activities includes local attractions, Klook bundles, Cathay Cineplex movie tickets and Pororo Park Singapore for the kiddos.

• 1-for-1 Local attractions: Gardens by the Bay, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore Cable Car bundles, Sentosa FUN PASS
• 1-for-1 Klook bundles: Changes every month
• 1-for-1 Cathay Cineplex movie tickets
• 1-for-1 Pororo Park Singapore tickets

Note: Limited redemptions available for activities on 10th of every month, first-come-first-served. Tickets must be booked on designated payment sites too to be valid.

Refer to the terms & conditions under each category listing for the designated sites/payment platforms.

#2: Perpetual free PAssion Membership privileges

You’ll also receive a free PAssion membership worth S$12 (perpetually waived), which grants you member’s prices for courses, activities and facilities at the Community Clubs. You can also enjoy privileges at other People’s Association (PA) outlets, such as PAssion Wave. 

On top of that, you’re also entitled to discounts at participating merchants, a complimentary National Library Board Membership, and a S$5 eCapitaVoucher redeemable at a lowered rate of 4,500 STAR$.

#3: Doubles up as transport card and ATM card

The PAssion POSB Debit Card isn’t just a debit card that lets you use the MasterCard payment network; it also pulls double duty as your ATM card (for easy cash withdrawals), as well as your “tap-and-go” transport card. 

Even better, this card is SimplyGo-compatible, which means you can make use of account-based ticketing to directly debit the cost of your MRT and bus rides from your bank account, without the need to do any top-ups. 

#4: No annual fees

Being a debit card, the PAssion POSB card lets you enjoy contactless, digital and online payments - just like a credit card - without the pesky annual fees. 

However, you’ll need to make sure there are sufficient funds in your bank account before attempting a payment. As there is no credit extended to you, transactions that exceed your current bank balance will fail. 

For whom is the PAssion POSB Debit Card best suited?

Are you looking for an all-in-one card that can cover your transport, cash withdrawal and spending needs, coupled with occasional promotions and perks that you don’t mind putting in a bit of work for? 

Do you regularly take classes or book facilities at Community Clubs and other PA outlets?

And do you enjoy the convenience of MasterCard, but hate the idea of paying a fee for your patronage? 

If you said yes to any of the above, then definitely give the PAssion POSB Debit Card a go. You’ll find it to be a dependable no-frills card that works as advertised, even if the various promotions do sometimes ask for some effort on your part. 

What charges or fees should you look out for?

• Annual fee: S$0
• PAssion membership fee: S$12 for 5 years (waived perpetually)

Eligibility criteria

Interested in this card? Take note of the following eligibility criteria:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Holder of any of the following: 
  • POSB Savings Account
  • DBS Savings Plus Account
  • DBS Autosave Account 
  • DBS Current Account

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for the PAssion POSB Debit Card:

Applying via website

1. Go to the PAssion POSB Debit Card page and click on “Apply Online Now”
2. You can choose to apply via your iBanking login or with an existing card and PIN
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to fill in and submit your application

Applying via your digibank mobile app

1. Login to your digibank mobile app
2. Select More > Apply > Cards
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to fill in and submit your application

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