SG61 Card Playbook: Maximise Every National Day Deal
Updated: 29 Jul 2026
Written byAfina Najib
Senior Content Editor - Singapore
⚡ Quick Answer
| Card | Card benefit | Welcome Offers | Cashback Dining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 - 10 miles per dollar | - | - | |
| 0.3 - 8 % cashback | - | Up to 8 % | |
| 1.2 - 10 miles / dollar | - | - |
Between catching the Red Lions parachutists during preview rehearsals, booking a staycation Singapore National Day getaway, and working your way through a citywide spread of national day promotion buffet deals, festive spend can climb quickly.
The good news: with the right credit card matched to the right occasion, that spend can double up as cashback or air miles. This guide walks through the best Singapore National Day credit card promotions and rewards this SG61 season, plus a full rundown of verified F&B deals worth planning around.
Decision Guide
Before You Compare
Check the MCC
Hotel restaurant may code as MCC 7011, not 5812, which affects whether your bonus category triggers
Confirm monthly spend minimums
HSBC Live+ needs S$600/month spend for its 8% tier; UOB EVOL needs S$800/month for its 10% tier
Credit Cards to Keep an Eye Out For This National Day
Here's a closer look at six cards worth having in your wallet this SG61 season, and exactly what each one offers:
1. UOB Lady's Card
Best for: Dining and shopping around National Day.
Earns a base 4 mpd (10X UNI$) on one chosen bonus category out of seven, including Dining and Travel. Pair it with a UOB Lady's Savings Account and the rate climbs to up to 10 mpd, capped at S$1,000 of spend per month. Categories can be switched every calendar quarter via the UOB TMRW app.
2. HSBC Live+ Card
Best for: Everyday National Day dining and buffet outings.
Earns up to 8% cashback on dining, shopping, and entertainment, with a minimum monthly spend of S$600 required to unlock the full rate. There's also a Live+ Dining Programme offering up to 15% off at over 200 restaurants across Asia, which can be stacked with the cashback itself.
3. Citi PremierMiles Card
Best for: Staycation Singapore National Day bookings.
A steady 1.2 mpd on local spend and 2.2 mpd overseas, but the real value sits in its hotel booking tie-ups: up to 10 mpd (uncapped) on bookings through Kaligo, and up to 7.2 mpd on Agoda via Citi's dedicated portal — both valid until 31 December 2026. Citi Miles also never expire, useful if you're stockpiling for a bigger redemption later.
4. UOB EVOL Card
Best for: Mobile contactless spend at picnic and viewing spots.
Earns 10% cashback on local online and mobile contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, SimplyGo), requiring a minimum S$800 monthly spend and capped at S$30 cashback for that category. Annual fees have been waived since 1 July 2026 with no minimum spend condition attached.
5. Citi Cash Back Card
Best for: Grocery runs ahead of a picnic or gathering.
Earns 6% cashback at supermarkets, with an 8% rate reserved for transport and ride-hailing (Grab, Gojek) rather than groceries. Cashback is credited in S$10 blocks with a S$50 minimum threshold, so it's worth timing bigger grocery hauls to round out to a clean multiple.
6. DBS Altitude Visa Card
Best for: General local and overseas spend if you already hold it.
Earns 1.3 mpd on local spend and 2.2 mpd on overseas spend. Its long-running 10 mpd Kaligo partnership was discontinued in April 2024, so it's no longer the go-to pick for hotel bookings — Citi PremierMiles has taken over that role. Still worth holding for the welcome offer (up to 28,000 bonus miles on S$800 spend for new-to-DBS customers, valid till 31 October 2026) and complimentary Priority Pass lounge access.
How to Maximise Rewards Across National Day Celebrations
1. Cracking the Code on Singapore National Day Food Promotions
August is peak season for festive dining, with restaurants and hotels rolling out local-inspired menus and buffet deals built around SG61. Whether you're hunting for a national day promotion buffet or a quick takeaway near the parade route, the right card stacks extra savings on top of an already-discounted deal.
Verified Singapore National Day Food Promotion & Buffet Deals
| Deal | Where | Verified Price | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-for-1 Halal Buffet | Permata, Gedung Kuning | $44++ lunch / $54++ dinner (U.P. $88/$108) | Now – 31 Aug 2026 |
| 61% off for one adult aged 61, per group of 4 | The Buffet Restaurant, M Hotel | $53.80++ per adult | Ongoing Aug 2026 |
| Teochew Porridge Buffet collab | Four Points Eatery | $28.80++, 20+ dishes | 25 Jul – 31 Aug 2026 |
| Rendang Deal (code SG61YAY) | Burger King | $6.10 (burger + small Milo) | 11–16 Aug 2026 |
| Curry x Sambal Zinger | KFC | $8.10 | 8 Jul – 18 Aug 2026 |
| SG61 Family Set | Swensen's | $61 (feeds 3) | 9 Jul – 9 Sep 2026 |
| Rotating SG61 throwback prata | Springleaf Prata Place | Price rotates weekly | 1 Jul – 4 Aug 2026 |
2. Lock In Your Staycation Deals Early
Demand for rooms with a fireworks-facing view spikes hard over NDP preview weekends. For a genuine staycation Singapore National Day booking, always book through a dedicated bank-OTA landing page rather than the hotel's own site — Citi PremierMiles cardholders can still earn up to 10 mpd through Kaligo, or up to 7.2 mpd through Agoda's Citi-specific portal, both running until 31 December 2026. Note that DBS Altitude no longer carries the Kaligo bonus rate it once had; its current base rate of 1.3–2.2 mpd makes it a weaker pick for hotel bookings specifically, even though it's still solid for everyday spend.
3. Smart Spending at Red Lions & Parade Viewing Spots
Gathering at waterfront parks or heartland viewing spots for the Red Lions and flypast usually means a mix of takeaway food, transport, and last-minute grocery runs. For transport and mobile payments, UOB EVOL earns 10% cashback on mobile contactless spend (S$800 minimum monthly spend, capped at S$30). For picnic supplies, Citi Cash Back earns 6% at supermarkets — a smaller cut than its 8% transport rate, but still worth using over a card with no grocery bonus at all.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're chasing the best singapore national day deals, locking in a staycation, or working through a national day promotion buffet list, matching the right card to the right MCC makes the real difference in how much you save. Rates and promo dates move fast during SG61 season — always check live terms before you spend, since some claims still in circulation (like the old DBS Altitude/Kaligo tie-up) are already out of date.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.
About the author
Afina Najib
Spending most of her young writer's phase working as a freelancer, Afina's written for various industries ranging from e-commerce, travel to health and finance. Her expertise lies in her ability to make complex subjects like finance easy to consume for everyday readers.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. While we review and compare financial products to help you find the best options, we do not provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.