Best Premium Credit Cards in Singapore 2023

The DBS Vantage Card’s biggest claim to fame lies in its ability to seamlessly switch between 2.2 miles per S$1 (mpd) or 2.2% cashback, all conveniently managed through the DBS digibank app.

Not only that, this premium credit card also earns up to 6 mpd on Expedia bookings and offers 19% savings on Esso fuel spend. The only thing to note is that these miles or cashback are earned in the form of DBS Points in blocks of S$5 transactions. 

For context, 1 DBS Point is worth 2 miles or S$0.02 cashback, with each DBS Point rounded down to the nearest S$5 block. So do take note of that!

But other than that, cardholders are entitled to a whole host of hotel, dining, and concierge services:

• Complimentary Accor Plus Explorer Membership: Receive 1 complimentary hotel night stay and enjoy 50% off dining bills at Fairmont, Sofitel, Swissôtel, and over 1,000 participating hotels, resorts, and restaurants
• Complimentary Priority Pass Membership: Enjoy 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year
• Up to 50% off dining bills at selected restaurants all year long
• 24/7 Visa concierge services

The HSBC Visa Infinite Card is one of the best premium travel credit cards that you can get. Cardholders will earn the bonus rates of up to 1.25 mpd on local spend and 2.25 mpd on overseas with minimum S$50,000 spend annually. 

While this all looks great on paper, the S$50,000 might be a tall order to fulfill for some. This number might appear intimidating initially, but when broken down, it translates to approximately S$4,170 spend per month, making it a more attainable goal than it may seem. In the event you fail to meet the S$50,000 spend requirement however, your boosted rates will drop back to the base rates of 1 mpd on local spend and 2 mpd on overseas spend. 

But what really solidifies the HSBC Visa Infinite as a travel credit card is its plethora of travel privileges it comes with. For instance, cardholders are entitled to unlimited complimentary airport lounge access, expedited immigration clearance, complimentary airport limousine transfer, along with US$2 million complimentary travel insurance coverage. 

Although its miles earn rates aren’t as high as the previous two, it’s more straightforward to use since it grants miles on general spend both locally and internationally. As a result, the HSBC Visa Infinite Card is ideal for those frequently travelling overseas for business trips.

Want another option for travel credit cards? The Maybank Visa Infinite Card is an alternative to the HSBC Visa Infinite offering similar miles earn rates of 1.2 mpd on local spend and 2 mpd on overseas spend. 

While these two cards seemingly rival each other, the Maybank Visa Infinite might have a slight edge due to the absence of a minimum spend requirement in order to benefit from its bonus miles earn rates. Cardholders can enjoy the bonus rates straight off the bat. Miles are earned in TREATS Points which never expire, so that’s a plus!

Additionally, this card comes with travel perks too like complimentary limousine service, complimentary JetQuay service, and unlimited Priority Pass lounge access when you pay the S$600 annual fee or spend a minimum of S$60,000 in the previous card anniversary year. Golf lovers can relish complimentary green fees with minimum S$2,000 spend per calendar month as well.

Even if you choose to take advantage of the first-year annual fee waiver, you can still enjoy entry at US$32 per person per visit.

The only downside to these bonus points/miles is that redemption must be made on Maybank TREATS SG app to be valid.

So far, miles cards seem to dominate the market of premium credit cards. But cashback lovers, fret not, there’s an option for you too! The CIMB Visa Infinite Card rewards an unlimited 2% cashback on eligible travel, overseas, and online foreign spend and an unlimited 1% cashback on all other spend.

Cardholders are also entitled to 3 complimentary airport lounge visits per year (via DragonPass membership), up to 25% discounts at selected airport dining, 5% off airport limousine transfers and meet & greet services, and 24/7 Visa Infinite Concierge. But that’s not all. To stay protected on all your travels, enjoy up to S$1 million complimentary travel insurance coverage when you charge your full travel fare to the card.

Although 1% and 2% cashback might not be as high as other cashback cards, these cashback rates are unlimited – meaning that there is no cashback cap whatsoever. You’re free to spend to your heart’s content on the relevant categories and earn fuss-free cashback simultaneously.