A premium credit card is a prestigious credit card targeted at high income earners. The eligibility criteria of a premium credit card is usually an annual income of S$120,000 or more. It offers luxurious and exclusive privileges and discounts with top dining, hotel and nightlife establishments. Other privileges include bonus miles, airport lounge access, airport limousine transfers and more.

Premium credit cards require you to have a minimum annual income that is significantly higher than the usual S$30,000 required for most credit cards. These premium credit cards typically charge a higher annual fee for all the complimentary privileges you receive. Annual fees range from a few hundred dollars to the low thousands of dollars. 

In return for the annual fee, premium credit cards offer exclusive perks such as higher welcome miles bonuses, higher miles per dollar earn rates, special concierge services like airport limousine transfers, expedited immigration clearance, complimentary access to airport lounges and even complimentary hotel room stays.

For most premium credit cards, meeting the minimum income requirement allows you to apply for the card, although card approval would also depend on other factors such as your credit score. There are also extremely prestigious premium credit cards that are by-invitation only, regardless of your income. Examples include the UOB Reserve, Citi ULTIMA, DBS Insignia Visa Infinite Card and American Express Centurion.

While your usual credit cards offer privileges such as cashback, miles, vouchers and even free travel insurance, premium credit cards go one step further. These prestigious credit cards offer the most exclusive privileges including free limousine transfers, 24-hour concierge service, hotel room upgrades, priority immigration clearance, as well as unlimited lounge access. However, not all premium credit cards offer the same perks, so it’s best to select one with perks you will utilise the most.

Premium credit cards target a specific segment of society –– frequent travellers. These premium credit cards reward cardholders with more miles per dollar and also offer perks that are catered for travel, making it a more worthwhile option for high spenders whothat travel frequently.

With exclusive privileges comes a certain cost. Most premium credit cards come with annual fees that can range from S$400 and even up to S$1,712. These annual fees reflect the prestige and exclusivity of the credit card and they have to be paid. However, there are a few select cards that offer an annual fee waiver for the first year (such as the UOB Lady’s Solitaire) or if you have accumulated sufficient credit card spend.

If you are a big spender who values miles, the benefits of a premium credit card might be worth the annual fee. There are also luxuries that are difficult to put a value to and might not be available for ‘purchase’ per se, such as unlimited lounge access, 24-hour concierge and limousine services. It’s important to analyse your spending habits and limitations (if any) to find a card with benefits you find worthwhile to pay for.

Consider features such as: 

• Minimum annual income requirement 
• Annual fee 
• Welcome gift 
• Miles earn rate 
• Complimentary perks

This would depend on your lifestyle and the type of privileges you enjoy. It’s best to look for a card that offers you the privileges that match your preferences, such as lounge access, dining privileges, bonus miles or even a free hotel stay.

Premium credit cards require higher than usual maintenance, in the form of annual fees and required spending. The minimum income requirement serves as an important eligibility requirement that the credit card issuer will use to assess your suitability for the premium credit card. This minimum income requirement typically ranges from S$120,000 to S$200,000 per year.

Financial comparison sites like SingSaver help you with impartial comparisons between the different products, and highlight unique selling points of each of them. That way, it’s easier for you to decide which cards best suit your needs. We also tie up with banks to reward our users with exclusive promotions and bonus incentives upon the sign-up of a new credit card.

In a bid to go all digital, some banks offer digital credit cards that could be used instantly upon approval. As these cards are digital, you no longer have to wait 1 to 2 weeks for the physical card to arrive in your mail to make a transaction. 

When applying for such digital cards, follow the bank’s instructions on where you can find your digital card (with the credit card number) once it is approved.