Best Credit Cards for First-Timer in Singapore

Are you thinking of applying for a credit card for the first time? Think of all the promising perks as a credit cardholder – the convenience, ability to use additional cash, and more. The thought of it seems exciting, right?

Then again, having zero credit history is a challenging obstacle – and one that you must work your way around. The consolation is that with determination and persistence (to show you’re a responsible individual), you’ll be looking at a successful card application pretty soon.

The table below features a line-up of credit cards that you might want to check out.

1: American Express Platinum Credit Card

Best credit card for: Rewards

As a first-timer, you’d have a grand time if your first-ever credit card came with a warm welcome. Do you think so, too?

The American Express Platinum Credit Card allows you to choose from two options of rewards.

Option 1

• Annual fee waiver (for the first year)
• Armet Samsonite Spinner Luggage (Expandable)

Option 2

• Full fee offer
• H5 B&O Play
• Sigma Samsonite 76cm Luggage
• 32” Philips Slim LED

Other credit card offers:

• SGD $1.60 = 2 Points
• SGD $1.60 = 10 Points under Platinum Extra partner establishments
• Up to 50% discount under Love Dining Programme
• Avail of special deals under American Express Selects
• Up to 50% discount under Platinum Wellness
• Enjoy discounted movie tickets under Platinum Entertainment
• Complimentary access to Boingo hotspots (Wi-Fi) worldwide

2: Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Credit Card

Best credit card for: Cashback

Isn’t the sound of a credit card with unlimited cashback good? For first-timers, it must be!

The Unlimited Cashback Credit Card offered by Standard Chartered is a top contender as the best card for cashback because it offers UNLIMITED cashback. 1.5% cashback privilege is yours to enjoy with no cap. There’s no minimum spend, too!

Other credit card offers:

• Complimentary parking under TANGS (Sundays to Mondays)
• 0 admin fee under SMRT taxis
• 10% discount at Harry’s (total bill)
• Privileges under The Good Life
• Annual fee waiver (for the first two years)

3: Maybank Family and Friends Card (with another Maybank Card)

Best credit card for: Free luggage

Did you know that you can receive an extravagant luggage set as welcome bonus when you apply (and get approved) for a Maybank Family and Friends Card along with your choice from all Maybank Cards?

Yes, a four-wheel 76cm trolley case and two-piece 70 cm Delsey Belfort Set is yours! The freebies are worth SGD $798!

Other credit card offers:

• Maybank perks (seasonal special offers for visits to family attractions, theme parks, dining, travel, and more)
• Additional welcome bonus of SGD $80
• 0.3% cashback on all items
• Up to 8% cashback (with minimum spend of SGD $1,000 for every calendar month)

• Up to 8% cashback on taxi rides under SMRT, Premier Taxi, Grab Taxi, TransCab, and CityCab
• 5% cashback (with minimum spend of SGD $500 for every month)
• Annual fee waiver (for the first three years)

4: Citi VISA PremierMiles Credit Card

Best credit card for: Travel/air miles

With a Citi VISA PremierMiles Credit Card, if you spend any amount within the first three months of card ownership, you’ll get a reward of 15,000 Citi Miles. If you spend SGD $10,000 within the same period, an additional 15,000 Citi Miles is headed your way. And, if you spend SGD $10,000 on local items, you’ll get 12,000 Citi Miles.

New Citi PayAll feature: Earn miles/reward points (depending on card type) when you pay your tax, rent, condominium management fee, school fee or electricity bill with Citi PayAll on the Citi Mobile® App.

Other credit card offers:

• 10,000 Citi Miles as bonus upon annual card renewal

• SGD $1 = 10 Citi Miles (for travel bookings online)

• SGD $1 = 6 Citi Miles

• SGD $1 = 1.2 Citi Miles (for local spend)

• SGD $1 = 2 Citi Miles (for overseas spend)

5: DBS Esso Credit Card

Best credit card for: Petrol

As a DBS Esso Credit Card holder, you’re a superstar at Esso stations! You get petrol savings of up to 19.5% at Esso stations island-wide – no limit, no minimum spend. You get 17% onsite discounts and up to 2.5% Smiles Points.

Other credit card offers:

• SGD $5 = 1 DBS Reward Point
• Up to 10% discount at The Chop House and Miam Miam
• Up to 50% discount at participating Dining merchants island-wide
• 15% discount at Raffles Singapore (total bill)

6: HSBC Revolution Credit Card

Best credit card for: Entertainment

5x rewards under Entertainment are up for grabs with the HSBC Revolution Credit Card. For every SGD $1 that you spend at entertainment merchants, you’ll get 5 Reward Points. If you visit family KTVs, clubs, bars, and local pubs, you’ll enjoy the big rewards!

Other credit card offers:

• SGD $1 = 5 Reward Points (on online shopping and dining)
• SGD $1 = 1 Reward Point on all purchases
• Rebates and discounts under HSBC Vacations
• 14% onsite discount at Caltex and Shell stations
• Golden Village movie privileges
• Up to SGD $180 cashback as welcome offer
• 0 rewards cap

7: ANZ Optimum World MasterCard

Best credit card for: Shopping

You’ll get 5% cashback on Shopping with the ANZ Optimum World MasterCard. This includes online stores and fashion boutiques!

Other credit card offers:

• 5% cash rebate on category choice; categories include grocery, dining, and travel
• 1% unlimited cash rebates on all purchases
• World MasterCard privileges

8: OCBC 365 Card

Best credit card for: Dining

If you dine out a lot – whether at local or overseas restaurants, the OCBC 365 Card’s cashback promos for dining are best for you. As a first-time credit card holder who dines out regularly, you’d love the idea of getting cashback.

On weekdays, for local and overseas dining, 3% cashback is yours. On weekends, you’ll receive 6% cashback on restaurants island-wide!

Other credit card offers:

• 0.3% cashback on ALL spending
• 3% cashback on TELCO bills, local supermarkets, and online purchases
• 5% cashback on petrol purchases
• Up to 18.3% discounts at petrol stations
• 3% cashback on medical spending – under Child Development Account
• Complimentary travel insurance (up to SGD $800 coverage)

Final Thoughts on Applying for a Credit Card as a Beginner

Applying for a credit card for the first time should be an exciting experience – and it should be a memorable one, too.

Credit card companies are just watching their backs – just like you are watching yours. It’s only reasonable of them to be stern during the initial process.

So, are you excited to have a credit card? As a beginner, the credit card application process can be intimidating, but as the classic saying goes, “there’s always going to be a first time.” Why not let that first time be NOW?

Do you want to share your thoughts regarding the subject? Kindly leave a comment below.