Editor’s Note, 11 January 2019: Hi! Some promotions have expired and we are checking for the latest credit card sign up promotions for 2019, so please do stay tuned as we are working hard to get them updated as soon as we can!
Looking for the best credit card sign up promotion or the best credit card deals available in Singapore? You are at the right place, because just like you, we have been through the thought process of choosing the best credit card in Singapore to sign up for. Besides the benefits, card features and annual fee you’ll have to pay attention to, you may also get dazzled by the welcome bonus offers many card companies give if you sign up for their cards. It’s a brilliant marketing tactic to hype interest and attract potential card applicants. Not only does it benefit the card companies when more consumers sign up for their credit cards, consumers stand to gain from these sign up welcome offers and subconsciously get persuaded to use their new cards as soon as possible.
With amazing sign up promotions as part of the deal, it’s a win-win for both parties. If you’re reading this, we’re assuming you are already browsing the market for a new card. Whichever card you have in mind, it doesn’t pay to take a look at the table we have done up below, and see whether any of the sign up bonus offers appeal to you. They come all forms – cashback, rebates, miles and even free luggage. Perhaps a pleasant surprise awaits you!
Here are credit cards with amazing free sign up promotion you should keep an eye on.
Free Cash back sign up offers
The below offers are for new-to-bank customers only. Do note that for most of the HSBC cards featured, applicants have the option to choose between S$120 cash back or a free American Tourister luggage. For cash back, HSBC has the highest amount with up to S$160.
| CARD | DETAILS | |
 | Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Card (Cashback Card) |
|
 | Standard Chartered Spree Card (Cashback Card) |
|
 | Standard Chartered Platinum Visa/Mastercard (Reward points Card) |
|
 | Citibank Cashback (Cashback Card) |
|
 | Citibank Rewards (Rewards Card) |
|
 | Citibank SMRT (Cashback Card) |
|
Free Air Miles sign up offers
The below offers are for new-to-bank customers only. Discounting Citibank Prestige card which is in it’s own high-net-worth category, the Citibank Premier miles credit card gives the highest bonus miles if you are able to spend a minimum of S$10K within the first 3 months.
| CARD | DETAILS | |
 | Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card (Miles Card) |
|
 | Citibank Premiermiles Card (Miles Card) |
|
 | Citibank Prestige Card (Miles Card) |
|
 | HSBC Visa Infinite Card (Rewards Card) |
|
 | American Express KrisFlyer Credit Card (Miles Card) |
|
Free gifts sign up offers
The below offers are for new-to-bank customers only. The American Express Platinum Credit Card sits in the premium range, but it provides a ton of sign up benefits if you can hit the minimum requirements.
| CARD | DETAILS | |
 | American Express True Cashback Card (Cashback Card) |
|
 | American Express Platinum Credit Card (Reward Points Card) |
|
| Citibank Prestige Card (Miles Card) |
|
Free Luggage sign up offers
The below offers are for new-to-bank customers only. Do note that for most HSBC Credit cards, applicants have the option of choosing between a free American Tourister luggage or S$120 cash back. You can check out our dedicated free luggage article for a deep dive!
| CARD | DETAILS | |
 | HSBC Advance Credit Card (Cashback Card) |
|
 | HSBC Revolution Credit Card (Reward points Card) |
|
 | HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card (Cashback Card) |
|
Offers for Existing Customers of Banks
The above offers are for new-to-bank customers only. Are you an existing customer one of the banks below but seeking for sign up promotions when signing up for new cards with them? Here’s a list of deals.
| CARD | DETAILS | |
| HSBC Advance Credit Card (Cashback Card) |
|
| | Citibank Premiermiles Card (Miles Card) |
|
We hope you found our summary useful, and as always, please do check out the terms & conditions on the respective bank’s page using the handy links provided above to ensure you get the sign up gifts you want!
Having trouble deciding which card to go for? In this next section, we will deep dive into some of our top picks for you.
1. American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
Never owned an American Express credit card before? We reckon this welcome offer will appeal to you. The AMEX SIA KrisFlyer Credit Card is offering a welcome gift of 13,000 miles for new AMEX card applicants with a minimum spend of S$2,000 during the first 3 months! It doesn’t stop here.
The AMEX SIA KrisFlyer card is known for its convenience in miles accumulation as there is no need for conversion (i.e. no conversion fee too) to your KrisFlyer account. Simply link your KrisFlyer account to your bank account so that the miles you earn can be automatically credited to your KrisFlyer account. No downtime at all!
What’s more, you will receive 1,500 krisFlyer miles for each for the first two approved supplementary cards.
Cardable has done a more comprehensive review on the AMEX SIA KrisFlyer Credit Card if you would like to find out more!
2. Citi Rewards Card
Want S$120 cashback? Citi wants to welcome you with this gift if you apply for its Citi Rewards Card. This sign up offer is valid for new Citi card applicants from now until 31 December 2018. It’s slightly tricky with this welcome offer, because you’ll have to spend a minimum of S$200 per month for the first 6 months starting from the first day of the month after the opening of the card applied. If the minimum spend for that month is met, a cashback value of S$20 will be rewarded to you at the end of the next month. This welcome offer is also valid with applications for the Citi Cash Back Card.
For full details, see T&Cs here.
The Citi Rewards Card allows you to earn 10X Rewards when you shop for clothes, bags, shoes or at department stores and online sites. There are also exclusive discounts for selected online merchants. If you’re looking for a card to cover your shopping expenses, this may be a good one to consider.
3. UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card
Looking for a credit card to earn more air miles? When you sign up for a UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card from now until 31 December 2018, you’ll be rewarded with up to S$120! All you have to do is to spend a minimum of S$1,000 within the first 30 days of card approval.
Travel in style with the UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card as you get to enjoy exclusive discounts with the Visa Luxury Hotels Collection. Earn more miles on transactions with major airlines, hotels and travel booking sites!
4. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
The HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card is one card that aims to give you more savings on daily expenses, such as utilities and telco bills, groceries, petrol and even dining discounts! We think this makes a great family card for you and your spouse if you’re looking for a card to settle your recurring bill payments as well as necessities for the family.
If you are new to HSBC cards, good news! Apply for the HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card today and receive a free Samsonite Astra 55cm luggage worth S$350 by simply by charging a minimum of SGD $600 within the first month of your account opening date. Read full T&Cs here.
5. Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card
From now until the end of 2018, a free 28″ Samsonite luggage is yours when you apply for the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite credit card. All you have to do is to choose the free luggage option as welcome bonus when you apply for the card, and pay the first year’s annual fee of SGD $558.50 to get rewarded. You’ll also get a welcome bonus of 15,000 miles along with your new luggage!
The Standard Chartered Visa Infinite card is positioned as a card ideal for frequent travellers. It has a earn rate of 1.4 miles for every S$1 spent locally, and 3 miles for every S$1 equivalent spent overseas. Like several other Standard Chartered cards, this card has a Tap-and-Pay payment with contactless payment terminals for transactions below S$100, bringing about increased convenience in today’s fast-paced society.
6. Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Card
What do you say to S$100 cashback or S$150 in Prime Now Credits as sign up promotion? Standard Chartered is offering this welcome gift if you sign up for the Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Card online from now until 31 January 2019!
In order to qualify for this sign up promotion, you will have to be a new Standard Chartered principal cardholder. The cashback amount will be credited to your principal account within 30 days from the date your card gets activated. Read full T&Cs here.
The StanChart Unlimited Cashback Card had previously garnered quite a bit of attention with its feature on unlimited cashback a cardholder can earn without any minimum spend. This serves as a great all-in-one card! Not only can you use it as an EZ-link card, you also earn 1.5% cashback on anything you transact with the card, along with the amazing dining deals that come with the card. Read our full review of the Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Credit Card for a more complete picture.
We all love some sort of free gifts
As consumers, we’re all attracted by promotions and benefits. We commend the effort put in by card companies as we have to admit that it is pretty effective in capturing attention.
With bonus offers upon sign up, customers are getting more out of the deal. This also sends out a feel-good message; it makes customers feel welcome right from the beginning and they may anticipate more promising offers from the credit card company.
More importantly, the sign up promotion of credit cards can weigh in on an important decision: Which should be the credit card for you? If you prefer a particular bonus offer (such as free luggage), don’t hesitate to check out credit card promotions that come with that bonus offer.
While sign up bonus offers are worth considering when you apply for a credit card, the features of a particular credit card are even more important. As you take note of the bonus offers, make sure you don’t lose sight of how the credit card can add value to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Do you look out for sign up promotions before you apply for a credit card? What are some of your best promotions in your opinion? If you have something to add to the line-up, do let us know via the comments section below!
Enjoyed this article? You may be interested to read more of our credit card review articles!
