Best credit card promotions in Singapore (October 2024): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB, and more

This October, sign up for a credit card and you could walk away with up to $7,900 worth of staycay, shopping and dining vouchers, a Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth S$700), a GoPro HERO13 (worth $590)... and the list goes on.

Clearly, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to credit card promotions these days.

Banks offering credit cards in Singapore are competing so hard for new customers that they are practically raining Apple products, Nintendo Switches, ergonomic chairs, and other freebies on us. Even if you don't see any item you want, some welcome gifts are just straight up cold, hard cash!

But which are the best credit card promotions in Singapore? Here are our top picks from Citibank, Standard Chartered, UOB, DBS, and more.

An overview: Best credit card promotions in Singapore (Oct 2024)

Win $7,900 worth of staycay, shopping, and dining vouchers at Marina Central when you apply for Citibank credit cards.

Marina Central vouchers can be redeemed for shopping mall vouchers at Marina Square, Millenia Walk or Suntec City, or redeemed directly at participating dining establishments at South Beach and the district's luxury hotels.

1. Citibank credit card promotion

Looking to sign up for a new Citibank credit card? Well, you're in luck! Citibank credit card welcome gifts are looking very attractive right now thanks to our Stay & Slay Giveaway. There are some $7,900 worth of staycation and shopping rewards up for grabs, including:

• 2 x 2D1N hotel stay at Pan Pacific Singapore’s Deluxe Panoramic Room
  • Inclusive of breakfast for two and welcome drinks (worth S$1,800++)
  • S$100 in Marina Central vouchers
• 2 x 2D1N hotel stay at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach’s Premier Room
  • Inclusive of daily buffet breakfast for two at Beach Road Kitchen (worth S$750++)
  • S$100 in Marina Central vouchers
• 2 x Suntec City and Marina Central voucher sets
  • S$500 in Suntec City e-vouchers
  • S$100 in Marina Central vouchers

All you need to do is sign up for one of the following Citibank credit cards via MoneySmart and spend $500 within 30 days. Once you fulfil the minimum spend criteria, you'll be entered in the Stay & Slay Giveaway-plus receive welcome gifts! Receive 6,140 SmartPoints or $300 cash via PayNow.

There are four Citibank credit cards on promotion. Our top pick the Citi PremierMiles Card which lets you earn Citi Miles that never expire.

If you prefer a no-fuss cashback card, the Citi Cash Back+ Mastercard, an unlimited cashback card with no monthly minimum spend.

Here's a summary of all the Citibank credit cards with ongoing promotions:

2. Standard Chartered credit card promotions

There are a few Standard Chartered credit card promotions ongoing this month that are all very enticing. It's hard to pick the best, but the unlimited cashback Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card promotion comes up top in terms of cash value.

This month, you can also get $200 cash via PayNow or 2,990 SmartPoints when you apply for the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card or Standard Chartered Rewards+ Credit Card.

Here's a summary of all Standard Chartered credit card promotions this month:

The other Standard Chartered credit cards don't have ongoing sign-up promotions this month. Wondering what happened to the Standard Chartered X Card, with its infamous 100,00 miles sign-up promotion? The X card got X-ed, and has been replaced by the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card.

3. CIMB credit card promotion

There are three credit cards with an ongoing promotion to get $188 cashback for those new to CIMB credit cards.

The most accessible CIMB credit card is the CIMB World Mastercard, which has a $0 minimum spend per month. Note, however, that you'll need to hit $1,00 a month to enjoy the card's higher 2 per cent unlimited cashback rate.

Here are all the CIMB credit card promotions:

4. UOB credit card promotions

This month, apply for selected UOB credit cards and you’ll enjoy welcome gifts like

• Apple AirPods Pro and AirTag (2 units) (worth $439)
• GoPro HERO13 (worth $590)
• Samsonite EVOA Z Spinner 25′ Exp Luggage (worth $730) + $50 cashback
• Up to 31,000 miles

Here’s a summary of all ongoing UOB credit card welcome promotions this month:

At the time of writing, the UOB Lady's Card, UOB PRVI Miles Card, UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card and UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card have no ongoing promotions.

However, I want to give a shout out to the UOB PRVI Miles Card — did you know it has the highest base miles earn rate for general spending among other entry-level miles cards in Singapore? I recently reviewed it in comparison with the Krisflyer UOB Credit Card, and it's my clear pick.

5. HSBC credit card promotions

It's an exciting time for HSBC credit cards. They recently nerfed their HSBC Revolution Credit Card, but this nerf has been overshadowed by the release of their new lifestyle card, the HSBC Live+ Credit Card. With this card, earn a generous eight per cent cashback on dining, shopping and entertainment from now till Dec 31, 2024.

There's no current promotion for the HSBC Visa Infinite Credit Card.

6. AMEX credit card promotions

This month, the juiciest Amex welcome promotion is the S$800 Statement Credits and Samsonite Choca Spinner 68/25 (worth $700) you'll earn with the American Express The Platinum Card.

You'll need to spend S$8,000 within the first six months from card approval, which will also earn you 10,000 Membership Rewards® points.

Here are all the American Express credit card promotions this month:

This month, the American Express True Cashback Card and American Express CapitaCard do not have any ongoing promotions.

7. DBS credit card promotions

The juiciest DBS credit card sign-up promotions this month are a $150 cashback promotion and a 60,000 miles promotion. The former applies to the DBS Live Fresh Card and DBS yuu Card: 

The DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card comes with a fat miles welcome gift this month, but do note that this is not an entry-level miles card:

Here's the full list of ongoing DBS credit card promotions:

These other DBS credit cards do not have ongoing sign-up promotions:

• SAFRA DBS Card
• DBS Live Fresh Student Card
• DBS Woman’s Card
• DBS Woman’s World Card

A word on the DBS Woman's and Woman's World Card: Don't be fooled by the name. You can apply for these cards no matter your gender.

8. POSB Credit Card Promotion

The POSB Everyday Card is a straightforward cash rebates card with (strictly speaking) no minimum spend; certain bonus reward categories require you to spend above $800/month.

As the name suggests, you can apply for the POSB Everyday Card to make the most out of your day-to-day spending. The latest POSB Everyday Card promotion is as fuss-free as the card — $150 cashback when you apply and spend $800 within 60 days.

9. Maybank credit card promotions

This month, the Maybank Family & Friends Card is loaded with a full gift basket — exclusively for MoneySmart customers.

You get a S$30 Changi Rewards Flexi e-Voucher + S$20 iShopChangi voucher (worth S$50) when you're the first 500 to meet the minimum spend criteria. And that's on top of $200 cashback or a Samsonite ENOW SPINNER 69/25 Luggage (worth $570)!

Other Maybank credit cards are also offering the $200 cashback or a Samsonite ENOW SPINNER 69/25 Luggage (worth $570) as a welcome gift. Here's a summary.

10. OCBC credit card promotions

Currently, there aren't any welcome promotions for OCBC credit cards. However, they're still worth checking out for their rebates and rewards.

For the foodies, the OCBC 365 Credit Card earns you five per cent cashback on everyday dining with a minimum monthly spend of $800.

For a card that earns rebates you on a wider range of spend categories, consider the OCBC Rewards Credit Card for up to four miles per dollar at selected retailers.

If you're an avid traveller in the miles game, check out the OCBC 90°N Card for up to seven miles per dollar on Agoda accommodations worldwide.

If you're going to make a large purchase or just want a catch-all credit card you don't need to think about before using, consider the OCBC INFINITY Cashback Card for an unlimited 1.6 per cent cashback on practically any spend category (the usual culprits like taxes and insurance premiums don't apply).

Credit card promotions - is there a catch?

With free AirPods Pro, ergonomic standing desks and thousands of miles raining down on us, you might be wondering: Is there a catch to all these freebies?

Truth is, there is one drawback to signing up for credit card promotions: You won't be eligible for more freebies in the future. Well, at least for a year. Here's how it works:

Banks and comparison sites like MoneySmart usually offer the best giveaways for new sign ups. Usually this is defined as people who either:

Have never ever owned a credit card from that bank, OR

• Cancelled their card at least 12 months ago
• If you're thinking of gaming the system by cancelling your card and re-applying, tough luck!

Another thing to note is that you must hit the minimum spend to get your reward. If you're really lucky, you'll get your shiny new iPad or cashback immediately upon card approval.

However, most banks require you to spend a minimum sum (say, $1,000 in the first month) and sometimes even fork out the first year's annual credit card fee (goodbye, fee waiver!). After all that, banks will make you wait a few months before you can even smell the freebie.

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This article was first published in MoneySmart.