CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card Review (2023): Premium Credit Card with S$0 Annual Fee

The CIMB Visa Infinite card is a free-for-life credit card with travel-oriented perks and privileges. Here’s an in-depth review of what the card can do for you.

The CIMB Visa Infinite Card now comes with a much heavier focus on travel perks, and just in time too. It offers fuss-free savings via cashback and discounts at airports and related services, along with a few more benefits aimed at helping travellers have a smoother journey.

And it offers all these for free; annual fees have been waived for life, so you won’t have to pay to use this card.

Now that leisure travel is opening up, you may be looking for a new travel credit card. Here’s why you should give the CIMB Visa Infinite Card a second look. 

Table of contents

• Overview: CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card
• Advantages of the CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card
• Disadvantages of the CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card
• Eligibility, fees & charges
• How to apply?
• Should you get the CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card?

What the CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card can do for you

CIMB Visa Infinite Card product summary:

• Unlimited 2% bonus cashback on travel, overseas and online spend in foreign currencies with min. S$2,000 spend per month
• Unlimited 1% base cashback on all other retail purchases
• Travel privileges:
  • 3 complimentary global lounge access per year for principal cardmember
  • Up to 25% discount at selected dining outlets at airports worldwide
  • 5% discount for Airport Limo Transfer bookings (available at 300 airports worldwide)
  • 5% discount on Meet & Greet services (available at 120 airports worldwide)
• Up to S$1 million complimentary travel insurance coverage for you and your family when you charge your full travel fare to the card
• Complimentary 24/7 Visa Infinite Concierge
  • Travel planning, dinner reservations, sports and entertainment ticketing, etc.
• No annual fee ever for both principal and supplementary cardmembers
• Annual income requirement: S$120,000
• Minimum age: 21

Why should you choose the CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card?

Pros ✅

#1: No annual fee for life

There are some other credit cards that also offer lifelong annual fee waivers, so this perk isn’t exactly groundbreaking. 

However, when you consider that CIMB Visa Infinite is a premium credit card, this perk becomes a whole lot more interesting. 

That’s because premium credit cards typically come with an annual fee in the range of S$500++ to S$600++, which means that right off the bat, you’re getting much more value with the CIMB Visa Infinite Card. 

Furthermore, this perk extends to both the principal and supplementary cardmembers, making it a good option for couples and families. 

See also: Which Supplementary Cards Offer the Best Benefits?

#2: Unlimited 2% cashback for travel spends, 1% for all others

The CIMB Visa Infinite Card’s main perk comes in the form of unlimited cashback that covers most retail transactions. 

Out of the three main categories of credit card rewards – air miles, points and cashback – cashback is perhaps the most straightforward. Eligible transactions will automatically earn cashback, which is then credited to your statement as an offset. Everything is managed for you in the background, and there’s no need for any conversions or redemptions to fiddle with. 

Additionally, this card offers unlimited cashback across all spends, which basically means you’ll be rewarded for every dollar you spend, instead of being limited to certain categories such as dining or shopping. There is also no cap to the cashback you can earn, which means you’ll always receive your fair share. 

But this card does have a focus, which is travel and overseas spends. Eligible transactions in this category will reward you with bonus 2% unlimited cashback, which is a nice way to pick up some savings on your family vacation. 

You do have to spend at least S$2,000 per month to qualify for this bonus cashback though; otherwise, you'll only earn the base 1% unlimited cashback. In any case, the minimum spend shouldn’t pose too much of a barrier, especially if you’re booking a longer holiday. 

#3: Selection of travel perks and benefits

The CIMB Visa Infinite Card also offers a selection of privileges and benefits that are aimed at helping travellers have a smoother trip. 

Cardmembers can look forward to 3 complimentary lounge visits per year, as well as discounted rates for airport dining, limo transfers and meet-&-greet services. There is also up to S$1 million in free travel insurance coverage for the principal cardmember and any accompanying family members. 

Then, there’s of course also the customary concierge service that can help you book dinners, get tickets, and generally make your trip a little more convenient. 

To be fair, these travel perks aren’t exactly revolutionary, and credit card users have come to expect them. But those who regularly use such services will appreciate the extra savings on top.  

Read more:
Cheap & Free Ways to Get Access to Changi Airport Lounges
What's the Difference Between Credit Card Travel Insurance vs Regular Travel Insurance?

Cons ❌

#1: High annual income requirement of S$120,000

This one is pretty self-explanatory. You’ll need to have at least S$120,000 in annual income to be considered for this card. This is a high barrier to entry and disqualifies a large segment of users by default. 

There’s a workaround though: In place of such a lofty salary, the bank also accepts a fixed deposit collateral of S$50,000. You should consider carefully the opportunity cost of holding such a large sum (instead of, say, investing it, or even topping up your CPF) just so you can get your hands on the card.

#2: Perks and privileges too narrowly focused on travel 

Another drawback of this card is the almost laser-like focus on travel-related perks and privileges. Almost everything about the card seems to be geared towards travellers, which means those looking for a broader range of benefits may not rank this card very highly. 

This criticism can also be taken one step further: The travel perks offered are a little too basic. 

For instance, there are only 3 complimentary airport lounge visits, which is only one more than the DBS Altitude Visa, a card with a much lower eligibility requirement of S$30,000 annual income. 

Air miles hackers might also scoff at the 2% cashback – albeit unlimited – for travel spends as inferior, compared to the high number of bonus air miles offered by other credit cards – such as the 8 miles per S$1 spend on Agoda and Expedia bookings using the UOB PRVI Miles Card. 

These are valid points, but let’s not forget that you’re getting the CIMB Visa Infinite Card – and all that it offers – for free. And that should count for something. 

What charges and fees should you look out for?

• • Annual fee: N/A, free for life
  • Late payment fee: S$100
  • Minimum monthly payment: 3% of outstanding or S$50, whichever is higher, plus any outstanding overdue amount
  • Interest on purchases: 27.8% per annum EIR
  • Cash advance fee: 8% of amount drawn (minimum S$15 per transaction) 
  • Foreign transaction fee: 3%
  • Dynamic currency conversion fee: 1%

Eligibility criteria 

• • At least 21 years old
  • Annual income requirement for Singaporeans and PRs: S$120,000 and above
  • Alternative to annual income: S$50,000 fixed deposit collateral

How to apply?

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page and complete the application form on SingSaver site. You might need to prepare the following documents for the application process:

• Front and back of NRIC/Passport/Employment Pass/Proof of Residence 
• For Salaried Employees:
  • Latest computerised payslip, or
  • Latest 12 months’ CPF Contribution History Statement, or
  • Latest Income Tax of Notice of Assessment and latest 12 months’ CPF Contribution History Statement / latest months' computerised payslip
• For Self-employed: Last 2 years' Income Tax Notice of Assessment and last 3 months’ bank statement
• For Commission-based Earners: Last 2 years' Income Tax Notice of Assessment or latest 12 months’ CPF Contribution History Statement

Should you get the CIMB Visa Infinite Card?

In summary, the CIMB Visa Infinite Card is a premium credit card that is made for avid travellers who appreciate the simplicity of straight-up cashback for their travel and other retail spends. 

That it is offered with zero annual fees makes this card a maintenance-free credit card that you can use as much or as little as you like, since there is no “minimum value” to claw back the way you would from a fee-carrying card – that is, unless you intend to maximise that 2% limitless cashback every month. 

But if you're content with just 1% unlimited cashback, then the CIMB Visa Infinite Card is as good as gold.

Granted, its perks aren’t the most dazzling or wide-ranging, but hey, an extra 2% off your quarterly luxury beachfront resort visits can easily add up to a tidy pile of savings by year’s end.

Read these next:
CIMB World Mastercard Review: Unlimited 2% Cashback With a Hint of Luxury
CIMB Visa Signature Card Review: Boosted 10% Cashback on Selected Categories
CIMB Credit Cards: Exclusive SingSaver Promotions & Credit Card Comparisons
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CIMB Preferred Banking Review