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Tired of annual fees? Imagine a credit card that's always free – no calls, no waivers, just pure benefits. Singapore offers a great selection of no-annual-fee cards, each designed for different needs. Whether you're after cashback, rewards, or building your credit, we've got you covered. Explore our guide below to find the perfect card for you.
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on_provider_website
Cashback Local | 2.5% |
---|---|
Rewards Points Contactless Spend | 10 point per dollar |
線上消費紅利點數回饋 | 10 point per dollar |
Annual Fee | No Annual Fee |
REWARDS | |
|
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Installment Rate | 0% |
---|---|
Installment Tenure | 3 months |
Minimum Spend For Installment | S$ 500.00 |
Min. Annual Income | S$ 30,000 |
REWARDS | |
|
on_provider_website
Cashback Local | Up to 10% |
---|---|
Annual Fee | S$ 196.20 |
Minimum Spend For Installment | S$ 500.00 |
REWARDS | |
|
on_provider_website
Cashback Travel | 10% |
---|---|
Cashback Overseas | Up to 3% |
Min. Annual Income | S$ 30,000 |
Annual Fee | No Annual Fee |
REWARDS | |
|
on_provider_website
Cashback Dining | 2% |
---|---|
Cashback Base Rate | 1% |
Cashback Local | 2% |
Cashback Overseas | Up to 3% |
REWARDS | |
|
on_provider_website
Installment Rate | 0% |
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Installment_Tenure | Up to 24 months |
Minimum Spend For Installment | S$ 300.00 |
Min. Annual Income | S$ 120,000 |
REWARDS | |
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Our pick for: Flexible rewards
Earn bonus rewards on online spending, dining, and more, then choose how you want to redeem them – cashback, miles, or points. Perfect for those who like options and shop online frequently. Enjoy no annual fee while maximising your digital dollar.
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Our pick based on: Everyday spending
Get cashback on everyday essentials like fast food, digital subscriptions, and public transport. No minimum spend and no annual fee make it a simple and smart choice for daily expenses. Earn as you go, without any fuss.
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Our pick for: Online, mobile and overseas spend
Targeted at young professionals, this card offers great cashback on online shopping, mobile contactless payments, and even overseas spending. A minimum spend of S$800 unlocks the best rewards. Perfect for the digitally savvy.
Our pick for: Targeted cashback
Maximise your cashback with 10% returns on online shopping, groceries, beauty and wellness, pet shops, and even cruises! A great option for those with specific spending habits. No annual fee sweetens the deal.
Our pick for: Unlimited cashback
Enjoy unlimited cashback across a wide range of categories, including dining, movies, transportation, and luxury goods. Perfect for those who want uncapped rewards on their everyday spending. Some minimum spend tiers apply.
Our pick for: Premium travel
This premium travel card offers unlimited cashback on travel and overseas spending, plus travel perks like lounge access and insurance. Designed for high-income earners who love to explore the world. Minimum spend applies.
No-annual-fee credit cards are a popular choice, and for good reason. They offer a great way to dip your toes into the world of credit card rewards without the commitment of a yearly fee. But are they right for you? Let's break it down.
The best cashback credit cards have no annual fee. This means you can enjoy the card's benefits without shelling out any money upfront, making it easier to manage your budget.
No-annual-fee cards also often come with fewer strings attached. They're generally less demanding in terms of minimum spending requirements or complex reward structures, making them easy to use and understand.
Plus, the market for no-annual-fee cards is quite competitive, giving you a good range of options. You can often find cards tailored to specific needs, such as cashback on everyday purchases or discounts at certain merchants.
However, compared to premium cards that charge hefty annual fees, no-annual-fee cards typically offer lower reward rates. Don't expect the same level of cashback or miles accumulation. Unless you take airline credit cards (which often have an annual fee), forget about exclusive airport lounge access, complimentary travel insurance, or concierge services. These perks are usually reserved for premium cardholders.
Low-interest credit cards and balance transfer credit cards, while also valuable, often operate with different fee structures and focus on debt management rather than rewards accumulation.
At SingSaver, we believe in finding the right credit card to match your lifestyle and financial habits. No-annual-fee cards offer a fantastic balance for many people. They provide a cost-effective way to earn rewards on everyday spending without the burden of an annual fee. While they may not have all the bells and whistles of premium cards, they're a smart choice for those who prioritise value and simplicity.
If you're looking for a fuss-free way to enjoy credit card benefits without the extra cost, a no-annual-fee card is definitely worth considering. We recommend carefully evaluating your spending habits and reward preferences to find the perfect no-fee card that maximises your benefits without breaking the bank.
Choosing between a credit card with an annual fee and one without can feel like a big decision. It really boils down to your spending habits and what you value most in a credit card. Let's delve into the details.
A card with an annual fee typically makes sense if you're a high-spender. The higher rewards rates, often in specific categories like travel or dining, can quickly offset the cost of the annual fee. Think of it this way: if you spend enough in those bonus categories, the extra cashback or miles you earn could be significantly more than the fee itself.
Plus, premium cards often come bundled with attractive perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, concierge services, and even statement credits. These can add up to significant savings if you use them regularly.
On the other hand, a no-annual-fee card is a great option for low-spenders or those who only use their credit card occasionally. If you're not spending enough to maximise the rewards on a premium card, the annual fee becomes a pure cost. No-annual-fee cards offer a simple, cost-effective way to build credit and earn some basic rewards without any upfront investment.
To illustrate this, let's look at a comparison of two credit cards:
UOB EVOL Card |
Citi Cash Back Card |
|
Annual fee |
S$0 |
S$196.20 |
Cashback rate on groceries |
0.3% |
6.0% |
Rewards minus the annual fee, based on weekly overseas spending of… |
||
… $25 |
$3.90 |
-$118.20 |
… $31 |
$4.84 |
-$99.48 |
… $50 |
$7.80 |
-$40.20 |
… $61 |
$9.52 |
-$5.88 |
… $75 |
$11.70 |
$37.80 |
… $100 |
$30.16 |
$115.80 |
Despite having a substantial yearly fee, the Citi Cash Back Card shows much bigger numbers even after factoring in that annual fee. But while the Citibank card looks tempting, you need to spend enough on groceries to make that annual fee worthwhile. If your monthly spending is low, that fee could eat into your rewards. In this case, the UOB EVOL Card, with its S$30 monthly cashback cap, might be a more practical option. On the flip side, if you're big on making meals at home, that 6% cashback could really add up, making the Citibank card a winner.
SingSaver's tip: crunch the numbers based on your typical spending to see which card truly comes out on top. Don't just get dazzled by the big numbers – make sure they make sense for your wallet.
Choosing the right credit card can feel overwhelming, but focusing on your spending habits makes it much easier. Let's walk through some key considerations:
How often you use the card: Consider how frequently you'll be using the card. Occasional users and those with regular but moderate spending habits often find no-annual-fee cards a good fit, while frequent high-spenders might benefit more from the higher rewards potential of annual-fee cards.
How much you spend on groceries, dining, or travel: Think about where your money goes. If you concentrate your spending on specific categories (like groceries or dining), look for no-fee cards that offer bonus rewards in those areas. If you're a frequent traveller, a travel card with an annual fee (and perks like lounge access) might make more sense.
Your rewards preferences (cashback, miles, etc.): Decide what kind of rewards you want. Cashback is straightforward, while miles are great for travel. No-fee cards often offer cashback, but miles earn rates might be lower. Consider if the rewards align with your goals.
No-annual-fee cards are ideal for moderate spenders who want simple, no-fuss rewards. They're a great starting point for building credit and offer a cost-effective way to earn cashback or other rewards on everyday purchases.
However, if you're a high spender, a frequent traveller, or someone who values premium perks, it's worth exploring cards with annual fees, as the higher rewards and benefits could ultimately provide more value. The key is to carefully analyse your spending habits and reward preferences to find the card that best fits your lifestyle.
Nobody wants to pay an annual fee if they can avoid it. The good news is, sometimes you can! Many credit card issuers offer annual fee waivers, either as a welcome promotion for new cardholders or as an incentive to keep existing customers happy.
Here's the lowdown on how it works: some cards offer an automatic waiver for the first year as a way to entice you to sign up. This gives you a chance to try out the card's features and benefits without any upfront cost. Other cards might waive the annual fee if you meet certain spending requirements. This encourages card usage and rewards higher spenders.
Cards like the Citi Cash Back Card, for example, is a Citibank credit card that allows you to waive the annual fee for the first year. Other similar cards include the POSB Everyday Card and the DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card. These promotions can be a great way to enjoy premium card benefits without the immediate cost of the annual fee.
Want to find cards that offer annual fee waivers or promotions? Check out SingSaver's curated list of credit card deals! We keep our database updated with the latest offers, making it easy for you to find a card that fits your needs and your budget. It's a smart way to save money while maximising your credit card perks.
What is a no-fee credit card?
A no-fee credit card, also known as a no-annual-fee credit card, is exactly what it sounds like: a credit card that doesn't charge you a yearly fee to use it. This is a major difference from standard credit cards, which often come with annual fees that can range from tens to hundreds of dollars.
However, “no-fee” doesn’t mean no fees of any kind. You may be charged a fee if you:
Pay your bill late
Transfer a balance
Take out a cash balance
Use a card outside of Singapore (but many cards do not charge a foreign transaction fee)
Can I get a credit card with no annual fee if I have bad credit?
Credit card eligibility depends on several factors, including your credit score. Having poor credit can make it more challenging to get approved for any credit card, including those with no annual fee.
However, there are options available for individuals with lower credit scores. Some cards are designed specifically for those looking to rebuild their credit, often with simpler features and lower credit limits. These secured cards might have higher interest rates or other terms that reflect the higher risk, but they can be a stepping stone towards improving your creditworthiness.
What's the highest annual fee on a credit card?
Some premium credit cards come with hefty annual fees, often exceeding hundreds or even thousands of dollars. These cards, like the American Express (AMEX) Platinum card, are designed for high-spenders who can take full advantage of the extensive perks and luxurious benefits they offer.
While the high annual fee is a significant factor, some cardholders explore options to waive it, though this is not always guaranteed. The high annual fee is justified by the value of these combined benefits, but only if you utilise them frequently. Otherwise, a no-fee or low-fee card might be a more sensible choice.
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