Best Credit Cards in Singapore for Overseas Spending 2024

DBS Altitude Visa Card stands out for offering a relatively accessible fee-waiver, which is rare for many travel credit cards. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend, 2 miles overseas, and 3 miles for online travel bookings; miles earned never expire. They also receive free travel insurance, 2 lounge visits/year, and golfing and dining privileges. These rates and perks align with other cards on the market. DBS Altitude Card, however, waives its S$192.6 fee for cardholders who spend S$25,000/year. If you’re able to spend about S$2,100/month, DBS Altitude Card is a great no-fee way to earn miles overseas.

Citi PremierMiles Visa Card is the best credit card on the market if you want an affordable balance of great rewards rates and luxury travel perks. Cardholders earn a respectable 1.2 miles per S$1 local spend and 2 miles overseas, which aligns with similar credit cards on the market. However, Citi PMV Card stands out by offering new cardholders 21,000 bonus welcome miles (worth S$210) and 10,000 additional miles (worth S$100) every time they renew their card membership. Annual renewal miles are typically offered only by much pricier cards. In fact, these renewal miles almost completely offset the S$192.6 fee, which is low for miles-earning credit cards.

Despite the lower fee, cardholders still have access to great perks like free travel insurance and 2 lounge visits per year. Ultimately, Citi PMV Card offers an affordable way to earn from your overseas spend, while enjoying a few bonus perks to make travel comfortable and convenient.

If maximising miles for overseas spend is a top priority for you but you’d prefer to avoid the high fees of pricey travel credit cards, UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card is by far the best option available. Cardholders earn top market rates of 1.4 miles per S$1 local spend, 2.4 miles overseas, and 6 miles with major airlines and hotels–essentially, you’ll rapidly accumulate miles by planning, booking and enjoying your trip abroad, at a faster rate than possible with most competitors.

UOB PRVI Miles Card also stands out because it offers a fee-waiver. If you spend S$50,000/year, you’re exempt from the S$256.8 fee and even receive 20,000 bonus miles (worth S$200). Even if you’re unable to meet this spend level, comparable cards have fees of S$400+, making UOB PRVI Miles Card especially affordable given its rewards rates. Finally, cardholders also enjoy perks like free travel insurance and airport transfers. UOB PRVI Miles Card is an all-around excellent credit card if your top priority is earning rapid miles without paying a massive fee.

If you're a young SIA loyalist that travels on a budget, consider KrisFlyer UOB Card. Cardholders earn 3 miles per S$1 on spend with SIA brands (SIA, Scoot, SilkAir, KrisShop) and 1.2 miles per S$1 on general local and overseas spend. While this rate is quite low for foreign currency transactions, cardholders can boost rewards for global dining, transport, online shopping & travel bookings to an incredible 3 miles per S$1 with just S$500 annual SIA spend. This rate is extremely competitive and given the categories, KF UOB Card is especially fit to young adult travellers.

Cardholders also enjoy perks that make travel more convenient and practical. Consumers enjoy privileges with Scoot (SIA's most affordable airline) such as priority check-in & boarding, free standard seat selection, complimentary baggage allowance upgrades and booking flexibility waivers. Travellers also receive a S$20 KrisShop rebate with a S$100 nett transaction and S$15 worth of Grab rides to and from the airport and towards ChangiWiFi. Those who fly especially often can unlock fast-tracked KF Elite Silver status with S$5k annual SIA spend. As consumers also receive 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth about S$100) that offsets the S$192.6 annual fee, KrisFlyer UOB Card is also very affordable, making it an even better pick for the budget-conscious SIA traveller.

OCBC 90°N MasterCard is a great option for consumers with big overseas budgets, especially if they're interested in earning both cashback and miles. Cardholders earn rewards in the form of Travel$, where 1 Travel$ is equal to S$0.01 cash rebate or 1 air mile. As such, cardholders earn at a rate of 1.2 miles per S$1 locally (1.2% cashback) and 2.1 miles overseas (2.1% cashback). OCBC 90°N MasterCard's overseas rate is especially competitive. In terms of miles, the rewards rate is 0.1 higher than the market norm. As for cashback, no other unlimited card offers as high a rate on foreign currency transactions. No matter the cardholder's ultimate preference, rewards can be redeemed for miles or cashback at an equivalent rate–most rewards credit cards devalue points redeemed for cashback. And, rewards earned never expire and consumers never need to pay conversion or transfer fees.

Additionally, consumers can access 1,000+ lounges globally for a discounted US$32 per person, through Mastercard Airport Experiences. Overall, OCBC 90°N MasterCard is a great option for consumers who want unlimited cashback, miles or perhaps even both–with competitive boosts for overseas spend.

While many travel cards come with perks, very few can parallel the extensive suite of luxury privileges offered by Citi Prestige MasterCard. Cardholders earn unlimited airport lounge access for themselves and a guest, with no minimum spend requirements, airline restrictions or cap on visits. Flying is also made even easier with free airport limousine transfers and complimentary access to JetQuay Quayside 2x/year. Frequent travellers can also enjoy unlimited bonus 4th nights on 3-day hotel bookings worldwide, as well as free travel insurance and golfing privileges throughout SE Asia.

Citi Prestige offers more than market-leading luxury benefits, however. Cardholders also earn top rates of 1.3 miles per S$1 local spend and 2 miles overseas, and receive an incredible 25,000 annual renewal miles (worth S$250). These miles greatly offset the admittedly high S$535 annual fee, which is further offset by an annual bonus of up to 30% based on relationship tenure with Citibank. Ultimately, there is no better way to access extraordinary travel privileges while also rapidly earning miles for overseas spend than with Citi Prestige MasterCard.

Standard Chartered Visa Infinite X Card has one of the best sign-on bonuses on the market for wealthy travellers. By depositing S$300k of fresh funds in a Priority Banking account, you can receive 100,000 KrisFlyer bonus miles with SC VI X Card, and even more if you more funds you can deposit. Beyond the bonus, SC Visa Infinite X Card's benefits are quite standard for a miles rewards card: 1.2 miles per S$1 spent locally and 2 miles overseas, 2 free lounge visits/year, complimentary travel insurance, discounted green fees and exclusive hotel privileges. Though credit cards with similarly high annual fees offer much better perks than these, SC VI X Card's generous welcome bonus offer more than makes up for this.

OCBC Voyage Card is a unique travel card that stands out for its flexibility, both in terms of rewards rates and miles redemption. Cardholders earn 2.3 miles per S$1 overseas–which ensures top earnings when abroad–as well as 1.2 miles locally & a boosted 1.6 miles for local dining. This boosted rate isn’t offered by any other credit cards, and allows you to earn more than just a base rate when you’re at home.

Another benefit of OCBC Voyage Card is that miles can be redeemed with no black-out dates, at any airline, at any time, which is perfect if you have a shifting travel schedule or have little lead time before trips. Conversion fees are also waived (typically S$25/transfer with other cards). While there is a S$488 annual fee, these benefits–plus luxury travel perks like unlimited lounge access, free limo transfers and golfing privileges–provide extraordinary value for many travellers. If you’re looking for a flexible miles card to reward overseas spend, OCBC Voyage Card is an excellent option.

For high spenders who want to earn unlimited amount of cash back both in Singapore and overseas, Citi Cash Back+ Card is going to be one of the best options to consider. This card provides an impressive 1.6% rebate on all of your spending, which is ideal for consumers who regularly spend more than S$6,000 per month. While this is high for an average person, high spenders can take full advantage of this feature while not needing to worry about no minimum spend requirement or limit on how much rewards they can earn. Though this card doesn't come with many extra perks or privileges, its rewards rate is higher than the 1.5% offered by most comparable credit cards, especially for expenditures both local to Singapore and in foreign countries.

American Express True Cashback Card is one of the best cashback cards on the market for people with high overseas spend, especially when you factor in its incredible promotions. As a baseline, cardholders earn 1.5% unlimited cashback both locally and overseas. However, this rate is boosted to 3% for the 1st 6 months (up to S$150) and currently, foreign currency spend earns 2.5% cashback with no minimum requirement. While consumers may be able to earn higher category rates with other credit cards, Amex True Cashback offers one of the highest flat overseas rates with no limits to earning potential.

American Express True Cashback Card also offers one of the most comprehensive free travel insurance policies on the market, alongside Amex-specific perks like American Express Selects and True Cashback Card offers. These privileges provide further discounts on dining, lifestyle, and travel spend abroad, making this option definitely worth considering if you're a higher spending who frequently travels.

While not a travel credit card in itself, HSBC Advance Card offers HSBC Advance customers an extraordinary 2.5% flat cashback–including on all overseas spend–after reaching a S$2,000 minimum monthly spend, and 1.5% cashback if spend is below S$2,000 with a monthly cap of S$70. An additional 1% bonus cashback can be earned simply for depositing at least S$2,000 in fresh funds to your account and charging five transactions. This additional step will allow you to raise the cashback cap from S$70 to S$300/month, which is S$3,600/year in savings– the highest earning potential for a capped credit card on the market!

CIMB World MasterCard is an exceptional no-fee cashback credit card for affluent social spenders with significant budgets for international leisure. To begin with, cardholders enjoy airport lounge access and 50% off green fees at fairways across Asia. However, what makes CIMB World MasterCard especially stand out is its unlimited 1% rewards rate on general spend–which allows for uncapped earning potential–and boosted 2% cashback on wine & dine (including food deliveries), movies & digital entertainment, taxi & automobile and luxury goods. Affluent cardholders can earn from all of their spend, locally and overseas, without worrying about caps or restrictions. Even better, CIMB World MasterCard is free forever. Consumers with high spend on leisure can easily maximise rewards and earn cashback maintenance-free with CIMB World MasterCard.

Making the most of your overseas spend doesn’t necessarily mean adding another credit card to your wallet; UOB One Card offers up to 5% rebate on general spend, locally and overseas, boosted to 10% on Grab & select UOB Travel and 6% on recurring bills. Cardholders who spend S$2,000/month can earn up to S$300/quarter–or S$1,200/year–which is one of the highest potentials earnings on the market. Lower spend earns 3.33%, up to S$50 or S$100/quarter (depending on minimum spend level).

Because UOB One Card offers a flat rebate, everything counts towards reaching the minimum and is eligible for rebates–food, transport, recurring bills, foreign currency transactions and more. As a result, this is a great option for shifting budgets, and an easy way to earn without tracking categories or merchants. Ultimately, UOB One Card is the best flat rebate credit card for earning rewards for all spend, locally and overseas.

If you’re a frequent traveller between Singapore and Malaysia, Maybank Family & Friends Card is the credit card for you. Cardholders earn 5% rebate on fast food & food delivery, groceries, transport, petrol, data communications/online TV streaming (& more) in both countries after just S$500 minimum spend–one of the lowest requirements on the market. Most credit cards offer just 0.3% cashback at this spend level, making it an excellent option for lower spenders. Those who spend S$800/month can access a boosted 8% rebate, which is also higher than competitors, which offer 3.33% cashback at most for this spend level.

Rebates are incredibly flexible within the two countries, with no merchant restrictions and a lofty earnings cap of S$80/month. And, in addition to the high rates for low minimum spend requirements, Maybank F&F Card is also an excellent option for lower spenders because the S$180.0 fee is waived 3 years, then with each S$12,000 annual spend. Perhaps the best part is that S$1,000/month spend not only achieves the waiver, but also maxes out rewards potential, earning S$960/year. Ultimately, there’s no better way to maximise earnings if you spend time in both Singapore and Malaysia.

Citi Cash Back Card is a great option if you spend a great deal on food and petrol, locally and overseas. Cardholders earn 8% cashback on dining, groceries, and petrol after a S$888 minimum spend. In other words, whether you’re cooking at home and driving to work, or in a new city and trying exotic restaurants, Citi Cash Back Card ensures you’ll earn at top rates. Finally, the S$192.6 fee is waived the 1st year. Overall, Citi Cash Back Card is a great option if you want to earn top cashback both locally and overseas in key spend categories.

CIMB Platinum MasterCard is the absolute best no-fee cashback card for spend on transport and overseas travel. Cardholders earn 10% cashback on transport (buses, trains, taxis, private hires & more) and petrol, as well as on travel spend in foreign currency–which ultimately means you’ll earn top rates both planning your trip and getting around while you’re there. Other categories earning at this rewards rate include global medical, dining, and transactions with select electronics and furnishings vendors.

Overall, CIMB Platinum MasterCard is excellent for overseas spend because if offers no-fee, maintenance-free cashback for planning your trip, travelling, and even treating yourself to dinner abroad. You’ll earn up to S$100/month, or S$1,200/year, without ever having to worry about extra costs or merchant limitations.

Citi Rewards Card offers an excellent way to earn on online & fashion spend, both locally and overseas. Cardholders earn 10 points (4 miles) per S$1 spend on online transactions (including on food & grocery delivery and ride-hailing services) as well as on shoes, clothing and bags–including at department stores (which are sometimes excluded by other shopper cards). Cardholders also don’t need to pay the S$192.6 fee the 1st year. Overall, Citi Rewards Card offers a flexible way to earn on online & fashion spend.

OCBC Titanium Rewards Card is an exceptional rewards credit card for shopping retail worldwide, and comes with the added bonus of a fee-waiver. Cardholders earn 10 points (4 miles) per S$1 spend on fashion retail, electronics, and at department stores–as well as with a variety of retail merchants. With partners ranging from Amazon and Alibaba to Lazada, IKEA, Qoo10 (& many more), cardholders can earn for spend on everything from appliances to beauty products. Competitor cards lack such a merchant network, and limit rewards just to fashion.

Another differentiating feature is that while competitors don’t offer a fee waiver, OCBC Titanium Card waives its S$192.6 fee with just S$10,000 annual spend. Ultimately, if you’re looking to earn all all retail shopping worldwide, OCBC Titanium Card is the best option for you.

If you're likely to make a large purchase overseas that you may need to pay off over time, you may want to consider OCBC Cashflo Card. Cardholders can set an automatic trigger amount at which their transactions are split into 0% interest instalments, which can then be stretched across 3 to 6 months–all without incurring a processing fee. Even better, split payments earn up to 1% rebate. Nearly all other credit card plans charge a processing fee and do not reward such payments.

OCBC Cashflo also rewards all purchases with 1% flat rebate for those spending S$2k+/month, or 0.5% if spend is below. The S$160.5 fee is waived with S$10k annual spend, making the credit card a great option for those who make large purchases–including overseas.

Modern spenders comfortable paying with an e-wallet can easily maximise cashback on nearly all of their spend–locally and overseas–with DBS Live Fresh Card. Cardholders earn 5% rebate on online shopping as well as on contactless spend using Visa payWave. Essentially, it's possible to earn rewards on almost every purchase, from dining out locally to booking hotel nights and more. Even better, DBS Live Fresh Card has all-in-one convenience with SimplyGo compatibility. Higher rates can only be accessed with S$600 minimum spend and earnings are capped at S$60/month, however, and the S$192.6 fee is waived just 1 year.

Standard Chartered SingPost Spree Card is great for people with budgets of S$300 to S$500/month who aren’t able to meet the minimum spend requirements of most cashback credit cards. Cardholders earn 3% cashback on foreign online and vPost transactions, 2% on local online and contactless payments, and 1% on general spend–all with no minimum spend requirement. Most alternatives offer just 0.3% cashback for spend below S$500. SC SingPost Spree Card also offers discounts on packaging and shipping. Altogether, it’s a great option for those with smaller budgets who shop with overseas merchants.

If you’re interested in no-fee cashback for overseas beauty and wellness spend, you may be interested in CIMB Visa Signature Card. Not only is this credit card free forever, it also has some of the top rewards rates on the market, including 10% cashback on groceries, online fashion, beauty & wellness, petcare, and cruises after an S$800 minimum spend.

One of the best features of CIMB Visa Signature Card is that you’ll earn on category spend both locally and abroad, which means you can streamline your wallet and still maximise earnings no matter where you are. Rewards are capped at S$100/month, which is one of the highest potential earnings on the market–another reason to consider this card. Finally, CIMB Visa Signature offers free travel insurance and comes with a global concierge service, allowing you to earn top cashback overseas with added convenience.

If you’re an avid golfer, Maybank World MasterCard is the absolute best credit card on the market for both earning miles and enjoying privileges at fairways worldwide. Cardholders receive 2 free green fees per month at 120 courses across 25 countries–triple the number of courses offered by the closest competitor. In addition, cardholders enjoy perks like free travel insurance and airport lounge access, adding comfort and convenience to trips abroad.

Maybank World MasterCard also offers 10 points (4 miles) per S$1 spend with select dining and retail merchants, and a total of S$24,000 annual spend earns exemption from the S$240.0 fee. Ultimately, Maybank World MasterCard offers the most comprehensive set of golfing privileges, plus rewards for retail spend and a potential fee-waiver.

There is no better travel credit card on the market than Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Card if you want to rapidly earn miles for international spend–in fact, it offers the highest rewards rate on the market of 3 miles per S$1 spend overseas. The closest competitors offer just 2.4 miles, while most travel credit cards offer a much lower 2 miles per S$1. Cardholders also earn high rates locally, at 1.4 miles per S$1. If you’re a frequent traveller, your spend will go furthest with SC Visa Infinite Card.

SC Visa Infinite Card offers far more than rapid miles earning potential, however–it also stands out for its market-leading travel perks. Cardholders enjoy 6 free lounge visits and a 4-hour yacht-hire every year, plus free travel insurance, golfing privileges, and rental privileges with Hertz Asia. New cardmembers even receive 35,000 welcome miles, which offsets the S$588.5 fee (which is high, but clearly reflected in the value of its luxury perks and excellent rewards rates).

Finally, it cannot go unmentioned that SC Visa Infinite is extremely rare in rewarding cardholders for their banking activity. While most credit cards exclude financial transactions completely, SC Visa Infinite Cardholders can earn on everything from their income tax payments to mortgage loans, fixed deposits, investments and more. Those earning the S$150,000 required to qualify for the card can handily earn S$175+ in annual rewards simply by paying their taxes. Ultimately, SC Visa Infinite Card is by far the absolute best travel credit card on the market if you’re looking to maximise your earnings from spend overseas.