What is the best Singapore credit card for overseas spending? We’re here to settle this debate once and for all. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll be comparing five of the top Singapore credit cards for travel👇
Planning an overseas trip and looking for the best Singapore credit card out there that won’t leave you high and dry when it comes to overseas spending? Well, look no further than this guide. We’ll be comparing five of the best Singapore credit cards for overseas spending: Citi PremierMiles, UOB PRIVI Miles, HSBC TravelOne, and DBS Altitude Signature.
Why use a Singapore credit card for overseas spending?
From the convenience of being cash-free to exclusive travel perks and miles, Singapore credit cards can offer a range of benefits that make them a must-have travel companion. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love earning rewards while exploring the world?
And because credit cards aren’t the way to go for everyone, we’ll be adding the YouTrip card to the mix for the best foreign exchange rates with zero fees. Okay, enough dilly-dallying, check out which Singapore credit card is best suited to your needs!
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Factors to consider when choosing a Singapore credit card for overseas spending:
When choosing the best Singapore credit card for your overseas adventures, there are a few factors to consider:
1. Compare The Rewards & Benefits Of Different Credit Cards
Check for perks and rewards offered by different credit cards such as miles, cashback, travel insurance, airport lounge access, and hotel discounts. The more, the merrier!
After all, what’s not to love about earning points while splurging on a fancy dinner or treating yourselves to a relaxing spa session?
2. Annual Fees
Compare annual fees to ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs. Some cards waive fees for the first year.
3. Foreign Transaction Fees
Evaluate the foreign transaction fee charged by each card. Most credit cards charge a 3.25% foreign transaction fee. Look for one with the lowest fees or consider alternatives like YouTrip, which has zero fees.
4. Exchange Rates
Credit cards typically mark up mid-market rates and sneak in extra fees, leaving you with less to spend. Not a fan of fees? Consider getting a multi-currency card like YouTrip to enjoy competitive wholesale exchange rates with no inflated markups.
5. Evaluate Your Spending Habits
Analyze your spending habits and determine which benefits align the best with your lifestyle. Some credit cards reward specific spending categories. If you spend mostly on travel bookings, pick one that maximises rewards in that area.
6. Partner Discounts & Promotions
Take into account any exclusive travel discounts, bonus miles, and sign-up promotions to boost your savings.
6. Set A Budget & Pay On Time!
To fully maximise your credit card, it’s essential to set a budget and stick to it. Make sure you pay your credit card bills on time to avoid extra interest charges that would offset any rewards earned!
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Check out this guide for the best multi-currency cards in Singapore
Best Singapore Credit Cards For Overseas Spending (2025)
Here’s a comparison of five of the most popular Singapore credit cards for travel to consider. And although not a credit card, we’ll be adding YouTrip to the mix for those who’d prefer to get wholesale exchange rates with zero FX fees for more savings on your travels:
| YouTrip Card (Prepaid Mastercard) | Citi PremierMiles Visa Card | UOB PRIVI Miles Card (Mastercard/Visa/AMEX) | HSBC TravelOne Credit Card (Mastercard) | DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card | OCBC 90°N Card (Mastercard/Visa) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | No fees | S$196.20 | S$261.60 | S$196.20 | S$196.20 | S$196.20 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | No fees | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% |
| Late Payment Fee | N/A | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 |
| Able to lock in currencies? | ✅ Able to lock in 11 wallet currencies in-app (SGD, JPY, USD, EUR, GBP, HKD, AUD, NZD, CHF, SEK, THB) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Rewards | ✅ Enjoy the best exchange rates in 150+ countries ✅ Free monthly ATM withdrawals of up to S$400 with a 2% fee imposed thereafter ✅ Score discounts & cashback on Trip.com, Agoda, Klook, Expedia etc., with YouTrip Perks | ✅ 2 Citi miles per S$1 local spend ✅ 2 Citi miles per S$1 foreign currency spend ✅ 10 Citi miles per S$1 spent on on Kaligo ✅ 7 Citi miles per S$1 spent on hotel bookings at Agoda ✅ 2 complimentary lounge visits per year | ✅ 1.4 miles per S$1 local spend ✅ 2.4 miles per S$1 overseas spend ✅ 6 miles per S$1 spend on hotel & airline bookings via Agoda & Expedia ✅ 2 complimentary airport transfers for UOB PRIVI Miles AMEX cardholders | ✅ 1.2 miles (3x reward points) per S$1 local spend ✅ 2.4 miles (6x reward points) per S$1 spent overseas ✅ 4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year | ✅ 1.3 miles per S$1 local spend ✅ 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas spend ✅ 4.3 miles on hotel transactions at Agoda ✅ 2 complimentary lounge visits per year | ✅ 2.1 miles per S$1 foreign currency spend ✅ 1.3 miles per S$1 local spend ✅ Up to 7 miles per S$1 spend on bookings made on Agoda |
| Min. Annual Income Required | No minimum income required | Singaporeans/PR: S$30,000 Foreigners: S$42,000 | Singaporeans/PR: S$30,000 Foreigners: S$40,000 | Singaporeans/PR: S$30,000 Foreigners: S$40,000 | Singaporeans/PR: S$30,000 Foreigners: S$45,000 | Singaporeans/PR: S$30,000 Foreigners: S$45,000 |
* Do note that the information on the credit cards above is accurate at the time of writing and is subject to change. Partnership promotions will also differ based on the different network providers chosen (Visa/Mastercard/AMEX).
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Here’s how to add your YouTrip card to Alipay & Wechat Pay
1. Citi PremierMiles Card
All about the Citi PremierMiles Card:
Image Credits: Trevallog
The Citi PremierMiles card is available on Visa and Mastercard networks. It features an enticing welcome bonus reward and offers a range of benefits to frequent travellers. Here’s an overview of its features:
👉 Pros
- Earn up to 2 Citi Miles per S$1 local spend and 2 Citi Miles per S$1 foreign currency spend
- Additional points when spending on Kaligo and Agoda
- Accumulated points remain valid and have no expiry date
- Able to enjoy additional privileges such as lounge access and travel insurance when purchasing travel tickets with the Citi PremierMiles Visa card
👉 Cons
- A foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25% applies to all transactions in foreign currency
- Late payment fee of S$100
- Annual fee of S$196.20
- The Citi PremierMiles card has an average foreign currency spend-earn rate compared to the other cards on this list
- Has a minimum transfer block of 10,000 Citi Miles for Citi Miles to KrisFlyer Miles
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): We’re on Google Pay! Find out more here
2. UOB PRIVI Miles Card
All about the UOB PRIVI Miles Card:
Image Credits: Mainly Miles
UOB’s PRIVI Miles Card is available on Mastercard, Visa, or AMEX networks. New cardholders are entitled to enticing promotions and additional miles when paying their first-year annual fee. Here’s a more in-depth look at the card’s features:
👉 Pros
- Earn up to 1.4 miles per S$1 local spend and 2.4 miles per S$1 overseas spend
- Cardholders get to enjoy additional miles when spending on Agoda and Expedia
- UOB PRIVI Miles AMEX card members get two complimentary airport transfers quarterly, as well as travel insurance.
👉 Cons
- A foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25% applies to all transactions in foreign currency
- Late payment fee of S$100
- Annual fee of S$261.60 which is higher compared to the other credit cards on this list
- UOB PRIVI Miles also have a 2-year shelf life and will expire
- Does not provide free airport lounge access.
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): We’re on Apple Pay! Find out more here
3. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
All about the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card:
Image Credits: Zafigo
The HSBC TravelOne Credit Card is a Mastercard with an appealing welcome bonus reward that requires you to meet the following criteria — such as paying the annual fee and spending a minimum amount in qualifying transactions within the spend period. Here’s a more in-depth look at it’s features:
👉 Pros
- Earn up to 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spend and 2.4 miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend
- Cardholders can enjoy instant point conversions with no redemption fee for redeeming air miles and hotel points till the beginning of 2025
- Four complimentary lounge visits and complimentary travel insurance
👉 Cons
- A foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25% for all foreign currency transactions
- Annual fee of S$196.20
- Late payment fee of S$100
- Unlike the other credit cards on this list, the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card has the lowest local spend-earn rates and lacks a bonus spend category
- Lounge access cannot be shared with guests
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Find out how to top up your virtual Suica card in Japan with YouTrip via Apple Pay
4. DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card
All about the DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card:
Image Credits: ShrugMyShoulder
The DBS Altitude Signature Card is available on Visa or AMEX networks. It offers welcome bonus miles with a min. spend requirement and by paying the first-year annual fee. Here’s a more in-depth look at its features:
👉 Pros
- Enjoy up to 1.3 miles per S$1 local spend and 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas spend
- Earn up to 4.3 miles on travel spend with Agoda
- DBS Points do not expire and can be redeemed for travel perks and benefits
- Enjoy a complimentary Digital Priority Pass membership as well as two free lounge visits
👉 Cons
- A foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25% for all foreign currency transactions
- Annual fee of S$196.20
- Late payment fee of S$100
- The DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card also has one of the lowest local spend-earn rates compared to other cards
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Make the switch from SGD to JPY! Find out how you can lock in the best JPY rates now!
5. OCBC 90°N Card
All about the OCBC 90°N Card:
Image Credits: Mainly Miles
The OCBC 90°N Card is available on Mastercard and Visa networks. It allows you to earn miles that never expire. Here’s a more in-depth look at its features:
👉 Pros
- Earn up to 1.3 miles per S$1 local spend and 2.1 miles per S$1 foreign currency spend
- Up to 7 miles per S$1 spend on bookings made on Agoda
- Able to redeem miles in blocks as small as 1,000 for cash rebates, vouchers, or KrisFlyer miles
- Miles don’t expire
👉 Cons
- Foreign transaction fee of up to 3.25% for all foreign currency transactions
- Annual fee of S$196.20
- Late payment fee of S$100.
- The OCBC 90°N Card has the lowest earn-spend rate for foreign currency spend and does not offer lounge access
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Check out this guide for our credit card transaction fees guide
Get the best rates all day with YouTrip
All about the YouTrip card
As mentioned above, we’re not a credit card. This means there’s no minimum income required, no minimum spending, and no interest charges, annual fees, or penalties involved with us.
Furthermore, using your YouTrip Mastercard while you’re roaming the globe means you can:
- Lock in the best rates all day from our 11 in-app currencies
- Score favourable exchange rates for 150+ currencies worldwide at zero fees
- Enjoy free monthly ATM withdrawals of up to S$400 with a 2% fee imposed thereafter
Did we mention that we’re also the first e-wallet to enhance our wallet limits? You can now top up S$20,000 and spend with an upsized annual limit of S$100,000! Get ready to lock in more of the best rates all day
Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025): Check out our enhanced wallet limits here!
Verdict: What is the best Singapore credit card for travel?
While there’s no single best Singapore credit card for overseas spending, there’s no doubt that credit cards are definitely a great way to rack up rewards like cashback and miles as you spend. However, these credit cards do often come with annual fees, foreign transaction fees, as well as interest charges and penalties if you don’t clear your bills on time, so make sure you carefully consider which is best suited for your lifestyle.
And hey, if you’re looking for a travel card with no annual or foreign transaction fees, consider our trusty YouTrip card! As Singapore’s favourite multi-currency wallet, we aim to get those pesky fees out of the way and help you save on your travels. With the best foreign exchange rates, no longer will you have to deal with those long queues at money changers or stay cooped up in your hotel room counting petty cash.
So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with promo code <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account! For more great tips and articles like this, join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
And while you’re at it, why not join the conversation with thousands of #YouTroopers in our very own Community Telegram Group @YouTripSquad? Get tips and tricks to everything YouTrip including exclusive invites to exciting events and experiences, & be part of the #YouTripSquad!
Happy spending 💜
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