Thinking of getting the DBS Vantage Card?
If you’re eyeing a premium travel credit card with lounge access, hotel perks, and decent miles earn rates, the DBS Vantage Card is probably already on your radar. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the DBS Vantage Card — from annual fees to income requirements, lounge access, and overseas spending perks.
We’ll also compare it with other travel-friendly options like YouTrip, the multi-currency card popular among Singaporeans abroad.
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📚 Table of Contents:
- TL;DR
- What is the DBS Vantage Card?
- Benefits
- Sign-Up Bonus & Promotions
- Annual Fee & FX Fees
- Requirements
- Lounge Access
- Miles & Overseas Spend
- DBS Vantage vs DBS Altitude
- Why YouTrip Might Be a Smarter Choice for Travellers
- FAQs
⚡ TL;DR: DBS Vantage Card at a Glance
| Feature | DBS Vantage Card |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Visa Infinite (Metal) |
| Annual Fee | S$599.50 per year (Not waivable in the first year); Paying the fee gives 12,500 DBS Points (25,000 miles). |
| Minimum Income | S$120,000/year (Singaporeans/PR/Foreigners) |
| Miles Earned | 1.5 miles per S$1 local; 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas or 2.2% cashback |
| FX Fee | 3.25% on foreign transactions |
| Airport Lounge Access | 10 complimentary visits/year via Priority Pass (principal cardholder) |
| Key Lifestyle Perk | Complimentary Accor Plus Explorer Membership + 1 complimentary hotel stay & dining discounts |
| Best For | High-spend, premium travellers |
What is the DBS Vantage Card?
Image credits: MoneySmart
The DBS Vantage Card is a premium credit card designed for Singaporeans who travel often or spend overseas. It offers the flexibility to earn either DBS Points or cashback on your purchases, with up to 2.2 miles per S$1 spent overseas or 2.2% cashback.
❗️ Note: You must switch the entire card to cashback mode; you cannot earn miles + cashback simultaneously
The card also provides lifestyle perks like airport lounge access and dining benefits. Its metal design adds a premium feel, appealing to frequent travellers.
💡 If you want to avoid FX fees entirely and manage multiple currencies easily, a multi-currency travel card like YouTrip is worth considering.
📖 Related guides: Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025)
DBS Vantage Card Benefits
- Travel Miles: 1.5 miles per S$1 local spend; 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas spend or 2.2% cashback.
- Airport Lounge Access: 10 complimentary visits per year via Priority Pass.
- Complimentary Accor Plus Explorer Membership: Includes 1 free hotel stay + dining discounts
- Metal Card Design: Durable, premium look and feel.
📖 Related guides: Best DBS Miles Credit Cards In Singapore (2025 Guide)
Sign-Up Bonus & Promotions
- Sign-up Bonus: Promotions vary — check current offer.
- Promotions: DBS often offers bonus miles, shopping vouchers, or cashback promos. Always check the latest offer before applying.
📖 Related guides: DBS Multiplier Account Review (2025): Interest Rates, Salary Credit & Is It Still Worth It?
Annual Fee & FX Fees
- Annual Fee: S$599.50 per year (Not waivable in the first year)
- Subsequent waiver eligibility – S$60,000 retail spend condition
- Paying the fee grants 12,500 DBS Points (25,000 miles).
- FX Fee: 3.25% per foreign currency transaction.
💡 If you spend overseas frequently, this FX fee can partially or fully cancel out your miles benefit — depending on how you value miles. High-volume overseas spenders may prefer YouTrip’s zero FX markups.
📖 Related guide: Wise Card Singapore Guide (2025): Fees, Limits, Exchange Rates
DBS Vantage Card Requirements
To apply for the DBS Vantage Card, applicants must meet the following requirements:
✅ Minimum Annual Income
- Singaporeans / PRs/Foreigners: S$120,000/year
✅ Eligible Applicants
- Age: 21–75 years old
- Citizenship / Work Status:
- Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs)
- Foreigners holding eligible work passes:
- Employment Pass, S Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, Tech.Pass
- Long Term Visit Pass with Letter of Consent (LOC)
- International Organisation Pass
✅ Documentation Needed
- Valid passport
- Valid work pass (for foreigners)
- Latest payslips and income proof (e.g., Notice of Assessment)
- Standard credit checks apply
💡 Pro tip: For those who want premium travel perks without worrying about FX fees, multi-currency cards like YouTrip can be easier to apply for and more cost-effective than traditional bank cards.
📖 Related guide: DBS Remit International Money Transfer Guide (2025)
Lounge Access
The DBS Vantage Card offers airport lounge access via Priority Pass:
- Complimentary Visits: 10 total visits per membership year shared between cardholder + guests
- Coverage: Domestic and international lounges included.
- Extra Visits: Additional visits beyond the 10 complimentary entries incur 35 USD (~S$45) per person per visit.
This makes it one of the better travel cards for lounge access.
📖 Related guide: DBS Multi-Currency Account (MCA) Guide 2025: Features, Exchange Rates, Fees
Miles & Overseas Spend
- Miles Earned: 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas, 1.5 miles local.
- Overseas Spend: Ideal for shopping, dining, and travel bookings abroad.
- FX Fees: A 3.25% fee on foreign currency purchases applies, which can offset some of the miles earned.
DBS Vantage vs DBS Altitude
| Feature | DBS Vantage | DBS Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Miles per S$1 Local | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Miles per S$1 Overseas | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| FX Fees | 3.25% | 3.25% |
| Annual Fee | S$599.50 | S$196.20 |
| Lounge Access | 10 visits/year via Priority Pass | 2 visits/year for Visa only |
| Best For | High spend, premium travellers | Everyday earners optimising miles |
⚖️ If lounge access, hotel perks, and a premium metal card matter, DBS Vantage wins. If you’re mainly chasing miles and want a lower annual fee, the Altitude card is the more cost-efficient pick.
📖 Related guide: DBS Altitude Card Guide 2025: Miles, Benefits, Lounge Access & Fees
Why YouTrip Might Be a Smarter Choice for Travellers
While DBS Vantage is great for travel perks, YouTrip offers:
- Live wholesale exchange rates — better than bank cards.
- Zero FX fees on 12 currencies.
- Affordable spending: No annual fees
- Seamless multi-currency management right from the app.
- Instant notifications for every spend.
- Easy overseas transfers — send money abroad at low costs without hidden fees.
For frequent Singaporean travellers, YouTrip can save more money and hassle than traditional premium credit cards with FX fees.
📖 Related guide: Instarem Amaze Card Singapore Guide 2025: Fees, Rewards & Is It Worth It?
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- High Miles Earning Rate: Up to 2.2 miles per S$1 on overseas spend.
- Complimentary Accor Plus Explorer Membership: Includes one free hotel night stay and dining discounts.
- Priority Pass Lounge Access: 10 complimentary visits per year to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide.
❌ Cons
- High Annual Fee: S$599.50
- FX Fees: 3.25% fee on overseas transactions
- No Airport Limo or Complimentary Travel Insurance: Some premium cards offer these perks, which are not included with DBS Vantage.
- Limited Transfer Partners: Fewer airline and hotel transfer partners compared to some other premium cards.
📖 Related guide: OCBC Multi-Currency Account Guide: OCBC Global Savings Account (2025)
Verdict: Is the DBS Vantage Card Worth It?
It depends on your travel and spending habits. The Vantage Card can be worth it — especially if you value airport lounge access, a metal card feel, and premium lifestyle perks.
- If you spend heavily overseas and enjoy the occasional fine dining or hotel perk, the 2.2 miles per S$1 and lounge access can be attractive.
- But if your overseas spend is frequent and you want to avoid FX fees, the 3.25% charge can eat into your rewards. That’s where YouTrip shines — zero FX fees, live exchange rates, multi-currency management, and easy overseas transfers.
In short: Vantage = premium travel perks; YouTrip = smarter money for frequent overseas spenders.
📚 Read next: Check out our guide to the best multi-currency cards for the biggest savings here
FAQs:
Q: Is DBS Vantage a metal card?
A: Yes (metal finish).
Q: Does DBS Vantage offer airport lounge access?
A: Yes, 10 complimentary visits/year via Priority Pass.
Q: What is the minimum income for the DBS Vantage Card?
A: S$120,000 per year for all applicants (Singaporeans, PRs, foreigners).
Q: Is DBS Vantage better than DBS Altitude?
A: Depends. Vantage for lounge access & premium feel, Altitude for slightly higher miles on overseas spend.
Q: Are there FX fees on DBS Vantage?
A: Yes, 3.25% per foreign currency transaction.
Q: Can the DBS Vantage card be used for overseas spending?
A: Yes, it earns 2.2 miles per S$1 overseas.
Q: What’s the annual fee for DBS Vantage?
A: S$599.50 (incl. GST) for the principal card. The first year cannot be waived. When the annual fee is charged, you get 12,500 DBS Points (equivalent to 25,000 miles) credited. DBS lists a S$60,000 retail spend condition for subsequent waiver eligibility
Q: How many lounge visits per year?
A: 10 per year for the principal cardholder, able to be shared with guests. Additional visits cost 35 USD (~S$45) each.
Get the Best Rates with YouTrip Today!
The DBS Vantage Card is perfect for travellers who want lounge access, premium perks, and metal-card prestige, while YouTrip is better for overseas spending, zero FX fees, and multi-currency flexibility. Use both strategically to get the best of both worlds — rewards, convenience, and savings.
Not on YouTrip yet? Get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.
Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!
Bon voyage!
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