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, DBS Altitude Signature, and OCBC 90°N Card.
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TL;DR: Quick Comparison Table| Best For | Card | Key Benefit | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Zero FX Fees | YouTrip Card | Wholesale rates, 0% FX fees, no income requirement | S$0 |
Overall Miles | Citi PremierMiles | 2.2 mpd, miles never expire | S$196.20 |
Frequent Travellers | UOB PRIVI Miles | 2.4 mpd + Agoda/Expedia bonuses | S$261.60 |
Lounge Access | HSBC TravelOne | 2.4 mpd + 4 free lounge visits | S$196.20 |
Flexible Rewards | DBS Altitude | Miles don’t expire | S$196.20 |
Agoda Bookings | OCBC 90°N | Up to 7 mpd on Agoda | S$196.20 |
Table of Contents: The best Singapore credit cards for travel offer Singaporean travellers significant advantages over cash or regular credit cards:
Key benefits include:
However, traditional credit cards typically charge a 3.25% foreign transaction fee on every overseas purchase. For a S$5,000 trip, that’s S$162.50 in fees alone — which can offset your rewards quickly.
The solution? Consider multi-currency cards like YouTrip that offer wholesale exchange rates with zero foreign transaction fees, making them the most cost-effective option for frequent travellers who want to maximise savings without earning miles.
Related Guide: Best Miles Credit Card in Singapore For Overseas Spending
When comparing travel credit cards in Singapore, these seven factors determine the best card for your needs:
Most Singapore credit cards charge 3.25% on foreign currency transactions. This fee applies to every overseas purchase, from hotels to meals. For frequent travellers, this adds up quickly.
For cost-conscious travellers, a multi-currency card like YouTrip, which charge 0% FX fees, might offer better value.
Premium travel credit cards in Singapore typically offer 2.0–2.4 mpd spent overseas. Look for cards that match your spending patterns — some offer bonus miles on hotel bookings (up to 7 mpd) or airline purchases.
Singapore credit cards for travel range from S$0 to S$261.60 annually. Calculate whether your rewards earnings justify the fee. For example, a S$196.20 annual fee requires significant spending to break even on miles alone.
New cardholders can earn substantial bonus miles (often 10,000–30,000 miles) by meeting minimum spending requirements within the first few months. Factor these one-time bonuses into your decision.
The best Singaporean credit cards for overseas spending include complimentary lounge access (typically 2–4 visits annually), travel insurance, airport transfers, and hotel elite status. These perks add real value for frequent travellers.
Most premium Singapore travel credit cards require S$30,000–S$45,000 annual income for Singaporeans/PRs. Multi-currency prepaid cards like YouTrip have no minimum income requirement, making them accessible to all travellers.
Credit cards use marked-up exchange rates on top of the 3.25% foreign transaction fee. Multi-currency wallets typically offer wholesale mid-market rates, resulting in 3–5% total savings compared to credit cards.
Related Guide: Best Multi-Currency Cards In Singapore: A Full Comparison Guide
Here’s a comprehensive comparison of the top travel credit cards in Singapore, plus the best multi-currency card alternative for Singaporean travellers who want zero fees:
| Feature | YouTrip Card | Citi PremierMiles | UOB PRIVI Miles | HSBC TravelOne | DBS Altitude | OCBC 90°N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Type | Prepaid Mastercard | Visa/Mastercard | Mastercard/Visa/AMEX | Mastercard | Visa/AMEX | Mastercard/Visa |
| Annual Fee | S$0 | S$196.20 | S$261.60 | S$196.20 | S$196.20 | S$196.20 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% |
| Overseas Miles Earn Rate | N/A | 2.2 | 2.4 (3 on regional spend – IDR, MYR, THB, VND) | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.1 |
| Local Miles Earn Rate | N/A | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Miles Expiry | N/A | Never | Up to 27 months | 36-37 months | Never | Never |
| Lounge Access | No | 2 visits/year | 4 visits/year | 4 visits/year | 2 visits/year | No |
| Wallet Currencies | Lock in 12 currencies | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Min. Income Required | None | S$30,000 | S$30,000 | S$65,000* | S$30,000 | S$30,000 |
| Late Payment Fee | N/A | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 | S$100 |
| Best For | Zero fees + best rates | Overall miles earning | Frequent overseas spending | Lounge lovers | Flexible rewards | Agoda bookings |
*S$65,000 for most applicants; S$30,000 for Singaporeans/PRs with at least S$50,000 TRB
Information accurate as of January 2026. Credit card earn rates, fees, and promotional offers are subject to change. Always verify current rates with the issuing bank before applying.
Related Guide: Best DBS Miles Credit Cards In Singapore
Image Credits: Trevallog
The Citi PremierMiles card stands out as the best overall travel credit card in Singapore for miles accumulation with its straightforward earning structure and valuable perks.
Pros
ConsBest for: Singaporean travellers who value flexibility and want miles that never expire without worrying about different earn rates for local vs overseas spending.
Related Guide: Citi PremierMiles Card: Guide to Benefits, Fees & Rewards
Image Credits: Mainly Miles
The UOB PRIVI Miles card offers the highest overseas earn rate among traditional credit cards, making it ideal for Singaporean travellers who spend heavily abroad.
Pros
ConsBest for: High-spending travellers who frequently book hotels through Agoda/Expedia and can maximise the 6 mpd bonus category.
Related Guide: UOB PRIVI Miles Card Guide: Benefits, Fees & Rewards
Image Credits: Zafigo
The HSBC TravelOne Credit Card provides the most generous lounge access among Singapore travel credit cards, plus competitive overseas earning rates.
Pros
ConsBest for: Singaporean travellers who prioritise airport lounge access and make frequent short trips where lounge comfort matters more than miles optimisation.
Related Guide: HSBC TravelOne Card: Guide to Fees, Miles & Benefits
Image Credits: ShrugMyShoulder
The DBS Altitude Signature Card offers permanent points and competitive rewards, appealing to travellers who want flexibility without expiry pressure.
Pros
ConsBest for: Travellers who want permanent points flexibility and don’t want to worry about miles expiring or complex redemption windows.
Related Guide: DBS Altitude Card Guide: Miles, Benefits, Lounge Access & Fees
Image Credits: Mainly Miles
The OCBC 90°N Card specialises in Agoda rewards, making it the top choice for Singaporean travellers who book most accommodations through this platform.
Pros
ConsBest for: Singaporean travellers who book most hotels through Agoda and want to maximise rewards on accommodation spending specifically.
Related Guide: OCBC Multi-Currency Account Guide: OCBC Global Savings Account
YouTrip is the most widely used multi-currency card for Singaporeans, offering wholesale exchange rates and zero fees —making it the best travel card for cost-conscious travellers who prioritize savings over miles.
Pros
ConsFor a S$5,000 overseas trip:
For Singaporean travellers taking 3 trips annually spending S$5,000 each, YouTrip saves approximately S$637.50 per year compared to traditional credit cards — far exceeding the value of most credit card annual fees and rewards.
Best for: Budget-conscious Singaporean travellers, frequent travellers to countries with volatile exchange rates, digital nomads, students, and anyone without minimum income requirements who wants maximum savings without fees.
Related Guide: YouTrip Exchange Rates: Everything You Need to Know
While YouTrip dominates the no-fee multi-currency space for Singaporean travellers, these alternatives exist:
Verdict: YouTrip remains the best no-fee travel card for Singaporean travellers due to superior rates, local market optimisation, and partnership perks specifically designed for Singapore residents.
There’s no single “best Singapore credit card for travel” — the right choice depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, and priorities.
Pro Tip for Singaporean TravellersMany sophisticated travellers use a combination strategy:
This hybrid approach maximises both savings and rewards, giving you the best of both worlds.
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.
If you’re looking for a travel card with no annual or foreign transaction fees, consider YouTrip! Singapore’s go-to multi-currency wallet helps you save with great FX rates and zero fees. Skip the money changer and 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!
Happy travels!
Q: What is the best Singapore credit card for overseas spending?
The best Singapore card for overseas spending depends on your goal.
Q: Which travel card has no annual fee in Singapore?
YouTrip is the best travel card with no annual fee in Singapore. Traditional travel credit cards charge S$196–S$262 yearly, plus 3.25% FX fees, while YouTrip charges S$0 in annual and FX fees.
Q: What is the best multi-currency card for travel in Singapore?
YouTrip is the best multi-currency card for Singaporean travellers. It supports 12 wallet currencies, works in 150+ countries, and charges zero FX fees. Alternatives like Wise and Revolut exist, but YouTrip offers the most competitive rates for the Singapore market.
Q: Do Singapore credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. Most Singapore credit cards charge ~3.25% FX fees on overseas spending. This applies to Citi PremierMiles, UOB PRIVI Miles, HSBC TravelOne, DBS Altitude, and OCBC 90°N. YouTrip charges 0% FX fees.
Q: What are the minimum income requirements for travel credit cards in Singapore?
Most Singapore travel credit cards require S$30,000 annual income for Singaporeans/PRs and S$40,000–S$45,000 for foreigners. YouTrip has no minimum income requirement.
Q: Which Singapore credit card offers the best airport lounge access?
HSBC TravelOne and UOB PRIVI Miles offer the best lounge access with 4 complimentary visits per year each. Citi PremierMiles and DBS Altitude offer 2 visits annually, while OCBC 90°N offers none.
Q: How much can I save using YouTrip vs credit cards overseas?
On a S$5,000 overseas trip, YouTrip saves about S$212.50.
Q: Do travel credit card miles expire in Singapore?
It depends on the card. Cards with no expiry offer the most flexibility.
Q: Can I use Singapore credit cards overseas without notifying the bank?
Yes, most banks allow overseas usage without prior notice. However, it’s recommended to:
YouTrip requires no travel notification and works automatically in 150+ countries.
Q: What is the best credit card for earning KrisFlyer miles?
Citi PremierMiles is ideal for KrisFlyer miles due to 2 mpd and no expiry. UOB PRIVI Miles offers higher overseas earnings (2.4 mpd), while DBS Altitude also transfers to KrisFlyer.
Q: What happens if I miss a Singapore credit card payment?
Late payment penalties include:
YouTrip has no late fees as it’s a prepaid card.
Q: Can I lock in exchange rates with Singapore credit cards?
No. Singapore credit cards apply exchange rates at settlement, not at the time of purchase. YouTrip allows you to lock in exchange rates for 12 currencies, protecting against FX fluctuations.
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