A comparison of six Singapore travel credit cards on fees, eligibility, air miles and foreign transaction costs
Key takeaways
- Six travel credit cards in Singapore covered: DBS Altitude, HSBC TravelOne, KrisFlyer UOB, Citi PremierMiles, Maybank Horizon Visa Signature and American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card
- Five of the six cards charge a 3.25% foreign transaction fee on overseas spend; the American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card charges 2.95%
- Annual fees for the five personal cards are around S$196.20; the American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card is priced separately at S$400
- None of the six cards offer cashback; all reward spending in miles or points
- The World Card by WorldFirst is a Mastercard-powered multi-currency card offering 0% FX fees on all foreign transactions and 1.2% cashback (T&Cs Apply)
Travel credit cards are designed for frequent travellers, rewarding overseas spending with air miles or points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels or seat upgrades. Many also include benefits like airport lounge access and travel insurance.
Most travel credit cards in Singapore carry a foreign transaction fee on overseas spending.
A multi-currency card, such as the World Card by WorldFirst, is another option for cross-border spending, applying zero FX fees on transactions in supported currencies. This guide compares six travel credit cards in Singapore across fees, miles and benefits, along with how the World Card fits alongside them.
What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card is a credit card that rewards spending with air miles or points, which can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays or other travel-related benefits.
Most travel credit cards in Singapore also carry a foreign transaction fee on overseas spend. Many come with benefits such as airport lounge access or travel insurance that vary by card and issuer.
Top travel credit cards in Singapore
| Feature | DBS Altitude Card1 | HSBC TravelOne3 | KrisFlyer UOB Card5 | Citi PremierMiles Card6 | Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card7 | American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card9 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waived in year one | S$196.20, waivable from year two with more than S$25,000 in annual spend | S$196.20, waived in year one | S$196.20, waivable in year one | S$196.20, waived for the first 3 years | S$400, including 9% GST |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$30,000 p.a. (S$15,000 if aged 56+) for Singaporeans/PRs; S$45,000 for foreigners | S$65,000 for new customers; from S$30,000 for existing HSBC customers with S$50,000+ total relationship balance | S$30,000 p.a. (S$15,000 if aged 56+) for Singaporeans/PRs; S$40,000 for foreigners | S$30,000 for Singaporeans/PRs; S$42,000 for foreigners | S$30,000 for Singaporeans/PRs
S$45,000 for Malaysian citizens employed 1+ year S$60,000 for other foreigners employed 1+ year |
No fixed published figure |
| Air miles | Up to 2.2 miles per S$1 on overseas spend; up to 1.3 miles per S$1 on local spend | Up to 2.4 miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend; up to 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spend | 3 miles per S$1 on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+, and Pelago
2.4 miles per S$1 on selected categories subject to a minimum spend condition 1.2 miles per S$1 on all other spend |
1.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on local spend
2.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend |
Up to 2.8 miles per S$1 on air-ticket and foreign spend once S$800 in monthly spend is reached
1.2 miles per S$1 otherwise |
Up to 8 HighFlyer points (worth 8 KrisFlyer miles) per S$1 on eligible Singapore Airlines/Scoot flights
2 HighFlyer points per S$1 on eligible KrisShop and Pelago purchases 1.2 HighFlyer points per S$1 on all other eligible spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as DBS Points/miles | None; rewards are earned as reward points/miles | None; rewards are earned as KrisFlyer miles | None; rewards are earned as Citi Miles | None; rewards are earned as TREATS Points/miles | None; rewards are earned as HighFlyer points |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 2.95% |
1. DBS Altitude Card
The DBS Altitude Card is issued as a Visa Signature or American Express card. The DBS Altitude Card is available as a physical card, with a virtual card option available in the DBS digibank app after approval.1 The Visa Signature version includes a Priority Pass Digital Membership with 2 complimentary lounge visits in each 12-month membership period.1
| Feature | *Fees1 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waived in year one |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$30,000 p.a. (S$15,000 if aged 56+) for Singaporeans/PRs; S$45,000 for foreigners |
| Air miles | Up to 2.2 miles per S$1 on overseas spend; up to 1.3 miles per S$1 on local spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as DBS Points/miles |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
2. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
HSBC TravelOne earns reward points that can be redeemed instantly. Airport lounge access is provided through Mastercard Travel Pass, with 4 complimentary visits per calendar year for primary cardholders.3 The card is available as a physical card, with a virtual card issued upon approval.
| Feature | *Fees3 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waivable from year two with more than S$25,000 in annual spend |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$65,000 for new customers; from S$30,000 for existing HSBC customers with S$50,000+ total relationship balance |
| Air miles | Up to 2.4 miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend; up to 1.2 miles per S$1 on local spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as reward points/miles |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
-> Take a look at the best cashback credit cards
3. KrisFlyer UOB Card
The KrisFlyer UOB Card provide up to S$500,000 in travel personal accident insurance while on public conveyance.5 It also provides up to S$50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, subject to terms and exclusions.5 It is issued as a physical card, with eligible UOB cards supported for digital wallet use.
| Feature | *Fees5 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waived in year one |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$30,000 p.a. (S$15,000 if aged 56+) for Singaporeans/PRs; S$40,000 for foreigners |
| Air miles | 3 miles per S$1 on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+, and Pelago
2.4 miles per S$1 on selected categories subject to a minimum spend condition 1.2 miles per S$1 on all other spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as KrisFlyer miles |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
4. Citi PremierMiles Card
Citi Miles earned on the PremierMiles Card do not expire and can be converted to 10+ frequent flyer programmes.6 The principal card member receives 2 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per calendar year, subject to registration and programme terms.6 Foreign transaction fee of 3.25% applies to overseas spend.6 The card is available as a physical card, with a digital card that can be used before the physical card arrives.
| Feature | *Fees6 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waivable in year one |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$30,000 for Singaporeans/PRs; S$42,000 for foreigners |
| Air miles | 1.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on local spend
2.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as Citi Miles |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
-> Check out the best business debit cards available in Singapore
5. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
The Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card annual fee can be waived after three years with S$18,000 in yearly spend.7 Complimentary airport lounge access is provided at selected VIP lounges when the cardholder charges a minimum S$1,000 on retail transactions in a single receipt within the preceding three months.7 Foreign transaction fee of 3.25% applies to overseas spend.7 It is issued as a physical card and can be enrolled as a Digital Card in supported digital wallets.
| Feature | *Fees7 |
| Annual fee | S$196.20, waived for the first 3 years |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | S$30,000 for Singaporeans/PRs
S$45,000 for Malaysian citizens employed 1+ year S$60,000 for other foreigners employed 1+ year |
| Air miles | Up to 2.8 miles per S$1 on air-ticket and foreign spend once S$800 in monthly spend is reached
1.2 miles per S$1 otherwise |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as TREATS Points/miles |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3.25% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
6. American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card
The American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card is issued to a business owner or person with executive authority of a UEN-registered company rather than to an individual traveller. The card includes travel inconvenience and travel accident benefits of up to S$1,000,000, subject to terms.8 The card is issued as a physical card, with digital-wallet payments supported.
| Feature | *Fees8 |
| Annual fee | S$400, including 9% GST |
| Minimum income eligibility (SGD) | No fixed published figure |
| Air miles | Up to 8 HighFlyer points (worth 8 KrisFlyer miles) per S$1 on eligible Singapore Airlines/Scoot flights
2 HighFlyer points per S$1 on eligible KrisShop and Pelago purchases 1.2 HighFlyer points per S$1 on all other eligible spend |
| Cashback | None; rewards are earned as HighFlyer points |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.95% |
*Fees checked in September 2026
Travel credit card rewards vs FX fees: A worked example for Singapore travellers
Foreign transaction fees on overseas spending can offset a large portion of the miles or cashback earned. This worked example shows how miles, cashback and foreign transaction fees compare for a typical Singapore business travel scenario.
Writer to run the following comparison using each card’s currently published miles earn rate, cashback rate and foreign transaction fee, cited via superscript. All figures must be verified against the issuer’s current terms at time of writing.
Scenario: S$5,000 spend on a Singapore business trip
A Singapore business owner spends S$5,000 across a two-week business trip:
- Flights booked and paid in advance in SGD
- Hotels in EUR
- Restaurants, taxis and local expenses in EUR
- Inflight WiFi and international roaming in USD
Approximately S$4,000 of this spend is in foreign currency.
Option 1: Miles-earning travel credit card
Typical structure for a Singapore travel credit card focused on air miles:
- Miles earned on foreign spend at published rate. For example, 2 miles per S$1 spent overseas equals 8,000 miles on S$4,000 foreign spend
- Miles earned on the remaining S$1,000 local spend at the card’s local earn rate
- Foreign transaction fee at 3.25% on S$4,000 foreign spend equals S$130
- Total miles value estimated using KrisFlyer or equivalent redemption rate. Writer to cite typical mile value at 1-2 Singapore cents per mile for economy flight redemptions
- Net position: value of miles earned minus S$130 in foreign transaction fees
Option 2: Cashback travel credit card
Typical structure for a Singapore travel credit card focused on cashback:
- Cashback at published rate on foreign and local spend
- Foreign transaction fee at 3.25% on S$4,000 foreign spend equals S$130
- Total cashback earned in SGD
- Net position: cashback earned minus S$130 in foreign transaction fees
The World Card: A multi-currency physical and virtual card for businesses in Singapore with 0% FX fees
For Singapore business owners who travel internationally and also spend on advertising, software and supplier payments, the World Card, a virtual debit card, offers zero FX fees on foreign transactions, 1.2% cashback on eligible spending. With the World Card, you also get physical card options along with virtual cards.
WorldFirst is a payments provider offering the World Account, a multi-currency account, with the World Card as its linked multi-currency card. The World Account provides local currency accounts in 20+ currencies plus payments across 100+ currencies to 200+ countries and regions.
Key features of the World Card
- 0% FX fees on all foreign transactions, spending in 150+ currencies
- 1.2% cashback every month on eligible spending including ads, software, travel and supplier payments, with no cap (T&C apply)
- Physical and virtual card variants, with up to 25 multi-currency cards including up to 10 physical cards
- 3D Secure protection, an added verification step that helps prevent fraud on online payments
- Freeze and cancel instantly: stop unauthorised transactions immediately by freezing or cancelling cards with a click
- Real-time spending controls: set spending limits, issue business virtual cards in seconds and track spend in real time
- Full control from the WorldFirst dashboard or app
| Features/ fee | World Card |
| Card issuance fee | Zero |
| Annual card fee | Zero |
| Account fee linked to the card | Zero |
| Card type | Virtual card |
| Number of cards | Up to 20 virtual cards per business at zero cost |
| Currencies supported for spending | 150+ currencies |
| Fee for spending within allowance/supported list | Zero when paying in any of the 15 supported currencies, with sufficient balance held |
| Fee for spending beyond allowance/supported list | Up to 0.6% currency conversion |
| Digital wallet support | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Cashback / rewards | Cashback may be available on eligible spending. Terms and Conditions Apply |
FAQs
1. Do travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Yes. Five of the six travel credit cards reviewed here charge a foreign transaction fee of 3.25% on overseas spend, with the American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card at 2.95%, which reduces the effective value of the miles earned on that spend. The World Card, a multi-currency card rather than a credit card, applies 0% FX fees on all foreign transactions instead.
2. What are alternatives to travel credit cards for business owners in Singapore?
A multi-currency card, such as the World Card linked to a World Account, is structured differently from a travel credit card in Singapore: it applies the same 0% FX fee and cashback rate across travel and non-travel international spend, including advertising, software and supplier payments, rather than rewarding travel-specific categories.
Sources
- https://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/cards/credit-cards/dbs-altitude-cards
- https://www.dbs.com.sg/personal/cards/cards-rates-fees.page
- https://www.hsbc.com.sg/credit-cards/products/travelone/
- https://www.hsbc.com.sg/content/dam/hsbc/sg/documents/credit-cards/hsbc-secured-card-application-form.pdf
- https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards/travel/krisflyer-card.page
- https://www.citibank.com.sg/content/dam/cgcpc/sg/prelogin/www-citibank-com-sg/pdf/global_docs/Citi-PremierMiles-Card-FAQs.pdf
- https://www.maybank2u.com.sg/en/personal/cards/credit/maybank-horizon-visa-signature-card.page
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-sg/business/business-card/airlines-business-credit-card/index.html
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
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