Quick answer: For young adults starting out, the HSBC Revolution and UOB EVOL cards are hard to beat for cashback and miles on daily spends, while the Standard Chartered Smart keeps things simple with no annual fee and no minimum spend. If travel is on your mind, the KrisFlyer UOB card builds miles on dining and transport, and the Citi SMRT card rewards your daily commute. Students can look to the DBS Live Fresh card with eco-friendly cashback.
Your first credit card can feel like a pop quiz you never studied for. Terms, miles, cashback – it’s a lot. Honestly? It doesn’t have to be. Some cards simply reward the life you’re already living, whether you’re tapping for bubble tea or booking your first solo trip. This list is for the curious and the first-timers.
This sits inside Best Credit Cards in Singapore, alongside 32 related guides.
HSBC Revolution Card
If your phone is where most of your spending happens, the HSBC Revolution card feels like it was made for you. There’s no minimum spend to hit, and you earn 4 miles (or 10X Reward points) per S$1 on online purchases and contactless payments. It also unlocks over 1,000 1-for-1 dining, lifestyle and travel deals – the sort of perk that makes a random Tuesday dinner feel a bit more shiok.
HSBC has branches across the island; use their branch locator to find the one nearest you. You can reach them at +65 6227 8889. See the HSBC Revolution Card.
It’s a steady pick if you’re ordering GrabFood, topping up your SimplyGo, or doing a bit of online shopping every week – basically, if your wallet stays at home, this card is your kaki.
This one is for when your card stays in your bag and your phone gets all the action. The 1-for-1 dining deals are a quiet perk – they can make a last-minute dinner feel like a tiny win, even if it’s just at the coffeeshop downstairs. No minimum spend, so you’re never chasing a target.
Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card
The Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card keeps things very straight. You get up to 6% cashback on things like fast food, coffee, subscriptions and transport, all without a minimum spend and without an annual fee. That means whatever you earn back is really yours, no ifs, no sian calculations at the end of the month.
Head to Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, 8 Marina Boulevard, #01-01, Singapore 018981. Call +65 6747 7000. Details for the Smart Credit Card.
And if you’re the sort who loves scoring a good dinner deal, our guide on Dining Credit Cards in Singapore is worth bookmarking.
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If the word “cashback” sounds reassuring, this is your card. No annual fee means you can keep it in your wallet forever without a second thought. It quietly nabs extra on the stuff you already buy – your commute, your kopi, your subscriptions. That’s real money back each month, no small print drama.
OCBC Frank Credit Card
The OCBC Frank Credit Card is that rare thing: a card you can actually design yourself, on top of giving you up to 8% cashback on foreign currency and online transactions, and 2% on green merchants. There’s a S$600 monthly minimum and a S$100 cashback cap, so it rewards a lifestyle that’s a little more intentional – think overseas spending or bigger online hauls.
You can visit the OCBC Centre at 65 Chulia Street, Singapore 049513, or call +65 6363 3333. Learn more about the OCBC Frank Credit Card.
For those who do a lot of shopping online, we’ve also rounded up the best Credit Cards for Groceries and Online Shopping in Singapore.
This one is for the person who’d rather customise their wallet with a design than pick a plain one. The cashback on overseas splurges and online carts is generous, but you need to spend a little each month to unlock it. It rewards a more planned-out kind of lifestyle – the sort where you’ve already bookmarked that late-night shop.
DBS Live Fresh Student Card
The DBS Live Fresh Student Card opens the door to up to 5% cashback on online, contactless and eco-friendly merchants, with a 0.3% base on everything else. The S$600 minimum spend keeps it within reach while you’re still studying, and the green rebates quietly nudge you towards choices you might already be making – like eating at vegetarian places or taking public transport.
DBS’s main branch is at 712A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, #01-4066, Singapore 561712. Call 1800 111 1111. Explore the DBS Live Fresh Student Card.
If you’re still in uni and trying to be a little greener, this card gets it without being preachy. It gives you a bit extra for tapping on the MRT or grabbing a vegetarian meal, things you might already be doing. The spend target is friendly, and it feels like a gentle nudge rather than a lecture.
UOB EVOL Card
The UOB EVOL card is designed for a phone-first routine: up to 8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spends, capped at S$60 per month with a S$600 minimum. If you’re tapping your watch or phone for kopi, lunch, and Grab rides, this cashback adds up without you having to think about it.
Pop by UOB’s JEM branch at 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #02-15, Singapore 608549, or ring 1800 222 2121. See the UOB EVOL Card.
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The EVOL is for the phone-first routine that barely opens a wallet. Tapping your watch or phone for lunch, the bus, or a random treat – it all quietly stacks up cashback. There’s a monthly cap, so it’s more about small daily wins than big blowouts. Honestly, it’s one of those cards you almost forget you’re earning on.
Citi SMRT Card
The Citi SMRT Card makes your daily MRT and bus rides work harder. You earn up to 5% savings on groceries, online shopping and public transport, provided you meet a S$500 minimum spend. It’s the kind of card that feels like a small, consistent pat on the back every time you tap in at the gantry – no annual fee options mean what you save stays with you.
The main Citibank office is at Asia Square Tower 1, 8 Marina View, #21-00, Singapore 018960. Call +65 6224 5757. Details on the Citi SMRT Card.
For anyone who’s practically on first-name terms with the MRT, this card makes the daily commute a tiny bit more rewarding. It also edges out savings on groceries and online buys, so it’s not just about transport. The minimum spend is manageable, and the no-annual-fee option means you can hold onto it without wondering if it’s worth it.
KrisFlyer UOB Card
If you catch yourself daydreaming about a quick trip to Bali or a longer stopover in Europe, the KrisFlyer UOB Card quietly builds the miles to get you there. It earns 3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 on dining, online shopping, travel and transport, plus 1.2 miles on everything else. The direct link to Singapore Airlines means your miles land where they’re most useful.
Visit UOB at 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #02-15 JEM, Singapore 608549, or call 1800 222 2121. Look at the KrisFlyer UOB Card.
How to choose
Start by looking at where your money actually goes month to month. If it’s mostly online shopping and contactless payments, a card like the HSBC Revolution or UOB EVOL will reward you without demanding a high minimum. If you travel frequently or want to accumulate miles for a big trip, the KrisFlyer UOB card is a natural fit. For absolute simplicity, the Standard Chartered Smart card gives you cashback with zero strings attached – no annual fee, no minimum spend.
Minimum spend is another factor. Cards like the OCBC Frank and DBS Live Fresh want you to hit S$600 a month before the higher cashback kicks in, which is fine if you already spend that; if not, you might prefer the Revolution or Smart. Annual fees on starter cards are often waived for the first year, but check with the bank – some, like the Citi SMRT, have no-annual-fee options outright.
| Card | Rewards | Minimum Spend | Annual Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Revolution | 4 miles/$1 on online & contactless | None | Check with bank | Miles on online & contactless |
| Standard Chartered Smart | Up to 6% cashback on fast food, coffee, transport | None | None | Fuss-free cashback |
| OCBC Frank | Up to 8% cashback on foreign currency & online, 2% on green merchants | S$600/month | Check with bank | Online spending & travel |
| DBS Live Fresh Student | Up to 5% cashback on online, contactless & eco | S$600/month | Check with bank | Students & eco-minded |
| UOB EVOL | Up to 8% cashback on online & mobile contactless | S$600/month | Check with bank | Heavy mobile payment users |
| Citi SMRT | Up to 5% savings on groceries, online & transport | S$500/month | No annual fee (option) | Commuters & grocery runs |
| KrisFlyer UOB | 3 miles/$1 on dining, online, travel, transport; 1.2 miles/$1 others | None | Check with bank | Aspiring travellers |
Summary
Your first credit card doesn’t have to be complicated. The HSBC Revolution and UOB EVOL make it easy to earn cashback or miles on the things you already do, while the Standard Chartered Smart card is about as straightforward as they come. If travel is the goal, the KrisFlyer UOB card turns daily spending into future adventures. Match the card to your rhythm, and building credit starts to feel like a small win every month.
Disclaimer: All details are based on publicly available information. Banks may update terms, fees and perks at any time, so confirm directly with the business before applying.
Frequently asked questions
This is for the dreamer who’s already checking Skyscanner during lectures. Miles don’t expire, and they go straight to your KrisFlyer account, so that Bali trip isn’t as far off as it sounds. It’s a slow-build card: everyday spending on lunch or clothes turns into a boarding pass, eventually. No rush, just a quiet countdown.
What is the best credit card for a young adult in Singapore with no annual fee?
The Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card has no annual fee and no minimum spend, giving up to 6% cashback on fast food, coffee, subscriptions and transport. The Citi SMRT Card also offers no-annual-fee options while rewarding daily transport and groceries.
Do these credit cards require a high income?
No. These cards are specifically chosen for young adults who may be early in their careers or still studying. The DBS Live Fresh Student Card is designed for students, and the other cards typically have accessible income requirements – always confirm with the bank.
How do I choose between a cashback card and a miles card?
Look at how you spend. If you order a lot of online delivery, take public transport, and want a bit of money back every month, cashback cards like UOB EVOL or OCBC Frank are good fits. If you have a travel goal in mind, a miles card like the KrisFlyer UOB card helps you accumulate miles on dining, online spending, and transport without a minimum spend.
Is there a card that gives rewards on both online shopping and transport?
The HSBC Revolution Card gives 4 miles per dollar on all online and contactless payments, which includes transport when you use SimplyGo. The Citi SMRT Card directly rewards public transport and online shopping with savings, and the Standard Chartered Smart card covers transport, fast food and coffee in one.
What is the minimum spend I need to hit for these cards?
The HSBC Revolution, Standard Chartered Smart and KrisFlyer UOB cards have no minimum spend. The OCBC Frank, DBS Live Fresh and UOB EVOL cards require a S$600 monthly minimum for the higher cashback rates, while the Citi SMRT card needs S$500.
Can I use these cards to build my credit history?
Yes. Using any of these cards regularly and paying on time helps build a positive credit record in Singapore. Starting with a simple card that matches your spending habits makes it easier to stay on top of payments.
