Can Singaporeans buy property in Thailand - All you need to know
Buying property in Thailand as a Singaporean? Learn more about how to buy, where to buy, restrictions and requirements.
Thinking about getting an OCBC® credit card in Singapore? Use our guide to the best OCBC credit card options based on different customer needs to find the right one for you. We’ll also walk through how to apply for an OCBC debit card online and manually and touch on Wise, which offers a handy debit card for international use, which can be a good addition to your OCBC credit card for SGD spending.
Wise customers can open and manage a digital multi-currency account with just their phones, to hold 40+ currencies and spend in 150+ countries, with no foreign transaction fee and the mid-market exchange rate. More on that later - first, an overview of the best OCBC credit card options in Singapore.
Minimum annual income / eligibility | Annual fees | Cashback / rewards | Interest rates⁶ | Foreign transaction fees⁶ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OCBC 365 Credit Card¹ | Age 21 or older Singapore citizens and PR: 30,000 SGD Foreigners: 45,000 SGD | 194.40 SGD (waived for 2 years) | Up to 6% cash back based on spend type | 27.78% p.a on purchases | 3.25% |
OCBC Frank Credit Card² | Age 21 or older Singapore citizens and PR: 30,000 SGD Foreigners: 45,000 SGD | 194.40 SGD (waived for 2 years) | Up to 10% cash back depending on spend type | 27.78% p.a on purchases | 3.25% |
OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card³ | Age 21 or older Singapore citizens and PR: 30,000 SGD Foreigners: 45,000 SGD | 194.40 SGD (waived for 2 years) | Up to 10x OCBC rewards offered based on spend type, rewards can be exchanged for spending or airmiles | 27.78% p.a on purchases | 3.25% |
OCBC Great Eastern Cashflo Credit Card⁴ | Age 21 or older Singapore citizens and PR: 30,000 SGD Foreigners: 45,000 | 162 SGD (waived for 2 years) | Up to 1.2% cash rebate, plus ways to split costs over 12 months and health and wellness offers | 27.78% p.a on purchases | 3.25% |
OCBC Premier Visa Infinite Metal Credit Card⁵ | Premier customer only - 200,000 SGD minimum balance required in OCBC accounts, to qualify | No annual fee | Luxury discounts, airport lounge access and concierge service, plus ways to earn OCBC$ quickly | 27.78% p.a on purchases | 3.25% |
As we’ve seen, OCBC has a broad selection of credit cards available. We’ve picked out 5 of the best, but there are actually more on offer, so if you don’t see one that suits you it’s worth heading to their website to browse.
With such a big selection, choosing a credit card can be tricky. To help, here are some important things to think about:
Minimum income requirements - most credit cards have a minimum income requirement which is lower for Singapore citizens and PRs, compared to foreign residents. Generally the requirement with OCBC will be an income of around 30,000 SGD if you’re Singaporean/PR, or 45,000 SGD as a foreigner. However, some premium cards have stricter rules in place, so do check the details carefully.
Eligibility rules - before you choose a card have a quick look at the eligibility rules to make sure you’re able to apply. Most cards need you to meet the minimum income requirement and be 21 or over; but some premium cards also need a minimum holding deposit or investment with OCBC.
Annual fee - most OCBC cards have an annual fee that’s waived automatically for 2 years, and which can also be waived on an ongoing basis if you spend enough on the card during the course of the year. Fees of just under 200 SGD are common.
Interest rate - if you don’t pay off all your bill immediately, you’ll pay interest on the balance, pushing up the overall cost of your spending. Penalty rates can also apply, and the rates may vary for other transactions like cash advances or balance transfers. Check everything carefully before you apply.
Cash back and rewards - one of the biggest benefits of using a credit card is usually the option to earn cash back or similar rewards. OCBC has different card options which may offer cash back or rebates, OCBC$ you can trade for rewards and airmiles, or other exclusive benefits for card holders.
Foreign transaction fees - while all the OCBC cards we’ve profiled can be used overseas, there’s an extra fee of 3.25% when you spend in foreign currencies. This pushes up the cost of your spending - but the good news is that getting an international debit card from Wise can be a good way to avoid this charge. More on that later.
Learn more about best travel credit cards to avoid foreign transaction fees in Singapore 👀 |
---|
Here’s a look one by one at each of the 5 top OCBC credit cards we profiled above.
OCBC’s popular 365 Credit Card has a 194.40 SGD annual fee, which is waived automatically for the first couple of years you hold it. You can earn cash back based on spending type, which could be as much as 6% - many common categories are rewarded at 3% to 5%, too. You’ll need to meet minimum earning requirements of 30,000 SGD as a Singaporean or PR, or 45,000 SGD or more for foreign residents.
|
---|
The OCBC Frank Credit Card comes in 2 designs, and is available for people who earn 30,000 SGD if Singaporean or PR, or 45,000 SGD or more for foreign residents. Frank is marketed to both students and executives, and offers digital and innovative ways to save and spend.
|
---|
The OCBC Titanium Rewards Card lets you earn OCBC$ rewards which you can then trade in for purchases or airmiles. You’ll earn at up to 10x the usual rate with some spending categories, which can mean you are able to redeem your rewards quicker too. You’ll be able to save in a 360 Account at preferential rates if you want to, as well.
|
---|
The OCBC Great Eastern Cashflo Credit Card offers some interesting features including discounts on your health insurance with Great Eastern, some cash rebates monthly, and ways to split your bills over 3, 6 or even 12 month periods. Fees apply for some of these services, and as with the other OCBC cards we’ve looked at, minimum earning requirements are in place.
|
---|
The OCBC Premier Visa Infinite Metal Card is an exclusive card which is only available for OCBC Premier customers. To qualify you’ll need to hold a balance of 200,000 SGD or more with OCBC, but you’ll be able to earn rewards and unlock a whole range of luxury benefits at the same time. No annual fee applies as long as you retain your Premier status.
|
---|
Credit cards have some great benefits, but they’re not usually the cheapest way to spend internationally.
To bring down the costs of travel and spending online with foreign retailers, why not get an international debit card from Wise, to use alongside your OCBC credit card. You’ll be able to avoid foreign transaction fees and access the mid-market rate easily when you spend in foreign currencies.
Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app to add money in SGD and spend in 40+ currencies with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.43%⁷.
Your Wise card has smart technology built in which can automatically convert from dollars to the currency you need to pay at the point of purchase. That way you always get the lowest available fees and you never need to worry about having the right currency to hand when you travel.
Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information
You can usually make your OCBC credit card application online if you are Singaporean or PR and have SingPass and MyInfo. If you’re a foreigner you’ll probably need to complete an online form and OCBC will get in touch in 5 days to update you on your OCBC application status. As there are lots of different OCBC cards, it’s important to check the application process for the card you prefer, as it may vary slightly.
Generally, Singaporeans and PRs will need to provide their NRIC and proof of income, while foreigners need a passport, proof of legal residency with at least 6 months left to run, and proof of income.
Once delivered, you’ll need to activate the OCBC card before use.
You can lock your OCBC credit card in the OCBC app and order a new one if you think yours has been locked or stolen. If you want to cancel the card and close your account entirely you’ll need to visit a branch, or call OCBC on +65 63633333.
OCBC has a broad range of credit cards which can suit many different customer needs and preferences. Use this guide to find one which suits how you spend - and remember to take a look at Wise, for a debit card which has no foreign transaction fee and mid-market rates, to keep down the costs of overseas spending.
Sources:
Sources checked on 09/08/2023
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Buying property in Thailand as a Singaporean? Learn more about how to buy, where to buy, restrictions and requirements.
Want to transfer money from YouTrip to your bank account? Find out how to withdraw money directly from your YouTrip balance.
Buying property in China as a Singaporean? Learn more about how to buy, where to buy, restrictions and requirements.
Learn more about the GXS Debit Card including its requirements, eligibility, fees and more.
Wondering what the key differences are between iChange and YouTrip? Find out more about both providers and decide which is best for you.
Wondering how to pay using the YouTrip Virtual card? Find out more about this virtual payment option that can be used both in stores and online.