In a digital age where 26% of Singaporeans indulge in online shopping weekly and 58% do so monthly, the allure of virtual retail therapy is undeniable.
Surveys reveal that 50% of Singapore netizens desire to shop online if feasible. Especially for avid online shoppers, selecting the ideal credit card becomes paramount in maximising benefits and rewards.
With so many available options, finding the best credit card for online shopping in Singapore can be daunting.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the choices to discover the most suitable credit card tailored to your online shopping preferences.
10 Best Credit Card For Online Shoppers
1. DBS Live Fresh Card – Best for Eco-conscious shoppers
2. OCBC 365 Card – Best for online food delivery
3. CIMB Visa Signature Card – Best for online shoppers who are pet-owners and love to shop beauty products & services
4. Maybank Family and Friends – Best for cashback on daily expenses
5. UOB EVOL Card – Best for low spenders for maximum cashback
6. HSBC Revolution Card – Best for who want a fuss-free card
7. UOB KrisFlyer Card – Best for Singapore Airlines loyalists
8. HSBC Advance Credit Card – Best for Heavy Spenders
9. Citi Rewards Card – Best for those who prefer reward points
10. DBS Woman’s World Cup – Best for frequent online shoppers
Compare the Best Online Shopping Credit Card
| Credit Card | Min Spend | Benefits | Best For |
| DBS Live Fresh Card | S$600 min spend | 5% rebate on online shopping | Those who are eco-conscious |
| OCBC 365 Card | S$800 per month | 5% cashback | Online food delivery |
| CIMB Visa Signature Card | S$8 monthly | 10x rebate on online shopping | Pet-owners and shoppers who enjoy beauty products and services |
| Maybank Family and Friends | S$800 min spend per month | 8% cashback globally | For online shoppers who want cashback on daily expenses. |
| UOB EVOL Card | S$600 min spend monthly | Get 8% cashback when shop online | Low spenders who want maximum cashbacks and who wants to track their expenses closely |
| HSBC Revolution Card | No min spend | 10x rewards on online shopping and mobile contactless payments | Those who want fuss-free cards |
| UOB KrisFlyer Card | S$500 min spend yearly | Get 3 KrisFlyer miles per dollar on online shopping | Singapore Airlines frequent flyers |
| HSBC Advance Credit Card | No min spend | Get cashback up to 3.5% on any local or overseas spending | If you are a heavy spender |
| Citi Rewards Card | No min spend | 10x rewards on online purchases | Those who prefer rewards |
| DBS Woman’s World Cup | No min spend | Get 10x DBS points for every S$5 spent on online and overseas | Frequent online shoppers |
1. DBS Live Fresh Card – Best for Eco-conscious shoppers
| Min spend | S$600 or more |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 with fee waiver for first year |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | Cashback capped at
|
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Looking for the best credit card for online shopping in Singapore? Consider the DBS Live Fresh Card, designed for eco-conscious consumers in a cashless society.
Key benefits
Effective from March 1, 2024, the DBS Live Fresh Card Cashback Programme is offering:
- Cardmembers will now earn unlimited 0.3% base cashback on all eligible spending.
- With the minimum spend, cardmembers can receive up to 6% cashback on Shopping and Transport expenditures.
- Additional bonus cashback of 5.7% on Shopping spend and an extra 5.7% on Transport spend
Pros:
- Offers generous rebates in select categories.
- Lower-than-average minimum spend requirement and annual fee provide flexibility. Crafted from 85.5% recycled plastic, contributing to environmental efforts. Exceptional rebates for public transport, ranking second best.
Cons:
Cashback for online spending capped at S$50 per month and S$20 per month on transportation.
Where can you get an extra 5% Green Cashback?
Shop with these merchants to get your discounts:
| Eco-Eateries | Eco-Retailers | Eco-Transport Services |
| Just Dabao | Bamboo Straw Girl | Anywheel |
| Open Farm Community | Bettr Barista | BlueSG |
| Restaurant Labyrinth | Bettr Coffee Co. | Bus/Train Rides via SimplyGo |
| Scaled by Ah Hua Kelong | Boxgreen | Electric Vehicle Charging |
| The Summerhouse | Confetti Fine Foods | Greenlots |
| Crunch Cutlery | SG Bike | |
| Everyday Vegan Grocer | ||
| Little Farms | ||
| Oh My Goodness! | ||
| Ryan’s Grocery | ||
| Sasha’s Fine Foods | ||
| Scoop Wholefoods | ||
| SimplyGood | ||
| Souley Green | ||
| SuperNature | ||
| The Green Collective | ||
| The Nail Social | ||
| The Social Space | ||
| The Source Bulk Foods | ||
| The Sustainability Project | ||
| Treasure |
Check out more deals and perks for having a DBS Live Fresh Card here!
Click here to apply!
2. OCBC 365 Card – Best for Online Delivery
| Min spend | No min spend |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 with fee waiver for first year |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | S$160 per month |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key Benefits
- Earn 6% cashback on online food deliveries from popular platforms like Deliveroo, GrabFood, and foodpanda with the OCBC 365 Credit Card.
- Enjoy a higher-than-average cashback cap of S$80 per month when you spend at least S$800 per calendar month.
Pros:
- Receive 5% cashback on online food deliveries and dining expenses.
- 3% cashback on groceries, private hire rides, recurring telco and electricity bills, pharmacy purchases, streaming subscriptions, and electric vehicle charging fees.
- Enjoy fuel perks:
- Up to 22.92% fuel savings at Caltex (including 18% instant discount)
- Up to 21.04% fuel savings at Esso, and
- 5% cashback on fuel spend at all other petrol service stations.
Cons:
- The need to spend at least S$800 per calendar month to unlock the higher cashback cap may not suit all spending habits.
Click here to apply!
3. CIMB Visa Signature Card – Best for Pet-owners and Beauty Lovers
| Min spend | S$800 per month |
| Annual fee | Free (both Principal and Supplementary card holder) |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | S$80 per month |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key features
With a minimum spend of S$800 monthly, enjoy a lucrative 10% cashback on:
- Online shopping
- Groceries
- Beauty & Wellness
- Pet Shops & Veterinary Services
- Cruises
Pros:
- Competitive 10% cashback rate, particularly advantageous for online shopping.
- Minimum spend requirement is attainable for households engaged in cooking or online shopping.
- Offers niche spending categories like pet care and cruises, catering to specific consumer needs.
Cons:
- Majority of cashback categories are unconventional, limiting appeal for general consumers.
- High cash back rate for online shopping to spend in niche categories to meet the minimum spend.
Things to Note:
- At a 10% rebate, cashback maxes out with just S$200 spent on online shopping.
- To meet the S$800 minimum spend, additional spending in niche categories may be necessary for optimal cashback accumulation.
Click here to apply!
4. Maybank Family and Friends – Best for Cashbacks on Daily Expenses
| Min spend | S$800 per month |
| Annual fee | S$180 with fee waiver for three years |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | S$125 overall monthly cap, comprising S$25 per category |
| Foreign transactions fee |
|
Key features
With a minimum spend of S$800 monthly, enjoy 8% global cashback on your choice of five out of ten categories, including groceries, dining, transport, online streaming, retail, fashion, entertainment, pharmacy, sports, and beauty.
Pros:
- The Maybank Family & Friends Card offers 8% global cashback, ensuring consistent rewards whether shopping locally or internationally.
- Cash back on groceries, dining, online subscriptions, transportation, and more.
- Flexibility to select preferred cashback categories, making it easier to meet the minimum spend requirement across various spending areas.
- An instalment plan available for 6,12,24,26 months at zero interest with a min spend of S$500. Do check it out here.
Cons:
- While offering diverse rewards, it falls short of the CIMB Visa Signature’s 10% cashback rate.
- Limited online transaction rewards extend only to specific fashion purchases, excluding certain platforms like Taobao or Lazada.
Things to Note:
- This card rewards online transactions specifically for fashion purchases such as apparels, shoes, accessories, etc. on approved platforms like Qoo10, Shopee, or Ezbuy to maximise rewards.
Click here to apply!
5. UOB EVOL Card – Best for maximum cashback and easy expenses tracking
| Min spend | S$800 per month |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 when you make 3 purchases every month for 12 months before your next annual fee date |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | S$60 overall monthly cap, comprising S$20 per category |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key features
- Earn an impressive 8% cashback on all online and app purchases.
- Enjoy another 8% cashback on mobile contactless payments, covering everything from retail purchases to public transport fares using SimplyGo.
- Receive a baseline 0.3% cashback on all other transactions made with the card.
Pros:
- Requires only a minimum spend of S$600.
- Covers online shopping and mobile contactless payments, similar to the OCBC Frank Credit Card.
Cons:
- Cashback caps are relatively low; hitting the cap with just S$250 in online or mobile contactless spend.
- Spend an additional S$100 on transactions earning a mere 0.3% cashback to meet the minimum requirement.
- For optimal cashback, spend around S$250 each on online shopping and mobile contactless payments
- Foreign transactions do not qualify for the 8% cashback.
Things to Note:
- The low cashback cap may compel spending on transactions yielding only a 0.3% rebate.
- Foreign transactions are ineligible for the 8% cashback offer.
Click here to apply!
6. HSBC Revolution Card – Best for Fuss-free Card Users
| Min spend | No min spend |
| Annual fee | Nil |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | 9,000 bonus points per calender month, no cap on base points |
| Foreign transactions fee | 2.8% foreign currency transaction fee
Get 3.5% cashback on foreign transactions |
Key features
There is no minimum spending, and you get to earn:
- Earn 10X Rewards / 4 miles on online shopping (dining, groceries, transport, travel, shopping)
- Earn 1X Rewards / 0.4 miles on other spendings
Pros:
- Receive an additional 1% cashback when you deposit S$2,000 in fresh funds into an HSBC Everyday Global Account and complete at least 5 eligible transactions each month.
- Miles transfer block of 25,000 HSBC Points = 10,000 miles
- Earn more miles when you spend on transport partners of Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific
- Free HSBC Entertainer subscription – a lifestyle subscription app that offers promotion at registered merchants, discount coupons and 1-for-1 deals
- No annual fee
- Instalment plans via the HSBC app
Cons:
- Can only earn 4 miles only on eligible merchants, which offers limited shopping options.
- There is no historial log of your transactions for miles crediting or breakdown of points.
- High conversion fee of S$40, compared to the standard market fee rate.
Click here to apply!
7. UOB KrisFlyer Card – Best for Singapore Airlines Loyalists
| Min spend | S$500 per year on KrisShop and Singapore Airlines group |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 with fee waived off on first year |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | None |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key features
- Earns a 3 miles per dollar (mpd) bonus rate on common spending categories.
- Ideal for frequent travellers with a preference for Singapore Airlines or Scoot.
- No cap on rewards accumulation.
- Covers a wide range of everyday expenses, facilitating rapid accumulation of miles.
- Instalment plans available via UOB Smart Pay
Pros:
- Suitable for individuals who frequently fly with Singapore Airlines or Scoot.
- Minimum spending requirement of S$500 annually on SIA group or KrisShop is manageable for most middle-class professionals.
Cons:
- Rewards are given for blocks of S$5 spending, making it inefficient for small transactions.
- KrisFlyer miles are credited to your account two months after the annual fee is posted, resulting in a considerable waiting period.
Things to Note:
Consider the timeframe and commitment required before opting for this card, as it may necessitate remaining locked in until bonus miles are awarded.
Click here to apply!
8. HSBC Advance Credit Card – Best for Heavy Spenders
| Min spend | No min spend |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 for first year.
If you spend a min of S$12,500 per year, the annual fee is waived for next anniversary |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | S$70 overall every month;
For HSBC Everday Global Accounts, cap at S$300; For HSBC Premier and Jade clients, cap at S$500 |
| Foreign transactions fee | 2.8% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key features
There is no minimum spending each month with up to 2.5% cashback if you spend locally or at overseas with, capped at S$70 per month:
- With no minimum spending, you earn 2.5% cashback
- Extra 1% cashback if you spend above S$2,000
Pros:
- Extra 1% cashback on all eligible spending with minimum 5 transactions on shopping, dining, travel, wedding and home
- 1-year annual fee waived off if you spend alot
- Offers instalment plans with the HSBC app
- Get up to USD $200 e-commerce protection on your purchases
- Travel cover insurance available for cardholder and family members amounting to S$500,000 and personal accident up to S$1 million
Cons:
- Cash back is only capped at S$70 even if you are a high spender
- No cashback is available on utilities, other bills (take a look at their T&C’s)
Things to Note:
- Consider if you frequently spend on pet care, beauty treatments, or cruises to benefit from the cashback rewards fully.
- Beware of maxing out cashback with just S$200 spent on online shopping, requiring additional spending in niche categories to meet the minimum spend requirement of S$800.
Click here to apply!
9. Citi Rewards Card – Best for reward points
| Min spend | No min spend |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 with fee waived off on first year |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$30,000 annual income |
| Caps | 9,000 bonus points per calender month, no cap on base points |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key features
Earn 10x rewards (basically about 4 miles) with no minimum amount on spending on:
- Purchases made both online and in-person.
- Make use of Grab, Gojek, and similar private hire services.
- Ordering food and groceries online for delivery.
Pros:
- Ideal for everyday expenses like groceries, online shopping, and food delivery
- Bonus rates and points cap suitable for couples and young families
- No minimum spend needed to start earning rewards
- Transactions via internet or mobile app qualify for rewards
Cons:
- No 10X Rewards on online travel bookings or travel-related transactions
- Low rewards cap of S$1,000 monthly spending
- Using the card in a mobile wallet doesn’t qualify for 10X Reward Points
- Reward Points conversion to rebates yields about 2.2% cashback at most
Things to Note:
- Citibank typically offers enticing welcome offers and credit card deals.
- Take advantage of promotions like S$20 off Amazon.sg with a minimum spend of S$60 for first-time customers.
Click here to apply!
10. DBS Woman’s World Cup – Best for frequent online shoppers
| Min spend | No min spend |
| Annual fee | S$194.40 with fee waived off on the first year. If you manage to spend S$25,000 the following year, you get the annual fee waived off. |
| Eligibility | Minimum 21 years old with at least S$80,000 annual income |
| Caps | Nil |
| Foreign transactions fee | 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee |
Key Features
- No minimum spend requirement.
- Earn 10X DBS Points per S$5 (or 4MPD) on online purchases.
- Earn 1X DBS Point per S$5 (or 0.4MPD) on other purchases.
- Benefit from 0% Interest Payment Plans over 3 months.
- Receive complimentary e-Commerce Protection on online purchases.
Pros:
- Ideal for heavy online spenders.
- Suitable for both local and foreign online purchases.
- Offers diverse redemption options for DBS Points, including dining vouchers, charity donations, miles, and shopping vouchers.
- Cash voucher redemption equates to approximately from 3% to 3.33% cashback.
Cons:
- Higher annual income requirement.
- Limited benefits for offline spending, receiving only the base rate of 1X DBS Point per S$5 spent.
Things to Note:
- While unable to combine DBS Points across different DBS credit cards, you can utilise them for various rewards.
- The DBS Woman’s World Card is not exclusive to women; men can apply as well.
- Instalment Plans are available through My Preferred Payment Plan.
Click here to apply!
Key Features to Look for in an Online Shopping Credit Card
When selecting a credit card, several factors warrant careful consideration:
1. Rewards and Incentives:
- Look for cards offering perks like reward points, cashback, or airline miles. Understand the reward programs to choose the best fit for your needs.
2. Annual Fees:
- Assess annual fees against the card benefits. Some cards offer waivers for the first year, while others may provide valuable rewards or perks that justify the fee.
3. Interest Rates:
- Be mindful of the interest charged on unpaid balances, which can vary among cards. Aim to pay your balance in full each month to avoid accumulating significant debt.
4. Lifestyle and Spending Habits:
- Choose a card that aligns with your lifestyle. Travel cards suit globetrotters, while others may offer rewards tailored to grocery or shopping expenses.
5. Terms and Conditions:
- Review the fine print, including credit limits and late fees, to understand exclusions and conditions thoroughly. Attention to these details ensures you select a card that meets your needs.
Maximising Benefits from Your Best Online Shopping Credit Card
Smartly using your best online shopping credit card can elevate your shopping experience and reap numerous benefits. Let’s discover how to maximise these privileges and make the most of online shopping in Singapore with your bank.
1. Earning Rewards Points and Cashback
- Enjoy the benefits of earning rewards points and cashback on your purchases
- Accumulate points for various rewards and receiving special promotions and discounts from specific online merchants.
2. Exclusive Discounts and Promotions
- Keep an eye out for exclusive discounts and promotions offered by credit card issuers in partnership with online marketplaces in Singapore.
- Example of merchants are Grab, Shopee, Lazada, Singapore Airlines and many more!
3. Utilising Price and Purchase Protection
- Leverage your credit card’s purchase and price protection features.
- Commonly, credit cards offer reimbursement for damaged or lost items, so you do not overpay by refunding the price difference if an item is found at a lower price within a specific timeframe.
4. Leveraging Travel Benefits
- Explore the extensive travel benefits of many credit cards in Singapore, including travel insurance, airport lounge access, and bonus miles, enhancing your online shopping experience while planning your next getaway.
5. Staying Informed About Expiry Dates and Terms
- Stay informed about expiry dates and minimum spending requirements associated with credit card privileges to maximise benefits, ensuring timely redemption of rewards points before expiration.
Security Tips for Using Credit Cards Online
In the first half of 2023, 4,516 e-commerce scams occurred, resulting in a $7.3 million loss for victims.
Over half of these victims, aged 20 to 39, were targeted primarily through social media, messaging platforms, and online shopping sites.
The resurgence of travel also saw a rise in travel-related scams, with criminals using various methods to compromise card information, including card skimming, unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, and RFID scanners.
How To Protect Your Credit Card Online
1. Utilise Digital Banking Apps for Security
It is now very common for every bank to have their own online banking app which makes it easier now to safeguard your card.
Instead of immediately cancelling a stolen or misplaced card, which was the traditional approach, you can now conveniently lock or unlock your card using the app.
This offers peace of mind while searching for your card, and once its safety is assured, you can easily unlock it.
2. Customise Card Transaction Settings
Another way is to tailor your card’s transaction settings to your preferences to enhance security.
For instance, if you’re not travelling, disable overseas in-store transactions to prevent potential fraud abroad.
Similarly, if online shopping isn’t on your agenda, disabling online transactions adds an extra layer of protection against scams.
3. Manage Spending and Transaction Limits
For example, if you have a DBS credit card, take advantage of features like DBS Payment Controls to exert control over your spending and transaction limits.
You should be setting monthly spending limits or lower transaction limits for debit cards adds an extra barrier against unauthorised usage. It’s essential to verify transactions, especially in cases of doubt, as phishing attacks become increasingly sophisticated.
Be cautious of unsolicited communications, verify sender identities, refrain from clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments, and employ strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
Safe Online Shopping Practices
1. Staying Safe Online
To safeguard yourself against evolving phishing attacks, maintain a vigilant approach online.
Exercise caution with links and attachments in emails, SMS, and social media, as they may lead to phishing scams or unauthorised malware installation on your device.
2. Secure Online Practices
Stick to secure and reputable websites for your online purchases, ensuring they display “https://” in the website address and a padlock symbol in the browser.
Doing so can confirm a secure connection and reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent activities.
3. Protecting Your Information
Safeguard your personal and financial details by refraining from sharing sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, OTPs, credit card details, or account numbers through email, phone calls, or text messages.
While the latest phone and technologies allow you to login with facial recognition or fingerprint, the advice is to avoid setting those to ensure added security.
4. Enhanced Security Measures
Enable Transaction Alerts to receive instant notifications of account transactions via email, push notifications, or SMS.
Additionally, set up security settings like 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), which provides an extra layer of security.
If someone gains access to your password, they still require a unique code for transactions to proceed, which would be sent to your mobile devices to verify the transactions.
Monitoring Transactions and Reporting Fraud
Take immediate action if you suspect fraudulent activity or notice unfamiliar transactions on your best online shopping credit card statement. Contact your credit card issuer immediately to report the incident and safeguard your account from further harm.
Taking Action
Upon contacting your credit card issuer, they will assist you in reporting the fraud and implementing necessary security measures.
Additionally, in Singapore, filing a report with the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force aids in investigations, potentially leading to the apprehension of the fraudsters.
Legal Ramifications
Credit card fraud is a criminal offence in Singapore with severe legal repercussions.
Offenders may face imprisonment and substantial fines under the Computer Misuse Act and the Penal Code.
The severity of the punishment hinges on factors such as the extent of the fraud and any aggravating circumstances, with repeat offenders subject to harsher penalties.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Card for Your Needs
In conclusion, when choosing one of the best credit cards for online shopping in Singapore, it’s crucial to consider factors like your personal spending habits and preferences.
By comparing features, fees, and rewards offered by different cards, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle.
Also, remember to follow smart credit card practices, such as monitoring spending and protecting your card details, to maximise benefits while minimising risks.
Read also: Best Credit Cards in Singapore
Financial Disclaimer:
The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments involve risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. It is essential to conduct thorough research and seek advice from qualified financial professionals before making any investment decisions. The content presented does not guarantee any specific outcome or profit. The user assumes all risks associated with investment decisions based on the information provided. Additionally, fluctuations in market conditions may impact the value of investments. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on the information provided herein.
