Top 5 Credit Cards for Singapore Students

Top 5 Credit Cards for Singaporean Students: Maximizing Rewards with No Fees

For the average Singaporean student—whether at NUS, NTU, or SMU—managing money is a balancing act between limited budgets and the desire to stretch every dollar. Credit cards can be a game-changer, offering rewards like cashback or points on everyday spending without the burden of fees, especially for those who pay off their bills right away. With no annual or monthly fees as a non-negotiable, and a focus on getting the most rebates or points for typical student expenses like food, transport, and online shopping, the right card can turn routine purchases into tangible perks. This article explores the top five credit cards that fit this mold, diving deep into rewards rates, fee structures, payment flexibility, sign-up bonuses, foreign transaction fees, credit limits, and approval odds, all tailored to the average student in Singapore as of February 24, 2025.

I’m putting my foot down: the CIMB AWSM Card is the best pick for Singaporean students in 2025. Its no-fee-for-life promise and unlimited cashback make it a standout in a crowded market, perfectly suited to the modest, varied spending of student life. While other cards offer flashy perks, they often come with hidden catches—here’s why CIMB leads, and how the rest stack up.

What Drives a Singaporean Student’s Card Choice

Picture the typical Singaporean student: living off a monthly allowance of S$300–S$500, maybe topping it up with part-time gigs like tutoring or food delivery. Spending data from 2024 shows food (think hawker centres or GrabFood) takes up 30%, transport (buses, MRT, or Grab rides) claims 20%, and online shopping (Shopee, Lazada) eats 25%. That’s a tight budget where every cent counts, and a credit card needs to squeeze value out of these small, frequent transactions. With no big purchases like laptops or overseas trips on the horizon, the focus is on maximizing returns from daily life.

Fee avoidance is a must—why let S$20–S$30 annual charges nibble away at your allowance when you’re already stretched thin? Most students also pay off bills fast, dodging the 26–28% interest rates that dominate Singapore’s credit card scene in 2025, per the latest Monetary Authority of Singapore stats. Accessibility matters too: cards with no income requirement and low S$500 limits fit the student mold, ensuring easy approval and manageable spending. This profile shapes my picks, and I’m betting on cards that deliver rewards without complications.

CIMB AWSM Card: The No-Fee Champion
The CIMB AWSM Card is my top choice, and I’m not wavering—it’s a slam dunk for students. It wipes out annual fees for life, no strings attached, which is gold in a market where competitors often sneak in charges after year one. The 1% unlimited cashback on dining, entertainment, online shopping, and telco bills mirrors student spending to a T—think S$4 back on a S$400 monthly budget, covering your kopi runs, Netflix, or phone top-ups. Unlike capped rewards elsewhere, this keeps paying out no matter how much you spend.

Approval’s a breeze with no income needed and a S$500 limit, perfect for keeping spending in check while racking up perks. The 3% foreign transaction fee stings if you’re buying from overseas sites, but for local use, it’s irrelevant. In 2025, as banks push higher cashback rates (up to 5% from DBS or UOB), CIMB’s unlimited 1% holds its own for consistency. It’s the card I’d hand every Singaporean student—low risk, steady rewards, and zero cost.

DBS Live Fresh Student Card: High Rewards, Small Hurdle
The DBS Live Fresh Student Card swings big with 5% cashback on online buys (Lazada, food delivery) and contactless payments (MRT taps, bubble tea)—S$15 back per category on S$300 spent there, plus 0.3% on other stuff up to S$20 total. That’s a juicy deal for students hooked on e-commerce or tapping their way through life, outpacing CIMB’s 1% in those zones. DBS claims over 50,000 student users in 2024, and it’s easy to see why: it’s built for the digital, cashless crowd.

But here’s the rub: it’s free year one, then S$128.40 annually unless you hit S$600 yearly spend (S$50 monthly)—doable, but a chore compared to CIMB’s effortless zero. The S$500 limit and no-income eligibility make it student-friendly, and the 26.8% interest rate doesn’t matter if you clear it fast. It doubles as an EZ-Link card, a nice touch for commuters. I like its punch, but that fee condition keeps it second—it’s a winner only if you’re disciplined about hitting the waiver.

Maybank eVibes Card: The Easy All-Rounder

The Maybank eVibes Card keeps it simple with 1% cash rebate on everything—no caps, no categories, just S$4 on S$400 spent monthly. That’s a hair less than DBS’s peak but beats juggling specific spends, ideal for students who bounce between hawker meals, bus fares, and random buys. It’s free for two years, then S$20 yearly, waived with one use every three months—buy a S$1 snack, and you’re golden. This taps into 2024 trends where Singaporeans lean toward fuss-free rewards.

With a S$500 limit and no income barrier, it’s a shoo-in for students, and the 25.9% interest rate fades with quick paybacks. The 2.75% foreign fee is a tad better than peers, though travel perks are nil. It’s not the flashiest—DBS outguns it for category hounds—but its reliability lands it third. For the average student who hates tracking spending, it’s a quietly strong pick.

Citi Clear Card: Points with Potential

The Citi Clear Card flips to points: 1 ThankYou Point per S$1, roughly 0.4 miles or S$4–S$5 in vouchers for S$400 spent. It’s less instant than cashback, but redeeming for Grab credits or dining deals suits student life. No fee for year one, then S$29.96 (often waiveable with a call or small spend), it’s not as clean as CIMB but workable. Sign-up bonuses in 2025 sometimes hit S$20–S$50, sweetening the deal.

The S$500 limit and no-income requirement scream student accessibility, and the 26.9% interest rate vanishes with prompt payment. The 3% foreign fee matches the pack, and Citi’s dining discounts add minor flair. It’s fourth because points take effort to maximize versus cashback’s simplicity—fine for planners, but not every student’s vibe. Still, it’s a decent flex for those eyeing long-term value.

Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card: The Bare Minimum

The Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card scrapes by with 0.25% cashback on all spends—S$1 on S$400, the weakest here. It’s free for year one, then S$32.10, possibly waiveable with light use, fitting your no-fee ask initially. The S$500 limit and no-income eligibility keep it student-friendly, and SC’s 2024 student push hints at solid approval odds.

At 26.9% interest and 3% foreign fees, it’s standard, with no travel perks or big bonuses to brag about. Compared to 1% baselines elsewhere, it feels stingy—SC’s own premium cards hit 1.5%, leaving this as a low-effort relic. It’s fifth because it barely tries; you’d pick it only if you’re desperate for a big-bank name and nothing else.

Final Thoughts and What You Should Do

The CIMB AWSM Card is the king for Singaporean students in 2025—no fees ever, unlimited 1% cashback, and a fit so snug it’s like it was made for your wallet. DBS Live Fresh swings harder for online and contactless fans, but its fee dance makes it less foolproof. Maybank’s steady, Citi’s niche, and SC’s meh—none top CIMB’s blend of ease and value. The market’s shifting toward fee-free, reward-rich cards as banks chase Gen Z, and CIMB’s ahead of the curve.

​Here’s your move: grab the CIMB AWSM Card now. Use it for your S$300–S$500 monthly grind—food, fares, online hauls—and watch cashback pile up. Stick to paying it off fast, and you’ve got a free perk machine. Want more? Stash extra cash in a UOB One account (3.6% p.a.) or DBS Multiplier (4.1% with card spend) to grow your savings. Don’t wait—banks might tighten these student deals as 2025 rolls on. This is your ticket to smarter spending, period.