Best credit cards for travel in Singapore in 2026

Best Singapore travel credit cards and solutions for 2026

There is no single “best” travel credit card in Singapore — the right choice depends on how you travel and spend. Frequent flyers may prioritise air miles, while businesses with high overseas spend should focus on low foreign transaction fees.

“Best” is always relative. Travel cards are designed for different use cases, and what works for one business may not work for another. Your ideal card depends on factors such as travel frequency, overseas spend, preferred airlines and hotels, fee tolerance, and how much support you need with spend tracking.

To help you compare options, we’ve selected a range of top-rated travel credit cards for business users in Singapore, assessed across five core travel criteria. These examples are for comparison only — not rankings or recommendations. We have also included selected bank-issued travel solutions and debit cards to provide broader market coverage.

Best travel credit cards in Singapore for hotel bookings (2026)

Eligibility and pros and cons in 2026

Travel credit cards – Key considerations in 2026

When work has you jetting across the globe, it’s nice to be able to travel comfortably. But wouldn’t it be better if you could also save money or earn some perks from your frequent travels? That’s what a travel credit card is for. To choose the best travel credit card for your needs, ask yourself these questions first:

1. What fees will I be charged?

Most banks and card issuers in Singapore charge an annual fee on their travel credit card, which allows cardholders to unlock the highest benefits on the card. Many waive off the annual fee for the first year, sometimes on the condition that the user meets a minimum spend criterion.

Apart from the annual fee, a foreign transaction fee is quite common. For every foreign currency spent on the credit card, the cardholder pays around 3.25% of the transaction amount as a foreign transaction fee. It’s important to be aware of these common charges before choosing a Singapore travel credit card.  

2. What are the foreign currency charges?

Say you’re travelling from Singapore to China and use your Singapore-issued travel credit card to pay for a hotel in Shanghai in Chinese yuan. The charge is typically converted first into US dollars, then into Singapore dollars, using rates set by the payment network (such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express).

On top of this, your bank or card issuer applies a foreign transaction fee. This usually includes two parts: a bank administrative fee and a currency conversion fee charged by the card network. For example, a 2.25% administration fee plus a 1% conversion fee results in a total foreign transaction fee of 3.25%.

In some cases, the conversion is handled through Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where the transaction is processed in your home currency at the point of sale. DCC rates are often less competitive, so they can increase the overall cost of your purchase.

Because overseas spending adds multiple layers of fees and conversions, foreign currency expenses can add up quickly. To manage costs, you need to keep this in mind:

• Foreign transaction fees in Singapore average around 3.25%, but may vary with exchange rates
• Some travel credit cards offer low or zero foreign transaction fees
• Exchange rates differ between cards and networks
• Dynamic Currency Conversion can be more expensive and should be used with caution

3. Does it come with complimentary airport lounge access?

Some travel credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access, which can be a valuable perk if you travel frequently through major airports. Lounges provide a quieter space to relax or work, with comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, food and drinks, and sometimes shower facilities.

However, access usually comes with conditions. Most cards in Singapore offer a limited number of free lounge visits per year, with rules varying by issuer and card type. Restrictions may include:

• A capped number of complimentary visits per year (per calendar year or card membership year)
• Minimum annual spend requirements to qualify
• Paid access instead of free access on some cards
• Charges for guests
• Fees once your free visit quota is used up
• Access is typically limited to the main cardholder, and usage by supplementary cardholders may incur charges.

Before making a decision, take a moment to consider how frequently you'll use the lounge and the circumstances under which you'll enjoy it. It is also prudent to remember that only the main cardholder has access to the lounge, usage done by additional users can incur charges., Always ensure that lounge privileges don’t conflict with other card benefits, such as rewards programs or travel insurance. If so, then it can eat into the benefits that your travel credit card can offer.

4. What about complimentary travel insurance?

Many travel credit cards include complimentary travel insurance, offering financial protection against emergencies and travel disruptions. Coverage typically includes medical expenses, accidents, trip cancellation or interruption, flight delays, and lost luggage. Some cards also extend protection to rental cars and other travel inconveniences.

However, coverage levels and conditions vary widely. Differences may include:

• Higher or lower coverage limits (some cards offer SGD $1 million or more)
• Exclusions and eligibility conditions (such as age limits or coverage for the primary cardholder only)
• Minimum spend or full payment requirements, where travel costs must be charged to the card for coverage to apply
• Variations in covered events and claim processes

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Before choosing a card, review what is covered, what is excluded, and how claims are handled. Complimentary insurance can be a valuable benefit, but only if the protection and conditions align with your travel needs.

5. What are the eligibility criteria?

All credit cards have eligibility criteria, especially age and income requirements. Some might come with a qualifying minimum spend (you must spend the given amount in the given period to qualify for a benefit). Credit card approval is the sole discretion of the bank/card issuer, which relies on documentation and verification. Be clear about eligibility requirements to ensure your credit card application is approved.

6. Do they offer annual fee waivers?

Annual fees can make up a significant part of the true cost of a travel credit card. Many card issuers in Singapore offer a first-year fee waiver, which can deliver immediate savings, but the long-term value depends on the card’s ongoing fee structure.

When comparing cards, look beyond the headline waiver and consider:

• Whether the waiver applies only to the first year or can be renewed
• Minimum spend requirements to qualify for a waiver in subsequent years
• Cards with extended waivers (for example, two-year fee waivers on some business cards)
• Cards with no waiver policy, where the annual fee is unavoidable

A fee waiver can improve value in the short term, but it should not be the main reason for choosing a card. The benefits, rewards, and long-term costs should justify the fee once the waiver period ends.

How to maximise rewards on your travel credit card

1. Choose the right card

Pick a travel credit card that matches your needs and spending habit. Be informed about fees, interest rates, benefits, and offers before signing up. There’s no need to break the bank to pay an exorbitant annual fee or meet the minimum spend requirement. If the card’s costs outweigh its benefits, it isn’t worth it. If you are loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand, there are many travel credit cards that offer special loyalty points. Otherwise, stick to a card that offers flexibility.

2. Redeem points on time

Make sure to redeem your points before they lapse as many reward programmes have expiry dates. Rewards on travel credit cards include points and air miles that can be redeemed for various benefits or as cashback, vouchers, and gift cards. Some cards allow you to earn points on everyday expenses (fuel, utilities, etc), which you can redeem to offset your travel costs. Familiarise yourself with rewards programmes, earning rates, and redemption options to get yourself the best credit card for travel.

3. Redeem wisely

Credit cards usually have various reward programs which allow you to redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, statement credits, vouchers, and various other expenses. The value of your points may vary based on how you choose to redeem them.

For instance, you may want to redeem your rewards for airfare or hotel stays, particularly when planning longer or expensive trips. On the other hand, you can use your points for non-travel purchases or even to settle your credit card bills. The value you get per point can change based on how you use your card, as the options for redeeming and the conversion rates differ from one card to another.

When you understand the different redemption categories, conversion rates, limitations, and expiration details, you can make smarter choices about how to use your accrued rewards.

4. Don’t miss out on special offers

Certain travel credit cards provide exciting benefits such as bonus air miles, special discounts, or even waivers on annual fees, but these often come with specific qualifying criteria and timeframes. 

Promotions can differ depending on the issuer and might be exclusive to new cardholders or applicable only for purchases with certain merchant partners.

Some categories like flights, accommodation, dining, car rentals, or shopping might also qualify for special limited time offers. The availability, duration, and terms of these offers can differ depending on the card you have and are usually influenced by the policies of the issuer and the merchant. Looking at the relevant partner lists, checking the spending requirements, and understanding the validity periods can really help you see how these features fit into your own spending habits.

5. Pay credit card bill on time and in full

You can avoid late fees by paying your credit card bill on time. And paying the full amount is advised as carrying over a balance to your next bill will incur an interest charge.

6. Monitor your spend

Don't be in such a hurry to earn points that you end up spending more than you can afford.

Travel easy with Aspire Corporate Cards

Using credit cards for business travel is not usually considered the go to option. If your business prioritises tighter control over your cash flow or leans towards debit-based solutions, corporate cards linked to your company account could be a great option for managing travel expenses.

Aspire Corporate Cards are specially designed debit cards that cater to your business needs and facilitate international purchases with ease. They facilitate payments in multiple currencies and have zero transaction fees and competitive foreign exchange rates, making them ideal for international transactions. Since the funds for the transaction are directly withdrawn from the business account, you can effectively align your travel budgets with the available resources and internal guidelines.

Along with physical cards, Aspire also provides your business unlimited number of virtual cards to your employees. This makes booking flights, hotels, and other travel services a breeze. Features like in-built spend limits, easy claims process, and real-time transparency of transactions are designed to help with expense management, especially if your team travels frequently. Based on the conditions of the reward program, there are cashback and various card-linked rewards up for grabs.

Aspire Corporate cards also easily blend with your accounting and cost management systems. This helps keep all your transaction data in one central place for easy recording and review. 

Ultimately, your company's spending habits play a crucial role, along with how frequently you travel and your preference for credit or debit cards when settling your travel expenses.

Conclusion 

The ideal choice for you will depend on how often you travel, where you spend the most, and what matters most to you. If you enjoy earning air miles, getting cashback, accessing lounges, benefiting from insurance perks, or managing your expenses better, travel credit cards are the right fit for you! Travellers usually focus on miles and lounge access, while businesses that spend internationally prefer better exchange rates or lower foreign transaction costs.

When selecting the perfect card for your business, it's important to keep in mind both the costs and the benefits. The annual fees, minimum spending requirements, reward points, and eligibility criteria can all play a role in determining the value of a card. Sometimes, credit cards from banks might seem like a more attractive option, but there are instances where prepaid or debit-based travel cards could be more beneficial for managing your cash flow and spending effectively.

Before you apply, take a moment to think about your travel habits, budget, and what you need for smooth operations. Along with making payments easier, a travel card should also enhance the experience of team travel. It can assist you in reducing costs and making your business trips more enjoyable.