Overview:
It is wise to use credit card when purchasing big ticket spendings as it offers rewards and a flexible payment options like installments making it easier to manage our finances. Whether you’re going to travel, buy new appliances for your house, reward yourself with luxury items or be up on trend with latest gadgets, utilizing your credit card to earn cashback or miles would be very much rewarding! However, it is wise to choose an option that would fit best your big-ticket spending and consider the reward that you need. General exclusions like insurance, income tax, government services will apply – those payments are not eligible for any cashback or miles.
Also, it is wise to use a credit card with no earning cap or at least a high spending cap! Here’s the list of the best credit card for big purchase:
Best Cashback Cards for Big Purchases
You can get 8% cashback with strategic planning on your big purchases with the HSBC Live+ card at specific merchants like Amazon.sg, Courts, Best Denki via vouchers. Therefore, it sits at the top of the list in terms of cashback. 8% cashback is better than 4 miles per dollar. If you don’t want to think too much and plan your voucher buying strategy, then go with Citi SMRT card.
- You qualify if: you have no HSBC credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any HSBC credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 by the end of the month after you're approved. Example: approved in May → spend by 30 June.
- During the application, tick the box to receive marketing messages from HSBC. Don't unsubscribe until your gift arrives — if you do, HSBC can cancel the reward.
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- Eligible for new main Citi Cardmembers only (no existing Citi card, no Citi card closed in the past 12 months)
- Spend S$800 in the first 2 months of card approval
- You qualify if: you have no Citibank credit card right now AND haven't cancelled any Citi credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- You qualify if: you have no CIMB credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any CIMB credit card in the last 12 months
- For the CIMB reward (Samsonite Luggage), spend S$2,000 within 60 days of card approval
- For the additional reward (S$50), automatically qualified with the same S$2,000 spend — no extra spending required
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- You qualify if: you have no UOB credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any UOB credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 within the first 30 days from card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- Eligible for new main Citi Cardmembers only (no existing Citi card, no Citi card closed in the past 12 months)
- Spend S$4,000 in the first 2 months of card approval
- 8% = 1.6% base (no cap) + 6.4% bonus on the first S$4,000 of qualifying spend (bonus capped at S$256)
- You qualify if: you have no Citibank credit card right now AND haven't cancelled any Citi credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- You qualify if: you have no SCB credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any SCB credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$800 within 30 days of card approval
- Also apply for 1 additional Standard Chartered product — choose from: a Bonus$aver savings account, a CashOne personal loan, an EasyPay 6-month instalment plan, or a CCFT (Credit Card Funds Transfer). Any one counts.
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
Best Miles and Rewards Cards for Big Purchases
You can choose any of these entry level cards below and pay at one go for the big purchase to earn unlimited miles. However, some conditions apply.
- You qualify if: you have no UOB credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any UOB credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 within the first 30 days from card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- You qualify if: you have no DBS/POSB credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any DBS/POSB credit card in the last 12 months
- Enter promo code SINGSAVER during application
- Spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- You qualify if: you have no OCBC credit card right now, AND haven't cancelled any OCBC credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$400 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
- Eligible for new main Citi Cardmembers only (no existing Citi card, no Citi card closed in the past 12 months)
- Spend S$800 in the first 2 months of card approval
- Pick Tier 1 OR Tier 2 at application — only one Welcome Gift per applicant
- You qualify if: you have no Citibank credit card right now AND haven't cancelled any Citi credit card in the last 12 months
- Spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form — check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
Alternative Strategy — Split Your Big Purchases through BNPL
BNPL platforms like Atome work especially well for big purchases because they help smooth out your spending without adding interest costs. Instead of paying a large lump sum upfront, you can break it into three smaller payments, making it easier to manage your cash flow while still getting what you want immediately. This can be especially useful for high-value items like gadgets, home appliances, or travel bookings — where paying in full might otherwise strain your monthly budget.
It’s a flexible, short-term financing option that gives you breathing room, letting you plan your payments around paydays or other expenses. As long as you can commit to the repayment schedule and avoid overspending, BNPL can be a smart way to handle big-ticket buys responsibly — all without paying a cent in interest.
Check the Best Cards for Buy Now Pay Later Platforms for more info:
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Card for Your Big Purchase
In conclusion, using the right credit card for your large purchases isn’t just convenient — it’s a smart financial move. When used strategically, your big spends can earn you meaningful cashback, miles, or reward points, effectively turning what could’ve been a painful expense into real savings or free flights.
If you’re after cashback, my top pick remains the Citi SMRT Card. It gives a solid 5% cashback on online purchases, whether that’s electronics, furniture, or other household must-haves — and best of all, it has no monthly cap. That’s a huge advantage when you’re making big-ticket purchases. Just make sure you hit the minimum spend of S$500 in the same month to qualify for cashback. For example, you could spend S$5,000 on a washing machine in January, skip February, and then spend S$1,000 in March on an oven — still earning cashback in the months you hit the minimum spend. However, in my review of Citi SMRT card, I also mentioned that many users reported that they did not get their cashback via Courts online as the transaction was likely processed as an offline transaction by Courts. For these, or for merchants like Amazon or Heymax vouchers, consider the HSBC Live+ card instead, which can earn up to 8% cashback on select categories.
If you’re planning to buy luxury goods like a Rolex, the CIMB World Mastercard is a great option — it offers lifestyle rewards with no spending cap. For spending below S$10,000 monthly, the DCS Ultimate Platinum Card is also a solid choice, giving you 2% cashback with minimal fuss.
Prefer earning miles instead? The UOB KrisFlyer Card offers 2.4 miles per dollar, uncapped, for eligible categories — as long as you spend at least S$1,000 yearly on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, or KrisShop. This is perfect for frequent travelers who want rewards that go the extra mile.
Now here’s where things get fun — a bonus hack for big-ticket purchases that helps you earn even more while paying less upfront: BNPL like Atome. This strategy stretches both your payments and rewards, making it ideal for expensive electronics, wedding banquets, or travel bookings.
💳 Credit cards change their T&Cs every so often and it is difficult to stay updated. That’s why I created a Telegram Broadcast where you can receive timely bite-sized updates to get the most out of your spending.
💡 We believe in always paying our credit card bills on time and in full. It is only by doing that, can we fully maximise our credit card benefits.
One Response
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