4 types of credit cards with lifetime annual fee waivers, Money News

Say Goodbye to Annual Fee Calls—Ever!

Picture this: you’re scrolling through your bank account, and you never have to ring up customer service to nudge that annoying annual fee off your credit card bill. Sound too good to be true? Not anymore.

Why the “Free‑Trial” Frenzy Exists

Most Singapore credit cards love to lure you in with a one‑ or two‑year fee‑free window. After that honeymoon period, the yearly charge (usually around $180 plus GST) pops up like a surprise guest at your dinner party.

When that $192.60 line item shows up, the instinct is to “Call the bank & ask for a waiver.” Yet the callback may result in a polite “sorry, no‑go.”

If the waiver doesn’t fly, the default solution is a crystal‑clear “Cancel your card. Don’t pay the fee.” But hey, you lose your favourite card and that all‑out mag‑like status.

Four Smart Moves for Lifetime Fee Relief

1. Pick a Card That’s Already “Fee‑Free Forever”

   Some issuers embed lifetime annual‑fee waivers straight in the fine print. Find the green‑flaged cards and you’re locked in a fee‑free zone for life.

2. Chain Your Rewards: Use a Premium Card + Rewards Balance

   Premium cards often waive fees if you maintain a certain spend level or reward balance. By keeping that sweet spot active, you essentially pay nothing extra for the card itself.

3. Negotiate With Your Bank (Before the Bill Pops)

   When you’re about to hit the next annual‑fee threshold, send a polite, well‑crafted email. Mention your loyalty, reading habits, or budget plans—whatever feels authentic. The more personal, the better.

4. Leverage “No‑Carry‑Over” or “Balance‑Transfer” Options

   Some banks won’t charge the fee if you transfer a balance or keep zero balance. Keep your card active, and you can avoid the fee by staying out of debt.

Bottom line: Annual fees can be bypassed, but the “call‑off” route may need a bit of legwork. If you’re after a hassle‑free experience, stick with one of the four credit‑card tricks listed above and let the banks handle the rest.

#1 Credit cards with no annual fees

CIMB Credit Cards: No‑Annual‑Fee Fun

What’s the buzz? It turns out that CIMB’s credit cards are not the most talked‑about in Malaysia, but they do have a sweet deal: no annual fee ever. Whether you’re a casual spender or a shopping prodigy, every card here is free for life—no hidden costs, just pure convenience.

Why It Matters

In a world where you’re tempted to chip into a $95 yearly fee just to keep your card, these free cards let you focus on what really matters—shopping, saving, and staying sane. That’s exactly what we like to hear.

Card Options & How They Work

• World Mastercard

  Best for the carefree spender. No minimum spending required, so you can still enjoy the perks without feeling pressured to hit a target.

  Earn at least SGD 50,000 a year to qualify—so it’s not for the low‑income crowd.

• Platinum Mastercard

  For those earning SGD 30,000 a year or more. Still no annual fee, and you’ll get the brand‑name benefits that come with a platinum card.

• Visa Signature

  The same SGD 30,000 annual income threshold applies here. It’s a good choice if you prefer a Visa partner.

If you’re not a card fan or you don’t hit the income cut‑offs, no sweat—consider a debit card instead. Most debit cards in Singapore also offer zero annual fees for life, so you’ll still get the shipping and purchase perks without the extra charge.

Quick Comparison at Your Fingertips

Use SingSaver to compare these cards side‑by‑side, which will help you see which one best matches your spending style.

#2 Credit cards with automatic fee waivers

How to Slip Past That Annual Credit‑Card Fee Like a Ninja

Sticking around every year to ask your bank to waive your credit‑card fee can feel like a repetitive chore. Luckily, the banks in Singapore have a sneaky trick for you — automatic fee waivers that kick in as soon as you hit a set spending threshold. Once you’re over that line, the fee disappears on autopilot, so you can chill and shop.

Cards that Auto‑Waive Fees at Different Spending Levels

• Maybank Platinum Visa Card – $20 per quarter, no minimum spend, just use it every 3 months.
• Singtel‑UOB Card – $192.60, simply charge your Singtel bill and you’re good.
• OCBC Plus! Visa Credit Card – $107, spend $2,500 annually (≈$208 a month).
• OCBC Robinsons Credit Card – $192.60, spend $3,000 yearly.
• Maybank Manchester United Visa Platinum Card – $80, spend $3,600 per year.
• OCBC Best Denki Credit Card – $160.50, spend $5,000 annually.
• OCBC Great Eastern Cashflo Credit Card – $160.50, spend $5,000 per year.
• Other OCBC cards – varying fees, but need $10,000 spend.
• Maybank FC Barcelona Credit Card – $120, spend $10,000 annually.
• UOB One Card – $192.60, spend $12,000 each year.
• DBS Woman’s MasterCard – $160.50, spend $15,000 per year.

Low‑Spender Friendly Picks

If your grocery bill is more likely to be the bulk of your expenses than luxury shopping, Maybank’s Platinum Visa Card and OCBC Plus! Visa Card are your best buddies. The Platinum card’s fee is quarterly, and you get it waived just by dipping into it once a quarter—no cash‑in‑the‑paycheck required. The OCBC Plus! card feels like a loyalty program that rewards you as soon as you spend $2,500 a year, and you’ll also snag sweet discounts at NTUC FairPrice.

For the Big Spenders

Cracking $1,000 a month on bills and groceries? The UOB One Card turns your wallet into a quarterly $100 rebate machine and automatically culls the $192.60 fee by hitting the $12,000 spend threshold. It’s the perfect match for the household that spends a lot but wants the “no‑fee” dream.

In short, pick a card whose “auto‑waiver” threshold fits your monthly spending habit and let the bank do the math for you. No extra calls, no awkward questions, just a smooth, fee‑free experience.

3. Free credit cards based on memberships

Grab a No‑Annual‑Fee Credit Card with NTUC or SAFRA

If you’re already rocking a membership with NTUC or SAFRA, you’ve got a golden ticket to a credit card that won’t hurt your wallet with a yearly fee. These co‑branded cards are set for life as long as you keep paying that membership.

SAFRA DBS Card: Easy Cashbacks

• Spend at least $500 a month and enjoy a simple 3 % cashback on online and contactless payments.
• Perfect fit for NSFs and NSmen—no hassle, just rewards.
• Membership costs: $80 for 2 years or $405 for 10 years.

NTUC Plus! Visa Credit Card: Spend and Save

• Earn savings every time you shop at NTUC FairPrice or hit up an Esso outlet.
• If you haven’t joined NTUC yet, signing up is only $117 a year.
• Alongside the card perks, you get the full bundle of union benefits—because who doesn’t love a bit of extra support?

So, why pay an annual fee when you can keep your membership and still enjoy all the perks? Check your eligibility, pick the card that suits your style, and start spen‑ding smart.

4. Free credit cards for priority banking customers

Score a Perpetual Annual‑Fee Freedom: The Insider’s Playbook

Picture this: you walk into your bank office, brag about your career, and the teller hands over a card with the highest free‑ever perk in Singapore. That’s right—if you’re a priority banking superstar with HSBC, Maybank, or DBS, the annual fee can stay waived forever. Let’s break it down fast and fun.

Credit Card + Priority Banking = Perpetual Fee Waiver

• HSBC Advance Credit Card – HSBC Advance program. Qualify by slapping a monthly salary credit of at least $3,500 on your account. Then you’re “fee‑free forever.”
• Maybank Privilege Horizon Visa Signature Card – Maybank Privilege program. Get a deposit or investment of minimum $50,000 and you’re stuck with a perpetual waiver.
• DBS Treasures Black Elite Card – DBS Treasures program. The threshold jumps to $350,000. It’s a bit of a high‑roller move, but the end game is the same—no fee.

Want a quick visual? Here’s a compact crib sheet:

Why HSBC Advance Is a Dream Team Move

The HSBC Advance card is a low‑barrier winner, with up to 3.5 % cashback on all your spendings—no minimum spend, no confusing bonus categories. Think of it like a “cashback on caffeine” perk: every dollar you spend, you get that sweet, delicious slice back.

If you’re already a singSaver fan, signing up is a breeze. All you need to do is:

1. Apply for the HSBC Advance Credit Card through SingSaver.
2. Upload your salary slip or demo your earning (just the $3,500‑plus check).
3. Once you’re accepted, jump onto the HSBC Advance programme and voilà—your annual fee will keep hanging out in the “free zone” so long as you stay a member.

Just remember: keeping your status is key. Keep your salary credit line active, keep your deposits timely, and the forever fee waiver stays yours.

Why This Matters (and Why It’s Not Just a Fancy Buzzword)

• It’s a financial win. Money that would otherwise waltz out of your pocket becomes cashback or gets banked back in.
• It’s a lifestyle win. No more haggling about fees or reading fine print. You can focus on what matters: treating yourself or saving for the future.
• It’s a brand affirmation. Being a priority customer often means you’re churning out more bonuses and perks. You’re essentially on the VIP list.

So, next time you’re eyeing a new card, remember these programs. They’re the “secret sauce” that can keep the cost of owning a credit card stuck at zero, for the life of your membership. Good luck, and happy fee‑free spending!

Last updated from the original source: SingSaver.com.sg. We’ve just sprinkled a little fresh, friendly spin on the news!