Meet the New Kid on the Block: Trust Credit Card
Just two weeks ago—on Sept 5—Trust Bank, a brand‑new digital bank spun out of Standard Chartered Bank and NTUC, introduced its first credit card: the Trust Credit Card. No brick‑and‑mortar branch, just a slick app and a promise of fresh perks.
Why Is NTUC Throwing Out the Old Credit Card?
Remember the OCBC NTUC Plus! card that you’d probably spot at every SafeEntry line during the pandemic? That one’s officially retired. NTUC said they’d phase it out in August, meaning anyone still holding an OCBC NTUC Plus! card can’t use it after Feb 1 2023. So, if your wallet still carries that plastic, you’ve got two choices:
- Swap over to the OCBC 365 card, handed out by OCBC.
- Jump on board with the new Trust Credit Card from NTUC.
Both cards let you enjoy NTUC discounts and earn LinkPoints, but the Trust card is the fresh face on the market.
My Two‑Week Test Run
I’ve been wearing my Trust card for the last fourteen days, trying to see where it lands in my everyday life—my bills, insurance, office commute, grocery runs at NTUC, nights out, and the typical Singaporean routine (plus the usual chaos from kids, which I’m good with). Here’s how the experience unfolded:
At first glance, it was great. The signs, the sign‑ups, the promise of extra discounts—everything worked like a charm. I felt like I’d just discovered the hidden gem of credit cards.
But then some cracks appeared:
- Gaining bonus points turned into a bit of a hunt—no clear toys or treasures were awarded. Like searching for a Wi‑Fi connection in a tunnel.
- Dining coupons left me puzzled—they seemed buggy, and the redemption process felt more like a horror‑movie plot than a smooth transaction.
- Customer service? Not exactly top‑tier. It was slow, often defining “respond” as “wait 48 hours.” Enjoying a symphony? That’s a point for the club, but the Trust card’s support left me feeling “wait for your turn” kinda vibes.
Bottom line? The Trust Credit Card has potential, especially if you’re on a tight budget and love NTUC perks. Yet, it’s a mixed bag: great perks but frustrating points and a touchy service. If you’re ready for a little hustle and love the convenience of a digital bank, it might still be worth a look. If you’re after instant gratification and low friction, consider the OCBC 365 route.
1. Trust Credit Card Review
Meet the Trust Credit Card – Your New Shopping BFF
Ever wanted a credit card that rewards you every time you grab groceries? The Trust Credit Card does just that, turning your weekly shopping at NTUC FairPrice, FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra and FairPrice Warehouse Club into points stashes! It’s all about NTUC LinkPoints—so every swipe means more savings, and that’s pretty sweet.
Dining Perks (The Little Extra)
It’s not all about fruits and veggies. The card also drops some limited‑time dining coupons straight into the mobile app. Think of it as a tiny bonus buffet—only you’ll need to peek at your phone to see what’s on the menu.
How It Works – App‑First, Card‑Ready
When you sign up online, you’ll get a physical card in the mail within a week. Meanwhile, the mobile app keeps the card number handy for you to punch in whenever you’re shopping online, and also lets you swipe your phone at the checkout to earn those juicy LinkPoints.
Top Reasons to Grab One
- No More Boring Paper Arrows – While your card number’s in the app, you’re still fully protected and ready to use.
- 7% Rewards – Every dollar spent at NTUC gets you a 7% return in points. That’s like a bonus for hunting for good deals.
- $25 Welcome Gift – Once you sign up, you’ll get a handy voucher you can use right away.
All in all, the Trust Credit Card keeps your shopping experience smooth, your wallet happy, and your points account thriving. It’s the little tool that’s good for your pockets and simple to use—just a tap or a swipe, and you’re good to go.
2. Trust Credit Card annual fee, minimum income
Want to Grab the Trust Credit Card? Here’s the Low‑down
The Trust credit card is the “starter‑kit” of the credit‑card world, tailored for folks earning at least $30,000 a year. No fee, no fuss – just a shiny Visa in your wallet (or on your phone).
How to snag one, step‑by‑step
- Download the Trust Bank mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
- SingPass sign‑up – it’s Singapore’s digital ID, so you’ll be good to go.
- Once inside, the app pulls in your personal details and income history automatically. No paperwork, no wait.
- Get a personalised credit limit that matches your paycheck. Easy peasy.
Features at a Glance
- Annual Fee: $0 – sweet, right?
- Interest Rate: 26.9 % per annum. Friendly reminder: pay on time to avoid it.
- Late Payment Fee: $100 if you miss a payment.
- Foreign Currency Transaction Fee: $0 – travel happy.
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: $0 – but use wisely.
- Minimum Monthly Repayment: Check your app – it’ll tell you exactly how much.
- Overlimit Fee: $0 – because no one likes surprises.
- Card Association: Visa.
- Contactless Payment: Works with Apple Pay and Visa PayWave (and basically any NFC‑abled phone).
Why the Trust Card Could Be Your New BFF
Zero annual fee, no foreign transaction costs, and it’s super easy to get. All you need is that modest $30k annual income and a click on your phone. Once you have it, you can (but don’t feel obligated to) pay with a tap – whether it’s at the mall or on a coffee‑shop app. Convenient and smart.
Final Thought
It’s like putting your money in a friendly lockbox: all locked safely, but you’re free to use it whenever you want. Grab it, enjoy the perks, and keep those payments on time to avoid that $100 beanie. Happy shopping!
3. Trust Credit Card rewards points
Trust Credit Card: The Riddle of Rewards
At first glance, the Trust Credit Card looks like a sweet rewards card. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find the prize structure can feel more like a maze than a treasure hunt.
How the Points Are Actually Earned
- Base Points: 0.5% on Fairprice purchases, 0.22% on general Visa® spend.
- Bonus Points: 7.5% at Fairprice, plus a monthly allowance of 450 USD worth of all other purchases (except Fairprice), capped at 5,500 LinkPoints.
- Extra Bonus: 7% at Fairprice on a quarterly basis, plus 450 USD for three successive months (again, non‑Fairprice) capped at 7,500 LinkPoints.
Sounds great? Think again.
The “What If” Paragraphs
Want the juicy 7% reward from NTUC? First you have to spend 450 USD elsewhere. That’s right—before you can stash point‑gouda from your favourite market, you must plate up a $450 bill on something else. And if you’re a full‑time kitchen‑aholic, that’s easier said than done.
Picture this: you’re in a hybrid office, cooking at home all winter, but the only thing you actually “spend” on the Trust card is a handful of groceries. You’ll end up with something like 176 USD of miscellaneous spends and a word of defeat—you’re stuck far short of the 450 USD threshold.
Why This Card is a Misfit for Home‑Focused Families
It works like a charm for those who eat out, dine at hawker centres, or rack up a lot of Visa purchases. But if most of your cash flows through monthly® grocery bills, prepaid quarterly tuition, and the endless stream of giro payments, you’re basically shouting into a void.
The Trust card might feel as useful as a sundial in a blackout, especially when the only “min‑spend” add‑on that qualifies is a non‑grocery checkout.
Takeaway
Before you rave about the card’s 7% reward, pause. If your credit card life revolves around staple grocery shopping and routine payments, this might not be the golden nugget you’re looking for. On the flip side, if you love paid meals and Visa‑driven shopping sprees, you’re in for a treat.
Feel free to read more about the best cards that don’t demand an annual fee, and see whether the Trust card sits in your wallet’s lineup.
4. Trust Credit Card LinkPoints
Why My Trust Card Is Turning My Rewards Into a 3‑Act Comedy
My Reward Breakdown – 176 bucks and a handful of LinkPoints
Below is a snapshot of the points I’ve racked up so far. Each line shows the store, the money spent, and the LinkPoints earned. Pretty sweet, except the categories are a nightmare.
- Han’s HCC NVS Singapore (Food & Dining): $6.60 → 1.45 points
- SingPost (Business Service): $3 → 0.66 points
- SingPost (Business Service): $11.50 → 2.53 points
- IKEA (Shopping): $6 → 1.32 points
- Daiso (Shopping): $10.70 → 2.35 points
- The Fullerton Hotel (Travel): $120.05 → 26.41 points
- Medi‑Ya (Groceries): $18.90 → 4.16 points
- KFC (Food & Dining): $9.80 → 2.15 points
Unexpected Category Madness
Trust’s eye‑picking machine automatically tags my purchases into MCC categories. But the logic? Let’s just say it’s got a quirky sense of humor.
- Fullerton’s restaurant dinner? Tagged as Travel. Guess it’s a “journey” to great taste.
- IKEA’s food? Classified as Shopping. Apparently, you’re buying “food items” the same way you buy a sofa.
Redemption Rut – Where Do I Send These Points?
Right now, I’m eyeing the 38.88 LinkPoints sitting on my Trust card – that’s just $0.38 in value. But I can’t find a button to trade them or move them to my main NTUC Link account.
At NTUC stores, I was given the choice to either use my Trust card (tied to a brand‑new Link ID) or my existing Link mobile app. So all that effort turned into a duplicate environment.
Duplicate Accounts: The Curse & The Possibility
Turns out I’ve got two LinkPoint accounts now, thanks to the Trust card enrolment. The bank says there’s a way to merge them, but I’m not convincing myself to do it just yet. Why?
- It would just consolidate my points – not that I don’t want to.
- But I’d have to decide which point stream to keep. If I move the points to one account, the other stream basically vanishes.
- And frankly, I’m playing it safe – let’s see how the next month pans out before I do a hard switch.
Bottom Line: I’m Watching My Money, Not My Points
While the categories are confusing and the redemption process feels like a puzzle, my biggest takeaway? Keep an eye on how you spend. The Trust card is golden if your shopping is at NTUC, but the real trick is to avoid wasting your points in a maze of unpredictable tags.
Tomorrow’s newsletter? Maybe I’ll muse on how to turn those “Travel” points into an actual backpacking trip. Until then, the mystery persists, and you haven’t seen the full comedy of errors yet.
5. Trust Credit Card: Dining discounts
Trust App’s Coupon Catastrophe
So there’s a brand‑new Trust mobile app that lets you slide over to a Coupons tab. Inside, it promises a handful of food‑related goodies: a $2 off Starbucks (if you spend $10+), a 50% off KFC Zinger Box, a $6 off Foodpanda delivery (needs a $35 minimum and the code TRUST22SEP), and a $3 off Deliveroo (for new customers with VISANEW22). I thought the KFC deal was a sweet steal, so I tried it out.
Bank on the KFC offer – it’s the cheapest – but the universe had other plans.
Voicemail‑Style Customer Support
- Minimum Spend Gone Wrong: The Zinger Box is listed at $9.80 on my statement, yet I didn’t get the intended discount when I paid with my Trust card.
- Call Wait Time: I called the hotline right after my trip, hanging up the phone for 17 minutes before someone finally answered.
- Slow Reading: The agent took forever to read the KFC voucher’s fine print and eventually said the 50% discount would be credited back within 24 hours.
- Unfinished Call: Mid‑conversation, the line died. I waited for a callback, but the promise never materialised.
Two Days Later…
The promised 50% off had still not appeared in my account. Feeling flustered, I tried the app chat for confirmation but got a completely different response: “The voucher is only for the first 10,000 users. KFC staff should have applied the discount if it’s available. You can check with the staff for any issues.”
At this point, I realised the brochure’s terms were misleading – there was NO limit on the first 10,000 users and the redemption method was simply “Pay with your Trust card.” Yet the button to activate it was nowhere to be seen – it seemed like a riddle in a hard‑to‑solve puzzle.
Hilariously Frustrating
Leaving the KFC feeling like a fool was a sobering moment. It got me thinking: there are so many reliable credit cards with solid promotions and responsive customer service. I’d rather hand my money to an established card until Trust smooths out their operation.
Try These Better Options
Here’s a list of proven cards that you can consider instead:
6. How to cancel Trust Credit Card?
How I Tried to Cancel My Trust Credit Card (and Why It Feels Like a Mystery Novel)
The App’s “Mystery Room”
Opened the Trust app and hit the Account Opening and Closure section. The interface? Polite and enigmatic. No buttons, no hint—just a blank screen that seemed to say, “I’m holding the key, but I won’t tell you where it is.”
When Customer Service Turns into Ghost Chat
Desperate, I reached out to customer support. They replied:
“For now, if you close any product with us, we will not be able to reinstate the product again or allow you to sign up with us again.”
That was the entire message—no how‑to, no step‑by‑step, just a stern warning that closing it means goodbye, no return tickets allowed.
The Ticket that Vanished Faster Than a Snapchat Story
- I opened a support ticket.
- Within a minute, their team closed it—without a word.
- Result? I had to start from scratch, hop, double hop, and keep the “fresh ticket” chant going.
Shouldn’t a Bank Offer a Friendly Exit Plan?
It feels like a bank that’s never agreed to let its customers exit on their own terms. Imagine buying a house, only to be told you can’t back out when it doesn’t suit you. Not cool.
Stay Tuned!
Once I finally get the actual “email of death” that tells how to cancel, I’ll drop a step‑by‑step guide right here—so you won’t have to endure the same mystery.
7. Trust Credit Card promotion
Earn a $25 NTUC Voucher — No, It’s Not Magic!
Think you’re about to miss out on a sweet deal? Think again. When you signed up for the Trust credit card, the big bird that flapped into your inbox was the $25 NTUC voucher. It’s a little trick to get you swinging that Trust card a bit.
One Quick Transaction, One Big Reward
- First step: Spend just once with your Trust card. No elaborate spree needed—any purchase will do.
- Hold your phone up, the Trust app will even out the voucher’s QR code. Yep, you’ll see it pop up right after your payment clears.
- Next, pop into the nearest NTUC store and let the friendly cashier, Aunty, scan that voucher. The joy is real!
- If all goes right, voilà—$25 is yours.
Why this Works
Trust’s promotion is simple: it nudges you to try the card one time, rewarding you quickly. It’s like a “test drive” for a brand new car—you get to see the dashboard, then they’ll hand over the keys… for 25 dollars.
Easy as 1‑2‑3
1. Sign up. 2. Spend. 3. Scan. 4. Celebrate. That’s all. No tricks, no hidden fees.
8. Should I get the Trust Credit Card?
Is the Trust Credit Card Right For You?
Picture this: you’re strolling through the mall, tapping your card at every checkout, grabbing a quick bite, or catching the latest blockbuster. If that’s you, the Trust Credit Card might just be your new sidekick.
What You’ll Get (and What You Should Expect)
- Tap‑and‑Go Freedom – Works great with PayWave and contactless payments.
- Foodie Bonuses – Dining discounts pop up in the Trust mobile app, but remember to read the fine print; it’s like a treasure hunt.
- Shopping Spree Rewards – Spend over $450 a month on Visa‑linked expenses and your card will start kicking in.
- NTUC LinkPoints Love – If you shop at NTUC groceries, you’ll rack up points—feel the sweet smell of savings!
Who Should Consider It?
Think of it as the perfect match if:
- You’re a contactless enthusiast who loves the convenience of tapping.
- Your monthly spending spills over $450 on everyday Visa purchases.
- NTUC grocery trips are part of your routine.
- You have the patience to peel back the layers of terms and conditions—yes, it’s a bit like digging for buried treasure.
Who Might Skip It?
It’s a new kid on the block, so there are a few glitches. If:
- Time is scarce and you’ve got a family to juggle.
- You’re looking for a hassle‑free, “set it and forget it” card.
Then you might want to play it safe.
Bottom Line
Love novelty and can handle a bit of trial‑and‑error? Go for it!
Need reliability and time efficiency? Press pause and maybe consider another card.
Article originally published by MoneySmart (Credit/Debit cards, Digital Mobile Apps).
