There are many ways credit cards reward you when you use them to pay for restaurant meals or bar drinks. Whether in the form of Cashback, miles, rewards or upfront discounts, dining credit cards in Singapore help make eating out (and ordering in!) more affordable and rewarding.
Finding the best dining credit card that’s right for you comes down to understanding how each card works. Typically, each dining credit card comes with certain strings attached, such as:
a) minimum spend required to qualify for the cashback or discount
b) different rates for weekday and weekend dining
c) a monthly cap in terms of how much cashback you can receive.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the best dining credit cards in Singapore and how they stack up against each other.
Best for all-week dining: OCBC 365 Credit Card
With 6% cashback on dining all day, everyday, the OCBC 365 Credit Card offers the easiest and most flexible way to save on your dining budget.
Not only is the cashback rate of 6% one of the most highest, you also enjoy the same rate for online food delivery services like GrabFood, Food Panda and Deliveroo.
You’ll need to spend at least $800 a month to earn rebates, but the OCBC 365 Credit Card also gives you cashback on other spending categories, including groceries, transport, utilities and online travel.
With so many spending categories to choose from, hitting that minimum spend should be easily achievable. You can save up to $80 per month with this card. That works out to $960 a year.
Qualifying criteria and card fees
If you’re interested in applying for this card, here are the qualifying criteria and card fees.
What we like
- 6% cashback for dining and online food delivery, all day, everyday
- Offers cashback on wide range of everyday transactions
- Up to $80 total savings per month
- 2-year fee waiver
What we don’t like
- Minimum spend of $800/month to earn cashback
Best for weekend entertainment: UOB YOLO Card
If you regularly head out for food and drinks over the weekend, then the UOB YOLO Card will be a good fit.
This card offers 3% cashback on dining and entertainment on weekdays, but goes up to 8% once the weekend comes around.
Whether it’s Friday night supper, Saturday clubbing or Sunday brunch, bring along the UOB YOLO Card for some serious savings.
Qualifying criteria and card fees
If you’re interested in applying for this card, here are the qualifying criteria and card fees.
What we like
- 8% cashback for dining and entertainment spends on weekends, 3% on weekdays
- Cashback also applies to Grab rides
- Up to $60 total savings per month
- 1 year fee waiver
What we don’t like
- Minimum spend of $600/month to earn cashback
Best for casual dining: Citi Cash Back Visa Card
Dining out is all well and good, but what if you only do so every once in awhile? Well then, you might want to have the Citi Cash Back Visa Card in your pocket.
You’ll get 8% cashback on all dining spend, both in Singapore and overseas but the downside is the monthly cashback cap is limited to just S$25. That works out to just slightly over S$300 before you hit the cap — which is why this card is suitable if you eat out only once in a while.
The Citi Cash Back Visa also gives you cashback on other spending categories like petrol, groceries and Grab rides – all limited at S$25 per month — making it a great card for all-round spend.
Qualifying criteria and card fees
If you’re interested in applying for this card, here are the qualifying criteria and card fees.
What we like
- 8% cashback for dining spends, locally and overseas
- 8% cashback for petrol, groceries and Grab
- Up to $100 total savings per month
- 1 year fee waiver
What we don’t like
- Minimum spend of $888/mth to earn cashback
- Monthly cashback cap limited to S$25 per category spend
Best for gourmet foodies: American Express Platinum Credit Card
If you’ve got a delicate palate and love gourmet food, consider the American Express Platinum Credit Card. Thanks to its Love Dining programme, you’ll get discounts at some of Singapore’s best restaurants and hotels.
With this card, you’ll get 50% discount when dining in a party of 2; 35% discount for a party of 3; 25% discount for party of 4; and 20% discount for a party of 5 to 20. If you happen to be dining alone, you’ll get 15% off your meal.
Also, if you’re planning a trip, check the privileges available under the American Express Selects programme, which can net you perks and savings at famous restaurants and attractions at your destination.
Oh, one more thing: this card will also award you with points on your spending, which you can use to trade for air miles and other goodies.
Qualifying criteria and card fees
If you’re interested in applying for this card, here are the qualifying criteria and card fees.
What we like
- Generous discounts at premium F&B venues
- Membership points awarded on spends, on top of discounts and perks
- Attractive welcome offers
What we don’t like
- High annual fee
- High income requirement
By Alevin Chan
A Certified Financial Planner with a curiosity about what makes people tick, Alevin’s mission is to help readers understand the psychology of money. He’s also on an ongoing quest to optimize happiness and enjoyment in his life.
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