Best petrol credit cards

Everyone knows how expensive it is to own a car in Singapore. Using a petrol credit card to get cashback when you fill up helps to keep that cost down.

By   |   Verified by Kwok Zhong Li   |   Updated 15 Sep 2023

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Comparing petrol credit cards

HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

On website

Featured

HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

Cashback

Up to 5.00% on dining spend

Cashback cap

$1000.00 on dining spend

Minimum spend

S$600.00 per month, every quarter

Sign up bonus

Get a S$150 cashback or a Samsonite ZELTUS 69cm Spinner Exp with built-in scale when you apply now. Terms and Conditions Apply.

Highlights

  • 5% cash rebate on dining, groceries and fuel.
  • 1 reward point per dollar spent.
  • 2-year annual credit card fee waiver.

Pros

  • Earn up to 5% cashback.
  • Additional 17% instant discount when you fuel up at Caltex or Shell.
  • No annual fee for the first 2 years.
  • Enjoy Visa Platinum credit card privileges.

Cons

  • Cashback is capped at $1,000 per year.
OCBC 365 Credit Card

On website

OCBC 365 Credit Card

Cashback

Up to 6.00% on petrol spend

Cashback cap

$160.00 on any spend

Minimum spend

S$800.00 per month

Sign up bonus

N/A

Highlights

  • Earn 6% cashback on fuel spend and 5% on local and overseas dining.
  • 3% cashback on groceries, travel, land transport, utilities, streaming, and pharmacy.
  • Receive six S$6 vouchers from each of Caltex and Esso and save up to S$72.

Bank promo

  • Earn cashback 7 days a week, 365 days a year, everywhere.

Pros

  • The annual fee is waived for the 1st 2 years.
  • Generous cashback rates.
  • Multiple cashback categories to choose from.
  • Get a complimentary appetizer at Din Tai Fung when you pay using your Card.

Cons

  • Min annual income of $30,000 for citizens/PRs or $45,000 for foreigners
  • After 2 years, the annual fee reverts to $194.40 for the principal card and $97.20 for the supplementary card.
  • If you spend less than $800 each month, you get a reduced rate of 0.25% rebate on all your spending
  • Earn rate is capped at $160 per month.
Citi Prestige Credit Card

Citi Prestige Credit Card

Cashback

N/A

Cashback cap

N/A

Minimum spend

N/A

Sign up bonus

Get 120,000 bonus Citi ThankYou Points when you apply, get approved, and spend S$800 or more in the first 2 months. Terms and Conditions apply.

Highlights

  • Earn 5 ThankYou points (2 miles) per $1 overseas spend and 3.25 ThankYou points (1.3 miles) per $1 local spend.
  • Get a complimentary 4th-night stay at any hotel or resort.
  • Enjoy six complimentary golf games in Singapore, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
  • A concierge team to support your lifestyle at home and abroad

Pros

  • Earn 2 miles per $1 overseas spend and 1.3 miles per $1 local spend, miles won't expire on you.
  • No cap on ThankYou points.
  • Access to over 1,000 airport lounges with Priority Pass membership.
  • Up to $1 million travel insurance coverage is awesome.
  • Travel like a boss! Complimentary one-way Airport Limousine transfers to or from Changi International Airport.
  • Fly and stay with no blackout dates all year round.

Cons

  • The high annual fee of S$540 p.a.
  • A minimum income of S$120,000 a year is required to be eligible for this card.
  • Free travel insurance only when your air ticket is charged to your card.
OCBC Frank Credit Card

On website

OCBC Frank Credit Card

Cashback

Up to 8.00% on any foreign currency spend

Cashback cap

Up to $25.00

Minimum spend

S$800.00 per month

Sign up bonus

Get a year-long Burpple Beyond Premium Membership worth S$99 when you apply by 31 December 2023, get approved, and make 5 eligible transactions within 30 days from card approval. Terms and Conditions apply.

Highlights

  • Get up to 10% cashback. Earn 8% in cashback on foreign currency transactions and online/contactless mobile transactions in SGD, plus earn an additional 2% when you shop at selected green merchants.
  • Earn up to S$100 in monthly cashback when you spend at least S$800 a month.
  • Earn 0.3% cashback on other eligible spending.

Pros

  • Earn 8% cashback on purchases made in foreign currency, both online and in stores.
  • Earn 8% cashback on online purchases made in SGD and contactless mobile transactions.
  • Earn an additional 2% cashback on green merchants like SimplyGo, BlueSG, Scoop Wholefoods, and more.
  • The annual fee is waived for the first 2 years

Cons

  • Cashback is capped at S$100 a month.
  • After the first 2 years, you will be charged an annual fee of S$194.40 for the principal card and S$97.20 for the additional card.
Citi PremierMiles Card

Citi PremierMiles Card

Cashback

N/A

Cashback cap

N/A

Minimum spend

N/A

Sign up bonus

Get 30,000 bonus Citi ThankYou Points when you apply, get approved, and spend S$800 or more in the first 2 months. Terms and Conditions apply.

Highlights

  • Earn 2 Citi Miles per S$1 on foreign currency spend and 1.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on local spend. Renewal bonus of 10,000 Citi Miles on your card anniversary.
  • Access to over 1,000 airport lounges with Priority Pass membership.
  • Up to $$1 million travel insurance coverage is awesome.

Pros

  • No expiry on miles earned.
  • Redeem miles at over 60 airlines and 8,000 hotels.
  • Convert 1,200 miles to a $10 rebate.
  • Supplementary card is complimentary.

Cons

  • Annual fee of $194.40 p.a. for the principal card.
  • Priority Pass membership is free for the principal cardholder only, expect to apply for it, and is limited to 2 free lounge visits each year.
  • Free travel insurance only when your air ticket is charged to your card.
OCBC Great Eastern Cashflo Credit Card

On website

OCBC Great Eastern Cashflo Credit Card

Cashback

1.20% on any spend

Cashback cap

$100.00 on any spend

Minimum spend

S$1,000.00 per month

Sign up bonus

N/A

Highlights

  • 0% installments with rebates.
  • Earn 0.3% cashback if your monthly bill is less than S$1,000 and 1.2% cashback if your monthly bill is equal or greater than S$1,000. Capped at S$100 a month.
  • Automatically splits your payments across 3 months for transactions between S$100 to S$1,000 or across 6 months for transactions equal to or greater than S$1,000.

Pros

  • Split your bills into 3, 6, or 12-month installments.
  • Earn up to 1.2% cashback.
  • No annual fee for the first 2 years.

Cons

  • The annual fee is waived for the 1st 2 years, but you will be charged $162 for the principal card and $81 for the supplementary card after.
  • Cashback is capped at $100 each month

Citi SMRT Credit Card

Citi SMRT Credit Card

Cashback

Up to 14.00% on petrol spend

Cashback cap

$600.00 on any spend

Minimum spend

S$500.00 per month

Sign up bonus

Get S$300 cash back when you apply and spend with a Citi SMRT Card. Terms and Conditions apply.

Highlights

  • Get up to 5% cashback on selected grocery stores, online purchases, and & public transport rides.
  • Get a 0.3% cashback on all other eligible transactions.
  • Redeem SMRT$ for cash rebate or shopping vouchers

Pros

  • The annual fee for the first 2 years is waived. S$194.40 thereafter.
  • Get deals and discounts with Citi World Privileges.
  • Convert big transactions into installments with Citi PayLite.

Cons

  • There is a required S$500 spend to earn the 5% cashback on select categories.
  • S$600 cap on SMRT$ rebates per year.
OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card (Blue)

On website

OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card (Blue)

Cashback

N/A

Cashback cap

N/A

Minimum spend

N/A

Sign up bonus

N/A

Highlights

  • Earn 10x rewards (equivalent to 4 miles per S$1 spent) on eligible retail purchases – both online and in-store
  • Earn 1x rewards on all other eligible purchases.
  • Additional 2% cash rebate when you spend at BEST Denki.

Pros

  • The waived annual fee for the first 2 years.
  • Redeem points as miles, vouchers, or cash to offset purchases via Stack.
  • Earn up to 7.65% a year on your savings when you use the OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card

Cons

  • Min annual income of $30,000 for citizens/PRs or $45,000 for foreigners
  • The annual fee is waived for the 1st 2 years, but you will be charged $194.40 for the principal card and $97.40 for the supplementary card after.
OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card (Pink)

On website

OCBC Titanium Rewards Credit Card (Pink)

Cashback

N/A

Cashback cap

N/A

Minimum spend

N/A

Sign up bonus

N/A

Highlights

  • Earn 10x rewards (equivalent to 4 miles per S$1 spent) on eligible retail purchases – both online and in-store.
  • Earn 1x rewards on all other eligible purchases.
  • Additional 2% cash rebate when you spend at BEST Denki.

Pros

  • Earn up to 10 points per $1 spent.
  • The annual fee is waived for the first 2 years.
  • Comes with e-Commerce Protection,
  • Redeem points as miles, vouchers, or cash to offset purchases via Stack.

Cons

  • The annual fee is waived for the 1st 2 years, but you will be charged S$194.40 for the principal card and S$97.20 for the supplementary card after.
Maybank Family & Friends Card

Maybank Family & Friends Card

Cashback

8.00% on any spend

Cashback cap

$25.00 on any spend

Minimum spend

S$800.00 per month

Sign up bonus

Choose your welcome gift - a luggage, an AirPods, or a S$200 cashback when you meet the signup criteria

Highlights

  • Earn 8% cashback on the 5 categories you choose.
  • 3-year annual fee waiver.
  • Compatible with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Pros

  • Receive a luggage, an AirPods, or a S$200 cashback when you meet the signup criteria.
  • Earn 0.3% cashback on all other spend.
  • Free supplementary card.
  • Fuel discounts at Caltex.

Cons

  • Cashback is capped at S$25 per month.
  • After 3 years, you will have to pay S$180 annual fee (unless you spend S$18,000/year).
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature

Cashback

N/A

Cashback cap

N/A

Minimum spend

N/A

Sign up bonus

Choose your welcome gift - a luggage, an AirPods, or a S$200 cashback when you meet the signup criteria

Highlights

  • Earn Up to 3.2 air miles per $1 spent on dining, petrol, taxi, and Agoda transactions.
  • Earn Up to 2 air miles per $1 spent on airline tickets, cruise, travel packages, and foreign transactions.
  • 3-year annual fee waiver.

Pros

  • Receive a luggage, an AirPods, or a S$200 cashback when you meet the signup criteria.
  • Complimentary access to selected VIP airport lounges.
  • Up to $1 million travel insurance coverage.
  • Free supplementary card.
  • Fuel discounts at Caltex.

Cons

  • A minimum spend of S$300 a month is required to get the bonus points.
  • After 3 years, you will have to pay S$180 annual fee (unless you spend S$18,000/year).

Who are petrol credit cards suitable for?

  • Motorists. Given the cost of driving in Singapore, anyone who puts in the miles for work or leisure can enjoy substantial savings from a petrol credit card.
  • Loyalty cardholders. Stay loyal to Esso, Caltex, SPC, Shell, or Sinopec and rack up points and discounts.
  • Budget-conscious consumers. Petrol discounts are usually not the only benefits from a petrol credit card. Anyone looking to save money — not just drivers — can benefit from their rewards, cashback, and partner benefits.

Features to compare for the best petrol credit cards

  • Discounts and cashback. Most of the best petrol credit cards in Singapore provide direct discounts or cashback on fuel spend.
  • Petrol chain affiliation. A credit card may be linked to specific petrol chains, offering cardholders added benefits for their continued loyalty.
  • Minimum spending requirement. Some cards have a minimum monthly spending requirement (some don't) to enjoy their full benefits and avoid forfeiting rewards accrued in that period.
  • Non-petrol benefits. It's not unusual for cards to also offer rewards points or cashback for non-petrol spending, although earn rates may be lower than on petrol spending. They may also come with other useful features, like travel insurance, lounge access in airports, etc.

How to compare Singapore's best petrol credit cards

  1. Define your wants and needs. Consider factors such as your preferred petrol chain and your ability to meet the minimum spend per month.
  2. Calculate potential savings. Assuming you put a typical month's spend through a card, what would you save thanks to petrol discounts?
  3. Consider additional features and benefits. Apart from petrol discounts, what rewards, cashback, and other perks are beneficial to you?
  4. Price in the annual fee. Although it's often waived for a year or two, is the card's package of benefits worth paying for? If you don't travel much, then added extras like lounge access and travel insurance might not be of interest or use.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Substantial discounts on petrol that cut the cost of driving.
  • Earn rewards and cashback on your spend (caps, tiers, and limits apply).
  • Often come with additional benefits unrelated to driving.

Cons

  • The minimum spending requirement can be high.
  • You may need to choose a card linked with a chain to maxise savings.
  • Annual fees negate savings and the value of rewards or cashback earned.

Learn about petrol credit cards

Find out how your can optimise the benefits of a credit card with petrol rebates.

  • FAQs

Can I get a cash rebate on other types of purchases, not just petrol, with the same card?

Yes. You could choose a flat rate card which offers a cash rebate on all spending, including petrol, since almost all cashback cards also let you take advantage of significant onsite petrol discounts. Alternatively, choose a cashback card which lets you combine petrol with another category of purchases for rebate returns (e.g. petrol + dining, or petrol + groceries).

Can I get other benefits, in addition to petrol discounts and cash rebates, with my petrol credit card?

Yes. You can expect to get some of the following additional benefits with your card:

  • First year annual fee waiver, or a two-year waiver
  • A sign-up or first purchase cash or merchandise gift
  • A petrol card pre-loaded with a credit amount (e.g. a $150 Caltex StarCard)
  • A credit, discount or cashback for Grab rides
  • Air miles or rewards points, including a sign-up points bonus in some cases

Do all petrol credit cards offer the same percentage discounts and cashback?

No, the rates vary from card to card, although they nearly always have the potential to reduce petrol prices by between 14% and 24% with a combination of discounts and rebates.

Does it matter what brand of petrol I buy, or where in the world I buy it?

Each card will often specify which brands of fuel qualify for the discount and cashback, e.g. Caltex only, or Shell and SPC stations only, or Esso and Caltex stations only. But there are cards which offer cash rebates on all petrol spending worldwide, regardless of the brand, although the onsite petrol discounts will only apply islandwide.

Do I have to spend a certain amount on petrol or other items, in order to qualify for the cash rebate?

Many cards have a very low starting rebate each month (e.g. 0.3%), but once a monthly target spending level is reached (e.g. $600 total purchases in any category) a much higher rebate percentage will be applied to all of that month’s purchases.

How often will I receive my cashback into my account?

The cashback earned is usually paid into your account quarterly, at the beginning of the second month of the following quarter.

Is there any cap on the rebate I can receive for petrol purchases?

Although there are a few cards with no cap on the amount you can earn, most cards will have a monthly limit (as low as $40 or as high as $100, depending on the card). Some caps are applied quarterly or annually.

What are some of the costs associated with a petrol credit card?

In addition to an annual fee of between $80 and $195 or more, look out for possible foreign currency transaction fees of up to 3.5%, and don’t forget the high interest rate that will be applied to your purchase balance if you fail to pay it off on or before the monthly due date.

Some cards waive their annual fee for the first year, or in any year that you spend a target amount, such as $12,500.

What are the best brands in Singapore for petrol spend?

You can save money when you fill up at Shell, Esso, Caltex, and SPC and paying with a petrol credit card in Singapore. Some cards will offer savings on petrol spend outside Singapore too.

Who should consider applying for a petrol credit card?

If you drive one of Singapore’s more than half a million cars, each covering an average of around 18,000 kilometres per year, you’ll no doubt be looking for a way to save money on high fuel prices. You can do this with a credit card designed to give you a combination of fuel discounts and cash rebates, and possibly rewards points which can effectively be converted into spendable cash.

An unfortunate downside of petrol cards is that the layers of discount and rebate can be extremely complicated, and you need to be alert to all the potential savings in order to maximise the benefit. A single card could combine an onsite discount on at a selected petrol station brand (say, 4%), plus a discount that comes with the credit card brand (perhaps 4%), plus a further discount for belonging to the petrol brand loyalty program (maybe 5%), an 8% credit card cashback on petrol purchases plus an additional cashback (say 3%) for reaching a monthly minimum spend. Who knew buying petrol could be so complicated?

Because petrol credit cards are so potentially confusing, you may prefer to go for a flat rate rebate card (perhaps 5% on all spending) which still has significant onsite discounts on petrol.