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Foreign transaction fees and poor exchange rates can add up when imposed on every overseas or online international purchase. Instead of spending money on fees unnecessarily when you’re away, look out for no foreign transaction fee credit cards as an alternative, which may help keep down your overseas spending costs.
This guide looks at several top options for a Singapore credit card with no foreign transaction fee, including features, rewards, and costs. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.
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A foreign transaction fee is a percentage charge that’s added to your card spending whenever you use a foreign currency. This applies when you spend or withdraw cash overseas, or if you’re shopping with an international retailer.
Most banks in Singapore charge a foreign transaction fee that averages around 3.25%. Getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fee helps you avoid this additional cost.
Here are two common options of how to avoid the foreign transaction fee:
Another important point to note is that you might find you’re charged even higher fees if you get caught out by dynamic currency conversion (DCC). This occurs when you’re asked by a merchant or at an ATM if you’d rather pay in SGD instead of the local currency wherever you are.
It sounds like this might help you dodge foreign transaction fees - but it actually increases the chance you’ll be charged an unfair fee by the merchant or ATM conversion service. Instead, always choose to pay in the local currency in the country you’re travelling to.
Here are a few things to look for in a credit card with no foreign transaction fee:
True vs effective zero fee: Is the foreign transaction fee truly 0% or is it a rebate that requires a minimum spend or a monthly cap?
Minimum income requirements: Credit cards often have minimum income requirements, which depend on age and nationality - make sure you're eligible for the card you prefer.
Annual fees: Look carefully at the annual fee - some cards allow the fee to be waived if you meet minimum spending requirements.
Rewards: Cards often have either reward points you can earn or cash back on spending. If your card earns rewards, like Link Points, make sure you’ll be able to use that specific reward type before you sign up.
Other perks and benefits: Finally, watch out for extras like welcome promotions, free travel insurance, and airport lounge access.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fee in Singapore - we've got a bit more information on each right after the table:
| Card | Effective FX fee | ATM Withdrawal fee | Overseas reward | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Cashback Credit Card¹ | 0% foreign transaction fee – network rates | No cash advance fee |
| No annual fee |
| Trust Link Credit Card² | 0% foreign transaction fee – network rates | No cash advance fee | Up to 21% in Link Points when you spend | No annual fee |
| GXS Flexi Card³ | 0% foreign transaction fee – network rates | Not available⁴ | Get instant cashback of up to 3 SGD when you spend 10 SGD or more | 54.50 SGD annual fee |
| UOB EVOL Card⁵ | 0% foreign transaction fee – network rates | 8% of cash advance amount, subject to a minimum fee of 15 SGD⁶ |
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| Mari Credit Card⁷ |
| Not specified |
| No annual fee |
| DBS Livefresh credit card⁹ |
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| 196.20 SGD |
*Details correct at time of research - 17th October 2025
Best for: Customers looking to maximize their returns in one specific category, such as shopping or travel spend
Eligibility criteria: 30,000 SGD income for Singaporeans and PR, or 15,000 SGD if you’re over 55 - 60,000 SGD for all foreign applicants¹¹
Fees: No annual fee, No cash advance fee
Rewards: 1% cashback, 15% on selected category (15% earning capped at 250 SGD/quarter)
Exchange rate used: 0% foreign transaction fee - network rates
Additional perks: Partner discounts with popular providers and services like Zig, Deliveroo, and Agoda
Best for: NTUC Union Members who want to earn high Link Points to exchange as credit or for rewards
Eligibility criteria: NTUC Union Members only - standard Trust criteria apply, which may mean you need 30,000 SGD income for Singaporeans and PR, or 15,000 SGD if you’re over 55 ¹²
Fees: No annual fee, No cash advance fee
Rewards: Up to 21% in Link Points when you spend
Exchange rate used: 0% foreign transaction fee - network rates
Additional perks: Combined credit and debit card
Best for: People who want the choice of paying back in full or rolling payment forward for a low fee of 5 SGD
Eligibility criteria: Singaporeans and PR, 21 - 55 years old
Fees: 54.50 SGD annual fee, 5 SGD monthly fee if you do not repay in full
Rewards: Generate instant cashback when you spend 10 SGD or more
Exchange rate used: 0% foreign transaction fee - network rates
Additional perks: No interest to pay if you repay your bill monthly, or split your payments for a 5 SGD monthly fee
Best for: People travelling often, looking for up to 10% cashback on mobile contactless spend in Malaysia
Eligibility criteria: 30,000 SGD income for Singaporeans and PR, or 15,000 SGD if you’re over 55 - 40,000 SGD for all foreign applicants
Fees: 196.20 SGD annual fee - option to waive depending on card use, 8% cash advance fee subject to a minimum fee of 15 SGD
Rewards: 1% overseas cash back, 10% cash back on some spending in Malaysia, and domestically - cash back subject to monthly caps of around 80 SGD
Exchange rate used: 0% foreign transaction fee - network rates
Additional perks: Earn rewards in Malaysia at the same rate as domestically
Best for: People looking to spend on Shopee - 3% Shopee Coins on Shopee spend, plus cashback options on spending with other retailers
Eligibility criteria: 30,000 SGD income for Singaporeans and PR, or 15,000 SGD if you’re over 55 - if you don’t meet this criteria, you may get a card with a 500 SGD limit. Foreigners with select passes may apply¹³
Fees: No annual fee
Rewards: Up to 4.5% Cashback on overseas card spend, 1.7% Cashback on local card spend
Exchange rate used: 3% foreign transaction fee - network rates. Foreign transaction fee offset by overseas cash back
Additional perks: Great Shopee benefits
Best for: DBS customers who mainly want to spend locally, with the option to get FX fees paid as cash back on some overseas spending
Eligibility criteria: 30,000 SGD income for Singaporeans and PR, or 15,000 SGD if you’re over 55 - 45,000 SGD for all foreign applicants
Fees: 196.20 SGD annual fee, cash advance fee of 0 SGD - 7 SGD depending on bank and location, plus 3.25% foreign transaction fee
Rewards: Cash back on local and international spending at various levels
Exchange rate used: Network rate with 3.25% fee, offset by 3.25% cashback, capped at S$50 per calendar month - select destinations in Asia only
Additional perks: Popular card from a large local bank with a great branch network
👀 If you’re looking for more card options, check out our complete guide to the best credit cards for overseas spending

A no foreign transaction fee credit card can help reduce costs when you spend overseas, especially if you earn rewards or cashback. However, credit cards aren’t always ideal for everything, particularly cash withdrawals, smaller everyday purchases, or spending beyond reward caps.
The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including MYR, JPY, CNY, and USD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up SGD to get started.
Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 8.50 SGD. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD each month, before low fees start.
While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in SGD and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.26%.
Plus, you can activate Wise Interest to earn returns* on your SGD and other currencies, meaning your travel money could be growing right up until you spend it.
*Growth is not guaranteed. Capital at risk.
Getting a no foreign transaction fee credit card can be a good plan if you travel a lot, or if you like to shop online with international retailers. Using your card for spending can help keep down costs as long as you’re careful to choose the best card based on your needs.
Remember to look carefully at eligibility rules before you apply for a no foreign transaction fee card, and also at annual fees. You’ll also want to check if the card really waives all foreign transaction fees, or if it simply offsets the fees with cash back, which may be subject to a cap monthly.
A no foreign transaction fee credit card can also go hand-in-hand with a card like Wise, which is often a good option for overseas cash withdrawals, allowing you to use your credit card for purchases where you can earn rewards.
Sources:
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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