Image Source:
DeepSeek:
The Citi Rewards + Amaze combo is a popular strategy among credit card users in Singapore to maximize rewards and cashback on their spending. This combination leverages the strengths of two products: the Citi Rewards Credit Card and the Amaze Card. Here's a detailed breakdown of how this combo works and why it's beneficial:
---
1. Citi Rewards Credit Card
The Citi Rewards Credit Card is known for its focus on earning rewards points, particularly for online and contactless spending. Key features include:
- 10X Rewards Points: Earn 10 Citi Miles per SGD 1 spent on online shopping, contactless payments, and selected categories.
- 4 Miles per SGD 1: When converted, 10X rewards points typically translate to 4 miles per SGD 1 spent.
- Cap on Rewards: The 10X rewards are capped at SGD 1,000 per statement month (i.e., you can earn up to 10,000 bonus points per month).
---
2. Amaze Card
The Amaze Card is a multi-currency payment card issued by ICBC Singapore in partnership with Mastercard. It acts as a "bridge" between your credit card and the merchant, allowing you to earn rewards even on spending categories that might not typically qualify for rewards. Key features include:
- Converts Transactions to Online Payments: When you link your Citi Rewards Card to Amaze, all transactions made through Amaze are treated as online transactions. This means you can earn 10X rewards points on spending categories that would otherwise not qualify (e.g., groceries, dining, etc.).
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Amaze offers competitive currency exchange rates and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for overseas spending.
- Seamless Integration: You can link multiple credit cards to Amaze and switch between them as needed.
---
How the Combo Works
By combining the Citi Rewards Card with the Amaze Card, you can unlock the following benefits:
1. Earn 10X Rewards Points on All Spending:
- Since Amaze converts all transactions into online payments, you can earn 10X rewards points on almost any purchase, even at physical stores or non-qualifying categories.
- For example, if you spend SGD 100 on groceries using Amaze linked to your Citi Rewards Card, you'll earn 1,000 Citi Miles (10X rewards).
2. Maximize Rewards Cap:
- The Citi Rewards Card has a monthly cap of SGD 1,000 for 10X rewards. By using Amaze, you can maximize this cap by earning rewards on a wider range of spending categories.
3. Overseas Spending:
- When traveling or making overseas purchases, Amaze eliminates foreign transaction fees and ensures you earn 10X rewards points on all spending.
4. Flexibility:
- You can link multiple credit cards to Amaze and choose which card to use for specific transactions, giving you greater control over your rewards strategy.
---
Example Scenario
- You spend SGD 500 on groceries and SGD 500 on dining in a month.
- Without Amaze: You might earn minimal or no rewards on these categories.
- With Amaze: All SGD 1,000 is treated as online spending, earning you 10,000 Citi Miles (10X rewards).
---
Key Considerations
- Amaze Fees: The Amaze Card itself is free, but you need to ensure you're using it strategically to justify the effort.
- Citi Rewards Cap: Be mindful of the SGD 1,000 monthly cap on 10X rewards. Plan your spending to maximize this limit.
- Exclusions: Some transactions (e.g., insurance, utilities, etc.) may still not qualify for rewards, even with Amaze.
---
Conclusion
The Citi Rewards + Amaze combo is a powerful way to maximize rewards and cashback on your spending. By converting all transactions into online payments, Amaze allows you to earn 10X rewards points on almost any purchase, making it an excellent tool for savvy credit card users. If you frequently spend on categories like groceries, dining, or overseas purchases, this combo can significantly boost your rewards earnings.
Opinion:
This is still the best card rewards combo for 2025 imo.
Recently, Chocolate Finance debit card is interesting too for education, medical, insurance payments, IRAS, etc.
So my strategy as of now:
1. Citibank rewards + amaze
2. Posb everyday for sheng siong, geneco
3. SCB smart card for public transport (Till 31st Mar). Might change to Chocolate.
4. Platform specific if available e.g. Maribank credit card for promotional discounts/points.
5. Chocolate finance for education, medical, insurance, IRAS.
