Rewards Updates : DBS First to Accept CPF LIFE Payouts for Credit Card Applications

Source : 

https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/54080317/dbs-first-to-accept-cpf-life-payouts-for-credit-card?level=1&data_ticket=1749470706210211

Apple Intelligence : 

• Financial Inclusion Initiative: DBS becomes the first bank in Singapore to accept CPF LIFE payouts as income for credit card applications.

• Target Audience: The initiative aims to expand access to financial products for retirees and seniors receiving CPF LIFE payouts.

• Application Process: CPF LIFE recipients can apply for entry-level DBS and POSB credit cards using their CPF LIFE Annual Statement, with a simplified application process.

LifeStyle Updates : Can you reinstate expired Citi ThankYou Points?

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/06/10/can-you-reinstate-expired-citi-thankyou-points/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Citi ThankYou Points Expiration: Points earned on the Citi Rewards Card expire 60 months from the card opening date, plus a 3-month grace period.

• Points Reinstatement: Expired points can be reinstated upon appeal.

• Notification Policy: A reminder notification is sent 3 months before points expiration.

• Points Validity: Citi Rewards points are valid for 60 months plus a 3-month grace period.

• Points Expiration Notification: Citi only alerts customers about expiring points in the next three months through e-Statements.

• Points Reinstatement: Citi offers 100% reinstatement of expired points with an additional 3-month validity upon request.

• Point Reinstatement Policy: Citibank offers a one-time goodwill reinstatement of expired points for Citi Rewards Cardholders.

• Reinstatement Validity: The reinstated points are valid for 3 months and expire with the statement cycle date.

• Recommendation: It is advisable to avoid letting points expire and rely on the reinstatement policy.

Rewards Updates : Amaze offering uncapped 2 mpd on dining, hotel and travel spend

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/06/02/amaze-offering-uncapped-2-mpd-on-dining-hotel-and-travel-spend/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Promotion Period: From June 2, 2025 to July 31, 2025.

• Earn Rate: 6 InstaPoints per S$1 (2 mpd) on dining, hotel, and travel spend.

• Eligible Transactions: Wallet-linked Amaze transactions in dining, hotel, and travel categories.

• Eligible Spending: SGD and FCY spend at Fast Food Restaurants, Misc. Food Stores, and Lodging- Hotels, Motels & Resorts.

• InstaPoints Earning Rate: 6 InstaPoints per S$1, including the base rate of 0.5 InstaPoints per S$1.

• Transaction Limitations: Transactions less than S$10 and card-linked transactions do not earn InstaPoints.

• Minimum Spend for KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card: S$800 on Singapore Airlines, Scoot or KrisShop in a membership year.

• Amaze Card for FCY Spend: Offers uncapped 2 mpd on selected FCY spend with minimal spreads and close to mid-market rates for supported currencies on weekdays.

• Alternative Cards for FCY Spend: UOB Visa Signature, DCS Imperium Card, StanChart Beyond Card (PP), StanChart Beyond Card (PB), and Maybank World Mastercard offer 3.2-4 mpd with a 3.25%-3.5% FCY fee.

• Amaze Card Earn Rate: 2 mpd on dining, hotel, and travel with no cap.

• Chocolate Visa Card Earn Rate: 2 mpd on all spend with a S$1,000 per calendar month cap.

• Points Conversion: Amaze Card converts to KrisFlyer miles only, while Chocolate Visa Card converts to 28 airline and hotel loyalty programs.

• InstaPoints to KrisFlyer Miles Conversion: 1,200 InstaPoints can be converted to 400 KrisFlyer miles.

• InstaPoints Spending Recommendation: Spend in blocks of S$200 to avoid orphaned points.

• Amaze Card Promotion: Earn 6 InstaPoints per S$1 on dining, hotel, and travel spend until July 31, 2025.

Rewards Updates : Head-to-head: Citi Rewards Card vs DBS Woman’s World Card

Source : 

https://milelion.com/2025/06/01/head-to-head-citi-rewards-card-vs-dbs-womans-world-card/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Minimum Income Requirement: Citi Rewards Card: S$30K p.a.; DBS Woman’s World Card: S$80K p.a.

• Points Expiry: Citi Rewards Card: Up to 5 years; DBS Woman’s World Card: 1 year.

• Points Pooling: Citi Rewards Card: No; DBS Woman’s World Card: Yes.

• Income Requirement: Citi Rewards Card: S$30,000 p.a.; DBS Woman’s World Card: S$80,000 p.a. (but not strictly enforced).

• Annual Fee: Both cards have an annual fee of S$196.20, waived for the first year.

• Bonus Points: Citi Rewards Card: 4 mpd on online spending, capped at S$1,000 per semi-monthly cycle; DBS Woman’s World Card: 4 mpd on online spending, capped at S$1,500 per calendar month.

• Online Spending Reward: Both cards offer 4 mpd on online spending with no minimum spend.

• Citi Rewards Card Restrictions: No 4 mpd on travel-related transactions and in-app or online mobile wallet payments.

• DBS Woman’s World Card Advantages: No restrictions on earning 4 mpd and a higher monthly cap of S$1,500.

• Earn Rate: 4 mpd on department stores, bags, shoes and clothes, capped at S$1,000 per statement month.

• MCC Coverage: Department stores, men’s and boy’s clothing and accessories stores, women’s ready to wear stores, women’s accessory and specialty stores, children’s and infant’s wear stores, family clothing stores, sports and riding apparel stores, shoe stores, men’s and women’s clothing stores, misc. apparel and accessory shops, and luggage and leather goods stores.

• Points Expiry: Points are valid for up to five years.

• Points Pooling: Citi does not pool points across cards, while DBS allows pooling points from all DBS cards.

• Transfer Partners: Citi Rewards Card has 11 transfer partners, while DBS Woman’s World Card has 4.

• Conversion Cost: Both cards charge a S$27.25 admin fee for points transfers.

• Points Posting Time: Citi Rewards Card awards base and bonus points at the time of transaction posting, while DBS Woman’s World Card awards base points at transaction posting and bonus points the following month.

• Amaze Pairing: Citi Rewards Card can be paired with Amaze for earning 4 mpd on almost all transactions, while DBS Woman’s World Card cannot be paired with Amaze.

• Card Comparison: Citi Rewards Card has advantages like 11 transfer partners, points valid for 5 years, and Amaze pairing, while DBS Woman’s World Card has advantages like higher monthly bonus cap and points pooling with other DBS cards.

• Citi Rewards Card Advantages: More transfer partners, longer points validity, and compatibility with Amaze.

• DBS Woman’s World Card Advantages: Higher monthly cap, fewer bonus restrictions, and pooled points across DBS cards.

• Recommendation: Citi Rewards Card for those who value flexibility and DBS Woman’s World Card for those who want simplicity.

Rewards Updates : Nerfed: Mari Savings Account Drops Rate to 1.88% From 16th June 2025

Source : 

https://sethisfy.com/nerfed-mari-savings-account-drops-rate-to-1-88-from-16th-june-2025/

Apple Intelligence : 

• Interest Rate Reduction: Mari Savings Account interest rate will drop from 2.28% p.a. to 1.88% p.a. from 16th June 2025.

• Promotion: Earn up to 3.68% p.a. when signing up with promo code 5HCT18VM from 1st April to 31st May 2025.

• Competitor Rates: Other digital banks like GXS Bank and Trust Bank have also reduced their interest rates.

• Investment Option: Short-term investment grade bond funds.

• Reason for Consideration: Bank interest rates falling, potentially attracting yield-hungry investors.

• Risk Level: Higher than normal savings accounts, but lower than long-term investments.

Rewards Updates : Hot Deal: Get up to 4.5% Cashback on Overseas Spend + Welcome Cashback With Mari Credit Card!

Source:

https://sethisfy.com/hot-deal-get-up-to-4-5-cashback-on-overseas-spend-welcome-cashback-with-mari-credit-card/

Apple Intelligence:

• Overseas Spend Cashback: Up to 4.5% cashback on foreign currency transactions from 1st March to 30th June 2025.

• Eligibility Criteria: Cardholders can earn an additional 1.00% to 1.50% bonus cashback depending on the total eligible overseas spend per month.

• Competitive Advantage: Offers higher cashback compared to cards with 0 forex fees, making it a good choice for travelers seeking rewards.

• Cashback Rate: 1.7% cashback on local spend, 3% Shopee Coins on Shopee spend, and up to 4.5% cashback on foreign currency transactions.

• Welcome Bonus: S$30 bonus cashback for new cardholders who spend S$300 on eligible transactions within the first 30 days.

• Additional Benefits: Unlimited 3% Shopee Coins on Shopee spend and no foreign transaction fees.

Rewards Updates : Big Nerf: Instarem Amaze to Charge 1% Fee on Local Transactions, Removes Cashback From 10th March 2025

Source:

https://sethisfy.com/big-nerf-instarem-amaze-to-charge-1-fee-on-local-transactions-removes-cashback-from-10th-march-2025/

Apple Intelligence:

• Transaction Fee Change: Starting March 10, 2025, Instarem Amaze will charge a 1% fee on all local transactions made with a linked card.

• Cashback Removal: Cashback will no longer be available as a redeemable option starting March 10, 2025.

• InstaPoints Conversion: Instarem will introduce the ability to convert InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles.

• Transaction Fee Change: A minimum fee of S$0.50 per transaction will be implemented, impacting transactions under S$50.

• Impact on Citi Rewards: The new fee structure makes the Citi Rewards and amaze pairing less attractive due to the higher effective fee.

• KrisFlyer Miles Redemption: Instarem will offer a 1,200:400 ratio for converting InstaPoints to KrisFlyer miles, which is a poor value compared to the cashback option.

• InstaPoints Redemption Change: InstaPoints can be redeemed for SGD, with 1,200 InstaPoints for 400 KrisFlyer miles.

• Transaction Fee Change: 1% fee for local transactions above S$1,000, no fee for overseas transactions.

• Wallet Limit Increase: Amaze wallet limit increased to S$15,000 with a higher annual transaction limit of S$75,000.

• Transaction Fee Change: 1% MCC fee on e-wallet top-ups and transit payments removed, replaced by a 1% fee on all local transactions.

• Citi Rewards Usage Change: Instarem prioritizes wallet-linked transactions over card-linked ones, making Citi Rewards less useful for offline purchases.

• Impact on Citi Rewards Users: Using Citi Rewards for offline purchases under S$50 becomes unviable due to the minimum transaction fee, impacting users who relied on amaze for offline Citi Rewards usage.

LifeStyle Updates : Citi Rewards Credit Card + Amaze Combo

Image Source:

https://milelion.com/2024/01/25/the-blip-amaze-x-citi-rewards-bonus-points-now-posting/

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:

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.