How to get credit card with low credit score

Finding a great credit card without having credit history can be challenging. In many cases, however, lack of credit history can be waived for cards with low S$500 credit limits, or with a fixed deposit as collateral. Based on these features, our credit card experts identified and compared some of the best credit cards for no credit history below.

Best Credit Cards for No Credit HistoryCard FeaturesWaiver w/ Fixed DepositHSBC Revolution2 miles per S$1 on dining, entertainment & online
CIMB Plat MC10% rebate on medical, transport & diningS$500 Credit LimitCIMB AWSM1% rebate on dining, entertainment, online & telcoSC Manhattan S$5000.25% rebate on all spend

  • Credit Waiver w/ Fixed DepositHSBC Rev, CIMB Plat MC

  • S$500 Credit LimitCIMB AWSM, SC Manhattan S$500

Best Cards for Credit Waivers with Fixed Deposit Payment

Some credit cards waive lack of credit history when you pay a fixed deposit as collateral. If you can afford the payment, you can access cards with much higher rewards rates.

Best Miles for Social & Online Spend: HSBC Revolution Card

How to get credit card with low credit score

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How to get credit card with low credit score

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Consider this if you spend mostly on shopping, dining and entertainment

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  • Pros
    • Great rewards on local dining and entertainment
    • Online shopping perks
    • No-fee card
  • Cons
    • Lacks rewards for frequent travellers who spend large amounts overseas
    • Not suitable for low budgets

Promotions:

    HSBC Revolution Card is a great, affordable option as a first credit card, as long as you’re willing to pay a fixed deposit. Those willing (and able) to pay S$10,000 as collateral can receive a waiver for lack of credit history. This waiver is later returned, but will not earn interest in the meantime.

    Returning to rewards, HSBC Revolution Card is by far the best on the market for local social & online spenders. Cardholders earn 2 miles per S$1 on local dining & entertainment, as well as for online spend (including travel bookings and bill pay). There’s no minimum spend requirement and no rewards cap, so earning is fairly easy and straightforward. In addition, the S$160.5 fee is waived with S$12,500 annual spend, making the card quite affordable. Overall, if you don’t have credit history but can afford to pay a fixed deposit, HSBC Revolution Card offers the best way to earn miles.

    Read Our Full Review

    Overview of Card Details

    • Annual fee: S$160.5, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$12,500 annual spend
    • 2 miles per S$1 spend on local dining & entertainment, online spend (unlimited)
    • Online rate includes travel bookings, recurring bills & transit payments
    • No minimum spend requirement
    • Up to 20.2% fuel savings with Caltex, 14% with Shell

    Overview of Card Details

    • Annual fee: S$160.5, 2-year waiver, subsequently with S$12,500 annual spend
    • 2 miles per S$1 spend on local dining & entertainment, online spend (unlimited)
    • Online rate includes travel bookings, recurring bills & transit payments
    • No minimum spend requirement
    • Up to 20.2% fuel savings with Caltex, 14% with Shell

    Best No-Fee Cashback for Medical, Transport & Dining: CIMB Platinum MasterCard

    How to get credit card with low credit score

    Consider this if you want a specialised rebate credit card for health, transport and dining

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    • Pros
      • Awards cashback for global transport
      • Cashback for medical expenses and travel spend in foreign currency
      • No annual fee credit card
    • Cons
      • Doesn't award cashback on everyday essentials
      • No cashback on online spend

    Promotions:

      If you can afford to pay a S$10,000 fixed deposit as a credit waiver (returned later), CIMB Platinum MasterCard is an excellent choice for a first-time credit card. Cardholders earn at top market rates of 10% cashback on a variety of categories, including medical, transport & petrol, dining, travel spend in foreign currency and transactions with select electronics & furnishings vendors. While there’s an S$800 minimum spend requirement, cardholders can earn up to an incredible S$100/month–or up to S$1,200/year. Other perks include eCommerce Purchase Protection, and the credit card is free forever.

      Read Our Full Review

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • 10% cashback on medical, transport & petrol, dining, overseas travel & select electronics/furnishings vendors
      • CIMB 0% Interest i.Pay Instalment Plan

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • 10% cashback on medical, transport & petrol, dining, overseas travel & select electronics/furnishings vendors
      • CIMB 0% Interest i.Pay Instalment Plan

      Best Cards with S$500 Credit Limits for those with No Credit History

      Many credit cards with S$500 credit limits waive, or do not require, established credit history. The following cards are great options available to young working adults.

      Best Cash Back Card for No Credit History: CIMB AWSM Card

      How to get credit card with low credit score

      Consider this if you earn S$18,000 and S$30,000 per year and are below the age of 35

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      • Pros
        • Students, NSFs & low-income consumers earning less than S$30,000/year
        • People with high spend on dining, entertainment, online shopping & telco
        • Individuals interested in discounts & deals in Indonesia and Malaysia
      • Cons
        • Individuals who earn more than S$30,000/year
        • People who tend to eat in, and prefer to shop offline
        • Young adults looking for cashback on their utilities spend

      If you’re looking for your first credit card, you should definitely consider CIMB AWSM Card. In order to qualify, you must either be a student or a salaried employee earning at least S$18,000, if younger than 35 years old. This is fairly reasonable for most first-timers with no credit history. Cardholders earn 1% rebate on dining, entertainment, online & telco with no minimum spend and no cap on earnings. This rate is great because it covers key spend categories for many young adults, and is also 4x the rebate offered by some alternatives.

      You may also be interested in CIMB AWSM Card for its convenience, affordability and perks. Cardholders can ‘tap & go’ to pay for bus and train rides. They also have access to exclusive MasterCard privileges and CIMB Deals & Discounts, which offer specials throughout SE Asia. Finally, CIMB AWSM Card is free forever. If you have no credit history and want a starter credit card, there’s no better option.

      Read Our Full Review

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • Accessible to working adults earning up to S$30,000/year
      • 1% unlimited cashback on dining, entertainment, online shopping & telco
      • No minimum spend requirement
      • S$500 credit limit
      • Access to CIMB Deals & Discounts

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • Accessible to working adults earning up to S$30,000/year
      • 1% unlimited cashback on dining, entertainment, online shopping & telco
      • No minimum spend requirement
      • S$500 credit limit
      • Access to CIMB Deals & Discounts

      Best Flat Rebate Card for No Credit History: Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card

      How to get credit card with low credit score

      Consider this if you want an easy-to-use flat rebate card

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      • Pros
        • Low-income young adults earning less than S$30,000/year
        • People looking for a straightforward cashback card
      • Cons
        • Students & NSFs looking to maximise cashback rewards
        • Consumers seeking cards with extra benefits & rebates
        • People who want to avoid card fees altogether

      Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card is worth considering if you don’t have any credit history, and don’t want to pay a big fixed deposit to earn a waiver. Consumers must be students, or low income working adults earning at least S$18,000/year. This is one of the only cards available to employees at this salary level. Cardholders earn 0.25% flat rebate on all spend.

      While this rebate rate is fairly low, SC Manhattan S$500 Card is great for new starters. There are no categories or merchants to track; all spend earns rewards. There’s a S$32.1 annual fee, which is quite low and waived 1 year. Overall, if you want an easy-to-use rebate credit card to build credit, consider SC Manhattan S$500 Card.

      Read Our Full Review

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: S$32.1, 1-year waiver
      • Accessible to working adults earning up to S$18,000/year
      • 0.25% unlimited rebate on all spend, no minimum requirement
      • S$500 credit limit

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: S$32.1, 1-year waiver
      • Accessible to working adults earning up to S$18,000/year
      • 0.25% unlimited rebate on all spend, no minimum requirement
      • S$500 credit limit

      No-Fee Card w/ Credit Waiver & Rebates on Electives: CIMB Visa Signature Card

      PROMO: Qualified customers can get up to S$188^ cashback

      How to get credit card with low credit score

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      Consider this if you want a no-fee credit card for beauty, online fashion & more

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      • Pros
        • Rewards online shopping, groceries and beauty spend
        • Rewards pet spend and cruises
        • No annual fee credit card
      • Cons
        • Lacks discounts on transport & petrol
        • Speciliazed spend
        • Doesn't fit frequent travellers

      CIMB Visa Signature Card is worth considering as a first-time card, though consumers must pay a S$10,000 fixed deposit as a credit waiver (which is returned later). This deposit, however, may very well be worth it–cardholders earn a market-topping 10% cashback on groceries, online shopping, beauty, petcare and cruises, up to S$100/month. It’s worth mentioning that there’s an S$800 minimum requirement, so low spenders may not be a great match. However, cardholders also enjoy great perks–like free travel insurance–and the credit card is free forever.

      Read Our Full Review

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • 10% cashback on groceries, online shopping, beauty, petcare & cruise lines
      • Free travel insurance & global concierge
      • CIMB 0% Interest i.Pay Instalment Plan

      Overview of Card Details

      • Annual fee: Free
      • 10% cashback on groceries, online shopping, beauty, petcare & cruise lines
      • Free travel insurance & global concierge
      • CIMB 0% Interest i.Pay Instalment Plan

      Summary of Best Credit Cards for No Credit History 2023

      Below, we've prepared a summary of our picks for the best credit cards for no credit history in 2023.

      CardBest for...Annual FeeHSBC RevolutionSocial & Online SpendS$160.5 (waiver)

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      CIMB Platinum MasterCardMedical, Transport & DiningS$0.0

      CardBest for...Annual Fee

      Apply Now

      HSBC RevolutionSocial & Online SpendS$160.5 (waiver)CIMB Platinum MasterCardMedical, Transport & DiningS$0.0

      Compare the Best Credit Cards for No Credit History by Dollar Value

      The graph below represents the approximate value-to-consumer (in SGD) of the best credit cards for those with no credit history in Singapore. Dollar values are calculated based on approximate rewards earned with a S$2,000 monthly spend for 2 years. This number varies, however, depending on individual spending habits.

      How to get credit card with low credit score

      Best Credit Cards for No Credit History in Singapore by Estimated 2-Year Dollar Value

      Additional Resources

      • How to Apply for a Credit Card
      • How to Use a Credit Card
      • No Annual Fee Cards v. Fee Cards
      • Understanding Credit Cards' Minimum Spend Requirements
      • Understanding APRs and Interest Rates
      • A Basic Guide to Supplementary Credit Cards
      • Everything to Know About Foreign Transaction Fees

      How to get credit card with low credit score

      Zoryana Melesh

      Zoryana is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, who focuses on evaluating credit cards, savings and fixed deposits in Singapore. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA in International Finance and Economic Policy, both from Columbia University. Prior to joining ValueChampion, Zoryana worked in treasury management consulting.

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      Can you get a credit card if your score is low?

      There are many credit cards specifically designed for people with poor credit. Some of these cards are secured credit cards, but others are standard credit cards that you'll be able to access without having to put down a security deposit.

      What is the lowest credit score for a credit card?

      There is no minimum credit score needed for a credit card. Even borrowers with poor credit (a score of 300) or no credit card at all can qualify for some credit cards. However, options for bad-credit borrowers are limited and usually come with a high annual percentage rate (APR) and fees.

      How can I get a credit card with a score of 500?

      Credit cards you can get with a 500 credit score.
      Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: No credit history. ... .
      Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa: No credit history. ... .
      Discover it Secured: No credit history. ... .
      Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa: No credit history. ... .
      Mission Lane Visa: Bad to fair (300-670).

      Which bank gives credit card easily?

      1. HDFC Bank instant approval credit card. HDFC Bank credit cards are not only 100% secure, but they also provide instant activation and ownership. here, a potential customer is taken to the end-to-end instant digital application page wherein the issuance happens at a single click.