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CIMB AWSM Card Review

Enjoy unlimited 1% cashback on select spend with this low income requirement credit card.

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Zyane Tan
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The CIMB AWSM Card is one of the few credit cards in Singapore that comes with a (comparatively) low age and annual income criteria. Designed for students and NSFs, this card is also an option for those earning less than $30,000 per annum.

With this credit card from CIMB, there’s no annual fee to worry about and, what’s more, you can earn unlimited 1% cashback on select spend categories and access special offers from both CIMB and Mastercard.

Read on to find out what you need to know about the CIMB AWSM Card.

Finder does not currently have access to this credit card provider. Please review the product details, application criteria and terms and conditions on the provider website if you are considering applying for this product.

Benefits of using the CIMB AWSM Card

When you use the CIMB AWSM Card, you get to enjoy these key benefits:

  • Unlimited 1% cashback on select categories. Earn 1% cashback on all your dining, entertainment, online shopping, and telecommunications expenses, with no earn cap or minimum spend.
  • No annual fee. You won’t need to pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
  • Transit ready with SimplyGo. With SimplyGo, you can pay for your transit fare conveniently by tapping your card, mobile or wearable payment (Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay) on the fare gantry.

Features of the CIMB AWSM Card

Here are some features you can take advantage of with this card:

  • CIMB deals & discounts. Access CIMB’s exclusive network across 1,000 dining, retail and lifestyle partners in Malaysia and Indonesia.
  • Exclusive Mastercard privileges. Benefit from a curated list of local and global perks and privileges across travel, culinary, shopping, sports, entertainment, arts and culture for Mastercard cardholders.

    How to apply

    If you would like to apply for the CIMB AWSM card, you can apply by completing an online application form on the card issuer’s website.

    You may choose to have your personal and income details retrieved via MyInfo if you’re a SingPass holder, or manually input your information.

    To ensure that your application runs smoothly, make sure you meet the following eligibility requirements and have the necessary information ready:

    Eligibility criteria

    • Must not be an existing CIMB credit cardmember
    • Earn at least S$18,000 p.a. if you’re a salaried Singaporean or permanent resident; or $30,000 p.a if you’re aged 35 and above
    • No minimum income requirement for student or NSF applicants.
    • Be at least 21 years of age; or between 18 to 29 years old if you’re a student or NSF.
    • Have a good credit rating.

    Required documents

    Frequently asked questions

    Bottom line

    The CIMB AWSM Card offers students, NSFs, and low-income working adults a good opportunity to earn cashback in key categories at a respectable 1% rate. On top of that, it is the only no-annual-fee credit card that is available to salaried employees earning just $18,000 p.a.

    As with all financial products, each comes with its own set of pros and cons, so make sure to compare your options carefully before applying.

    Compare other credit cards in Singapore

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    Citi Prestige Card
    Citi Prestige Card
    Deals and discounts in more than 90 countries. Also, get six complimentary golf games across Asia
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    HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
    HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
    Earn 1 Reward point for every $1 on all spend.
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    Citi Cash Back+ Credit Card
    Citi Cash Back+ Credit Card
    Get up to 14% fuel discounts at Esso and Shell and 1.6% cash back on eligible retail purchases.
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    $0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $194.40 thereafter
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    Receive 10% cash back (up to $300 cash back) on up to $3,000 spend in the first 2 months. T&Cs apply. Valid until 31 March 2023.
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    HSBC Advance Credit Card
    HSBC Advance Credit Card
    Receive up to $200 cashback when minimum spend requirements are met.
    Enjoy up to 3.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend
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    $30,000
    Enjoy up to 3.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend.
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    Citi Cash Back Card
    Citi Cash Back Card
    Get up to 20.88% fuel discounts at Esso and Shell, 6% cashback on dining and 8% cashback on groceries.
    6% cash back on dining, 8% cashback on groceries and petrol transactions. 0.25% cashback on other retail purchases, capped at $80 for all transactions per statement month.
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    American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
    American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
    For every $1 spent, earn 1.2 KrisFlyer miles on local purchases, 2 KrisFlyer miles on overseas spend in June and December, Singapore Airlines and KrisShop and 3.2 KrisFlyer miles on Grab.
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    $340.20
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    Get 20,000 KrisFlyer miles upon annual fee payment and minimum spending of $3,000 within 30 days from card approval. Existing card members will receive 10,000 Krisflyer miles. Also, earn 3,600 KrisFlyer miles based on the $3,000 spend above (based on 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per $1 spent locally). T&Cs apply. Ends 3 April 2023.
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    American Express Platinum Credit Card
    American Express Platinum Credit Card
    Up to 50% off your food bill for unlimited visits at hotels around Singapore
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    Get 30,000 Membership Rewards points upon payment of annual fee and minimum spending of S$3,000 within 30 days from card approval. Existing card members can receive 16,000 Membership Rewards points. Also, receive 3,750 Membership Rewards points from your base earn rate for the $3,000 spent. T&Cs apply. Ends 3 April 2023.
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    American Express True Cashback Card
    American Express True Cashback Card
    Enjoy 1.5% cashback on all purchases with no minimum spend or cap.
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    $30,000
    Apply today and get a 3% cashback bonus when you spend $5,000 in the first six months.
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    Aspire Corporate Card
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    Enjoy exclusive perks and discounts with Aspire's extensive range of partners, redeemable at anytime
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    Volopay Business Credit Card
    Volopay Business Credit Card
    N/A
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