Invitation-only credit cards in Singapore

If you’re lucky enough to get a credit card by invitation only, you can expect bespoke service and a wide range of cardholder perks. Invitation-only cards have features and eligibility criteria that differ from standard credit cards.

Read on to find out how invitation-only credit cards work in Singapore.

Compare invitation-only credit cards

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More invitation-only credit cards

American Express Centurion Card

• Initiation fee: S$10,000
• Annual membership fee: S$5,000

• Eligibility: With this black card, those who spend (and pay off) at least S$250,000-S$350,000 per year across all of their American Express Credit Cards may be invited to become Centurion cardholders. It’s strictly invitation-only, or you could try banking with one of the private banking partners of American Express Centurion as another potential route to signing up.

Citi ULTIMA Visa Infinite Card

• Annual fee: S$4,160.16 (inclusive of GST).

• Eligibility: Typically, S$5 million in assets under management with Citibank.

DBS Insignia Card

• Annual fee: S$3,000 (before GST)

• Earn rate: 1.6 miles for local purchases and 2 miles for overseas purchases.

• Eligibility: S$500,000 annual income or S$3 million worth of assets under management with DBS.

UOB Reserve Card

• Annual fee: $3,852

• Earn rate: 1.6 miles for local purchases and 2 miles for overseas purchases

• Eligibility: S$500,000 annual income or S$2 million worth of assets under management with UOB.

OCBC Elite World Card

• Annual fee: $1,605

• Earn rate: Get 1 OCBC$ for every eligible S$1 spent locally, and 3x OCBC$ on eligible overseas spend.

• Eligibility: S$250,000 annual income.

Advantages of invitation-only credit cards

• Global concierge services. You can access a personal concierge when you’re an official cardholder of an invitation-only credit card: these can help you with hotel and restaurant bookings, medical triage services or even gifts during special occasions. Expect 24/7 concierge services that cater to a wide range of whims and needs.
• Extra airline miles. These invitation-only credit cards allow you to accumulate miles with every dollar spent. The numbers vary according to the provider and card. Plus, you can expect to take advantage of further benefits. These may include complimentary upgrades, unlimited lounge access, bonus ‘welcome’ miles and even the chance to move to elite status with some airlines.
• Exclusive gifts. These high-end offerings may include the chance for private yacht charters, free concert tickets, tables at the world’s finest restaurants, subscriptions to luxury magazines, and lots more.

Drawbacks of invitation-only credit cards

• The cost that comes with these cards is the biggest drawback. Annual fees can range from approximately S$2,000 to S$5,000.
• There is a very high minimum spend requirement and high minimum income criteria you’ll need to meet.

How to apply

If you don’t receive an invitation in the mail, you’re most probably not eligible for these cards and you may want to explore your other credit card options.

Banks that offer credit cards by invitation only keep a close eye on potential candidates by looking at their credit card history, income and other details.

If you do get an invitation, here are the details you may need to provide to support your application:

• Copy of your NRIC (front and back)
• Income statement:

• Self-employed: Copy of latest income tax notice of assessment (at least two years in business)
• Salaried: CPF contribution history statement or computerised month’s payslip or income tax notice and last month’s computerised payslip
• Commission-earner: Latest three months’ payslip, and your:

• Latest income tax notice of assessment or
• Latest six months’ CPF contribution history statement or
• Latest three months’ payslip or copy of latest income tax notice of assessment

Frequently asked questions

What’s the credit limit on invitation-only cards?

The credit limit on these types of cards is typically high. With some cards, there’s no pre-set spending limit. As with any other credit card, you’ll need to pay back anything you borrow – plus interest – so it’s important to manage your credit limit with care.

Where can I find more information on other credit cards?

You can compare a range of credit cards from different banks and providers in Singapore to find a card that best suits your lifestyle and the way you like to spend.

Which credit cards can I choose from to get free or discounted flights?

We’ve compiled a list of credit cards that allow you to accumulate miles for every dollar you spend. View our frequent flyer credit card comparison to learn more.