KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Recently, I wanted to apply the takashimaya credit card. But after reading all the details, they don't seem to give too many benefits except during their sale period. I guess I will stick with my POSB everyday card (which I find it really good/beneficial) and Robinsons card since I frequent that place...

How many credit cards do you have???

Citybank Credit Card seems to be pretty good... and I think it's a card that most people would at least have one??? I always see them tie up with most dinning places and seem to be offering rather attractive 'deals'...

I think HSBC card is quite good, usually when I'm about to make my purchase at certain retail shops that I frequent, the sales girls would ask me if I have a HSBC card and it offers x% discount. And I would go like , forgot to apply HSBC card again.

Interestingly, Citibank/UOB seems to be linked to more restaurants/cafes.

We are using Citibank's miles card for most of our purchases as they reward us with the mileage points. The Citibank SMRT card for our train rides, and POSB Everyday card for Carrefour purchases.

I don't believe in paying annual fees and never will do so. I actually have CC with 99%? of the banks so that I can use the relevant card to enjoy discount. I actually have a separate plastic CC holders to hold all the CC and membership cards as I cannot possibly fit all in the wallet.

Despite that, I realised that there are only certain cards that I will use most of the time :
HSBC - When dining at Swenson or Sakae Sushi. They tend to have more discount
Amex Krisflyer - Let me earns mileage for my purchases. They recently gave me membership fee waiver for another yr 8) Also, they offer discount when dining at long beach
Esso Platinum - Good discount when pumping at Esso. Can also be use to earn mileage for SQ
POSB - For SP, Watsons and carrefour
Diners - 0% instalment Road tax payment

In fact for the Taka amex card, I use it so as to get parking redemption. There is no other perks except additional discount during certain time but it's not all the time.

Besides, I also use those in house CC eg. Isetan and the legacy Robinsons card. Just refuse to get converted to the new Robinson OCBC CC.

fo12eal wrote: How many credit cards do you have???

One. Only used it 5x to pay for my sch fees.
Rest of the time, bring dh (and his wallet) along.

Call me old school, while I don't stuff $$ in my pillow casing, I don't feel comfortable using credit cards.

i prefer UOB. it has quite a lot of tie-ups with a lot of vendors, so have a higher chance of hitting a restaurant or shop that offers discounts with the card.

I don't feel comfortable using credit cards.

Generally I feel that one must financially responsible before they use CC. Eg. buy only what you can afford to pay immediately and not in the future. CC is great for convenience and also the extra perks like discount and earning of points that allow you to change something.

Also, it is important for one not to pay only the minimum each month since the interest rate on CC is one of the highest. I've friends who got into trouble with credit rating and couldn't get a bank loan for their HDB as they "misuse" the CC such as paying the minimum and rolling over the balance to following month and it just snowball.

MMM wrote:CC is great for convenience and also the extra perks like discount and earning of points that allow you to change something.
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The discount and points part I agree, but convenience??
I don't find doing the 'paperwork' at the end of each month when the bill comes as convenient - still have to tally the bills, do the repayment etc etc.
Or maybe I have not had the chance of going to swanky restaurants that doesn't accept Nets.

My convenience is not having to ensure that I've enough cash or carry alot of cash. Usually I do not have more than $50 in my wallet. I feel that the more I've, the faster I spend it

For me, Citibank and UOB. I'd apply for a POSB, but I've already got one card more than my original rule (which is one card, period).

My M1 Citibank card always has a nice surprise for me whenever I change mobile phone. Big redemption.

I only recently got a UOB One Card, which is catered to people who don't spend too much monthly. It's got paywave, which is pretty cool. 3 transactions per month and you never have to pay annual fee.

But above all, I think the greatest benefit of having a credit card is that you can stretch your spending. If one arranges the payment cycle appropriately with one's paycheck, it can be very very helpful, both from an expenditure and savings point of view. I think a lot of people still don't realize this.

do you guys giro your cc bill or diligently pay every mth? most of my cards are paid manually rather than giro (sometimes i forget and must call to waive fee etc. very leychey as i'm forgetful). what is your practice in remembering when who to pay?