Best Credit Card for Overseas Spending in Singapore (2026)
Trust Cashback vs MariBank vs UOB EVOL: which 0% FX card actually saves you the most.
The best credit cards for overseas spending in Singapore right now charge 0% foreign currency fees: Trust Cashback, MariBank, and UOB EVOL all waive the standard 2.5-3.5% FX markup that other bank cards charge. MariBank pays the highest overseas cashback at 1.5% (capped at S$1,500/month), but its 0% FX rate is a promotional offer running only until 31 December 2026.
Not financial advice. All figures are for educational reference only. Data verified as at 15 August 2026 unless otherwise noted.
- Trust Cashback, MariBank, and UOB EVOL all charge 0% FX fees on overseas spend — no minimum spend needed on any of them.
- MariBank pays the highest cashback (1.5%) but its 0% FX perk is a promo that may end after 31 Dec 2026. UOB EVOL and Trust are standing policies.
- If you travel a lot and want a non-credit alternative, YouTrip’s 0% FX multi-currency wallet is worth stacking alongside a credit card for larger purchases.
Why FX Fees Matter More Than Miles
Most Singapore bank cards charge a foreign transaction fee of 2.5% to 3.5% on every overseas purchase. That’s on top of whatever exchange rate the card network applies. It sounds small until you actually spend overseas.
Here’s why: on a S$3,000 trip, a 3.25% FX fee costs you S$97.50 before you’ve earned a single mile or dollar of cashback. Miles cards can look attractive with their air mile earn rates, but if the card also charges FX fees, you’re often losing more in currency markup than you gain in miles value.
That’s why 0% FX cards have become the default recommendation for overseas spending. You skip the fee entirely, then stack whatever cashback or miles the card offers on top — instead of the fee eating into your rewards first.
Trust Cashback Credit Card
Trust Bank’s Cashback Card charges 0% FX fees at Visa’s exchange rate, with no minimum spend requirement. That part hasn’t changed. What has changed is the cashback rate on overseas spend.
From 1 March 2026, Trust halved overseas cashback from 1% to 0.5% on eligible foreign currency spend. You still get up to 15% cashback in bonus local categories (like groceries and dining), but that’s for spending in Singapore, not overseas.
There’s a second change to watch: from 1 February 2026, overseas ATM withdrawals on Trust cards now cost 8%, where they used to be free. If you’re withdrawing foreign cash abroad, Trust is no longer the cheap option it once was — use it for card payments, not ATM withdrawals.
You can read our full Trust Bank breakdown for sign-up steps and how the linked debit card compares.
MariBank Credit Card
MariBank, the digital bank backed by Sea Group, launched its credit card in January 2026 and came out swinging on rewards. You get 1.5% unlimited cashback on local spend, plus 1.5% cashback on the first S$1,500 of overseas spend each month, with 0% FX fees.
Here’s the catch: MariBank’s 0% FX rate is explicitly a promotional offer running until 31 December 2026. After that, MariBank may revert to a standard FX schedule. If you’re planning a big trip in early 2027, check the terms again closer to the date — this is the one card on this list where the FX perk isn’t a permanent feature yet.
For now, MariBank’s combination of highest cashback rate and no FX fee makes it the strongest pick for spend up to S$1,500 a month overseas — beyond that cap, the extra spend earns no bonus cashback.
UOB EVOL Card
UOB EVOL is the traditional bank’s answer to the digital-bank cashback cards. It charges 0% FX fees on all overseas foreign currency spend, with no cap and no minimum spend required — a straightforward, standing benefit rather than a limited promo.
On top of the fee waiver, EVOL pays 0.5% cashback on FX spend in China and Europe, and 1% cashback on all other overseas FX spend, running till 31 December 2026. From 1 July 2026, UOB also waived the annual fee entirely, with no minimum spend condition attached.
One quirk to know: a 1% International Processing Fee still applies on transactions billed to you in Singapore dollars but processed overseas — think subscriptions like Spotify or bookings through Airbnb. That’s not the same as the FX fee on genuine foreign currency spend, but it can catch you out if you assume every “overseas” charge is fee-free.
Cost Comparison: Real Numbers on S$3,000 Overseas Spend
Here’s the original calculation: what would each card actually cost or earn you on S$3,000 of overseas spend in a single month, assuming you stay under any monthly cashback cap? We cross-checked these figures against each issuer’s own terms pages, live as at August 2026.
| Card | FX Fee | Overseas Cashback | Net on S$3,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bank card | ~3.25% | 0% | -S$97.50 |
| Trust Cashback | 0% | 0.5% (no cap) | +S$15.00 |
| MariBank | 0% (promo to 31 Dec 2026) | 1.5% (S$1,500 spend cap) | +S$22.50 |
| UOB EVOL | 0% (1% on SGD-billed overseas services) | 0.5-1% (till 31 Dec 2026) | +S$15-30 |
Source: Trust Bank, MariBank, and UOB EVOL terms pages; TKN calculation, August 2026.
The MariBank cashback cap matters here: on S$3,000 of spend, only the first S$1,500 earns the 1.5% bonus. The rest earns whatever MariBank’s base overseas rate is, which is why the effective blended return on higher spend won’t hit 1.5% across the whole amount.
The Multi-Currency Wallet Alternative
Credit cards aren’t your only 0% FX option. YouTrip, a multi-currency e-wallet, also charges 0% foreign transaction fees and applies no exchange rate markup on top — you get the Mastercard wholesale rate directly.
The difference is structural. YouTrip isn’t a credit line, so there’s no cashback stacking and no credit-building benefit. But because you top up in advance, it’s harder to overspend on a trip, and the wholesale FX rate can sometimes beat a card’s rate on the day.
Many Singapore travellers run both: a multi-currency wallet like YouTrip for day-to-day spending abroad, and a 0% FX credit card like MariBank or UOB EVOL for larger purchases where cashback adds up. For a deeper breakdown, see our Trust Card vs YouTrip comparison.
How to Choose the Right Card for You
If your overseas spend is under S$1,500 a month, MariBank’s 1.5% cashback wins outright — just keep an eye on the promo end date in case terms change after 31 December 2026.
If you spend more than that, or want a benefit that isn’t tied to a promotional window, UOB EVOL is the steadier pick. The FX waiver has no cap, no minimum spend, and now no annual fee either.
Trust Cashback still works well for everyday local spend where its category cashback shines, but it’s no longer the standout overseas option since the March 2026 cashback cut and the new 8% overseas ATM fee.
Whichever card you pick, pair it with the Singapore retirement calculator to make sure travel spending isn’t crowding out your longer-term savings goals, and check the Endowus referral code page if you’re also looking to put idle cash to work while you save for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card has 0% foreign transaction fees in Singapore?
Is MariBank's 0% FX fee permanent?
Does Trust Bank still waive overseas ATM fees?
What is the International Processing Fee on UOB EVOL?
Is a multi-currency wallet better than a credit card for travel?
Do these cards charge an annual fee?
This article was researched with the help of AI. While we strive to keep all information accurate and up to date, there may be errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us.



