Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card Review (2025): Pros, Cons & Eligibility

The Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card has undergone significant changes for 2025, shifting from a no-fee, no-minimum-spend card to a tiered cashback product with new fees and expanded perks. Here’s an up-to-date, evidence-based review of its features, rewards, and eligibility.

Key Features at a Glance

• Up to 10% cashback (as 360° Rewards Points) on select categories: dining, streaming, public transport, and EV charging, based on monthly spend tiers.
  
  
• Cashback is awarded as points: 3,200 points = S$10 statement credit, redeemable via the 360° Rewards portal.
  
  
• No cap on rewards: From December 2024, there’s no monthly cap on points earned in bonus categories.
  
  
• 0% interest instalment plans: Split payments with no service fee (note: a one-time processing fee applies for 3-month conversions from 8 Dec 2024).
  
  
• Complimentary travel insurance (up to S$500,000) when full fare is charged to the card (ends 31 Dec 2024); SmartDelay airport lounge access for flight delays from 15 Jan 2025.
  
  
• Annual fee: S$99.19 (waived first year or with S$10,000 annual spend; stricter waivers possible).
  
  
• No cash advance fee (interest applies if not repaid by next cycle).
  
  
• Supplementary cards: Up to 4 free for life.
  
  

Cashback Structure (Effective 6 Dec 2024)

Pros

• High Cashback Rates: Up to 10% on select everyday categories if you spend S$1,500/month; 8% at S$800/month.
  
  
• No Rewards Cap: Unlimited points earning on bonus categories from Dec 2024. This is amazing if you spend a lot!
  
  
• Flexible Redemption: Points redeemable for statement credits (3,200 points = S$10).
  
  
• 0% Instalment Plans: Interest-free instalments with no service fee (except for 3-month conversions from Dec 2024).
  
  
• Travel Perks: Complimentary travel insurance (until 31 Dec 2024) and SmartDelay lounge access for delayed flights (from 15 Jan 2025).
  
  
• No Cash Advance Fee: Withdraw cash without a fee (interest applies if not repaid).
  
  
• Free Supplementary Cards: Up to 4 supplementary cards at no extra cost.
  
  

Cons

• Minimum Spend Required: Must spend S$800 or S$1,500/month to unlock 8% or 10% cashback; otherwise, only 0.5%–1% earned. (This may be quite a big con for some!)
  
  
• Bonus Categories Only: High cashback applies only to dining, streaming, public transport, and EV charging; all other spend earns just 0.5%–1%.
  
  
• Annual Fee: S$99.19/year from the second year (waived with S$10,000 annual spend, but waivers may be stricter).
  
  
• Cashback as Points: Not instant; must be redeemed in blocks (3,200 points for S$10).
  
  
• Narrower Appeal: Best suited for those who spend heavily in the specified categories and can consistently meet the minimum spend.
  
  
• Travel Insurance Ending: Complimentary travel insurance ceases after 31 Dec 2024.
  
  

Eligibility Criteria (2025)

Should You Get the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card?

Ideal for you if:

• You spend regularly on dining, streaming, public transport, or EV charging. Like REGULARLY…
  
  
• You can consistently meet the minimum spend for higher cashback tiers.
  
  
• You value perks like SmartDelay airport lounge access and (until end-2024) complimentary travel insurance.
  
  

Not ideal if:

• Your spending is more varied or you can’t reliably hit the minimum spend.
  
  
• You want instant cashback rather than points redemption.
  
  
• You want high rewards on a broader range of categories or a lower annual fee.
  
  

Summary Table: Pros & Cons

TLDR Verdict: Review your typical monthly spending to see if you’ll benefit from the higher cashback tiers, and consider whether the annual fee is justified by your rewards. If your spending is more diversified or doesn’t meet the minimum, other cashback cards may offer better value! This card seems best fit for a narrow audience of high spenders in specific categories.

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