Miles vs Cashback

Best Credit Cards in Your 30s

By your 30s, spending and income usually grow and travel becomes a bigger feature. A two-card setup — everyday cashback plus a travel miles card — tends to give the best of both.

  1. 1
    Miles

    Why it fits: Flexible, non-expiring miles for the travel half of your spending.

    Annual fee S$196.20 · Min income S$30,000

    Pros

    • +Citi Miles never expire, so no rush to redeem
    • +~2.2 mpd on foreign spend, good for travel
    • +Wide transfer-partner list for flexible redemptions
    • +Lounge access; first-year fee waived

    Cons

    • −S$196.20 annual fee from year two onward
    • −Low ~1.2 mpd on local spend
    • −Not especially beginner-friendly
    Full breakdownOfficial site →
  2. 2
    Cashback

    Why it fits: High everyday cashback for consistent monthly spenders.

    Annual fee S$196.20 · Min income S$30,000

    Pros

    • +Up to 20% cashback on dining, groceries, transport, online
    • +~10% cashback on the ongoing standard tier
    • +Visa-based, so wide acceptance in SG and overseas
    • +First-year annual fee waived

    Cons

    • −Annual fee S$196.20 from year two onwards
    • −Top rates need consistent minimum quarterly spend, not flat
    • −Headline 20% is spend-tiered + partly a new-customer boost
    Full breakdownOfficial site →
  3. 3
    Cashback

    Why it fits: Broad cashback across dining, groceries and bills.

    Annual fee S$196.20 · Min income S$30,000

    Pros

    • +Strong everyday cashback: 5% dining/food delivery, 3% groceries
    • +Up to 6% cashback on petrol
    • +Annual fee waived first 2 years, then on S$10k yearly spend
    • +Cashback covers food delivery, not only dine-in

    Cons

    • −Needs roughly S$800/mo spend to earn bonus cashback
    • −Monthly cashback cap limits how much you can earn
    • −S$196.20 annual fee if yearly spend stays under S$10k
    Full breakdownOfficial site →

Frequently asked questions

What's a good two-card combo in your 30s?
A cashback card for everyday categories plus a miles card aimed at travel and foreign-currency spend. Keep it simple enough to manage and always pay in full.
Is it worth paying an annual fee in your 30s?
Only if the miles and perks you genuinely use exceed the fee. Many cards waive the first year or on minimum spend — do the maths for your spending.
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