The OCBC 90°N Card has established its presence in Singapore’s competitive credit card market, offering unique features that cater to frequent travelers and those who prefer accumulating miles. As a travel-focused card, it exhibits versatility in rewards redemptions and various privileges. Its most notable feature includes the LED light that activates on contactless payments, adding a distinctive aesthetic touch to the user experience.
In evaluating the OCBC 90°N Card, we assess the card’s performance in key areas such as earn rates, fees, and additional benefits. Cardholders can expect no minimum spend and no caps on Travel$ earned, which link to rebates and airline miles. As of 2024, the card offers features such as Travel$ with no expiration, and attractive conversion rates to loyalty programs, making it a formidable option among premium miles cards.
Key Takeaways
- Earn rates and rewards do not impose a minimum spend or caps, delivering straightforward value to users.
- The card’s LED feature on contactless payments offers a unique visual element that distinguishes it from other cards.
- Comparisons with other miles cards highlight the OCBC 90°N Card’s competitive edge in the luxury travel segment.
Overview of OCBC 90°N Card
The OCBC 90°N Card is a travel credit card designed to cater to the needs of travelers. Issued by Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) in Singapore, it is available on both the Mastercard and Visa networks, providing flexibility and convenience.
Our analysis of the card’s benefits reveals a competitive offering for miles accumulation:
- General Spend: Earn miles on every dollar spent, locally and overseas.
- Bonus Miles: Obtain higher miles per dollar on specific categories such as travel bookings through select platforms.
- Rewards Validity: The miles earned with the OCBC 90°N Card do not expire, allowing for long-term accumulation.
The card structure is as follows:
| Spend Category | Miles Earned (per S$1) |
|---|---|
| Local Spend | 1.3 mpd |
| Overseas Spend | 2.1 mpd |
| Online Travel | Up to 7 mpd |
While both the Mastercard and Visa versions of the OCBC 90°N Card now share similar base earn rates, their bonus earn rates may differ, underscoring the importance of reviewing their terms and conditions for the most appropriate choice based on spending habits.
Prospective cardholders should also note that the OCBC 90°N Card carries an annual fee, providing a standard cost structure for credit cards in Singapore, with strategic use often offsetting this fee through the benefits accrued.
In summary, we find the OCBC 90°N Card presents a robust option for individuals seeking to maximize travel rewards through their credit card spending.
Key Features of the Card
We find the OCBC 90°N Card to be a notable option for travelers and those looking to earn both cashback and miles. It stands out with some distinguished features:
- Network Varieties: Available on both Mastercard and Visa networks, allowing flexibility in usage.
- Miles Earnings: Cardholders earn 1.3 miles per S$1 spent locally and up to 2.1 miles per S$1 on overseas transactions.
- No Expiry on Points: The Travel$ earned do not expire, which provides peace of mind for long-term accumulation.
- LED Light Feature: The card has a unique aesthetic feature where it lights up during contactless payments for the Mastercard version.
In terms of conversion to airline miles:
- Versatile Conversion: Travel$ can be converted to loyalty points at various airline and hotel partner programs.
From a financial perspective:
- Annual Fee: There is an annual fee of S$54.00, which can be offset with a 10,000 Travel$ bonus upon a top-up of S$180.
- Cash Rebates: You can obtain cash rebates up to 2.1% based on your earned Travel$.
- No Minimum Spend: There is no minimum spend requirement to worry about, making it convenient for all levels of spenders.
- Promotions: Regular promotional offers can enhance the value proposition of the card, such as earning up to 7 Miles per S$1 spent on specific bookings.
We focus on presenting these key attributes so you can make an informed decision regarding the OCBC 90°N Card.
Eligibility and Application Process
To apply for the OCBC 90°N Card, we need to meet certain eligibility criteria:
- Age: We must be at least 21 years of age.
- Residency: We should be Singaporean citizens, Permanent Residents, or holders of an E-Pass/S-Pass.
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Income:
- For Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, the minimum annual income requirement is S$30,000.
- For foreigners, this requirement increases to S$45,000.
If our income falls below the S$30,000 threshold, we might still qualify by securing the card with a S$10,000 fixed deposit.
Here is a simplified breakdown of the application process:
- Verification: Ensure we have all necessary documents, such as proof of income and identification.
- Submission: Complete the application form, available on OCBC’s website or at a branch.
- Follow-Up: After submission, we may need to provide additional information or clarify our details.
- Approval: Once our application is reviewed and approved, we’ll receive our card.
It’s important to know that:
- The annual fee is S$196.20, with the first year usually waived.
- A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 9%, effective from 1 January 2024, applies to the annual fee.
For further assistance, contacting OCBC customer service directly will provide us with more detailed information and guidance for our specific situation.
Rewards Redemption and Points System
The OCBC 90°N Card offers a robust points system, allowing us to accrue valuable travel miles with our spending. Here is the breakdown:
- Foreign Currency Spend: We earn 7 90°N Miles for every S$1 spent in foreign currency.
- Local Spend: For every S$1 spent in Singapore dollars, we earn 6 90°N Miles.
Rewards redemption is an integral part of our OCBC 90°N Card experience. The miles we accumulate are directly credited to our account within a stipulated timeframe, usually within two months after our travel or hotel stay is completed.
To provide us with a clearer overview, the following table illustrates the points system:
| Spend Category | Miles Earned per S$1 |
|---|---|
| Foreign Transactions | 7 |
| Local Transactions | 6 |
The 90°N Miles we earn can be redeemed for various travel-related expenses, and we have the option to convert these miles to airline frequent flyer programs. It is essential to note that the redemption process requires logging into our account and, where applicable, submitting claims using unique redemption codes provided by OCBC.
It’s also worth mentioning that the card offers both cashback and miles, which provides us with the flexibility to choose how we would like to redeem the points based on our preferences and spending habits. This versatility in redemption makes the OCBC 90°N Card a competitive option for travelers who value a mix of rewards.
Card Fees and Charges
When we consider the fees and charges associated with the OCBC 90°N Card, we provide you with a concise overview to ensure you have all the necessary information.
Annual Fee:
- Principal Card: S$54 (waived for the first year)
- Supplementary Card: No annual fee (waived for the first year)
For those who wish to accumulate more miles, an upgrade option is available. By paying an additional S$1,080, cardholders receive 50,000 miles, credited as 90°N Miles.
Foreign Transaction Fees:
- A charge of 2.8% applies to foreign currency transactions, which encompasses the conversion charge and administrative fee.
Late Payment Fees:
- Failing to make the payment on time incurs a fee, usually about S$100, depending on the outstanding balance.
Cash Advance Fees:
- Each cash advance transaction is subject to a 6% fee or S$15, whichever is higher.
Interest Rates:
- The annual interest rate for purchases ranks at 25.92%, which users should be mindful of to avoid incurring hefty charges.
We also advise our readers to always check the most current fees and charges with OCBC directly as these can be subject to change.
Cardholder Benefits and Privileges
As holders of the OCBC 90°N Card, we gain access to a variety of benefits geared towards maximizing our rewards. Here’s a succinct overview of what we can enjoy:
- Enhanced Mileage Earn Rate: We can earn up to 7 miles per S$1 spent on select hotel bookings, ensuring a faster accrual of miles for our travel needs.
- Diverse Spending Rewards: Whether spending in foreign currency or Singapore dollars, the card rewards us generously. For overseas expenses, we earn 7 90°N Miles for each S$1, while for local spendings we receive 6 90°N Miles per S$1.
Below is the earnings breakdown:
| Spend Category | Miles Earned per S$1 (Foreign Currency) | Miles Earned per S$1 (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Agoda Hotel Bookings | Up to 7 miles | – |
| Overseas Spend | 7 miles | – |
| Local Spend | – | 6 miles |
| Other Payments* | – | Up to 1.3 miles |
*Including non-rewarding bills like income taxes, insurance, school fees, etc.
- Travel Benefits: We can convert our Travel$ into loyalty points with 9 airline and hotel partner programmes without worrying about expiration. Additionally, getting up to 2.1% cash rebates from Travel$ is possible for us, adding more value.
- Innovative Design: The 90°N MasterCard comes with an LED light feature, illuminating during contactless payments, combining convenience with a touch of tech-savvy elegance.
With these privileges, we ensure that every expense not only contributes to our next trip but also provides tangible, immediate rewards.
Comparisons with Other Cards
When assessing the OCBC 90°N Card, we must consider how it stacks up against its peers. Let’s compare it with two other popular air miles credit cards in Singapore: the DBS Altitude Card and the Citi PremierMiles Card.
- Earning Rate: The OCBC 90°N Card offers competitive miles earn rate with up to 7 miles per S$1 spent on eligible Agoda hotel bookings. In contrast, the DBS Altitude Card typically provides 3 miles per S$1 spent on online flight and hotel transactions, while the Citi PremierMiles Card offers 2 miles for every S$1 spent overseas. Feature OCBC 90°N DBS Altitude Citi PremierMiles Agoda Booking Miles Up to 7mpd 3mpd N/A Overseas Spend Miles 2.1mpd 2mpd 2mpd Local Spend Miles 1.3mpd 1.2mpd 1.2mpd Bonus Miles Crediting Within 2 months N/A N/A
- Miles Expiry: One of the key advantages of the OCBC 90°N Card is that the miles do not expire, a feature shared with the Citi PremierMiles Card. However, DBS Altitude miles expire after a certain period if not redeemed.
- Annual Fee: We observe that all these cards come with an annual fee, but they may offer waivers or bonus miles to offset the cost. It’s critical to consider the net value based on your spending habits.
In our analysis, the OCBC 90°N Card emerges as particularly rewarding for those with significant foreign currency spend and hotel bookings through Agoda, while the other cards may appeal to individuals with different spending patterns. Always ensure to evaluate how the benefits align with your expenses before deciding.
Customer Service and Support
For holders of the OCBC 90°N Card, we have organized a thorough and responsive customer service system. Our aim is to provide top-tier support to all of our cardmembers.
Contact Methods:
- Hotline: Call us at 1800 363 3333 whenever you require immediate assistance.
- Mobile App: Card replacement requests can be submitted via the OCBC Mobile Banking app from 6am to 9pm Singapore time, every day except for Sundays and public holidays.
- In Person: Visit any OCBC branch for face-to-face assistance with any issues or concerns.
To note, for FRANK debit & credit card replacements, service is not available on Sundays and Public Holidays.
For non-urgent matters, such as seeking more in-depth information about OCBC 90°N Card benefits or resolving less immediate issues, we recommend using:
- Email: For less time-sensitive inquiries
- Online Chatbots: Accessible through our website and app for common queries
Response Time: Our customer service team strives to assist you as swiftly as possible. Here’s what you can typically expect:
- Phone queries: Immediate assistance during working hours
- Emails and App Inquiries: Usually responded to within one business day
Feedback: We value customer feedback and use it to continually improve our service. If you have suggestions or feedback, we invite you to contact us through any of the methods listed above.
At OCBC, we are committed to providing you with reliable support to ensure your experiences with our OCBC 90°N Card are seamless and beneficial.
Final Verdict
In analyzing the OCBC 90°N Card, we recognize its strengths in several key areas. Its appeal lies in the competitive earn rates for overseas spending, which stand out as particularly advantageous for frequent travelers.
Key Positive Features:
- Competitive Rates: For those spending in foreign currencies, the earn rates are strong at 2.1 miles per dollar, scaling up to a potential 7 miles per dollar with select booking partners.
- Flexibility: The card comes without a minimum spend requirement, ensuring that users benefit from every expense, regardless of their budget.
- Unlimited Earning Potential: There is no cap on the number of miles one can accumulate each month, which is great for heavy spenders.
- Perks on Local Spend: We note that there are improved earn rates for local spending, useful for those who also spend significantly within Singapore.
- No Expiry of Miles: Miles, referred to as Travel$, do not expire, adding to the card’s flexibility for long-term planning.
| Spend Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Overseas spend | 2.1 miles/dollar |
| Selected bookings | Up to 7 miles/dollar |
| Local spend | Improved rates |
There are also unique features such as the LED light that activates with contactless payments, which adds a novel touch, though it may not directly influence the card’s value.
We consider the OCBC 90°N Card to be a strong contender in the entry-level miles category, well-suited for individuals who prioritize travel and wish to earn miles from their day-to-day spending efficiently.