Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card
Best for Low-Income Young Adults With Disciplined Spending
Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card
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The Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card is a low annual fee cashback card that allows you to earn up to 0.25% on all spend. It is also one of the few cashback cards on the market available to salaried employees with less than S$30,000 annual income. However, this entry-level card doesn’t come with plenty of extra benefits and rebates.
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Key Features
- Earn unlimited 0.25% cashback on all spend, no minimum spend required
- The annual fee of S$32.10 p.a. is waived for the first year
- S$500 credit limit
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Enjoy 0.25% cashback on general spending – no need to worry about the category and merchant restrictions.
- No minimum spend requirement to maximize cash rebates.
- Available for low-income young adults earning less than S$30,000 per year.
- Enjoy an annual fee waiver for the first year.
Cons:
- Students and NSFs looking to enjoy high cash rebates
- Low-income young adults seeking cards with extra benefits
- This cashback credit card is not free of maintenance fees
How to Apply
Eligibility
Students
- Minimum Age: 18 to 32 years old
Working Adults
- Minimum Age: 18 to 32 years old
- Minimum Income: S$18,000 and above
Requirements
Students
- Copy of NRIC/Passport
- Copy of your Student ID (applicants below 21 years old must provide with your parent’s or guardian’s signature)
- Copy of your parent’s or guardian NRIC/Passport
Working Adults
- Copy of NRIC/Passport
- Latest month computerized payslip OR
- Latest 6 months CPF Contribution History Statement OR
- Latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment + latest month computerized payslip/6 months CPF contribution
For self-employed
- Copy of latest income tax notice of assessment (must be in business for a minimum of 2 years)
For commission earner (any one from below)
- Latest 3 months payslip + Latest income tax notice of assessment
- Latest 6 months CPF contribution history statement
- Latest 3 months payslip
- Copy of latest income tax notice of assessment ( For 100% commission earner)
Disclaimer: This information may differ from what you see when you visit other financial service websites or the product’s official site, but Loan Advisor continues to keep every detail updated and accurate. This site may be compensated through third-party advertisers. However, the results of our comparison tools which are not marked as sponsored will always be based on objective analysis.
How Does SC Manhattan Compare With Other Cashback Cards in Singapore?
Credit Card | Cashback / Rewards | Annual Fee | Minimum Spend | Cashback Cap |
0.25% cashback on all spend | S$32.10 | S$0 | N/A | |
1% cashback on everything you buy | S$20 | S$0 | N/A | |
Up to 5% cashback on select merchants
Additional 5% green cashback on selected eco-eateries, retailers, and transport services | S$192.60 | S$0 | S$50 per month | |
UOB EVOL Card | 8% cashback for online shopping and PayWave transactions | No annual fee as long as you make a minimum of 3 transactions every month for 12 consecutive months | S$600 | S$60 per month |
1X reward (0.4 air miles or about 0.4% cashback) per S$1 spent | S$29.96 | S$0 | N/A | |
OCBC Frank Card | 6% cashback for online shopping on all things | S$80 | S$600 | S$75 |
The Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Credit Card may be a good option if you want to enjoy savings or simply want to have a backup card for emergencies. However, it’s not really one of the best cashback cards on the market.
Although this credit card offers 0.25% cashback on all spending with no cap and no minimum spend requirement, it’s relatively low compared to its competitors.
For instance, students and NSFs can earn higher cash rebates with the Maybank eVibes card with its 1% cashback offer on all retail transactions.
Both the Manhattan Card and eVibes Card have a S$500 credit limit. However, despite the higher cash rebate, low-income young adults do not qualify for the eVibes card. That said, they might want to consider the SC Manhattan S$500 card instead.
Our Verdict
Most credit cards in Singapore require applicants to have at least a S$30,000 annual income to qualify. Student credit cards, on the other hand, require that the applicant be an existing tertiary student or be an NSF. That said, the Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card is a good option for low-income young adults.
On top of that, all cardholders earn 0.25% cashback on general spending, making it a straightforward cashback credit card. Plus, they don’t have to worry about meeting minimum spend requirements.
So if you’re looking for a credit card for savings or as an emergency fund when you don’t have enough cash, the SC Manhattan S$500 is a good option.
Final Thoughts
Getting a credit card when you have a low income can be challenging. But with the Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 card, you can enjoy the perks of having a credit card. It does have one of the lowest rewards rates on the market. But with a credit limit of S$500 and a fuss-free 0.25% cash rebate on all retail spending, it’s a good card to take into account.
Key Takeaways:
- SC Manhattan S$500 Card offers 0.25% cashback on general spending – no need to worry about the category and merchant restrictions.
- It is available for low-income young adults earning at least S$18,000.
- It has a relatively low annual fee of S$32.10 which is waived for the first year.
If you need extra cash for unexpected expenses, you may want to consider taking out a personal loan. Easily and conveniently compare the best loan packages at Loan Advisor. It is a one-stop loan comparison site with the latest information about the top licensed moneylenders in Singapore. Request up to three loan quotes today!
FAQs
What Transactions Are Not Eligible For Cashback?
The 0.25% cashback is only applicable for retail spending. The following transactions are not eligible for cashback rewards:
- Payment for annual card fees, late fees, service fees, cheque processing fees, and other miscellaneous fees and charges
- Credit card funds transfer
- Any cash advance
- Any tax refunds credited, as well as tax payments charged to your Manhattan S$500 Card
- Any insurance premiums
- Top-ups or cash value reload expenses to any prepaid cards or prepaid accounts.
The Bank reserves the right to amend any terms and conditions at its sole discretion without notice. For a full list of non-eligible transactions, you can visit here.
Is A Credit Limit of S$500 Enough?
Typically, all student credit cards have a credit limit of S$500. Strictly limiting your monthly spending will help you avoid overspending. That said, cardholders of SC Manhattan S$500 Card must be disciplined in what they choose to spend.
With SC Manhattan S$500 Card, you can check your available credit through Standard Chartered Online Banking:
- Go to “Menu”
- Select “Credit Cards” option
- Go to “Card Summary”
Don’t forget to make timely payments to your Standard Chartered credit card bill to avoid late fees and interest.
Which Credit Card in Singapore Is Best for Low Income?
No one credit card is considered the best on the market. It all depends on your spending and personal banking habits. However, if you are looking for a credit card for low-income young adults, you may want to consider the following cards:
- Standard Chartered Manhattan S$500 Card: Earn 0.25% cashback on all spend and only requires S$18,000 annual income.
- Maybank eVibes Card: Earn 1% cashback on all spending and requires no minimum income. However, it is open only for tertiary students and NSFs.
- DBS LiveFresh Student Card: Earn Up to 5% cashback on select merchants and have no minimum income requirement.
Will My Credit Card Application Be Approved Without Income?
Years ago, MAS mandated that you must have at least a S$30,000 annual income to get a credit card. However, back in 2007, the MAS eased restrictions on credit card requirements. That said, banks can now issue cards with S$500 credit limit and no minimum income requirements.
I Already Have a Manhattan S$500 Card but Now I Earn S$30,000 P.A. Can I Apply for a Regular Card?
Yes, you can apply for a regular card with a higher credit limit. Just make sure that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria and submit all the necessary documents.
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