Selecting the right credit card depends both on spending behaviour & a few key factors. To begin with, nearly all credit cards have annual fees that can limit accessibility or diminish earnings. Travel credit cards tend to have higher annual fees, but some–alongside several rebate cards–offer condition-based fee-waivers. In these cases, a consumer can avoid paying the annual fee if they achieve a minimum spend by the end of the year (ie, waiver granted with S$12k annual spend). Many cards also waive the annual fee for the first 1-3 years after approval, making it easy to get started with the card upfront. Nonetheless, even if the annual fee seems achievable, it's possible to end up with a nett loss by the end of the year. In other words, if earnings from the credit card do not exceed the fee, you'll actually end up losing money. This is one reason it's important to pick a card that rewards your lifestyle. In addition to annual fees, minimum spend requirements are important to consider. Minimum spend requirements reflect how much a cardholder must spend in order to unlock higher rewards rates as advertised. For example, a card might require S$800 minimum spend for the month in order to earn a 8% rebate that month. Spending even S$1 less than the minimum may result in the cardholder earning at a base rate of just 0.2%–0.3%, which translates to a massive loss in earnings potential. It's incredibly important to review a card's minimum spend requirement before applying. If you can't reliably achieve the given amount, you won't be able to access meaningful rewards rates. Finally, make sure to review the overall rewards system structure. Choose a card that rewards categories you're most likely to spend on. Many cards cater to specific profiles (retail shoppers, travellers, everyday spenders & more) which can make selection a bit easier. It's essential to keep in mind that while high rewards rates can be very tempting, they won't prove beneficial unless you're likely to spend in the rewarded category. Considering these factors together can help you to find a credit card that will truly maximise earnings for your spend.