Mari Credit Card Review 2025: Features, Fees and Cashback

MariBank is a digital bank in Singapore offering services to individuals and business customers - including a MariBank credit card¹ for personal use. This guide walks through the MariBank credit card features and fees, including how to earn Mari credit card cashback and the Mari credit card foreign transaction fee you pay when you travel.

We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

What is MariBank?

MariBank is a Singapore digital bank, which is licensed and regulated by MAS, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sea Limited. MariBank has a great range of products for Singapore citizens and residents, including services for individual customers and small businesses. This guide focuses on the Mari credit card which offers rewards as you spend, in the form of Shopee coins, as well as cashback on other spending categories.

Mari Credit Card: Main features and benefits

So - what is the Mari credit card and how does it work? Here’s a breakdown of its key features. Following this, we’ll examine the costs associated with the card, including any annual fees and foreign transaction fees.

*Details correct at time of writing - 15th July 2025

Mari Credit Card: Cashback & Rewards

The Mari Credit Card stands out for its generous rewards programme:

• 3% rebates in the form of Shopee Coins on all your Shopee purchases when using Mari Credit Card instant checkout
• Up to 4.5% cashback on overseas card spend.⁵
  • 3% unlimited cashback on foreign currency transactions
  • Bonus cashback of 1% on total spend below 1000 SGD and 1.5% on spend between 1000 to 1500 SGD*
• 1.7% cashback on local card spend. This is applicable for eligible card spend in SGD, offering unlimited cashback with no minimum spend required.

*The up to 4.5% cashback on overseas spend is part of a promotion valid until December 31, 2025.

Fees and charges

Before you decide if the card suits your needs, it’s useful to understand its associated costs. There may be ongoing fees, transaction fees and penalties depending on how you spend, which can all influence whether or not this card suits your individual needs. Here’s a summary of some key costs for the Mari card. As other costs might also apply it’s helpful to read through the full fee schedule before you transact.

*Details correct at time of writing - 15th July 2025

Eligibility and application

To apply for a MariBank credit card you’ll need to register with MariBank and complete a credit check.

You may apply for a Mari Credit Card if you meet any of the following:

• Singaporean or Permanent Resident
  • Aged 21 to 55 years old, with a minimum annual income of 30 000 SGD
  • Over 55 years old, with a minimum annual income of 15 000 SGD
  • Note: If aged 21-55 and not meeting the minimum income, you may be assessed for a card with up to 500 SGD credit limit
• Foreigners
  • Aged 21 years and above
  • Holding a valid pass (e.g., Dependant's Pass, Employment Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass, S Pass, Student's Pass, etc.) with at least 6 months validity from application date

The usual steps to take include:

1. Download the MariBank app
2. Register an account with a valid Singapore mobile number
3. Apply for Mari Credit Card digitally with Singpass
4. If accepted you get a virtual credit card immediately and can request a physical Mari Credit Card to be sent to your home

Using the Mari card overseas

Using your Mari credit card overseas is as easy as making a payment here in Singapore. Just look out for the network logo when it comes to making a payment - usually Mastercard - and use your physical card to tap and pay, or your virtual card with a wallet like Apple Pay. You’ll be given a credit limit when your credit card is approved and can spend up to that limit before repaying your bill at the end of the statement period. If you do not repay in full, interest charges will apply.

Bear in mind that when you spend overseas with a Mari card you also pay a foreign transaction fee of 3%. This can make it more expensive to shop overseas, or with international ecommerce stores.

Exchange rates

When you spend overseas with MariBank, the amount you spend is converted to SGD with the Mastercard network rate. While this rate is generally considered fair, a 3% foreign transaction fee applies to all overseas spending.⁴ This means your purchases will incur an additional cost when transacting abroad.

A significant point for international travelers is that the Mari Credit Card cannot be used for ATM withdrawals overseas³. This means you'll need an alternative way to access cash while abroad. If transparent exchange rates and fees, and ATM access are priorities for your overseas spending, you could consider the Wise card.

Comparing Mari Credit Card and Wise Card for overseas spending

While the Mari Credit Card offers excellent cashback and rewards, particularly for local spending and Shopee purchases, choosing the right card for overseas spending involves evaluating different factors. For those looking to optimise their overseas spending, it’s beneficial to compare the Mari Credit Card with another popular option: the Wise card, a travel-optimised debit card. There’s no perfect fit for credit and debit cards, so shopping around can help you to make sure you get a card which balances costs and convenience, based on your spending habits.

Here are a few pros and cons of the Mari card compared to the Wise card to give you a starting point.

The Mari credit card might be a good fit if you’re seeking a credit card primarily for earning rewards and cashback on your local spending, especially if you frequently shop with Shopee. Its strengths lie in providing a credit facility with attractive reward. However, for overseas use, there are also some key drawbacks.

Downsides of the Mari card for international use include the foreign transaction fee of 3% and the fact you can’t use the card in an ATM.

The Wise card, on the other hand, has a stronger focus on international spending. All you need to do is to sign up for a free Wise account. It offers ways to hold and exchange 40+ currencies easily and with no foreign transaction fee to pay. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD each month, before low fees start.

You might find that having a Mari credit card for local use to earn rewards, and a Wise debit card for overseas spending gives you the best mix of flexibility and rewards, with low fees and great exchange rates when you travel.

💳 Get your Wise card

Sources last checked: 25 July 2025