Fuel savings with the right card strategy

By Gwendoline Tan

If you’ve only got a minute:

• Each petrol service station offers its own membership programme and signing up is typically free.
• These often come with benefits such as discounts and membership points on your spending.
• You can boost your savings on fuel and automotive expenses by using the right credit card in conjunction with your membership programme.
• The best card for you depends on your spending habits, preferred fuel station, and the type of rewards you value most.

Car ownership in Singapore is a major financial commitment, often far exceeding the cost of owning one in other countries.  

This is largely influenced by the high cost of a Certificate of Entitlement (COE), especially in recent years, and upfront costs like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and other registration fees.

Buying a car in Singapore is one thing; keeping it on the road is another. Car owners also have to account for ongoing expenses like road tax, car insurance, maintenance, fuel, parking and more.

Read more: Budgeting for a car in Singapore

With all these expenses, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way you could benefit from them? Fortunately, there are.

Whether through direct discounts on fuel top-ups, cash rebates, or even rewards points to offset your petrol station expenses, every bit counts when managing the cost of car ownership.

Membership rewards

Most petrol service stations in Singapore have their own membership or loyalty programmes and signing up is typically free.

Membership comes with various benefits such as sign-up gifts, discounts on products and services, and rebates or membership points on your spending. From time to time, members are also given special discount vouchers or e-coupons for fuel purchases.

For example, Esso Smiles Driver Rewards and SPC&U each offer an instant discount of 10% on fuel spending. While this in itself is already a treat, did you know that there are even more ways boost your savings?

Supersize your savings

This is where using the right credit card comes in handy.

In Singapore, many petrol companies have tie-ups with a specific partner credit card. Coupled with membership programmes at petrol stations, you can unlock even greater discounts on your fuel and other automotive expenses.

It is also prudent to look out for ongoing promotions at specific service stations, like the 14% discount on fuel at Esso for all DBS credit and debit cardholders.

Here are 2 standout credit card and loyalty programme combinations that can help you unlock bigger savings every time you refuel.

1. DBS Esso Card and Esso Smiles

When you sign up for the DBS Esso Card, you will automatically be enrolled into the Esso Smiles Driver Rewards Programme.

Used together, you can save up to 23% on fuel costs – an 18% instant fuel discount and an additional S$10 cashback (subject to qualifying conditions).

In addition, you will earn Smiles points on your spending, giving you an equivalent of up to 1.2% in fuel savings, depending on how you redeem your points.

With your Smiles-linked DBS Esso Card, you can also Pay.Pump.Go., which allows you to pay for your fuel at the pump at Esso stations. This can save you precious time with a fast and seamless experience. Plus, from now until 31 December 2025, you will earn 1 Smiles point for every S$10 spent on qualifying transactions outside Esso stations when using your DBS Esso Card.

You can use your accumulated Smiles points to redeem additional fuel vouchers and lifestyle rewards through the Esso app. This includes retail, dining, movie, airline partners and more.

Note that the 18% instant fuel discount is not applicable for mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, so be sure to bring your DBS Esso Card when you fuel up!

Read more: Pros and cons of credit cards
Find out more about: DBS Esso Card

2. POSB Everyday Card and SPC&U

While the SPC&U membership on its own gives you a 10% instant discount on fuel at SPC, paired with the POSB Everyday card, you can enjoy savings of up to 20.1%. This is made up of a 15% instant discount and 6% cash rebates on the final charged amount.

Find out more about: POSB Everyday Card

Just like its name suggests, the POSB Everyday Card isn’t just about fuel savings.

It offers cash rebates on a variety of everyday expenses, including 10% on online food deliveries, in-store spending in Malaysian Ringgit, and your daily commute with SimplyGo. You can also earn 5% cash rebates on grocery shopping at Sheng Siong.

All cash rebates are in the form of Daily$, which you can accumulate and use to offset other spending.

On top of this, you can also make use of deals for the whole family with participating merchants like Swensens, Paradise Group, Kiztopia, Mandai Wildlife Reserve and more.

Read more: 6 ways to SimplyGo
Find out more about: DBS Car Marketplace

Choosing the card for you

When deciding which credit card to pair with your petrol station loyalty programme, consider your refuelling habits and what type of rewards you value the most.

For example, if you frequently top up at Esso, the DBS Esso Card will naturally be a great fit, offering larger fuel discounts through its tie-ups with the Esso Smiles Rewards Programme.

To maximise the full savings of up to 23%, make sure that you spend at least S$160 nett (S$195.12 gross) on fuel, and ensure your linked Esso Smiles account is active. This qualifies you for the S$10 cashback on top of the 18% instant fuel discount.

If you are looking for broader savings across multiple spending categories, the POSB Everyday Card may be the more suitable choice. When paired with SPC&U, this lets you enjoy fuel discounts while also earning rebates on everyday spending, helping you to accumulate your savings faster.

While it may be tempting to apply for several cards and use them interchangeably at different petrol stations, it is generally more effective to consolidate your spending into just 1 or 2 credit cards. This strategy allows you to optimise your savings, especially if rewards are tied to minimum thresholds or qualifying monthly spend.

When signing up for a credit card, be sure to take advantage of any sign-up promotions. For instance, new to DBS/POSB cardmembers can enjoy a S$300 cashback when applying with promo code CASH300 on or before 31 July 2025.

The above promotions are subject to terms and conditions.

Remember, when it comes to making the most of your credit card rewards, it's essential to pay off your credit card bills in full and on time. Accruing interest or late fees can quickly erode any savings you’ve earned.

Read more: Rolling over credit card debt is no game
Find out more about: Latest promos when you sign up for the POSB Everyday Card

In conclusion

By using the right combination of credit cards and petrol station loyalty programmes, you can unlock significant savings both at the pump and in your everyday spending.

The best card for you depends on your spending habits, preferred fuel station, and the type of rewards you value most, whether that’s instant discounts, cash rebates, or points for lifestyle perks.

Every bit of savings counts, even if it doesn’t come directly from car-related expenses. By being intentional with your credit card choices, you can free up funds for other essential needs or saving for the future.

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Disclaimers and Important Notice
This article is meant for information only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Before making any decision to buy, sell or hold any investment or insurance product, you should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding its suitability.