With the DBS Takashimaya, you have an Amex or Visa card that helps you enjoy extra discounts and more at Singapore’s biggest Japanese mall. However, we highly recommend the DBS Takashimaya Credit Card to consumers who spend most of their shopping in this huge mall. Still, it isn’t attractive for non-frequent shoppers as you won’t maximise your rewards earning. Read on to learn more about the card and its features in this review.
DBS Takashimaya Cards: It Takes Two
DBS Takashimaya is a great card that makes your Takashimaya shopping worthwhile, especially when there’s a sales event. The card’s reward system provides you with Takashimaya Department Store and Shopping Centre voucher rebates that your Takashimaya Bonus Points can buy.
Every S $10 that you spend in the department store and shopping centre nets you 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points. If you’ve collected 100, you can buy a S $30 voucher, which is technically a 6% discount (if you’re using the Takashimaya American Express).
You can use either the American Express or Visa version of the Takashimaya Card. It might surprise you that both cards are nearly identical (you can refer to the Key Features section and comparison table below for more information). However, their differences lie in the voucher rebate maximum, sign-up bonus you can receive, and the merchants that support either Amex or Visa in Takashimaya.
How DBS Takashimaya Card Rewards Program Work
Here’s a summary of DBS Takashimaya’s rewards system:
- Cardholders can earn up to 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points for every S $10 or S $12 they spend.
- There is no cap for the Takashimaya Bonus Points you receive.
- However, your points can expire one year after you’ve received them (points received in January will expire on January the following year.
- You can use your points to buy discount vouchers. For example, 100 points will buy you a S $30 rebate voucher.
Key Features
- 6% Takashimaya Department Store voucher rebates. 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points for every S $10 (Visa version: 5% Takashimaya Department Store voucher rebates plus 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points for every S $12 charged)
- 2% Takashimaya Shopping Centre voucher rebates. 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points for every S $30 (Visa version: 1% Takashimaya Shopping Centre voucher rebates for every S $30 charged)
- S $30 worth of Takashimaya Gift Vouchers for every 100 Takashimaya Bonus Points
- 10% on top of other discounts during Takashimaya Department Store sale events
- S $6 top-up on CashCard for spending S $250 at Takashimaya Department Store
- Complimentary delivery service for spending S $200 during Takashimaya Promotion day and S $100 on all other days
- Annual interest rate: 26.8%
- Annual Fee and Waiver: S $192.60 (Waived for one year)
- Minimum Monthly Payment: 3% or $50, whichever is higher + amounts exceeding the credit limit
- Wireless Payment: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay
Pros
- No minimum spending
- The 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points per S $10 system is great for Amex users
- The voucher denominations are at a high S $30
- Sales event bonuses are a truly great plus (including the free delivery services)
Cons
- Splitting between Amex and Visa merchants makes it challenging for Visa users because of the lower voucher rebate rate.
- We won’t recommend this card to non-Takashimaya frequent shoppers because you can only maximize the points system if Takashimaya is your frequent shopping destination.
- Low voucher rebate rates for any spending outside Takashimaya.
How DBS Takashimaya Cards Compare To Other Shopping Cards
Let’s look at DBS Takashimaya card’s performance versus other popular shopping cards in the market. Click here to learn about the best credit card in Singapore
Credit Card | Minimum Income Requirement | Annual Interest Rate | Cashback | Cashback Cap | Minimum Monthly Spending | Rewards |
DBS Takashimaya American Express Card | S $30,000 (S $45,000 foreigners) | 26.80% | 6% | None | None |
|
DBS Takashimaya
Visa Card |
S $30,000 (S $45,000 foreigners) | 26.80% | 5% | None | None |
|
DBS Black Card | S $30,000 (S $ S $45,000 foreigners) | 26.80% | 10% | n/a | S $1 (Visa contactless spending) |
|
Citibank Rewards Card | S $30,000 (S $42,000 for foreigners) | 26.90 | n/a | 10,000 Citi Rewards Points per month | None |
|
American Express True Cashback Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000 for foreigners) | 26.90% | 3.0% | Unlimited | None |
|
Standard Chartered Spree Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000 for foreigners) | 26.90% | 3% | S $60 (monthly) | None |
|
Maybank Family and Friends Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000) | 25.90% | 8% | S $125 (Monthly) | S $800 |
|
POSB Everyday Card | S $30,000 (S $45,000 for foreigners) | 26.80% | 10% | Unlimited | None |
|
UOB Lady’s Card | S $30,000 (S $40,000 for foreigners) | 25.90% | n/a | S $1,000 monthly | None |
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This table clearly shows that frequent shoppers in Takashimaya will love the DBS Takashimaya Credit Card.
However, if you’re shopping outside this mall, we highly recommend the UOB Lady’s Card that can provide you 1 UOB point per S $5 and 4 air miles, which is helpful if you’re a frequent flyer. Learn more about the best airmiles credit card in Singapore. Maybank Family and Friends come a close second because of its huge 8% cashback for a wide range of spending categories, even if it has an S $125 monthly cap and S $25 per category cap.
What We Think Of DBS Takashimaya Card
We’ve seen our fair share of shopping mall-oriented discount and rewards cards, and frankly, DBS Takashimaya, both Amex and Visa versions, are pseudo-mall membership cards. They offer great returns for frequent Takashimaya shoppers, and we’re going to go far as to say that it’s one of the best cards — if you’re always in Takashimaya, that is. Otherwise, you’re better off using other cashback and rewards cards.
As you’ve seen on the comparison table above, each cashback credit card fits a certain lifestyle. Therefore, if your lifestyle isn’t centered on Takashimaya shopping and you prefer some other mall or spending category, you are better off using a card suitable for it.
How to Apply For The DBS Takashimaya Card?
If you’re interested, here’s how to apply for this card.
Eligibility
- Applicant must be 21 years old and above
- Open to both Singaporeans (S $30,000 minimum income) and Foreigners (S $45,000 minimum income)
Requirements
- A copy of NRIC (Front & Back)
- Latest 3 months computerized payslips
- Company letter certifying employment and salary in SGD (dated within last 3 months from date of card application)
- Latest min 3 months CPF Contribution History Statement
- Latest 1 year of Income Tax Notice Assessment with latest 3 months computerized payslips / 12 Months CPF Statement
- A copy of your Telecommunication or Utility Bill
For foreigners, the requirement set is different. Learn more about them below:
- A copy of valid Passport
- A copy of your Work Pass (Front & Back, min. 6 months validity)
- A copy of your In-Principal Approval (IPA) if your Work Pass has less than 6 months validity
- Latest 1 year of Income Tax Notice Assessment with latest computerized payslips
- A copy of your Telecommunication or Utility Bill (for new DBS/POSB Bank customers only)
Fees
- Annual Fees: S $192.30 (S $96.30 per year for each supplementary card)
- Late Fees: S $100 (for any outstanding balance above S $200)
- Overlimit fee: S $40
Your Frequently Asked Questions, Answered
Can I still earn points if I purchase at Takashimaya stores overseas?
Yes, you can, but with a few caveats.
Takashimaya stores overseas allow its customers to earn points with a stipulated minimum spend and through invitation only.
For example, suppose you’re a Japanese tourist and own a Takashimaya Japan Credit Card. In that case, Singapore’s Takashimaya may invite you to use their Tourist Privilege Card and give you benefits with minimum spending of S $10,000.
What can I use the Takashimaya Points for?
The Takashimaya Bonus Points that you earn for every S $10 you spend can buy you an S $30 cash voucher once you reach 100 points. You can exchange your points for vouchers at any time you earn 100 points from your purchases.
How can I redeem my points?
You can track your DBS Takashimaya Credit Card points using DBS Paylah!
In the app, you’ll need to look for your DBS Takashimaya Credit Card, then view your latest Takashimaya Bonus Points balance. Additionally, the app shows you your recent 90-day transaction history and Takashimaya bonus points expiry date.
Our Final Thoughts
- DBS Takashimaya Credit Card provides you with 2 Takashimaya Bonus Points per S $10 that you spend.
- You can buy S $30 rebate vouchers using your Takashimaya Bonus Points.
- Users also enjoy free deliveries and additional discounts during sales events using their Takashimaya Bonus Points.
- We highly recommend this card only to frequent Takashimaya shoppers because it has a low rebate rate when you spend outside the mall.
Shopping in Takashimaya is a great experience with the DBS Takashimaya card. But, if you don’t have access to Takashimaya’s credit card and want to use a buffer for your budget, using a personal loan that gives you six times your monthly salary is an excellent way to finance your needs without a credit card.
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