DBS World Business Card Review: Is it the Right Fit for Your Business?

DBS Bank offers a wide range of business solutions for companies of all sizes, and is one of the largest and most trusted providers of corporate financial services in Singapore. One of its popular offerings is the DBS World Business Card, which is designed for businesses whose employees frequently travel abroad and make international transactions.

In this review, we will cover all the necessary information for you to evaluate if the DBS World Business Card fits your business needs.

For those interested, we will also introduce an alternative non-bank option - the Wise Business Card, and explain its unique approach to managing global payments and expenses.

How does the DBS World Business Card work?

The DBS World Business Card has been specifically designed to aid business owners who frequently travel for work, as it provides them access to airport lounges and rewards with cash rebates, regardless of whether the business owner is travelling for business or leisure.

To help put things in context, let’s compare the DBS World Business Card to the Wise Business Card in terms of annual fees, late payment fees, and more.

DBS World Business Card fees and charges vs. the Wise Business Card

*Details correct at time of research - 20th January 2025

Wise Business Card: A smart choice for managing international payments efficiently

The Wise Business Card and linked business account is a non-bank alternative that can serve several business requirements - managing global payments in particular - without the hefty hidden costs commonly associated with traditional corporate business banking accounts.

The DBS World Business Card might have a world of benefits, but a quick glance at its foreign currency transaction fees might make the frequent business traveller think twice about using this card for international payments because the markup fees are likely to add up quickly!

>> Learn more about Wise Business >>

DBS World Business Card features and benefits

There are several features of this card that business owners might find enticing, but there are also some pros and cons that you should be aware of before making your final decision.

DBS World Business Card eligibility and fees

In order to be eligible to receive the card, you will need to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• All applicants must be at least 21 years old (which includes your employees)
• Your business’ annual income must be at least S$80,000
• You must pay an annual fee of S$414.20 (including 9% GST)

Key features:

• DBS reward points: each purchase with the card is eligible for reward points in the form of air miles, cash rebates, and shopping vouchers
• Cash rebates: you can earn up to 2% cash rebate for foreign currency transactions, and up to 1% rebate for purchases in entertainment, travel, and local dining
• Priority pass access: if you hold the DBS World Business Card, you are eligible for 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year with a priority pass

Other benefits of the DBS World Business Card

Here are some other features of the DBS World Business Card that business owners may find enticing.

Business privilege and limited time promotions

With this card, you are eligible for business privileges and limited-time promotions at certain vendors. For example, 14% off fuel prices at Esso fuel pumps, access to EzyPayment for non-card accepting merchants, and more.

Block your own card via the app in case of theft

In case your card is stolen, you can quickly use the DBS banking app to block it yourself. This ensures that your finances are protected right away from unwanted theft purchases while you have more time to contact the bank for further instructions.

Potential limitations of the DBS World Business Card

Like every service, the DBS World Business Card also has some cons that you should be aware of before making your final decision.

• High annual income requirements: Your business must have a minimum annual income of S$80,000, which is difficult for starting or small businesses to achieve⁹
• A high annual fee: With an annual fee of S$414.20, small businesses may find this to be a drawback in proportion to their annual income
• High foreign currency transaction fees: Compared to the Wise Business Card, which does not have any foreign transaction fees, these fees can go up to 3.25% for the DBS World Business Card, which can quickly eat into a small business’ profits
• High spending requirements for cashback: you must spend a minimum of S$3,000 per month within the first 3 months of your card issuance in order to qualify for 5% cashback

Which businesses would benefit the most from having a DBS World Business Card?

The best feature of the DBS World Business Card is that it is

• ideal for businesses that operate internationally
• suitable for companies with large-scale corporate spending
• great for businesses with employees who frequently travel abroad

For instance, a well-established tech company based in Singapore with a larger workforce and significant international operations across the United States and Europe would benefit from using the card in the following ways:

• simplifies payment for business purchases and client meetings
• offers all card holders a priority pass with 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year

Conclusion: Is the DBS World Business Card the right choice for your business?

If you’re a business in Singapore whose employees frequently travel abroad and often work with foreign merchants, the DBS World Business Card could be a great option for you.

However, if you are a small business, this card may not be the right fit for you because of its high annual fees and minimum spending requirements to enjoy cashback rewards.

Check out the Wise Business account today