Mari Credit Card Review (2026)
Even if you have come across Mari Credit Card before, you might have missed the fact that the card has been significantly revamped since the start of 2026. By looking at the current card features, it seems quite apparent that MariBank is eager to position the card as the undisputed card for overseas spending.
Has the digital bank achieved its goal? Let’s take a look.
1.5% cashback, no forex fee, and best-in-class forex rates
Previously offering 3% to 4.5% cashback to offset its 3% forex fee, Mari Credit Card needed to convince users with some Mathematics that it was better than a zero forex fee card that didn’t offer rewards. Now, the 2026 version is a lot simpler and clearer with MariBank extending the same proposition of having no forex fee to the Mari Credit Card, making it much easier to compare against other zero forex fee cards.
By drawing the same starting line with its competitors and throwing in 1.5% cashback, Mari Credit Card already beats many other travel cards when it comes to spending overseas.
The bank, however, took one additional step to ensure that its flagship credit card is highly competitive in this space it wants to take, and it promises best-in-class forex rates for 7 popular destinations:
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Japan
- China
- Korea
- Australia
- Indonesia
Here’s how the card compares to the Mastercard rate with 0 fee:
| Currency | Mari Credit Card | Mastercard Rate | Visa Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 MYR | S$320.09 | S$321.11 (+0.32%) | S$323.37 (+1.01%) |
| 1,000 THB | S$39.88 | S$39.99 (+0.28%) | S$40.29 (+1.02%) |
| 10,000 JPY | S$80.36 | S$80.62 (+0.32%) | S$81.33 (+1.19%) |
| 1,000 CNY | S$187.52 | S$186.85 (-0.36%) | S$188.03 (+0.27%) |
| 100,000 KRW | S$87.40 | S$86.68 (-0.83%) | S$87.37 (-0.03%) |
| 1,000 AUD | S$899.68 | S$902.00 (+0.26%) | S$903.99 (+0.48%) |
| 1,000,000 IDR | S$75.50 | S$75.70 (+0.26%) | S$75.55 (+0.07%) |
For all 7 currencies, Mari Credit Card’s rates beat the Mastercard rate, some more definitively than others. It might not look like much right now, but this is on top of the card’s cashback.
I also did some field testing with the card in late January 2026:
| Currency | Mari Credit Card | Chocolate Card | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Baht | S$1 = ฿24.450 | S$1 = ฿24.007 | ⭐️ Mari Credit Card (1.85% better) |
| Chinese Yuan | S$1 = ¥5.456 | S$1 = ¥5.422 | ⭐️ Mari Credit Card (0.63% better) |
More testing is in order, so stay subscribed for an upcoming piece pitting more travel cards against each other.
The MariBank app also shows the exchange rate updated to the hour, something few other travel-oriented cards offer:
No minimum spend and cashback is reflected instantly
Mari Credit Card is also a very easy card to use because there is no minimum spend to worry about, regardless of whether you are spending locally, overseas, or on Shopee.
The only number one needs to know is that the 1.5% cashback is good for the first S$1,500 of overseas spend. Local spending and Shopee spend are not capped.
| Overseas Spend | Local Spend | Shopee Spend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards | 1.5% cashback | 1.5% cashback | 1.5% Shopee coins |
| Min. Spend | None | None | None |
| Spend Cap | S$1,500 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
As of March 2026, cashback is also reflected instantly when the transaction is made, and the amount is used to offset spending within the same statement.
How does it fare in the value game?
So is it fair to say that Mari Credit Card is the best travel card right now? I think it’s quite safe to say that it is indeed one of the most compelling cashback cards right now for travel if you want something fuss-free.
People who are into miles, of course, will find ways to extract more value from their miles. It’s definitely possible to beat Mari Credit Card if you earn and use your miles efficiently, and this requires effort and know-how. Use your points and miles unwisely and you are better off with the Mari Credit Card instead.
| Mari Credit Card | 4 Miles Per Dollar Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Fee | 0% | 2% to 3.25% |
| Best-in-Class Rates | ~0% to 1% | N/A |
| Rewards | 1.5% | 4 miles per dollar (~4% to 6%) |
| Effective Value | ~1.5% to 2.5% | ~0.75% to 4% |
For those who can indeed use miles effectively, cards that offer 4 miles per dollar (or even 8) would likely be more attractive even with forex fees and poorer exchange rates.
The good
- No forex fee
- Plus best-in-class rates for 7 currencies
- Easy to use with no min. spend
- 1.5% cashback is reflected instantly
- Almost real-time info on exchange rates
The bad
- Local and Shopee spend earn rates are unexciting
- Not as compelling for those who can optimise miles
The Verdict
While I wouldn’t call the undisputed champion of travel cards, MariBank’s revamp of the card has established Mari Credit Card as one of the most compelling cashback options for overseas spending today.
What the bank has done well is remove almost all friction. There are no minimum spends to track, no forex fees to offset, and no complex reward structures to optimise. With better exchange rates for commonly used foreign currencies and easy 1.5% instant cashback, I think many people will indeed find this the best travel card for their use.
That said, there is a ceiling to the value it can give especially for optimisers. If you are someone who actively tracks and redeems miles well, cards offering 4 miles per dollar (or more) can potentially deliver better value, even after factoring in forex fees and less favourable exchange rates.
Personally, I have been using both Mari Credit Card and my miles cards when I travel overseas. It comes in handy when things are less certain with my miles cards (can I hit the min. spend on my UOB Visa Signature this trip? Does this MCC work for my HSBC Revolution?), or times when I just want simplicity.
For fuss-free overseas spending where you just want a solid, reliable return without thinking too much, it is hard to go wrong with Mari Credit Card.
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Seth Wee was a licensed financial adviser representative from 2009 to 2025, with over 16 years of experience in Singapore’s financial advisory industry.
He started Sethisfy.com in 2019 to share practical insights on credit cards, banking products, and miles strategies, helping readers identify financial products that deliver the best value. Seth has been featured in CNA, Channel 8, Today, and a host of other publications. In 2025, he was also part of a panel at CPF’s Ready For Life festival.
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