Best card for spending in Thailand 2026: amaze, YouTrip or Wise — tested in Bangkok and Chiang Mai

Looking for the best card to use in Thailand for your 2026 vacation? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve narrowed the list to three popular options for Singapore travellers: Instarem amaze, YouTrip and Wise. Each card has its own strengths: amaze suits miles chasers, Wise stands out if you want to lock in your Thai baht rate before your trip, and YouTrip keeps things simple for daily spending.

While each card performs well in different situations, choosing the wrong one for the way you travel can leave you paying more than you need to. This guide looks at real spending in Thailand, from hotels and shopping malls to street food and the exchange rates you can expect.

Key takeaways

Which card is best for spending in Thailand?

Instarem amaze card, YouTrip, or Wise have their own path to save you money on foreign fees. Once you know what matters most, choosing the right card becomes much easier.

Here’s a closer look at the best card to use in Thailand in 2026 for Singapore travellers:

Earning miles — amaze

If you fly often and chase KrisFlyer miles, amaze gives you a clear edge. Eligible Thai baht spent through the amaze wallet earns InstaPoints, whether you’re paying for a hotel in Bangkok or buying mango sticky rice in Chiang Mai. You earn 0.5 InstaPoint for every SGD spent, and you can convert 1,200 InstaPoints into 400 KrisFlyer miles in the Instarem app.

Here’s a simple example: If you spend SGD 2,500 through the amaze wallet during your trip to Thailand, you’ll earn 1,250 InstaPoints. You can then convert those points into KrisFlyer miles, helping you get closer to your next flight or cabin upgrade while you travel.

Multi-currency preload — Wise

Exchange rates change every day, and those changes can affect what you pay on your trip. Wise lets you convert Singapore dollars to Thai baht before you leave and keep the funds in your wallet until you need them. Once you convert your money, you secure that exchange rate for those funds, so later market changes will not affect that balance.

For example, you might convert SGD 1,000 to THB two weeks before your trip. When you arrive in Bangkok, you use your THB balance instead of relying on the exchange rate for each purchase. If you like to plan and manage your travel budget, this is one of Wise’s biggest strengths.

Ease of use — YouTrip

If you want a travel card that’s easy to use, YouTrip is a solid choice. Top up your wallet before your trip, then use the card at many Thai shops that accept Mastercard. You don’t need to switch between payment sources or manage multiple cards while you travel.

For example, you can use the same card to pay for coffee, shop at a mall and book a Grab ride without changing any settings. If you value a simple travel wallet, YouTrip makes day-to-day spending easy.

THB exchange rate — how amaze, YouTrip and Wise compare

The exchange rate you get can affect the total cost of your trip, so it’s worth comparing how each card handles spending in Thai baht. The rates below reflect a spot check from July 15, 2026. Because rates fluctuate with live market conditions, the figures may differ at the time of your travel.

For Singaporeans planning a trip to Thailand, you should check how each card handles foreign exchange, rewards, wallet features and the way you expect to spend during your trip. A small gap in the rate may matter less if another card offers features that better match your travel style.

Where you’ll spend your money in Thailand — and which card fits best

Every payment in Thailand is different. Hotels and large shops usually accept cards, while many street food stalls, wet markets and tuk-tuks still rely on cash. Knowing when and how to use amaze, YouTrip, or Wise can help you avoid extra costs and make each payment easier.

Hotels and accommodation

Hotel bookings are often the biggest expense on your trip, so your choice of card matters. If you book through Agoda or Booking.com, you may pay online before you travel or pay at the hotel in Thailand, depending on the booking terms.

When you pay the hotel in Thai baht at check-in or check-out, amaze wallet and YouTrip let you spend without a foreign exchange fee, while Wise lets you pay from your preloaded THB balance if you’ve converted your funds in advance. Choose the payment method that best matches how and when you plan to pay.

Winner: amaze, thanks to InstaPoints, which can add up on larger hotel bills, while YouTrip remains a solid option.

Street food and markets

Street food, wet markets, and many local shops still prefer cash, especially outside the main tourist areas. Carrying some Thai baht helps you avoid payment issues. If you need cash, remember that each card has its own overseas ATM fee.

amaze charges a 2% fee on each withdrawal. YouTrip gives you up to SGD 400 in fee-free ATM withdrawals each month before a 2% fee applies, while Wise offers up to SGD 100 in fee-free withdrawals each month before charging 1.75%. Keep in mind that Thai banks also charge a 220 THB local ATM fee, no matter which card you use.

Winner: YouTrip or Wise for small cash needs due to their free monthly limits, though amaze is a great backup.

Shopping malls

Once you step into a mall like CentralWorld or ICONSIAM, cash stops being the main concern. These malls widely accept Mastercard, just as many shopping centres in Singapore do, so you can tap and go without hunting for an ATM first.

Here, the card that gives you the most value while you shop wins. With amaze, you earn InstaPoints on eligible foreign currency transactions, allowing you to rack up rewards over a full day of shopping. Meanwhile, YouTrip keeps payments simple and easy to manage. Both cards work well for mall spending, so your choice comes down to whether you value rewards or a straightforward payment experience.

Winner: amaze for reward chasers, YouTrip for straightforward spending.

Grab Thailand and transport

Grab is widely used in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and can help you avoid the hassle of finding a taxi or agreeing on a fare. You can add amaze, YouTrip or Wise as your payment method before your trip, making cashless rides quick and easy.

Outside the app, many tuk-tuks and some taxis still ask for cash, so it’s worth carrying some Thai baht with you. Plan your ATM withdrawals carefully to reduce both card fees and the THB 220 fee charged by Thai banks.

Winner: amaze, YouTrip and Wise all work well with Grab. Your ATM strategy matters more when you need cash.

ATM strategy in Thailand — which card has the lowest withdrawal fee?

Your ATM strategy matters just as much as your choice of card.

Here’s what you should know:

• Thai banks charge a flat THB 220 fee for every ATM withdrawal made with a foreign card. That’s about SGD 8, and it applies whether you use amaze, YouTrip, or Wise.
• This fee comes from the Thai bank, not your card provider. It’s charged on top of any ATM fee or withdrawal limit that your card may have.
• Withdraw larger amounts less often. If you make several small withdrawals, you’ll pay the 220 THB fee each time. Taking out more cash in one go spreads that fixed cost across more baht and can help lower your overall cost.

Whichever card you use in Thailand, planning your cash withdrawals can save more than simply picking the lowest card fee. The same advice also applies if you use amaze or YouTrip when travelling to Malaysia, Thailand or other SEA countries, as local ATM operators may charge their own withdrawal fees too.

The DCC trap — How to avoid extra exchange rate charges at Thai ATMs

Here’s a trap that catches many Singapore travellers off guard. When you use an ATM or card machine in Thailand, it may ask whether you want to pay in Singapore dollars (SGD) or Thai baht (THB). This option is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). While it may seem easier because you see the amount in SGD straight away, it can cost you more.

The card machine uses its own exchange rate when you choose SGD, and that rate is often less favourable than the one used by your card provider. In most cases, choosing THB helps you avoid those extra costs.

Even the best card for Thailand trips can cost more if you accept DCC. Keep these tips in mind:

• Choose ‘Without Conversion’ or ‘Continue in THB’ whenever the option appears.
• Always pay in Thai baht (THB) instead of SGD.
• Check the final amount before you approve the payment or withdrawal.

Verdict — which card should you bring to Thailand?

Singaporean travellers don’t have to rely on just one card for spending in Thailand. Many bring two cards and match each one to the right purchase. Pairing amaze with either YouTrip or Wise gives you more flexibility, lets you earn KrisFlyer miles on eligible wallet spend and provides a reliable backup payment option. This way, you don’t have to compromise on rewards, budget control or ease of use.

Don’t have an amaze card yet? Open an Instarem account, set up your amaze wallet and start earning InstaPoints before your next Thailand holiday. Remember, the right mix of cards and smart payment habits can help you get more value from every baht you spend.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and doesn’t provide financial advice. Fees, exchange rates, and terms may change over time. The exchange rate table in this article is a spot check taken at a specific point in time and is provided for comparison only. Always check the latest rates, fees and terms on the official Instarem, Wise and YouTrip websites before making your travel or payment decisions.

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