Erm...if you want the gold credit card, then get a supplementary card if you are not earning any income...if you wanna appy, it'll require a minimum of 48k per annual at least. Well, I'm getting one from UOB. It's a Visa Gold Smart. My dad is going to sign up for the main card and give me the sub-card...cos I didn't like his other cards and he already sub those to my mom or brother. The subscription of this card is free for the first two years and free subscription for the first sub-card.
If you dun have a sponsor, then you can opt for a debit card from POSB or UOB. POSB has the MasterCard, while UOB has the VisaElectron. The POSB MasterCard's subcription for the first three years is free, while the UOB debit card is free subscription all the way (if I remember correctly cos I dun think I'm paying any subscription at the moment). Personally I prefer using the MasterCard cos I have both but I usually use the MasterCard as my POSB is the one which has money lah...hehe...not just that lah...it's like the UOB one can only use in shops which allows VisaElectron...and a VisaElectron card is not a Visa card...while the MasterCard, we can use it in any places which allows us to use MasterCard. So, in fact, the MasterCard can be used in more places.
One thing about the difference between the two card is that for the UOB one, you sign up for the campus account (for students...I think about 18 yrs can liao), they'll allow you to apply for a VisaElectron card, issue you a cheque book to you for you to issue cheques and they'll allow you to apply for any of their sub-card for free subscription (I think so lah...cos the other time my sis is the main card holder...but I think she didn't have to pay for my sub-card). The UOB ones also have reward points which you can earn...but the POSB ones dun have any reward points.
But to use both type of cards, you need to have money in it lah. I think the convenience of such debit cards is that when you are at a restaurant, not all has NETS, and so with a debit card, you can sign for the meal (just like paying NETS...) if not enough cash. Other than that, the debit card is not much of a difference from the normal ATM cards. Which is why my dad is giving me a credit card. Hehe. Maybe you can try your dad or other siblings too.
Hope the above info about debit cards is useful. Anyone finds any of the information wrong, feel free to point it out. Hehe...