citibank was ALMOST hassle-free... perhaps it's because done via telemarketing... so everything was already arranged nicely, just wait for me to say YES.
over the phone, she said it's a free upgrade from my current classic card to platinum and will waive the annual fee (that's why i said YES since the classic card is expiring and bcos im a cheapo tt do not like to pay annual fees)

but when the statement came, they charge me the annual fee
so i called and *ahem*, expressed my concerns.
and they apologized and say i do not have to pay the annual fee... they will adjust when the next bill comes.
so 2nd bill came and the annual fee is still there.
so i called again and *ahem*, expressed my concerns a bit louder.
again, apologies and promised to waive.
3rd bill came and yes, the annual fee is still there
i practically yelled and told them to f**king cancel the card if they can't even keep the promise and even dragged for 3 months... and each time they say the previous CSO that handled my call was not around/left the company/disappeared from surface of the earth/watever......i can't get a proper audit trail at all...
so....... i got more apologies and after 3 times, they finally waived the annual fee.......

Hi, well since i have cards from every bank, heres some my personal experience of each of the banks:

ABN
Normal as stated by Goldribbons of about 2 weeks. Applying thru booth promoters cut the time to about 1 - 1.5 weeks. Nothing fantastic with their cards or benefits. They do waive the fee when u use the their card to book a taxi. They also provide a nice namecard casing when you apply for supplementary card.

AMEX
Dear Goldribbons, they have a strict rules to abide from which is not to offer the application to customers out of their booth area. If you do take a look or do a test, if you walk into their booth, they will approach you to offer you their cards. 2nd, they do not really have a high quota for their credit cards, thats why they are not aggressive in promoting their products. Normally they just stand there and act pretty or handsome --> Aka *Vase* or *Hua Ping*. Furthermore they are supposed to portray a image of being exclusive.  Most of the time, they do invitation via snail mail or via telemarketing.

They have quite attractive offers / vouchers upon approval. Like complimentary membership to a certain exclusive club.  One important thing to note for people intending to apply for their cards, they never waive annual fee for free, its a confirmed thing. I always had to cancel and reapply again.

Bank of China
Approval process takes about two weeks which is norm, quite unique card designs and comes with a complimentary Great wall of china card applicable for use in Hong kong and China only. Rewards programs is almost impossible to hit as their rewards redemptions require super high amount of points to redeem.

Citibank
Initial process is norm with about about 2 weeks. if you apply via those promoters at those booths, it will take about 1 week. Subsequent applying for other cards do not require any documents, just a photocopy of your existing card or some cases depending on the promoter, no requirement for anything at all. Quite alot of benefits especially SMRT if you travel often, you can chalk up points to offset your travel expenses.

Diners Club
Normal application takes about 2 weeks. Applying via those promoters at those booths, it will reduce the time  taken to about 1 week. Subsequent applying for other cards do not require any documents, just a photocopy of your existing card or some cases depending on the promoter, no requirement for anything at all. They provide a free gift upon approval subjected to a charge to the card within 30 days of approval (However the trick is to apply via a promoter and get the promoter to get the gift for you, therefore you wont even need to charge anything to your card.)

Not much benefits, however they do have the longest period of installment plans among all the banks or financial institutions.. so you want to buy furniture, wedding dinner, photo package etc and want to stretch over a longer period of time via installment plan, Diners club card is the card to choose. *Its on a interest free installment plan --> interest free only if you pay on time or before the due date.

DBS
First Card application with them takes about 2 weeks with applying thru those booth promoters cut the time down into half. Same as citibank, applying subsequent cards with them only either requires a photocopy of your existing card, no requirement for any further income documents. Their POSB everyday platinum card offers quite a good rebate if you shop at carrefour.  And their Altitude card offers the best expenditure to mileage convertion rate at $0.83 to 1 Mile.

HSBC
No problems with me getting the classic or gold cards, approval takes about two weeks. And when you apply, they give you both the visa and mastercard if you apply for either the classic or gold. However their platinum visa and premier master is rather hard and difficult to get. They do have alot of 1 for 1 dining offers. Service wise, i find them to be ok, however their rewards program is rather difficult to redeem with high redemption points requirement.

Maybank
Application process for the cards takes about two weeks, with application done thru the promoters to be slightly faster maybe about 1.5weeks bah...around there. They have glow in the dark credit cards which is rather unique in the market. Nothing fantastic about them. However you do watch concerts or shows often like shows booked thru sistic. Maybank generally is the only bank that offers discounts for those concerts or shows and the discounts is quite alot like maybe 25% off. For the most expensive seats, it can mean a great deal of savings. For their platinum card, they do offer Complimentary green fees at 15 exclusive golf clubs in Asia Pacific, and discounted green fees to 200 golf clubs worldwide and discounted golf travel packages to Asia, Europe and U.S.A. On top of that you can enjoy free access to Palm Resort Golf & Country Club and Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort which entitles you to free golf games at the clubs.

OCBC
Normal application takes about 2 weeks, applying thru promoters takes about 1 week. Their Titanium offers alot of offers with mainly travel and golf benefits. Their rewards programs requirements are very high and it requires a great deals of points just to redeem like a single movie tickets, not worth it. Their departments dun talk to each other, i tried updating my particulars and removing my old outdated mobile no. After multiply emails, calls and letters over two year. It always comes back as being the same. I sort of given up and leave it just as it is.

SCB
Application takes about two weeks, with application done with the help of the promoters tends to improve the timing to less than two weeks. As what goldribbons mention, their departments dun talk to each other and they keep sending letter to remind you to send in the documents sometimes to the point of you getting the card and they keep reminding you. Abit bo liao though plus waste of paper.

UOB
Fast and quick, very little hassle generally same as Citibank and DBS. First application of card requires about two weeks and applying thru promoters takes about 1 week. Subsequent cards application is approved quickly and cards received in about 1 week or less. Reasonable rewards programs with reachable items for redemption. Previous 2007 Visa signature rewards is fantastic with great travel deals. 2008 rewards programs is however in my P.O.V ok nia.

Ok Guys / Gals, thats my point of view... ;)

Kindly note that i do not work in banks or financial institutions and all my comments are based on my own personal opinion as a customer of those banks or institution stated above.

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Contest theory: More entries = More chances - Concept of Probability.
Time & Tide waits for no Man.

Sometimes, too many cards gets one confused as to which is the best card to use.
Ie. in current GSS, almost every bank have a special promo for their card.

For Citibank SMRT, after a friend's calculation, she saved a miserable $3.50 for her 1 yr usage.

In summary, which card do u all usually use?
Points reedemption have been increasing. Used to be using UOB for most off my transactions but their points reedemption have been increasing every year, now I am reduced to using DBS.
POSB is good for Watson purchases.
OCBC is good to offset your movie tics.
UOB Smarts is good for Guardian.

I find it troublesome to pay Citibank & OCBC bills coz prefer to do everything online but I don't own the Citibank account, only their cards.