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8 Credit Cards That Get You Cashback And Rebates On Public Transport

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8 Credit Cards That Get You Cashback And Rebates On Public Transport

Earn cashback, miles and rebates with an all-in-one credit card that doubles up as your EZ-Link card on trains and buses

April 5, 2021

Under LTA’s SimplyGo scheme, commuters can tap any MasterCard/Visa credit card to pay for public transport. What’s more, if your Visa or MasterCard credit card is stored on your smartphone, you can even leave those cards at home.

To do this, simply:

1. Add Mastercard/Visa credit card under ApplePay or AndroidPay on your smartphone. 
2. Upon approaching a gantry, enable face ID/ verification and hold your phone near the gantry.
3. <OPTIONAL> Download the SimplyGo mobile app to track your public transport expenses. Otherwise, your card issuer should also issue you a mobile phone notification about the expense. 

This means you now have a brand new way to earn air miles or cashback on public transport. But which of these cards actually give you the most cashback and rebates?

Here’s a couple of recommendations that offer the most generous rewards. 

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https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/save-money/simplygo-cashback-rebates-public-transport-credit-cards/
8 Credit Cards That Get You Cashback And Rebates On Public Transport
Citi SMRT Platinum Visa CardCiti SMRT Card
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The Citi SMRT Card is the only credit card in Singapore that partners with SMRT, one of Singapore’s major transport companies. Simply activate the card at TransitLink office to use it as your EZ-Link card. You can use this card for either EZ-Reload or SimplyGo.

At 2% rebate for any EZ-Reload transactions over $30, you’ll save quite a bit after a year. The rebates are rewarded in SMRT$, which can be redeemed for vouchers or free rides. 1 SMRT$ is equal to S$1 worth of vouchers, which means that you can earn $40 worth of SMRT vouchers with the SMRT$48 you accumulate in a year (SMRT vouchers come in denominations of 10).

But the 2% rebate comes with strings attached: you need to spend a minimum of $300 per month, failing which you only qualify for a 0.3% rebate. You can also only earn up to 600 SMRT$ in a year.

Each EZ-Reload transaction must also be over $30; anything below earns 1% SMRT$. Fortunately, the default EZ-Reload amount is set at $30, which can be changed at any time.

The great thing about this card is there are no convenience fees for EZ-Reload top-ups, usually charged at $0.25 per transaction. And if you can meet the minimum spend, you save quite a bit on your train rides, which can be redeemed with vouchers.

Alternatively, you can also tap to pay for your public transport fares directly. You will need to activate the SimplyGo function at any General Ticketing Machine to switch your payment mode from EZ-Link to contactless payment to use SimplyGo. Unlike the 2% earn rate for EZ-Reload, you will only earn 0.3% rebate when you spend more than $300 a month, or no rebate at all if you fail to spend at least $300.

Get This Card If You…

Want to earn rebates and free train rides with your rebates. In addition to the 2% rebate from EZ-Reload transactions, you can also earn up to 5% rebate at groceries, 5% rebate on coffee and fast food, and 1% rebate on recurring bills.

Want extra household savings or Grab discounts. You save more on groceries, shopping or Grab rides.

Apply for the Citi SMRT card here.

UOB PRVI Miles Card
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The best miles credit card for public transport is the UOB PRVI Miles card, which offers 1.4 miles per $1 spend on local bus and train rides via mobile contactless transactions.

This refers to the likes of Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Instead of tapping the card directly on the terminal, you will have to add this card to your mobile contactless wallet in your smartphone. You can then use this card registered in your phone to tap on the terminal just like your EZ-link card.

Get This Card If You…

Want an air-miles card that has a high miles earn rate. The UOB PRVI miles card gives you 1.4 miles per $1 spent locally. This offers a high earn rate of 1.4mpd compared to most miles credit cards that offer 1.2 mpd.

UOB PRVI Miles also has an ongoing offer that rewards cardholders with 3 miles per $1 spent on selected online transactions.

Want to travel to the airport in style. With the UOB PRVI miles, you will enjoy complimentary airport transfers to Changi Airport. You will have to call 6651 2253 between 9am to 6pm to make your booking at least 2 days before the pickup date.

Apply for the UOB PRVI card here.

OCBC Frank Card
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OCBC Frank offers 6% cashback for three distinct categories: online spending, contactless mobile payments, and foreign currency spending made in-store and more. Besides transport, you can earn rebates on  purchases like food, groceries, pet supplies and travel bookings.

To qualify, you will have to spend a minimum of $600 every month. There is also a cashback cap of $25 per category.

Get This Card If You…

Are looking for a convenience. With cashback rewards for contactless mobile payments, you won’t even need to bring this card around.

Apply for the OCBC Frank card here.

DBS Live Fresh Card
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Just like the OCBC Frank card, DBS Live Fresh requires you to spend a minimum of $600 in a calendar month in order to enjoy a 5% cashback on bus or train rides. Note that it is capped at $20 on online spend, $20 on Visa contactless spend and $20 on all other spend for each calendar month.

Get This Card If You…

Have a DBS Multiplier account. On top of using this credit card for public transport rides, you can also link your card to your DBS Multiplier account and earn 1.6% p.a. or more per annum in interest.

Also love online shopping. Cardmembers get 5% cash back when you shop online or use mobile payments (Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay).

Apply for the DBS Live Fresh card here.


DBS Altitude Visa
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The DBS Altitude Visa offers 1.2 miles per dollar on all public transport rides paid using SimplyGo. The fares will be charged directly to your card upon usage (no top-ups or reloads required).

If you travel frequently, DBS Altitude rewards you with bonus miles for all your travel-related expenses.

Get This Card If You…

Plan to spend on flights and hotels. Enjoy 3 miles per dollar on selected online flight and hotel transactions.

Want complimentary travel accident insurance of up to $1,000,000 when you charge the full travel fare to your card.

Apply for the DBS Altitude card here.

UOB Lady’s Card
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A card that lets you select your preferred miles category based on your current spending habits. Earn 10x UNI$ (20 miles) per S$5 spend when you choose from categories such as beauty and wellness, fashion, dining, family, travel, transport and entertainment.

You also have the freedom to adjust your lifestyle categories and interests every quarter.

Get This Card If You…

Are a frequent shopper. Enjoy 4 miles per dollar on beauty and wellness, fashion, dining, family, travel, transport and entertainment. You’ll have to choose from one of these catergories to enjoy the 4 miles per dollar earn rate.

Intend to splash out on a new luxury shoe or handbag. With the Lady’s LuxePay Plan, you can place your new luxury purchase (shoes and bags worth S$500 or more ) on a six or 12-month instalment payment plan without extra charge.

Apply for the UOB Lady’s card here.

CIMB Platinum Mastercard
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The 10% cashback perk for CIMB Platinum Mastercard does not only apply to buses and trains. It also counts taxis and private hire vehicles along with petrol top-ups. Additionally, you enjoy the same cashback rate across 4 more categories. These include wine & dine, travel in foreign currency, health & medical, and electronics & furnishing.

Do note that the cashback is capped at $20 per category and requires a minimum spend of $800.

Get This Card If You…

Spend a lot of time out of your home. The 10% cashback rate for transport and dining work well in tandem. This includes nightlife venues like pubs or bars, allowing for greater flexibility.

Want a fuss-free credit card. There are no annual fees for both primary and supplementary cardmembers. Both types enjoy identical benefits too.

Apply for the CIMB Platinum Mastercard here.

Maybank Family & Friends Card
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The Maybank Family & Friends Card might just be the most versatile card on this list. You enjoy 8% cashback across three categories in Singapore and Malaysia, and an additional two available only in Singapore. The former categories include groceries, fast food and food delivery, as well as transport and petrol.

The Singapore-only categories consist of learning and retail, data communications, and online TV streaming.

The 8% cashback rate caps out at $80 and requires a minimum monthly spend of $800. You earn 0.3% cashback thereafter which applies to spending on other categories too.

Get This Card If You…

Travel regularly between Singapore and Malaysia. This credit card is perfect if you often drive across the causeway to stock up on groceries and for post-shopping meals.

Need a daily driver. The 8% cashback rate for the Maybank Family & Friends Card includes products and services that are used every day. These include your telco or Netflix subscription and when you stock up on stationery and books.

Apply for the Maybank Family & Friends card here.

Text: Alevin Chan/Singsaver

SingSaver is a personal finance comparison platform that allows users to easily compare credit cards, personal loans, and insurance for free, while helping empower people to lead healthier financial lives through increased financial literacy.

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This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.

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  • best credit cards singapore
  • cashback
  • credit card rebates
  • EZ-Link
  • public transport
  • SimplyGo
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