Public transport is unlikely to be a significant chunk of your monthly expenditure, but that’s no reason to leave miles on the table. Every little bit helps, and a regular recurring expense, charged to the right credit card, can reap rewards over time.
As Singapore transitions from WFH to WFO, here’s the best cards to maximise rewards on this category.
| 💳 What’s the Best Card for… |
| This guide forms part of the “best card” series. Check out other category specific guides below, or the overall guide here. For my 2022 |
| 💗 Donations | 🏫 Education | 🥡 Food Delivery | 🏥 Hospitals | ☂️ Insurance | ⛽ Petrol | 🚍 Public Transport | 🚰 Utilities |
How are you paying for public transport?
Earning miles on public transportation is a relatively recent phenomenon, made possible by the government’s push towards contactless payments.
There are three ways to go about using your credit card for public transport, but be warned: only one of them will earn rewards!
❌Top-up at General Ticketing Machines/ Add Value Machines
EZ-Link cards can be topped up with credit cards at General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) or Add Value Machines (AVMs) located inside MRT stations, ever since 2016. However, you will not earn any credit card points for transactions at these machines, so avoid them as much as possible
❌ Top-up via EZ-Link app
EZ-Link cards can also be topped up via the EZ-Link app, either on an ad-hoc basis or via Auto Top-Up.
Again, this isn’t the right path to take. While it was possible in the past to earn 2 mpd on Auto Top-Up (then called EZ-Reload) with the HSBC Revolution or up to 1.4 mpd with the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite, both have been nerfed.
✔ Pay via SimplyGo
The only way to earn miles on your public transport rides is also the simplest- all you need to do is tap your credit card (or credit card linked to a mobile wallet) at the gantry.
All contactless-enabled credit cards can be used at MRT and bus gantries, with no need to register the card beforehand. Registration, however, allows you to track your fares and usage online or via the SimplyGo app.
What MCC do SimplyGo transactions code as?
Regardless of whether you pay with Visa or Mastercard, SimplyGo transactions code as MCC 4111: Transportation- Suburban and Local Commuter Passenger, including Ferries.
SimplyGo transactions will appear on your bank statement as BUS/MRT.
What credit cards earn rewards for SimplyGo?
The good news is that with the exception of Citibank and OCBC, all banks continue to award points for SimplyGo transactions.
| 🚆 SimplyGo Transactions | |
| Bank | Awards Points? |
 | N/A Not accepted for SimplyGo |
 | ✓ |
 | ✕* |
 | ✓ |
 | ✓ |
 | ✓ |
 | ✕ Except Titanium Rewards |
 | ✓ |
 | ✓ |
| *Citibank does not include MCC 4111 in its master rewards exclusion list, but you can find this clause at the bottom of its SimplyGo page: “Please note that SimplyGo transactions on Citi Cards will not earn Citi ThankYou Points / Citi Miles / Cash Back / Citi M1 Rebate / Cash Rebate.” | |
Amaze has excluded MCC 4111 from 1 January 2022, which means you won’t be able to double dip on 1% cashback with your Mastercard credit card.
Here’s the updated list of how much you’ll earn with various cards and SimplyGo. FYI: You’ll earn exactly the same number of miles whether you tap the physical card at the gantry, or use the digitised version on your mobile wallet.
| 🚆 SimplyGo Transactions | |
| Card | Earn Rate |
 SCB Smart CardApply | Up to 7.7 mpd1 |
 UOB Lady’s SolitaireApply | 4 mpd2 |
 UOB Lady’s CardApply | 4 mpd3 |
 Maybank Horizon VisaApply | 3.2 mpd4 |
 KrisFlyer UOB Credit CardApply | 3 mpd5 |
 UOB PRVI Miles VisaApply | 1.4 mpd |
 UOB PRVI Miles MastercardApply | 1.4 mpd |
 UOB Visa Infinite Metal CardApply | 1.4 mpd |
 SCB Visa InfiniteApply | 1.4 mpd6 |
 HSBC Visa InfiniteApply | 1.25 mpd7 |
 DBS Altitude VisaApply | 1.2 mpd |
 Maybank Visa InfiniteApply | 1.2 mpd |
 SCB X CardApply | 1.2 mpd |
| 1. 7.7 mpd earn rate for SCB X Card and SCB Visa Infinite cardholders; 5.6 mpd otherwise 2. Capped at S$3,000 per month, must declare transport as bonus category 3. Capped at S$1,000 per month, must declare transport as bonus category 4. With min S$300 spending per month, capped at S$4,286 5. With min S$300 spending on SIA-Group in membership year 6. Min S$2,000 spending per statement month, otherwise 1 mpd 7. Min S$50,000 spending in previous membership year, otherwise 1 mpd | |
UOB has quite a few good options, with the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card and UOB Lady’s Cards offering between 3-4 mpd. Do note that the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa will only earn 0.4 mpd on SimplyGo transactions (even though they’re contactless), so don’t bother using it here.
| ⚠️ What about UOB’s S$5 minimum spend? |
Here’s where a lot of people get confused, no thanks to UOB’s strange points rounding policies. By right, you need to spend a minimum of S$5 to earn any miles on UOB cards- spend S$4.99 and you walk away empty handed. Given that most people won’t be spending that amount on public transport rides per transaction (or even per day), the question then becomes how you could possibly earn anything out of this. The answer lies in the fine print:
So except in extreme circumstances (e.g. where you take two rides a month), you’ll definitely earn some miles on your rides. |
Another option worth considering, for those who have the AMEX HighFlyer Card, is to top up your GrabPay account to earn 1.8 mpd, then use the GrabPay Mastercard for your rides.
You may encounter the occasional fussy reader which rejects the GrabPay Card, but if so, you could use the GrabPay Card to top-up a physical EZ-Link card at a General Ticketing Machine for the same end result. Do note that no GrabRewards points will be earned for EZ-Link top-ups, although you will earn them for SimplyGo rides.
| ⚠️ A cashback alternative |
 |
I normally wouldn’t mention cashback options, but Revolut is offering an excellent 20% cashback on all SimplyGo rides from now till 31 March 2022. To participate, you must top up at least S$100 per month via bank transfer to your Revolut account. You’ll then earn 20% cashback on public transport rides, capped at S$10 per month. Remember, you can transfer any balance from your Revolut account back into your bank account, and you only need to top up in the months you want to earn 20% cashback. |
Conclusion
While you won’t earn a First Class ticket from public transport spending alone, it all adds up. Just avoid the ticketing machines and head directly to the gantry- most cards on the market will still earn rewards.
Now that the UOB PRVI offer has lapsed, I’m using the Zipster card for public transport. The transactions on this card code as online transactions, so I get 4 mpd on the WWMC or CRV
That’s interesting, but I can’t find any way to apply for the zipster card.
Interesting! What’s the MCC for Zipster postpaid payments?
If I opt for postpayment, they will collect the entire months worth and charge on one transaction, which may be more efficient than my current UOB Krisflyer $5 block miles earnings.
It’s the same as 4111. But these are online transaction hence can earn 4mpd. MCC doesn’t really matter
Email them to buy the card..
May I know what card is good for ERP and carpark? Any ideas on how to earn miles? Appreciate if this topic can be covered too.
Thank you for this post! Wondering why you did not include the UOB PP Visa though?
Because the UOB PPV only earns 0.4mpd for SimplyGo
Is UNI$ award for public transport based on monthly spend? Else if it is per trip basis, I am wondering if it is possible for 4 mpd using lady card, as UNI$ is awarded based on $5 block and each trip on public transport is unlikely to be more than $5.
I am very sorry, you have actually answered and I have completely missed it. Please ignore my comments.
Hi Aaron, OCBC clarified that OCBC N90 does award base points.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/credit-cards-line-credit-facilities-243/ocbc-ocbc-90%B0n-card-8-miles-%24-6101219-26.html
MCC 4111 is not in their blacklist
interesting- i was told otherwise at first. i’ll double check and update.
update: the post you linked to is dated 13 march 2020. the new t and c started from 1 june 2020, and 4111 is indeed blacklisted.
I see, thanks for the clarification! I do see MCC 4111 blacklisted in the Jun T&C:
https://www.ocbc.com/iwov-resources/sg/ocbc/personal/pdf/cards/tnc-ocbc-90n-card-programme.pdf
Ah! I had always thought Citi premier visa did
citi is sneaky about this. it’s not mentioned explicitly in their T&C, and is quite hard to find. however, navigate to this page (https://www.citibank.com.sg/citi-mastercard/index.html) and scroll to the bottom, where under the T&C (click to expand) you’ll read
Please note that SimplyGo transactions on Citi Cards will not earn Citi ThankYouSM Points / Citi Miles / Cash Back / SMRT$ / Citi M1 Rebate / Cash Rebate. Click here for the Citi ThankYou Points / Citi Miles / Cash Back / SMRT$ / Citi M1 Rebate / Cash Rebate Issuance Exclusion Terms and Conditions.
How about the new HSBC Revo?
https://milelion.com/2020/07/01/awesome-hsbc-revolution-receiving-major-upgrade-from-1-august/
Do you see 4111 in the whitelist ? Read article please
thank you, i appreciate your input, but you really can use a better manner to tell me, why must be so challenging?
Why you expect to be spoonfed and still expect to be spoonfed politely. you emperor is it? all hail emperor karen!
Replying a comment from 11 months ago. Maybe you are the one that needs to read carefully.
Actually I am a blind man, so I really don’t “see”, but do you have to be so mean?
I’m teaching you how to find answer instead of not reading article & waiting for spoon-feed answer.
Halo, you yourself never read article. People provided info and you blamed other people ?
alternatively, i will use dash for public transport thru apple pay, since it can be topped up via Singtel with up to $200/mo and the telco bill can be paid by WWMC/CRV/CRMC for 4mpd.
hi, does this still work?
what about HSBC revolution card? does it earn 4mpd for SimplyGo too?
Nope
While grab MC do not give points for top-up, you can use grab mc for simply-go as well. They will give points now (afaik, they stopped giving points for a while but now it is back again). However, the points will only be given about a week after the transaction so it is not easy to track.
That being said, 1.7% Cashback for top-up then grab point for transport
PS. I tried it after reading somewhere on forum that the point is back and tested. It was working as of jun 7.
yup, i remember that public transport used to be on the grabpay exclusion list, but when i checked it yesterday it had been removed.
Hi, just stumbled upon your article. Thanks for the summary. Just curious, does Citi SMRT Credit Card get points for SimplyGo?
5% rebate for total spend above 500
Tldr: revolut. Nothing beats revolut currently
Agreed. Getting 20% cashback takes some of the sting away from the bus fare hike.
What about the DBS credit card $5 rounding? Do they also accumulate on a monthly basis like UOB?
The policy applies across all banks. And btw Dbs minimum spend to earn miles isn’t $5, it’s something like $1.67 or so. I’ve covered why in a separate article: https://milelion.com/2019/08/16/how-do-banks-calculate-credit-card-points-general-spending/
Anyone might know what is the MCC for top-ups via EZ-Link App? I charged it DBS credit cards and it showed up as “Transportation” using the DBS digibank chatbot.
Car sharing services like GetGo and BlueSG has MCC of 7512. Does this earn reward points?
Did a search myself. For Citi Rewards, its not eligible
If I use my Citi Rewards or UOB Lady’s Card to top-up my Grab wallet, and use Grab card to tap through the gantries, will I still earn 4mpd PLUS Grab points? Thanks in advance!
Does DBS Altitude still award DBS points for public transportation? I don’t see the line under the promotion & benefits on their page anymore.