With the seemingly endless nerfs to GrabPay, those looking to earn credit card rewards at QR code-only merchants have been running short of options. AMEX Pay gets the job done, but isn’t accepted everywhere, and when LiquidPay removed support for credit card payments in Feburary, things looked grim.
However, LiquidPay’s removal of credit card support coincided with their launch of a new platform called XNAP. XNAP looks to be a one-for-one replacement for LiquidPay, allowing users to earn credit card miles or cashback at merchants that don’t accept cards, such as hawkers, neighbourhood shops and pasar malam stalls (well, they’ll need all the help they can to cover that rent…).
How does XNAP work?
 |
| XNAP |
XNAP only supports Apple Pay or Google Pay, so in other words, you can only use credit cards supported by Apple Pay or Google Pay.
| Apple Pay | Google Pay | |
| Amaze | โ | โ |
| American Express | โ | โ |
| Bank of China | โ | โ |
| CIMB | โ | โ |
| Citibank | โ | โ |
| DBS | โ | โ |
| HSBC | โ | โ |
| Maybank | โ | โ |
| StanChart | โ | โ |
| OCBC | โ | โ |
| UOB | โ | โ |
You can use the XNAP app (Android | iOS) to scan and pay any QR code that displays the XNAP logo.
Do note that some older QR code displays may still show the previous LiquidPay logo. These will also work with the XNAP app.
Anyway, a good rule of thumb is to just try and scan regardless of what logos are shown- maybe you get lucky.
What do XNAP transactions code as?
XNAP transactions code as MCC 5814 Fast Food Restaurants, confirmed by emails from the LiquidPay team and in-field testing.
Which card should you use with XNAP?
Here’s the cards you can use to maximise miles on XNAP.
| Card | Earn Rate | Remarks |
 UOB Lady’s CardApply |
4 mpd* | Max S$1K per c. month |
 UOB Lady’s SolitaireApply |
4 mpd* | Max S$2K per c. month |
 Citi Rewards + Amaze Apply |
4 mpd | Max S$1K per s. month |
 DBS Woman’s World CardApply |
4 mpd | Max S$1.5K per c. month |
 HSBC RevolutionApply |
4 mpd** | Max S$1K per c. month |
 UOB Pref. Plat. VisaApply |
4 mpd | Max S$1.1K per c. month |
| S. Month= Statement Month | C. Month= Calendar Month *Must declare dining as quarterly 10X category **Ends 1 May 2024 |
||
You must use the Citi Rewards paired with Amaze to earn 4 mpd with XNAP. Using the Citi Rewards Card by itself will only earn 0.4 mpd, because of Citi’s blanket exclusion on mobile wallet payments.
Conclusion
XNAP offers cardholders an opportunity to earn miles or cashback even at QR code-only merchants, and while these typically won’t be very large transactions, every little bit helps.
If you have more data points on how XNAP transactions are coding (and whether they’re earning bonuses), do give a shout out!
What about the SC Smart Card? Will such transactions generate 5.56mpd?
Smart card doesn’t verify by MCC. Specific merchants only
Thanks for sharing
I made transactions via XNAP on 12/3/23 and 15/3/23, but no bonus points were awarded. I shall try again.
Nope, I am still not getting the bonus points. Tried on 23/3/23.
I used to get the bonus points (transaction on 1 March) for preferred platinum but the most recent transaction on 15 March , there was no bonus Uni$ awarded.
Through the DBS Digibank app you can check the transaction type when you open up the credit card transaction info.
If it shows up as ‘online/In-app payment’, there’s a high chance that it will accrue the bonus. Have yet to see an online/in-app payment not accrue points.
Sidenote: AMEX Pay also allows you to pay for SGQR thru Amex credit cards and earn rewards so that’s an option too if XNAP/liquid pay’s not there.
“Through the DBS Digibank app you can check the transaction type when you open up the credit card transaction info.” I don’t see this on my app. Can you advise? Much thanks.
its not the app but the desktop chat function on the bottom right hand side
It’s available on the app – go to the credit card section on the main page, select the appropriate credit card, and you’ll see a list of transactions (latest transactions are under unbilled).
Click any specific transaction to see details of it, which also includes transaction type (eg contactless, card presentation, online/in-app payment). If it’s not there, sometimes it takes a day or two to show up – it is only final if it’s a posted transaction
Tried with DBS cards. Though it says MCC6012, all rewards and bonus were as usual.
How about using Alipay to scan QR for payment? I see that it is one of the options and that should earn some miles if we use the right credit card?
Alipay can tag to credit card?
I’m pretty sure Alipay QR requires a China bank account to work. It is processed differently than Alipay in-app purchases that works with local credit card (count as online spend for 4mpd).
Hi Milelion, how do I use the amaze+Citi rewards combo on xnap if amaze is not accepted on Apple Pay? Iโm using an iPhone so Apple Pay is what works with xnap for me.
U canโt.
Download Googlepay on your iOS App Store la
Hi Aaron, Maybank cards work with Samsung Pay. My MB World Mastercard is saved and used on Samsung Pay for contactless payments.
anyone can confirm if it earns the additional 9 points as online transaction?
You seem to be talking about one specific card, which one?
Anyone knows if uob lady’s card with dining category can get points with xnap?
heys team, does this work for like cashback cards
e.g. ocbc365?
Using XNAP to pay with SC Journey card, does it consider online food (5814) to get the 3mpd dollar?
Seems like XnAp is down. Not able to download it on the App Store even.