For as long as I can remember, the UOB$ programme has been one of the biggest minefields for UOB cardholders. Even when I first started playing the miles game more than 10 years ago, I recall the constant warnings online: no miles at UOB$ merchants! (referred to as SMART$ merchants back then)
But amazingly, this will finally come to an end from 1 November 2024, when UOB will allow double dipping on UNI$ and UOB$ cashback at UOB$ merchants. This means you can earn miles and return cashback whenever you use your UOB credit cards here.
Say what?
Earn UNI$ at UOB$ merchants from November 2024
As I hope you’re aware of by now, UOB cardholders currently earn reduced or no UNI$ at UOB$ merchants, depending on which card they hold.
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UNI$ will not be awarded for: … 20.4 any transactions at UOB$ merchants where UOB$ are issued |
Despite the similar naming, UOB$ and UNI$ are worlds apart. UOB$ is a form of return cashback that can be spent on the next bill with the same merchant. UNI$ is UOB’s primary rewards currency, and can be redeemed for airline miles.
While there are some situations where UOB$ could be more lucrative than earning UNI$, with a median rebate of 3.5%, those are the exception rather than the rule. In most cases, you’d certainly prefer to earn 4 mpd!
From 1 November 2024, that policy will change. As spotted by @hschin in the MileChat, UOB has updated the FAQs on its UOB$ landing page.
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Will I be able to earn UNI$ on transactions that award UOB$? Yes. W.e.f 1 Nov 2024, all eligible cardmembers will earn UNI$ on all transactions made at UOB$ participating merchants. |
It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it line, but it changes everything. Basically, from next month, UOB$ becomes something to desire, not fear.
It just flips the entire thought process 180 degrees. Let’s say you’re paying the bill at Crystal Jade. Instead of thinking: oh no, I’d better avoid using my UOB card here because it’s a UOB$ merchant, you’re now thinking: good, I’d better use my UOB card here because it’s a UOB$ merchant. UOB is offering extra cashback on top of whatever miles you’d normally earn, so why not take it?
How will earn rates at UOB$ merchants change?
The table below summarises what will happen to some popular UOB miles-earning cards effective 1 November 2024.
| ๐ณ Earn Rates at UOB$ Merchants | ||
| Card | Till 31 Oct 24 | From 1 Nov 24 |
 UOB Lady’s CardApply |
3.6 mpd | 4 mpd^ |
 UOB Lady’s SolitaireApply |
3.6 mpd | 4 mpd^ |
 UOB Visa Signature Apply |
3.6 mpd | 4 mpd* |
 UOB Pref. Plat. VisaApply |
No miles | 4 mpd* |
 UOB ReserveBy invite only |
No miles | 1.6 mpd |
 UOB PRVI Miles AMEXApply |
1.4 mpd# |
1.4 mpd# |
 UOB PRVI Miles MastercardApply |
No miles | 1.4 mpd |
 UOB PRVI Miles VisaApply |
No miles | 1.4 mpd |
 UOB Visa Infinite Metal CardApply |
No miles | 1.4 mpd |
 KrisFlyer UOB CardApply |
No miles | 1.2 mpd |
| ^Provided the MCC falls under your quarterly bonus category *Provided you use mobile contactless payments (UOB Preferred Platinum Visa) or contactless payment (UOB Visa Signature) #The UOB PRVI Miles AMEX does not participate in the UOB$ programme |
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In every case, you’ll be earning more miles than before, together with the UOB$ cashback. What’s not to love?
Full list of UOB$ merchants
As a reminder, here’s the current list of UOB$ merchants. Do note that there will be some big names leaving the programme from 1 November 2024, such as Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, Starbucks and Sushiro.
Be on the lookout for my monthly UOB$ update post, which will have to be significantly repositioned from November onwards!
Dining
Dining
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| 8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro | 5% |
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| A&A Bistro & Cafรฉ | 3% |
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| Aburi-EN | 3% |
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| Bee Cheng Hiang | 2% |
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| Bonchon | 5% | |
| BreadTalk | 3% |
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| Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza | 5% |
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| Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club | 3% |
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| Carl’s Jr | 3% |
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| Cellarbration | 3% | |
| Cinnabon | 5% | |
| Co Chung | 10% |
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| Crystal Jade Group | 3% |
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| Famous Kitchen | 5% |
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| Famous Palace | 5% |
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| Famous Treasure | 5% |
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| Feng Tian Xiao Chu | 5% |
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| Francesca’s | 5% |
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| Hang Heung | 5% |
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| Hard Rock Cafe | 3% | |
| Hei Sushi | 3% | |
| House of Seafood | 3% (cap S$60) |
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| House of White Beehoon | 3% |
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| I.N.U Cafe and Boutique | 5% |
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| Ivins | 3% (cap S$50) |
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| Jia He Xing | 3% | |
| Kinara Contemporary Indian Cuisine | 10% |
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| Kinara North West | 10% |
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| Kyojo Dining | 5% |
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| Little Italy | 10% |
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| MOA Restrobar | 3% (min. S$40) |
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| Mr Biryani | 3% |
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| Mr. Coconut | 2% |
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| Mun Zuk | 5% |
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| Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant | 5% |
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| Nong Geng Ji | 5% |
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| Orchid Live Seafood | 3% (cap S$30) |
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| OSO Ristorante | 5% |
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| Patisserie G | 5% |
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| Pearl Hill Garden Restaurant | 5% |
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| Polar Puffs and Cakes | 2% |
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| Potato Corner | 3% | |
| Sakae Sushi | 3% | |
| Salmon Samurai | 3% |
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| Secret Mermaid | 3% | |
| Standing Sushi Bar | 3% | |
| Starbucks | 2% (min. S$10) |
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| Sushiro | 5% | |
| Swatow Seafood Restaurant | 5% |
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| Tangmen Restaurant | 5% |
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| Tanuki Raw | 3% | |
| Tarte by Cheryl Koh | 5% | |
| Taste of India | 5% (cap S$8) |
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| Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant | 5% |
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| Tian Tian You Yu | 10% |
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| Toast Box | 3% |
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| Yole | 10% |
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Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Kappou Miyako | 5% (cap S$100) |
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Groceries
Groceries
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Cold Storage | 1% (min. S$50) |
Ends 1 Nov 24 |
| Giant | 1% (min. S$50) |
Ends 1 Nov 24 |
| Jasons Deli | 1% (min. S$50) |
Ends 1 Nov 24 |
Lux Retail
Lux Retail
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| CDG | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Club21 | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| DKNY | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Jil Sander | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Mulberry | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Paul Smith | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| PLAY CDG | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Sacai | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Stella McCartney | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
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| Thom Browne | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
Do note that the earn rate for all of the above merchants will be cut to 5% from 26 October to 31 December 2024, before reverting to 10% from 1 January to 25 April 2025.
Retail and Services
Retail and Services
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Aesthetic Works MediSpa | 3% (min. S$500) |
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| agnรจs B | 5% |
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| Buff’d Nail Spa | 3% | |
| CASA | 3% |
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| Code Bright Academy | 3% | |
| COSLAB | 3% |
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| Crocodile | 3% |
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| Delta Dental Surgeons | 3% |
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| Fortune Supermarket | 2% | |
| Gordon Max | 3% |
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| G-Star Raw | 5% |
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| Guardian | 1% (min. S$50) |
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| Hall of Fame | 6% |
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| Hang Ten | 3% |
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| HoneyWorld | 3% | |
| iRun | 6% |
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| Le Coq Sportif | 5% |
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| LFC | 6% |
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| Limited Edt Underground | 6% |
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| M)phosis | 3% |
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| Maco Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Miniso | 4% |
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| Mr Jeff | 5% |
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| New Era | 6% | |
| Nitori | 3% |
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| Optique Paris Miki | 2% |
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| OZARA | 3% |
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| Picota Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Pixie Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Qoosh Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Replay | 5% |
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| Salivan Beauty Clinic | 5% |
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| Sports Fashion | 6% |
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| Surferโs Paradise | 3% |
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| The Stretch Clinic | 5% |
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| Under Armour | 6% |
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| Weston Corp | 6% |
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| Winter Time | 2% |
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Travel and Entertainment
Travel and Entertainment
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Cathay Cineplexes | 2% | |
| City Tours | 10% |
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Conclusion
From 1 November 2024, UOB cardholders will be able to earn UNI$ on top of UOB$ cashback at UOB$ merchants. Why it’s taken so long for this to happen, I can only speculate, but at least future generations won’t have to suffer the same things we did.
Wouldn’t you know it- just a couple of days ago, I wrote a post titled “Yay: Cold Storage, Giant and Guardian leaving UOB$ programme”. Now I’m going to have to rethink that assessment!
Hey Aaron, how about petrol at SPC? Been avoiding like plague to the extent of using Maybank cards.
would like to know this as well!
SPC was never a UOB$ merchant. it’s a separate exclusion altogether. so don’t expect this to change.
Sounds too good to be true! ๐
Their data analysts probably picked up the avoidance.