UOB$ merchants (formerly known as SMART$ merchants) were historically one of the biggest minefields for UOB cardholders, because UOB$ cashback would be awarded in lieu of UNI$.
Despite the similar-sounding names, UOB$ 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 UOBโs points currency, which can be converted into airline miles. And with a median UOB$ rebate of just 3.5%, you would almost always be worse off earning UOB$, compared to up to 4 mpd through UNI$.
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| UOB$ Programme |
But on 1 November 2024, everything changed as UOB revised its policy to allow double dipping on UNI$ and UOB$ at UOB$ merchants.
Now, instead of avoiding UOB$ merchants, UOB cardholders should be seeking them out. UOB$ rebates may be modest, but so long as theyโre in addition to UNI$, you have little to lose.
Since the UOB websiteโs UX does not make it easy to check the list of UOB$ merchants on the fly, this article serves to consolidate everything into one place. Iโll be publishing an update each month or quarter, depending on how often the list changes.
If youโve stumbled upon this article via a search engine and want to ensure youโre reading the most up-to-date version, click this link and look for the topmost article.
| โ ๏ธ UOB $ Merchants |
How do UOB$ work?
When UOB cardholders spend at UOB$ merchants, they earn UOB$ which can be redeemed on the next transaction with the same merchant at a rate of 1 UOB$ = S$1.
It used to be the case that UOB$ were earned as a substitute for UNI$, but ever since 1 November 2024, cardholders can earn both at the same time.
For example, suppose you visit UOB$ merchant Miniso (4% rebates) and use your UOB Preferred Platinum Visa to pay for a S$20 transaction (via mobile contactless). You will earn:
- 40 UNI$ (which can be convert into 80 airline miles)
- 0.80 UOB$ (which can be used to offset a future transaction at Miniso)
UOB$ can be tracked via the UOB TMRW app. To view the UOB$ youโve earned, tap on Rewards+ > My rewards > UOB$.
This shows a summary of the UOB$ youโve earned at various merchants, as well as the expiry date.
All UOB cards participate in the UOB$ programme, with the exception of:
- UOB PRVI Miles AMEX
- UOB Absolute Cashback Card
- UOB Preferred Platinum AMEX Card (no longer issued)
- UOB UnionPay Platinum Card
- UOB Travel Account Card
- UOB Purchasing Card
Changes for December 2024
New UOB$ merchants
No new merchants have joined the UOB$ programme in the month of December 2024.
Removed UOB$ merchants
The following merchants have been removed in the month of December 2024.
| โ Removed UOB$ Merchants: December 2024 | ||
| Category | Merchant | Rebate |
| Dining | Yole | 10% |
| Dining | Tampines 1 outlet of Crystal Jade | 3% |
| Retail and Services | VivoCity outlet of JD Sports | 5% (min. S$100) |
Full list of UOB$ merchants
Hereโs the latest list of UOB$ merchants, current as of 14 December 2024 (sections are expanded by default for easier searching; you can tap on individual sections to collapse them for easier navigation).
Dining
Dining
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| 8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro | 5% |
|
| A&A Bistro & Cafรฉ | 3% |
|
| Aburi-EN | 3% |
|
| Bee Cheng Hiang | 2% |
|
| Bonchon | 5% | |
| BreadTalk | 3% |
|
| Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza | 5% |
|
| Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club | 3% |
|
| Carlโs Jr | 3% |
|
| Cellarbration | 3% | |
| Cinnabon | 5% | |
| Co Chung | 10% |
|
| Crystal Jade Group | 3% |
|
| Famous Kitchen | 5% |
|
| Famous Palace | 5% |
|
| Famous Treasure | 5% |
|
| Feng Tian Xiao Chu | 5% |
|
| Francescaโs | 5% |
|
| Hang Heung | 5% |
|
| Hard Rock Cafe | 3% | |
| Hei Sushi | 3% | |
| House of Seafood | 3% (cap S$60) |
|
| House of White Beehoon | 3% |
|
| I.N.U Cafe and Boutique | 5% |
|
| Ivins | 3% (cap S$50) |
|
| Jia He Xing | 3% | |
| Kinara Contemporary Indian Cuisine | 10% |
|
| Kinara North West | 10% |
|
| Kyojo Dining | 5% |
|
| La Coffee | 3% | |
| Little Italy | 10% |
|
| MOA Restrobar | 3% (min. S$40) |
|
| Mr Biryani | 3% |
|
| Mr. Coconut | 2% |
|
| Mun Zuk | 5% |
|
| Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Nong Geng Ji | 5% |
|
| Orchid Live Seafood | 3% (cap S$30) |
|
| OSO Ristorante | 5% |
|
| Patisserie G | 5% |
|
| Pearl Hill Garden Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Polar Puffs and Cakes | 2% |
|
| Potato Corner | 3% | |
| Sakae Sushi | 3% | |
| Salmon Samurai | 3% |
|
| Secret Mermaid | 3% | |
| Standing Sushi Bar | 3% | |
| Swatow Seafood Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Tangmen Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Tanuki Raw | 3% | |
| Tarte by Cheryl Koh | 5% | |
| Taste of India | 5% (cap S$8) |
|
| Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Tian Tian You Yu | 10% |
|
| Toast Box | 3% |
|
Gourmet Dining
Gourmet Dining
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Kappou Miyako | 5% (cap S$100) |
|
Lux Retail
Lux Retail
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| CDG | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Club21 | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| DKNY | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Jil Sander | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Mulberry | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Paul Smith | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| PLAY CDG | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Sacai | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Stella McCartney | 5% (min. S$1K) |
|
| Thom Browne | 5% (min. S$1K) |
Do note that the earn rate for all of the above merchants will be increased to 10% from 1 January to 25 April 2025, with a minimum spend of S$1,500.
Retail and Services
Retail and Services
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Aesthetic Works MediSpa | 3% (min. S$500) |
|
| agnรจs B | 5% |
|
| Buffโd Nail Spa | 3% | |
| CASA | 3% |
|
| Code Bright Academy | 3% | |
| COSLAB | 3% |
|
| Crocodile | 3% |
|
| Delta Dental Surgeons | 3% |
|
| Fortune Supermarket | 2% | |
| Gordon Max | 3% |
|
| G-Star Raw | 5% |
|
| Hall of Fame | 6% |
|
| Hang Ten | 3% |
|
| HoneyWorld | 3% | |
| iRun | 6% |
|
| JD Sports | 5% (min. S$100) |
|
| Le Coq Sportif | 5% |
|
| LFC | 6% |
|
| Limited Edt Underground | 6% |
|
| M)phosis | 3% |
|
| Maco Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Miniso | 4% |
|
| Mr Jeff | 5% |
|
| New Era | 6% | |
| Nitori | 3% |
|
| Optique Paris Miki | 2% |
|
| OZARA | 3% |
|
| Picota Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Pixie Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Qoosh Nail Spa | 3% | |
| Replay | 5% |
|
| Salivan Beauty Clinic | 5% |
|
| Sports Fashion | 6% |
|
| Surferโs Paradise | 3% |
|
| The Stretch Clinic | 5% |
|
| Under Armour | 6% |
|
| Weston Corp | 6% |
|
| Winter Time | 2% |
|
Travel and Entertainment
Travel and Entertainment
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| Cathay Cineplexes | 2% | |
| City Tours | 10% |
|
Conclusion
With double dipping on UOB$ and UNI$ now possible, UOB$ merchants are something to be desired, rather than avoided.
Unfortunately, the list is now getting trimmed back. After a big wave of departures last month including Cold Storage, Giant, Guardian, Starbucks and Sushiro, December 2024 sees Yole leaving the UOB$ programme, together with the VivioCity outlet of JD Sports and Tampines 1 outlet of Crystal Jade.
Hopefully next year will see more additions to the UOB$ programme- a phrase I never thought Iโd say!
