Welcome to the October 2025 roundup of UOB$ merchants, which highlights the places where UOB cardholders can earn UOB$ cashback in addition to the regular UNI$. This cashback can then be used on your next visit to the same merchant.
It’s been four months since my last update in June, and unfortunately, the list has continued to shrink. A total of 15 merchants have left the programme — including some big names like Crystal Jade — and while five merchants have joined, three of them are returning members rather than entirely new additions.
On the bright side, UOB has reinstated double UOB$ for selected merchants, after previously removing it in January 2025. The main difference is that “double UOB$ day” is now Wednesday, instead of Friday previously.
 |
| UOB$ Programme |
| 💳 UOB $ Merchants |
| If you’ve stumbled upon this article via a search engine and want to ensure you’re reading the most up-to-date version, click this link and look for the topmost article. |
Why did UOB$ merchants use to be a problem?
UOB$ merchants (formerly known as SMART$ merchants) used to be 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 UOB’s points currency, which can be converted into airline miles
With a median UOB$ rebate of just 3.5%, you would almost always be worse off earning UOB$, compared to up to 4 mpd worth of UNI$.
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 they’re in addition to UNI$, you have nothing to lose.
How do UOB$ 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$1.
For example, suppose you visit UOB$ 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 converted 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$ you’ve earned, tap on Rewards+ > My rewards > UOB$.
This shows a summary of the UOB$ you’ve 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 October 2025
New UOB$ merchants
Five new merchants have joined the UOB$ programme since the previous update in June 2025.
| ✅ New UOB$ Merchants: October 2025 | ||
| Category | Merchant | Rebate |
| Dining | 8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro | 5% |
| Dining | Little Italy | 10% |
| Dining | Royal Host | 2% |
| Retail & Services | CASA | 3% |
| Retail & Services | Hideaway | 3% (5% for Reserve, VI and VI Metal) |
To be fair, I’m not sure whether 8 Degrees Taiwanese Bistro, CASA and Little Italy can really be considered joiners, as they were part of the UOB$ programme at the start of the year. They weren’t there when I checked the list in June 2025, so that could have been a temporary departure or just a website bug.
Removed UOB$ merchants
15 merchants have left the UOB$ programme since the previous update in October 2025.
| ❌ Removed UOB$ Merchants: October 2025 | ||
| Category | Merchant | Rebate |
| Dining | Bonchon | 5% |
| Dining | Cinnabon | 5% |
| Dining | Crystal Jade Group | 3% |
| Dining | Tenkaichi Japanese BBQ Restaurant | 5% |
| Retail and Services | G-Star | 5% |
| Retail and Services | Hall of Fame | 6% |
| Retail and Services | iRUN | 6% |
| Retail and Services | LFC | 6% |
| Retail and Services | Limited Edt Underground | 6% |
| Retail and Services | New Era | 6% |
| Retail and Services | Replay | 5% |
| Retail and Services | Sports Fashion | 6% |
| Retail and Services | Under Armour | 6% |
| Retail and Services | Weston Corp | 6% |
| Travel and Entertainment | Cathay Cineplexes | 2% |
Notable departures include Cathay Cineplexes (no surprises there!), the Crystal Jade Group and Cinnabon.
Full list of UOB$ merchants
Here’s the latest list of UOB$ merchants, current as of 10 October 2025 (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 |
| Aburi-EN | 3% |
|
| Bee Cheng Hiang | 2% |
|
| BreadTalk | 3% | |
| Canteen by Trapeze Rec. Club | 3% |
|
| Carl’s Jr | 3% | |
| Cellarbration | 3% | |
| Famous Kitchen | 5% | |
| Famous Treasure | 5% | |
| Hang Heung | 5% |
|
| Hard Rock Cafe | 3% | |
| Hei Sushi | 3% | |
| House of Seafood | 3% (cap S$60) |
|
| House of White Beehoon | 3% |
|
| Kappou Miyako | 5% (cap S$100) |
|
| Kinara Contemporary Indian Cuisine | 10% |
|
| Mr. Coconut | 2% |
|
| Nanbantei Japanese Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Nong Geng Ji | 5% |
|
| Orchid Live Seafood | 3% (cap S$30) |
|
| OSO Ristorante | 5% |
|
| Patisserie G | 5% |
|
| Potato Corner | 3% | |
| Sakae Sushi | 3% | |
| Salmon Samurai | 3% |
|
| Secret Mermaid | 3% |
|
| Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Standing Sushi Bar | 3% |
|
| Swatow Seafood Restaurant | 5% |
|
| Tanuki Raw | 3% |
|
| Tarte by Cheryl Koh | 5% | |
| Taste of India | 5% (cap S$8) |
|
| Toast Box | 3% |
Lux Retail
Lux Retail
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| CDG | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| CDG Play | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Club21 | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Jil Sander | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Mulberry | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Sacai | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Stella McCartney | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
|
| Thom Browne | 10% (min. S$1.5K) |
Retail and Services
Retail and Services
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| agnès B | 5% | |
| COSLAB | 3% |
|
| Crocodile | 3% |
|
| Fortune Supermarket | 2% | |
| Gordon Max | 3% |
|
| G-Star Raw | 5% | |
| Hang Ten | 3% |
|
| HoneyWorld | 3% | |
| ICON Aesthetics | 3% |
|
| JD Sports | 5% (min. S$100) |
|
| M)phosis | 3% | |
| Miniso | 4% | |
| Mr Jeff | 5% |
|
| Nitori | 3% | |
| Optique Paris Miki | 2% | |
| Surfer’s Paradise | 3% |
|
| Winter Time | 2% |
|
Travel and Entertainment
Travel and Entertainment
| Merchant | Rebate | Remarks |
| City Tours | 10% |
Conclusion
UOB cardholders can earn both UOB$ cashback and UNI$ points at UOB$ merchants, which provides extra incentive to use a UOB card.
Unfortunately, further big names like Crystal Jade are no longer part of the programme, and the closing down of Cathay Cineplexes doesn’t help either. Those who enjoy a Cinnabon (hello, Gene) will also be disappointed.
The good news is that double UOB$ days are back, albeit on Wednesday now rather than Friday. That’s an opportunity to earn up to 10% return cashback, on top of UNI$, and might be worth planning around.
Does it mean I cannot use my remaining Crystal Jade UOB$? Can I use it somewhere else?
Can some give me some specific instructions on how to use the UOB$ cashback for Breadtalk and Toastbox mechants for my PPV card? Thanks in advance