UOB discontinues applications for UOB Privilege Banking Card

The UOB Privilege Banking Card has always been a bit of an oddity.

Launched sometime in 2011, it was originally intended to be an accessible alternative for UOB Privilege Banking customers who didn’t qualify for the UOB Visa Infinite Card — which had a minimum income of S$350,000 at the time. It didn’t offer the full suite of benefits, but had just enough perks so this group didn’t feel forgotten. 

But fast forward to today, and the UOB Privilege Banking Card is practically identical to the UOB Visa Infinite (not to be confused with the UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card, a completely different product). The main difference is that the S$1,962 annual fee is waived for cardholders who maintain a UOB Privilege Banking relationship with an AUM of at least S$350,000.

The benefits are rather underwhelming, but if nothing else, it’s a free Visa Infinite, and a way of getting around UOB’s miles conversion fee. If you were thinking about getting one, however, you’re too late. 

UOB discontinues applications for UOB Privilege Banking Card

Per an update on the UOB website, the UOB Privilege Banking Card has ceased accepting new applications with effect from 1 October 2026.

With effect from 1 October 2026, the UOB Privilege Banking Card will no longer be available for new applications. We invite you to explore our range of UOB Cards to find one that best suits your lifestyle and spending needs.

-UOB

Existing UOB Privilege Banking Cards remain valid, and cardmembers can enjoy the prevailing benefits and services until further notice. However, new supplementary card applications will no longer be accepted.

UOB has also stated that existing UOB Privilege Banking Cards will continue to be renewed and replaced, provided they remain in good standing.

What does the UOB Privilege Banking Card offer?

The UOB Privilege Banking Card has a slightly confusing earning structure. 

It normally earns 1.2 mpd on all local and overseas spend, but also offers 2 mpd on local luxury spend — defined as purchases with Cartier, Gucci, Rimowa and the like — as well as 2 mpd on overseas dining and shopping. 

60,000 miles are awarded for paying the S$1,962 annual fee, though remember, the whole point of this card is to avoid the annual fee by maintaining the requisite AUM with UOB.

Cardholders enjoy a waiver of the usual S$27 fee when converting UNI$ to airline miles. Since UNI$ pool, any UNI$ that the cardholder earned on other UOB cards also enjoys the free conversion benefit. 

There are a handful of dining benefits offering 15-30% off the bill, though these are the same as what you’d get on any other UOB Visa Infinite card.

Aside from that, the only real benefit of note is the assistance provided by Aspire Lifestyles. This entitles the cardholder to:

• Auto assistance in Singapore, West Malaysia or within 50km of the Malaysia-Thailand border, up to S$100 per event, a maximum of two times per year
• Home assistance such as locksmith and electrical maintenance, up to S$100 per event, a maximum of two times per year
• Worldwide travel and medical assistance with coverage of up to S$50,000 per event, plus immediate family support

The T&Cs for these benefits can be found here. 

As a Visa Infinite card, UOB Privilege Banking Cardholders are also entitled to the standard Visa Infinite benefits.

Conclusion

The UOB Privilege Banking Card was never anything to get excited about, but for those with the requisite AUM, it was a free Visa Infinite, and a way of dodging UOB’s S$27 conversion fee across all UOB cards. That last bit alone made it worth keeping in the drawer.

Unfortunately, that door has now shut for new customers. If you already have one, there’s nothing to worry about — for now anyway. Your card will continue to be renewed and replaced, though I imagine there will come a day when UOB kills it off altogether.