11 Credit Cards for Public Transport (Bus & MRT) via SimplyGo

Getting around on public transport in Singapore just keeps getting easier. Under LTA's SimplyGo scheme, commuters can tap any MasterCard/Visa credit card to pay for public transport. No need to carry or top up your EZ-Link Card anymore! Even better, if the Visa or Mastercard credit card is stored on your smartphone, you can even leave the physical card at home and pay via mobile contactless.

Using your credit card for public transport offers several advantages:

• Convenience: No need to carry a separate EZ-Link Card or worry about topping it up.

• Rewards: Earn cashback, miles, or points on your daily commute.

• Tracking: Easily track your public transport expenses through your credit card statement or the SimplyGo app.

• Contactless payments: Enjoy quick and hygienic transactions with contactless payment technology.

• Emergency backup: Use your credit card as a backup if you forget your EZ-Link Card or if it runs out of value.

SimplyGo is a service which allows you to pay for your public transport ride directly with your credit or debit card.

You'll need to register for SimplyGo and link it with a contactless bank card or mobile wallet. Once linked, you can pay with your credit card, mobile phone, or smartwatch. Depending on your card, paying with your linked debit/credit card(s) can earn you rewards, such as cashback or miles.

EZ-Link is a cashless payment system primarily used for public transport in Singapore. You'll need to purchase an EZ-Link Card and make an upfront top-up to use for your public transport rides. You can earn reward points with each transaction, which can be used to redeem exclusive deals.

NETS FlashPay is a contactless payment system that allows you to pay for most transactions, including public transport rides. It's a feature available in some debit cards, and you can make a top-up via the NETS app or with the Auto Top-Up (ATU) function.

To find out whether your card has EZ-Link/NETS FlashPay functionality, look for the CEPAS logo on the back of your card.

Before using your credit card for MRT and bus rides, ensure that it is compatible with SimplyGo.

Contactless bank cards or cards added to your mobile wallet can be immediately used to pay for your fares, and you don't need to register them on SimplyGo (though it helps to keep track of your fare expenses online or on the SimplyGo app). 

If you want to pay for your commute with your mobile phone, you'll need to add your credit card to your mobile wallet. Popular options in Singapore include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

You can do this by following the instructions in your mobile wallet app.

To use your credit card for MRT and bus rides, simply tap your credit card on the card reader at the entrance of the MRT station or when boarding a bus.

• You can use multiple credit cards in your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet. However, only one credit card will be used to pay for each ride.

• If you have a transit card, such as an EZ-Link card or NETS FlashPay card, you can also use it together with your credit card.

• You can also use your credit card to pay for your ride if you have registered for the SimplyGo account-based ticketing system

• SimplyGo currently only supports Visa and Mastercards; you can't pay for MRT/bus rides using  an American Express (AMEX) card.  

• Download the SimplyGo mobile app to track public transport expenses. If not, your card issuer should also issue you a mobile phone notification about the expense or have it logged in your monthly statement. 

This means you now have a brand new way to earn air miles or cashback on public transport. Now that you have an all-in-one credit card that also doubles up as an EZ-Link card, you can even leave your wallet at home. But which cards give you the most cashback and rebate with every tap on public trains or buses?

Here are several credit cards you can use on public transport that give you the most generous rewards.

The Citi SMRT Card is worth considering if you want to earn cash rebates on your SimplyGo transactions and daily expenses such as online spends, groceries, taxis, and private hire rides.

The rebates are rewarded in SMRT$, which can be redeemed for shopping vouchers or instant cash rebates. 1 SMRT$ is equal to S$1 worth of vouchers. 

But the 5% cashback comes with strings attached: you need to spend a minimum of S$500 per month using this credit card, failing which you only qualify for a 0.3% rebate. While there isn't a monthly cashback cap, there is an annual cashback cap of S$600.

If you meet the minimum monthly spend, you can earn 5% cashback on your bus and MRT rides when you tap and pay via SimplyGo. 

Note that from 13 July 2022, all replacement, renewal, and newly issued Citi SMRT cards will be issued without EZ-Link stored value facility. You may continue using the EZ-Link stored value facility in your card until it expires and continue to perform EZ-Link auto top-up transactions, but you won't earn any rewards.

If your Citi SMRT Card has an EZ-Link stored value facility, you must activate the SimplyGo function at any General Ticketing Machine to switch your payment mode to use SimplyGo.

Get this card if you…

Can meet the minimum spend of S$500 per month and want to earn cash rebates on public transport, Grab, Gojek rides, online purchases, and groceries. Besides earning up to 5% cashback from SimplyGo transactions, you can also earn up to 5% cashback at supermarkets, online transactions, and taxis and private hire rides.

The best miles credit card for public transport currently is the UOB PRVI Miles Card, giving 1.4 miles per dollar (mpd) on local bus and train rides via mobile contactless.

This refers to the likes of Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Instead of tapping the card directly on the terminal, you will have to add this card to your mobile contactless wallet in your smartphone. You can then use this card registered in your phone to tap on the terminal just like you would using an EZ-link Card.

Read our full review of the UOB PRVI Card here.

Get this card if you…

Want a general airmiles credit card with a high miles earn rate. The UOB PRVI Miles Card gives your 1.4 miles per S$1 spent locally. This is higher compared to most miles credit cards that offer 1.2 mpd.

UOB PRVI Miles Card also has no monthly cap, which makes it great for big-ticket purchases.

Want to travel to the airport in style? With the UOB PRVI Miles, you will enjoy complimentary airport transfers to Changi Airport. You will have to call 6651 2253 between 9am to 6pm to make your booking at least 2 days before the pickup date.

The OCBC Frank Credit Card offers 8% cashback for three categories: online spending, mobile contactless payments, and foreign currency spending made in-store and others.

You'll also earn an additional 2% cashback on green merchants, which includes BlueSG, Charge+, Greenlots, Little Farms, and bus or MRT rides via SimplyGo. 

This means you enjoy up to 10% cashback when paying for your public transport rides via SimplyGo. 

Besides transport, you can use this card for other types of spending such as food, groceries, pet supplies, shopping apps and travel bookings.

The catch is you'll have to spend a minimum of S$800 every month. There is also a cashback cap of S$100 or S$25 per category. You can read our full review on OCBC Frank and reasons why you should sign up for this newly relaunched card.

Get this card if you…

Are looking for a convenient cashback card. With cashback for contactless mobile payment, you won't even need to bring this card around physically. Enjoy up to 10% cashback whenever you tap to pay with your mobile phone or even with your smart watch for your public transport rides. 

Want a cashback credit card that's good for all life stages? With categories defined as online spending, contactless mobile payments and others, you can opt to spend online on your favourite retail store for the latest fashion pieces or buy groceries on Redmart for your family — either way, you'll be earning 8% cashback.

The DBS Live Fresh Card lets you earn 6% cashback per calendar month on online and in-store shopping spend and transport spend with a minimum spend of S$800 per calendar month.

Note that the monthly cashback is capped at S$70 per month (S$50 on shopping spend and S$20 on transport spend). Fortunately, this card also offers 0.3% unlimited cashback rate for all other eligible spend with no cap. This means that you will still earn cashback even if you do not meet the minimum spend requirements.

Get this card if you…

Have a DBS Multiplier Account. On top of using this credit card for public transport rides, you can also link your card to your DBS Multiplier Account and earn up to 4.1% p.a. in interest.

Want a card for everyday spend? Cardmembers get 6% cashback when they shop either online or in-store, whether locally or overseas. Additionally, they get 6% for transport spend. It's a fuss-free credit card that provides 0.3% unlimited cashback on all other eligible spend with no cap, putting no pressure to reach a minimum spend requirement.

The DBS Altitude Visa offers 1.3 miles per dollar on all public transport rides paid using SimplyGo. The fares will be charged directly to your credit card upon usage (no top-ups or reloads required).

If you travel frequently, the DBS Altitude rewards you with bonus miles for all your travel-related expenses. Read the full DBS Altitude Card review here.

Get this card if you…

Plan to spend on flights and hotels. Enjoy up to 3 mpd for travel bookings made on Agoda.

Want complimentary travel accident insurance? DBS Altitude Visa offers up to S$1,000,000 when you charge the full travel fare to your card.

You can also enjoy the following rewards when you sign up for a DBS Altitude Card:

• DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card: Get up to 30,000 miles when you apply and make a min. spend of S$800 within 60 days of card approval. Valid till 31 January 2025. T&Cs apply.

• DBS American Express Card: Get up to 35,000 miles when you apply and make a min. spend of S$800 within 60 days of card approval. Valid till 31 January 2025. T&Cs apply.

The UOB Lady's cards allow you to choose your preferred category based on your current spending habits. You can earn 10X UNI$ per S$5 spend (or 4 mpd) for seven categories (one for UOB Lady's Card, two for UOB Lady's Solitaire Card): Beauty and Wellness, Fashion, Dining, Family, Travel, Transport, and Entertainment. 

You are also free to change this category every quarter to suit your changing lifestyle and interests.

Get this card if you…

Spend regularly on one or two of the seven categories. Enjoy 4 miles per dollar on Beauty and Wellness, Fashion, Dining, Family, Travel, Transport and Entertainment. You can choose one category for UOB Lady's Card and two categories for UOB Lady's Solitaire Card in every quarter. See the eligible Merchant Category Codes (MCC) here. 

Intend to splash out on a new luxury item? With the Lady's LuxePay Plan, put your new luxury purchase (shoes and bags) worth S$500 or more (local, online or overseas) on a 6- or 12-month instalment payment plan, absolutely free.

The Maybank Family & Friends Card might be the most versatile card on this list. You enjoy 8% monthly cashback across five chosen categories — there are a total of eight to choose from. These include: Groceries, Dining and Food Delivery, Transport, Date Communication & Online TV Streaming, Retail & Pets, Online Fashion, Entertainment and Pharmacy & Wellness.

The 8% cashback rate caps out at S$125 (split across the five chosen categories) and requires a minimum monthly spend of S$800. You earn 0.3% cashback thereafter and for spending on other categories.

While you can't pair it with SimplyGo and Google Wallet (only Apple wallet is supported at the time of publishing), you can bypass this by pairing it with the Instarem Amaze Card, and registering your Amaze Card on Google Wallet to pay for SimplyGo instead. 

Get this card if you…

Need a daily driver. The 8% cashback rate for the Maybank Family & Friends Card includes products and services that are used every day. These include your telco or Netflix subscription and when you stock up on stationery and books.

The UOB EVOL Card offers 10% cashback on online and mobile contactless transactions, which includes public transport rides via SimplyGo. You'll also earn 10% cashback on overseas in-store spend, and 0.3% cashback on all other eligible spend. 

The monthly cashback is capped at S$80 per statement per month (S$20 for mobile contactless and online, S$20 on overseas foreign currency transactions spend, and S$30 on all other categories), and you'll need to hit a monthly minimum spend of S$800 to qualify for the 10% cashback.

However, the effective cashback is 3.75% in reality for online or mobile contactless payments, as they maxed out at S$300 — this means you'll need to spend S$500 on the overseas and 'other' categories.   

With that being said, the UOB EVOL Card is one of the eligible credit cards that allow you to unlock up to 6.00% p.a. (EIR 4% p.a.) interest rate on your UOB One Account.

Get this card if you…

Spend the bulk of your monthly expenses on online and mobile contactless transactions, and if you're using the UOB One Account as your main savings account and for salary crediting.

If you're looking for a credit card with a high cashback rate for bus and MRT rides, the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card is perfect as you'll earn 6% cashback (or 5.6 mpd) on public transport spend.

Additionally, you'll also get 6% cashback (or 5.6 mpd) on specific merchants and categories; these include fast food (Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, Subway), coffee and toast (Toast Box, Ya Kun), and digital subscriptions (Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube). Plus, you'll enjoy up to 23.70% savings at Caltex! 

The rewards are awarded in 360° Rewards Points, which can be redeemed for cash, miles, lifestyle, dining, or retail rewards on the SC mobile app. 

What's more, another benefit of this card is it doesn't come with any annual fees and minimum spending requirements!

Get this card if you…

Want a no-fee and no minimum spending requirement credit card exclusively for public transport rides and selected merchants. 6% cashback is the cherry on top.

The UOB One Credit Card offers a generous cashback of up to 15% on your daily spending, which includes your public transport rides via SimplyGo.

The cashback mechanism is segregated into three: base cashback, additional cashback, and enhanced cashback, the last of which is only for new UOB credit card members. 

You'll earn a base cashback of 3.33% every quarter if you meet the minimum spending requirement of S$500, S$1,000 or S$2,000 every month in a quarter and make at least five transactions monthly. The cashback is capped at S$50, S$100, and S$200 per quarter, respectively. 

If you can hit a minimum spend of S$2,000 per month in a quarter, you'll receive an additional cashback of 6.67% on selected merchants, which include McDonald's, Grab, Shopee, SimplyGo, Giant, Cold Storage, CS Fresh, Guardian, 7-Eleven, Jasons, Jasons Deli, and UOB Travel. This cashback falls to 5% if you spend S$500 or S$1,000 per month in a quarter.

Lastly, new UOB credit card members who apply for a UOB One Credit Card by 31 March 2025 will also receive an enhanced cashback of up to 20% on daily favourites such as McDonald's, Grab, Shopee, SimplyGo and DFI Retail Group, as long as the relevant minimum spend criteria is met.  

On top of this, you can enjoy up to 7.80% p.a. (EIR 5% p.a.) interest on your UOB One Account when you spend a minimum of S$500 per month and credit your monthly salary.

Get this card if you…

Want a well-rounded card for general spending and you can consistently spend at least S$500/S$1,000/S$2,000 per month in each qualifying quarter.

The KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card offers 3 mpd on SIA-related spend (Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, and Kris+ purchases) as well as on everyday spend categories such as dining, online food delivery, online shopping, online travel transactions, and transport (which includes public transport). You'll also earn 1.2 mpd on all other eligible spend.

Do note however, that the bonus 3 mpd earn rate only applies if you spend a minimum of S$800 on SIA-related categories in a year. The miles you earn are also split into two where the base 1.2 mpd will be credited at the end of each calendar month, and the remaining bonus of 1.8 mpd will only be credited 14 months later. This means that your miles will age at different rates.

But if you can look past this, then the benefits of the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card is that there are no conversion fees since your KrisFlyer miles will be credited directly into your KrisFlyer Account.

Also, unlike most rewards/miles cards which impose a monthly cap on the bonus miles/rewards you can earn, there isn't such restriction on the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card, making it especially ideal for big-ticket purchases.

Get this card if you…

Want a general card for all your daily transactions, big-ticket transactions, and spend at least S$800 a year on SIA-related categories.