UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Credit Card Review: Accelerated Miles On All Things Online & Entertainment

Emma Lam

Emma Lam

Last updated 27 March, 2024

Want to earn 4 miles per dollar on all your preferred mobile payments, online shopping, and entertainment? The UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Credit Card might do just the trick.

The age-old question of "Which is the best miles credit card to use?" is a tricky one to answer because the definition of "best" is subjective. We have to consider: What are your spending habits and preferences? Do you prefer to make in-person, online, or contactless payments? Do you have a specific category (like dining, groceries, transport, entertainment, etc.) that you spend significantly on each month? 

While there's no fixed answer, there are a few crème de la crème miles credit cards that stand out – one of them being the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Card.

Keep reading to discover how to earn 4 miles per dollar on your favourite everyday merchants.

Table of contents


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SingSaver's Best Deal Guarantee: Our Best Deal Guarantee promises you the best deal only with SingSaver. If you find a better offer elsewhere, submit a claim, and we'll reward you with double the difference. Valid till 31 December 2024. T&Cs apply.


Overview: UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Credit Card

uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Credit Card product summary:

  • Up to UNI$10 per S$5 spend / 4 miles per S$1 (mpd) spend on online shopping and entertainment spend
  • Up to UNI$10 per S$5 spend / 4 mpd on mobile contactless spend
  • UNI$1 per S$5 spend / 0.4 mpd on all other spending
  • Earn instant cashback from participating merchants under the UOB$ programme
  • Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year waived)
  • Minimum annual income requirement: S$30,000 for Singaporeans, S$40,000 for foreigners
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
Up to UNI$10 per S$5 (4 mpd) on online shopping, mobile contactless transactions, and entertainment spend
Bonus UNI$ (UNI$9 per S$5) capped at UNI$2,000 / S$1,110 per calendar month
Online shopping and entertainment spend includes shopping for apparel, bags, shoes, accessories, electronics, groceries, dining, food delivery, drugstore expenses, or entertainment and ticketing
Tapping the physical card only earns you 0.4 mpd instead of 4 mpd
Accepted contactless mobile payment modes include Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and Google Pay
Tapping via SimplyGo is not considered a mobile contactless payment, it only earns 0.4 mpd
Up to 10% cashback on all participating UOB$ merchants
No UNI$ will be earned on UOB$ merchants, only cashback
Earn bonus miles from your first payment, no minimum spend required
No complimentary travel insurance coverage
Pay for MRT and bus rides and earn rewards on the go via SimplyGo
 

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🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional chances! Valid till 22 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

UOB Credit Card Welcome Offer: Receive a Samsonite EVOA Z Spinner 25” Exp (worth S$730) or up to 58,000 miles or 20% cashback when you apply for select UOB credit cards and fulfil the minimum spend requirements. Valid till 31 December 2024. T&Cs apply.


Advantages of the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Credit Card

uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137#1: Earn fuss-free miles on select online and entertainment spend

In this digital age, online shopping has become synonymous with, or almost, superseded in-person shopping as the norm. After all, who could blame us for preferring the comfort of our homes to browse through products and make purchases with a few clicks? That's why, the UOB Visa Signature Card perfectly caters to this need.

The UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card earns up to UNI$10 per S$5 spend (4 miles per S$1) on select online and entertainment transactions. These online purchases cover a wide range of transactions. On one hand, it rewards bonus 4 mpd for online shopping for apparel, bags, shoes, accessories, and electronics. On the other hand, it also rewards bonus 4 mpd on online groceries, food delivery, and even pharmacy expenses! 

And of course, entertainment and ticketing purchases also net you that sweet bonus 4 mpd.

💡 Pro-tip: Online transactions with the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card don't discriminate between local or overseas transactions! 


Read more:

Best Grocery Credit Cards in Singapore
Latest GrabFood Promo Codes in Singapore
Latest Foodpanda Promo Codes in Singapore


#2: Mobile contactless payments earn bonus miles too

Fed up with lugging around a bulky wallet? Well, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card actively encourages cardless payments! For each mobile contactless transaction, you'll earn up to UNI$10 per S$5 spend (4 mpd) from tapping your phone on payment terminals.

Essentially, once added to your mobile wallet, you can confidently leave your physical card behind in the drawer and embrace a wallet-free lifestyle!


#3: Earn cashback on participating UOB$ merchants

If you're a miles enthusiast but can't quite let go of cashback completely, don't fret! The UOB$ programme rewards instant cashback on all eligible UOB card spend across 900 participating merchants.

Featuring up to 10% cashback on all in-store purchases at participating outlets, you can easily redeem your earned UOB$ to offset your returning bill at the same merchant.

UOB$ merchant
UOB$ cashback
Availability
Tanuki Raw
3%
All stores
BreadTalk
3%
Toast Box
3%
Sushiro
5%
Yole
10%
United Square, #01-K14
West Mall, #01-K6
Kinara North West
10%
55 Boat Quay
Kinara Contemporary Indian Cuisine
10%
164 Upper East Coast Rd
Little Italy
10%
297 Tanjong Katong Rd
160 Changi Rd, #01-06/07, Hexacube
UOB$ merchant
UOB$ cashback
Availability
Code Bright Academy
3%
All stores
Under Armour
6%
Queensway Shopping Centre, #01-12
Limited Edt Underground
6%
Queensway Shopping Centre, #01-55
VivoCity, #B1-18
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B1-66
313@Somerset, #03-22
Miniso
4%
All outlets
Nitori
3%
COURTS Nojima The Heeren, 4th floor

Picota Nail Spa

Pixie Nail Spa

Maco Nail Spa

Pictota Nail Spa

Buff'd Nail Spa

3%
All outlets
Guardian 1% with min. S$50 spend, excluding UOB One credit and debit cards
All stores
 
Can be redeemed at Cold Storage, CS Fresh, Giant, Guardian, and Jasons Deli
agnes B
5%
All stores
 
Can be redeemed at G-Star Raw, agnes b., Replay, Le Cog Sportif, Famous Kitchen, Famous Palace, and Famous Treasure
UOB$ merchant
UOB$ cashback
Availability
Jasons Deli
1% with min. S$50 spend, excluding UOB One credit and debit cards
All stores
 
Can be redeemed at Cold Storage, CS Fresh, Giant, Guardian, and Jasons Deli
Cold Storage
CS Fresh
Giant
UOB$ merchant
UOB$ cashback
Availability
Cathay Cineplexes
2%
All stores
City Tours
10%
Marina Square, #01-207


For the full list of eligible UOB$ merchants, refer here.


Disadvantages of the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Credit Card

#1: Monthly bonus UNI$ cap

As stated above, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card earns up to UNI$10 per S$5 or 4 mpd on its bonus categories – online, mobile contactless, and entertainment transactions. These earn rates can be broken down as follows:

  • Bonus rate = 9 UNI$ per S$5 (or 3.6 mpd)
  • Base rate = 1 UNI$ per S$5 (or 0.4 mpd)

However, since the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Credit Card isn't a travel credit card, it comes with a monthly cap on its bonus UNI$ rate. Therefore, the bonus UNI$9 per S$5 is capped at UNI$2,000 per calendar month – which is equivalent to S$1,110 spend per month.

Thereafter, subsequent spend will earn the base UNI$1 per S$5 or 0.4 mpd only.


#2: Physical card tapping (& SimplyGo) only earns 0.4 mpd

Since the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card prioritises online and mobile contactless transactions, it comes as no surprise that physically tapping the card only nets you 0.4 mpd.

That said, what does come as a surprise is that SimplyGo rides aren't considered mobile contactless spend, even if tapped with your phone. So it wouldn't be the best choice to make the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa your dedicated public transport credit card.


#3: No UNI$ for UOB$ merchants

In general, UOB credit cards don't earn any UNI$ (and hence, no miles) on participating UOB$ merchants. Instead, they earn instant rebates in the form of UOB$ cashback which can be redeemed to offset your bill upon your next visit.


#4: No complimentary travel insurance

Despite being a UOB miles credit card, the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card doesn't offer complimentary travel insurance coverage. While this isn't a huge disadvantage, it does mean you'll have to remember to purchase travel insurance separately after securing your travel tickets. 

However, if this is a major concern for you, you can consider these other UOB credit cards:

Credit cards with complimentary travel insurance ✈️

  • UOB Lady's Solitaire Card: Up to US$100,000 complimentary travel insurance coverage
  • KrisFlyer UOB Card: Up to S$500,000 complimentary travel insurance coverage 
  • UOB PRVI Miles Card: Up to S$500,000  complimentary personal accident coverage and up to S$50,000 complimentary emergency medical evacuation & repatriation

UOB Lady's Solitaire Card open_in_new

Complimentary Travel Insurance: Yes

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card open_in_new

Complimentary Travel Insurance: Up to S$500,000
Apply

UOB PRVI Miles World MasterCard open_in_new

Complimentary Travel Insurance: Up to S$500,000
Apply

UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card open_in_new

Complimentary Travel Insurance: Yes
Apply

UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card open_in_new

Complimentary Travel Insurance: Up to S$500,000
Apply

What fees or charges should you look out for?

  • Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year waived)
  • Late payment fee: S$60 if minimum payment is not received by due date
  • Minimum monthly payment: 3% of current balance or S$50, whichever is higher, plus any overdue amounts
  • Overlimit fee: S$40 
  • Cash advance fee: 6% of cash advance amount, subject to a minimum S$15 fee
  • Interest on cash advances: 28% p.a. on all outstanding amounts
  • Interest on purchases: 25.9% p.a. subject to a minimum S$3 charge on outstanding, unpaid amounts (including late payment charges)
  • Foreign currency transaction fee: 3.5% (inclusive of 1% processing fee imposed by Visa)

Eligibility criteria

  • At least 21 years old
  • Annual income requirement: S$30,000 (Singaporeans/PRs), S$40,000 (Foreigners)

SINGSAVE_SUPERSAVER_AUG-CAMPAIGN_IN-BLOG-ARTICLE_800x250

🪙SingSaver Cash Quest🪙: Get 10x chances to win S$50,000 when you apply for participating Credit Cards. Applying for multiple products means more Cash Quest Chances! Plus, download the SingSaver App and log in with the same email used during product application to earn 20 additional chances! Valid till 22 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

UOB Credit Card Welcome Offer: Receive a Samsonite EVOA Z Spinner 25” Exp (worth S$730) or up to 58,000 miles or 20% cashback when you apply for select UOB credit cards and fulfil the minimum spend requirements. Valid till 31 December 2024. T&Cs apply.


How to apply?

uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137

Click on any "Compare the best UOB credit cards" button on this page and complete the application form on the SingSaver site. You will need to prepare the following documents for the application process:

  • Front and back of NRIC/Passport/Employment Pass/Proof of billing address
  • Salaried employees (Singaporeans/PRs):
    • Fixed monthly salary ≥ S$2,500:
      • Last 12 months' CPF statement
      • Latest original computerised payslip
      • Latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment and last 12 months' CPF statement or latest original computerised payslip
    • Fixed monthly salary < S$2,500:
      • Past 12 months' CPF statement
      • Latest 3 months' computerised payslip
      • Latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment and last 12 months' CPF statement or latest original computerised payslip
    • Length of employment < 3 months: Last computerised payslip, company Letter certifying employment, and monthly salary
  • Self-employed: Latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment

Should you get the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Credit Card?

uob-preferred-platinum-visa-card-472x332-e1598324543137Yes, you should sign up for the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card if you're on the hunt for a good, all-rounded miles credit card. Since it rewards bonus 4 mpd on online, mobile contactless, and entertainment transactions, that covers a generous range of eligible transactions.

The only caveat you'd have to be wary of is whether or not your purchases fall under the UOB$ merchant programme. But even then, earning up to 10% instant UOB$ cashback isn't half-bad either.

So all things considered, this miles card is a keeper in our books.


Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you still have some lingering doubts regarding the UOB Preferred Platinum Visa (PPV) Card, here are some FAQs:

Q: What is the minimum spend on UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card?

The UOB PPV Card does not have any minimum spend. By virtue of it being a miles credit card, it typically only imposes a cap on bonus miles earned within the statement or calendar month.

Q: Is UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card accepted everywhere?

Yes, the UOB PPV Card is generally accepted at most merchants, unless stated otherwise. Given that it rewards cardholders with bonus miles for online, mobile contactless, and entertainment transactions, this covers a broad range of spend categories.

Q: Is UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card eligible for lounge access?

No, the UOB PPV Card does not offer any complimentary airport lounge access.

As far as we know, the only UOB credit card that offers such access is the UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card. It features unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, however, the caveat is that it's a metal card with high barriers to entry – in terms of annual income requirement, by-invite only, and more.


Q: Which card is better: UOB Visa Signature or UOB Preferred Platinum Visa?

In all honesty, there's no clear-cut answer on which UOB card is better. Both credit cards offer competitive perks and benefits that cater to different spending needs and patterns.

See also: What Influences Our Spending Habits?

For instance, if you spend more online and dislike bringing out a wallet, the UOB PPV Card will be more up your alley. On the flip side, if you shop a lot on overseas websites or own a car (and hence pump petrol frequently), then the UOB Visa Signature Card will be more your speed.

See also: Petrol Price Comparison in Singapore

Regardless, both UOB cards net you a decent 4 mpd bonus rate on select categories.


Looking for the best credit cards to complement your spending patterns and expenditure in 2024? Check out our Ultimate Credit Card Guide that covers all things credit cards in Singapore – from choosing between a cashback, miles, or rewards credit card to planning your credit card strategy.

 

Read these next:
UOB One Card Review: Generous Cashback Card For Grab Users And Dairy Farm Shoppers
UOB EVOL Credit Card Review: Made To Save Your Money And Our Climate
UOB PRVI Miles VISA Card, Mastercard & AMEX Review: Optimising Overseas Spend For Entry-level Privy Travellers
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card Review: Exclusive 3 Miles Per Dollar on SIA Purchases & Everyday Spend

Although she struggles *slightly* in resisting good deals and sales, Emma is on a lifelong journey to understand what financial independence as a Z-llennial means. That said, her inner child is still very much alive… with animals and gaming being her weaknesses.

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