The Best Credit Cards for Uber and Grab Rides in Singapore - How to Get the Best Value?

I think it fairly clear by now that I favour earning miles over cash back on any given occasion. Do not get me wrong though - ultimately, cash is king and if you were to offer me a million dollars or a million miles, I would simply go for the former (I think!). The only reason I pick miles over cash back is simple - there isn't a cash back in Singapore (or perhaps anywhere in the world) that offers as much value as what a miles card can give. I tend to take Uber (or Grab) quite a bit in Singapore as well as overseas and one of the questions that I often get from friends is which credit card to use for these rides. Assuming you already have an Uber (click HERE to register otherwise) and Grab account, these are the credit cards that you should probably use for the most bang for your buck (in order of recommendation):

Photo Credit: DBS

1. DBS Woman's World Mastercard - 4 Miles per Dollar

Miles get you on that Business Class and First Class flight a lot quicker than you think and they add up fast. One of the greatest habits to foster is to convert most of your day-to-day spend towards the cumulation of airline miles. The DBS Woman's World Mastercard gives you up to 4 miles per S$1 (or more accurately 20 miles per S$5) on all eligible online spend and lucky for you, Uber and Grab rides count towards that. I must have explained this a hundred times but yet, men are eligible for this credit card as well - just make sure you get the World Mastercard instead of the regular Mastercard version.

Annual Income Requirement: S$80,000 (S$6,667) a Month
Fulfilment of Income Requirement: Not Strict

Photo Credit: Standard Chartered

2. Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card - 20% Rebate (Uber Only) AND 3.0 Miles per Dollar

If you like getting cash back AND miles, eligible Standard Chartered credit cards have an Uber offer that is hard to beat. Charge at least S$900 worth of retail transactions in each calendar month to enjoy 20% cashback on Uber fares in Singapore as well as abroad up to S$50 each month (spending S$250 on Uber will give you S$50 cash back by the 28th of the following month if you hit the spend requirement). On top of that, you will earn any eligible points and cash back on eligible Standard Chartered Credit Cards - the Standard Chartered Visa Infinite Credit Card will give you up to 1.4 Miles and 3.0 Miles per S$1 on local and foreign spend respectively (assuming you hit at least S$2,500 worth of retail spend in a month). Cardholders are able to earn up to 3.0 miles per S$1 on Uber rides (charged in a foreign currency) on top of 20% cash back if they spend at least S$2,500 each statement period. Do note that the 20% rebate applies only to Uber rides and are not applicable for Grab rides. 

Annual Income Requirement: S$150,000 (S$12,500) a Month or S$30,000 (S$2,500) a Month for Priority Banking and Private Banking Customers of Standard Chartered
Fulfilment of Income Requirement: Strict

Photo Credit: American Express

3. American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card - 3.3 Miles per Dollar

The American Express Singapore Airlines suite of credit cards allow you to earn up to 3.3 Miles per S$1 on up to S$200 spend on Uber and Grab rides each month:

• The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card - 3.1 miles per Dollar
• The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card - 3.2 miles per Dollar
• The American Express® Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card - 3.3 miles per Dollar
• The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card - 3.3 miles per Dollar

Annual Income Requirement: From S$30,000 (S$2,500) a Month
Fulfilment of Income Requirement: Strict

Photo Credit: HSBC

4. HSBC's Revolution Credit Card - 2.0 Miles per Dollar

If you are looking for a simple credit card that gives you a flat 2.0 miles per S$1 without wanting to care about minimum and maximum spends each month, HSBC's Revolution Credit Card awards 2.0 miles per S$1 (in equivalent Rewards Points) on all eligible transactions made online, dining and on entertainment - there is no cap to the number of points that you may each each month. 

Annual Income Requirement: From S$30,000 (S$2,500) a Month
Fulfilment of Income Requirement: Strict

Photo Credit: ShopBack

Combining Other Programs for Maximum Cash Back and Value

Just because you choose to earn miles doesn't mean all cash back opportunities are evil. For example, ShopBack gives you S$0.20 cash back on Uber and Grab (once per day) each day. While S$0.20 does not sound like much at all, it does add up if you take a trip a day and after all, what do you have to lose? ShopBack is a great way to save on those major expenses (I have gotten back more than a thousand dollar from hotel stays alone!) as it is not uncommon to find upsized cash back opportunities that give you over 10% back on special days. 

Photo Credit: LiveUp

LiveUp (paid membership) gives you S$10 back for every 10 Uber rides (up to 12X per year) and if like me, you do take Uber on a regular basis, this can add up very quickly. Discounted rides on Uber (e.g. rides with S$3 promo code) are counted towards fulfilling these 10 rides and the LiveUp membership is only priced at S$28.80 for the first year (you also get 6-months worth of Netflix Premium amongst other benefits!).