Get 20% Cashback on Public Transport in Singapore with the Revolut Card (Free!) until 30 September2022
Update (01 July 2022): Minimum top-up using bank account has been increased from S$200 to S$300.
Update (01 June 2022): Minimum top-up using bank account has been increased from S$100 to S$200.
Update (21 Mar 2022): Promotion has been extended from 31 March 2022 to 30 June 2022.
The best card to use for Public Transport expenses in Singapore is arguably the Revolut Card (which you can sign-up in a matter of minutes for free) as it currently allows you to enjoy 20% cashback on public transport expenses (e.g. bus and MRT fares) through 30 September 2022 (capped at S$10 per calendar month).
There are three pricing plans in Singapore - Standard (free), Premium (S$9.99 a month), and Metal (S$19.99 a month) - and members across all three plans (including the free Standard one) will be able to enjoy 20% cashback on eligible public transport expenses made through 30 September 2022. Once you have registered for a free Revolut Account, you will have to top up your account via bank transfer, or a credit/debit card.
However, do note that for the purpose of the 20% cashback promotion, you will have to top up at least S$300 using the Bank Top-up method for each calendar month. Using a debit or credit card for top-ups of any amount will only allow you to enjoy a 2% cashback on public transport expenses. With that being said, any balance in your Revolut account can be transferred back out into your bank account effortlessly, so you should not have to worry too much about your balance there.
Once you have made a minimum top-up of at least S$300 (effective from 01 July 2022) using the Bank Top-up or Bank Transfer method (remember, you will have to do this for each calendar month), your Revolut Card will start earning 20% cashback (capped at S$10 per calendar month) from July 2021 to September 2022. This means that if you were to spend S$50 on eligible public transport expenses in July 2021, you should see S$10 cashback being credited into your Revolut account within 10 business days after the end of 31 July 2021, in August 2021.
Summary on Getting 20% Cashback on Public Transport Expenses
Sign-up for Revolut Account
Transfer at least S$300 (new requirement from 01 July 2022) into account via Bank Transfer each calendar month
Charge your bus and MRT rides to your Revolut card that month
Enjoy bonus cashback up to S$10 each month
Repeat Steps 2 to 4 for the next calendar month (until September 2022)
Do remember that you do not have to upgrade your Revolut account into one of the paid memberships (unless it makes financial sense for you) and you can easily add your virtual Revolut card onto your mobile devices (including your Apple Watch) for use across buses and MRT stations in Singapore. Obviously, S$10 cashback per month (assuming you spend at least S$50 on public transport each calendar month) is not earth-shattering but it really is a nice bonus for an unavoidable expense.
TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 is a great value choice for budget-conscious travelers but its slightly longer walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station may make it less convenient compared to more accessible (but pricier) options in the area.