For many years, UOB cardholders looking to earn miles – or UNI$ – from their spending have had to avoid making transactions at the bank’s UOB$ partner merchants, since UOB$ earning would override UNI$ earning, meaning a poorer-value inflexible cashback credit instead, with no miles accrued.
This counterintuitive arrangement has always been a source of annoyance for miles-chasing customers, but thankfully this month the policy has finally changed, and very much for the better.
UOB$ and UNI$ rewards now stack
From 1st November 2024, UOB is now allowing cardholders to earn both UOB$ and their usual UNI$ cashback or miles reward when making purchases at UOB$ merchants, a significant enhancement.
For example, if you regularly make purchases at Toast Box in Singapore you will now earn:
- 3% UOB$ cashback (or 6% on Fridays), and
- 4 mpd with the UOB PPV or UOB Lady’s card (if Dining is one of your bonus categories)
That means that instead of avoiding UOB$ merchants, cardholders are now very likely to want to spend at them instead, which is quite a reversal of the previous philosophy.
What are UOB$ merchants?
UOB$ merchants, previously called SMART$ merchants, are those the bank partners with to offer UOB$ cashback, which you can then redeem on future spend at the same merchant.
Since this is typically of much lower value than the regular UNI$ (miles) earning, it’s little wonder UOB customers would use other cards at these outlets or avoid them altogether, for a better deal.
Thankfully that’s no longer the case now that UNI$-earning cards will accrue rewards in addition to this UOB$ cashback award, which is just the icing on the cake – even if it is of minimal value in some cases.
One downside to this new change is that several popular merchants previously part of the UOB$ program – such as Cold Storage, Guardian, Giant, and Starbucks – have (perhaps unsurprisingly) been removed.
As a result, the opportunity for double-dipping UOB$ and UNI$ won’t apply at these outlets, however at least regular UNI$ earning is now assured at these merchants.
At the time of writing there are 106 UOB$ merchants in Singapore. For the full updated list, click here.
How does this look for miles-earning UOB cards?
Here’s a summary of the miles earning rates you will now receive using UOB miles-earning credit cards at UOB$ merchants, following this enhancement.
| UOB Bonus Miles Cards earning at UOB$ merchants |
||
| Card | Earn Rate | Restrictions |
 UOB Lady’sUOB Lady’s Solitaire |
4 mpd | Subject to the merchant’s MCC being included in your bonus spend categories (e.g. Dining, Fashion) |
 UOB PPV |
4 mpd | Subject to making mobile contactless payment |
 UOB VS |
4 mpd | Subject to making contactless payment |
Accrual of the 4 mpd bonus rate for these cards is also subject to their overall monthly minimum spend and/or caps.
| UOB General Spend Cards earning at UOB$ merchants |
|
| Card | Earn Rate |
 UOB Reserve |
1.6 mpd |
 UOB PRVI Miles |
1.4 mpd |
 UOB VIM |
1.4 mpd |
 KrisFlyer UOB |
1.2 mpd |
For those holding UOB cashback cards, like the UOB One card and the UOB EVOL card, regular cashback rates now apply for spend at UOB$ merchants in addition to UOB$ accrual.
Summary
Most UOB credit cards have excluded their standard UNI$ rewards earning when spending at UOB$ merchants for years, instead offering only those restrictive cashback UOB$ themselves instead, which usually provide poor value in comparison to miles.
This exclusion has always frustrated cardholders, who have had to avoid UOB$ merchants in order to maximise their credit card rewards.
Thankfully with this latest change, UOB credit card holders no longer need to avoid UOB$ merchants.
Instead, UOB$ cashback is now earned in addition to the usual credit card rewards, making them quite attractive options instead, a significant turnaround.
(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)