Citi SMRT Card
0.3 - 5 % cashback
11 Credit Cards for Public Transport (Bus & MRT) via SimplyGo
Updated: 17 Jul 2026
Earn cashback, miles, and rebates with an all-in-one credit card that doubles as your credit card for public transport — tap in and out on any MRT or bus via SimplyGo with no separate EZ-Link top-up needed.
Written bySingSaver Team
Team
⚡ Quick Answer
| Card | Cashback Transport | Card benefit | Annual Fee | Min. Annual Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 % | 0.3 - 5 % cashback | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | |
| Up to 10 % | 3.33 - 20 % cashback | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | |
| Up to 10 % | 0.3 - 10 % cashback | S$196.20 | S$30,000 |
🤓 SingSaver’s TipsA daily commuter, a big online spender, and a frequent traveller would each pick a different best credit card for public transport Singapore has to offer. Find the one built around your routine.
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.
Decision Guide
What are the benefits of using credit cards for public transport?
Using a credit card for public transport in Singapore 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 — turning routine bus fare and MRT rides into a SimplyGo credit card rewards stream.
- Tracking: Track your public transport expenses through your credit card statement or the SimplyGo app.
- Contactless payments: Enjoy quick, hygienic tap-to-pay transactions.
- Emergency backup: Use your credit card as a backup if you forget your EZ-Link Card or it runs out of value.
Cashless ways to pay for public transport in Singapore
SimplyGo
SimplyGo lets you pay for your ride directly with a contactless credit or debit card. Register for SimplyGo and link a contactless bank card or mobile wallet, then pay with your card, phone, or smartwatch. Depending on your card, this can earn you cashback or miles on every tap.
EZ-Link Card
EZ-Link is Singapore's original cashless payment system for public transport, requiring an upfront top-up. You can earn reward points redeemable for exclusive deals.
NETS FlashPay
A contactless payment system usable for most transactions, including public transport, available on some debit cards with top-ups via the NETS app or Auto Top-Up.
Look for the CEPAS logo on the back of your card to check EZ-Link/NETS FlashPay compatibility.
How to use bank credit cards as EZ-Link for MRT and Buses
1. Check compatibility
Contactless Visa, Mastercard, and (since May 2025) American Express cards, or cards added to your mobile wallet, can be used immediately for SimplyGo fares — no registration required, though registering helps you track fare expenses via the app.
2. Add your card to your mobile wallet (optional)
Add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay to pay via smartphone instead of a physical card.
Tap in and tap out
Simply tap your card on the reader at the MRT gantry or when boarding a bus.
4. Additional things to note
- You can register multiple cards to your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet, but only one card is charged per ride.
- You can use a transit card (EZ-Link/NETS FlashPay) alongside a credit card if you prefer.
- SimplyGo now supports Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — LTA and Amex extended acceptance to AMEX cards from 15 May 2025. That said, American Express excludes SimplyGo transactions from earning rewards on its own directly-issued cards; bank-issued AMEX cards such as the DBS Altitude Amex and UOB PRVI Miles Amex are the exception and do earn miles as usual.
- Download the SimplyGo mobile app to track your fares, or check your card issuer's monthly statement.
Now that an all-in-one card can double as your transit pass, here are the cards that give you the most generous rewards on every tap.
Before You Compare
01
Your monthly spend habits
Many of these cards need a minimum monthly spend (S$500–S$800) to unlock top cashback tiers.
02
Cashback vs miles preference
Decide if you'd rather earn cash rebates or air miles on your commute.
03
Category overlap with other spending
The best value often comes from a card that also rewards your groceries, dining, or online shopping.
04
Card network on SimplyGo
Visa, Mastercard, and now American Express are all accepted; check which network your card uses.
05
Annual fee and income eligibility
Confirm you meet the minimum annual income before applying.
11 best credit cards for EZ-Link / public transport transactions via SimplyGo
|
Credit Card |
Cashback/Reward |
Other benefits |
|
5% cashback on bus and MRT transactions via SimplyGo |
Up to 5% cashback on groceries, online transactions, and taxis and private hire rides No monthly cashback cap S$600 cashback in a membership year |
|
|
1.4 miles per dollar (mpd) spend on local bus and train rides via mobile contactless |
No minimum spend required No monthly cap |
|
|
Up to 10% cashback per calendar month, including an additional 2% cashback on SimplyGo rides |
8% cashback on online spend 8% cashback on contactless mobile payments and foreign currency spending made in-store Additional 2% cashback on eco merchants (including SimplyGo rides) 0.3% on all other purchases |
|
|
Up to 6% cashback monthly on transport spend (including SimplyGo) |
Up to 6% on local and overseas shopping spend 0.3% unlimited base cashback rate on all other eligible spend |
|
|
1.3 mpd on local spends (trains, bus and taxi rides, and Singapore Airlines tickets purchased on DBS Travel MarketPlace) |
No expiry date for air miles conversion Complimentary travel accident insurance of up to S$1,000,000 when you charge the full travel fare to your card Up to 3 mpd on Agoda bookings |
|
|
4 mpd on up to two categories per quarter |
4 mpd on up to two chosen categories: Beauty/wellness, Fashion, Dining, Family, Travel, Transport and Entertainment |
|
|
8% cashback per month on contactless bus and train rides via SimplyGo |
8% cashback on five chosen categories: groceries, dining & food delivery, transport, data communication & online TV screening, retail & pets, online fashion, entertainment, or pharmacy & wellness 0.22% cashback on all other purchases |
|
|
10% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend (including public transport rides via SimplyGo) |
10% cashback on online and mobile contactless transactions Up to 1% cashback with no min. spend and no cap on overseas FX spend till 31 Dec 2026 0.3% cashback on all other transactions |
|
|
Up to 10% cashback on transport rides via SimplyGo |
6% cashback/ 5.6 mpd on fast food, coffee and toast, digital subscriptions and bus & MRT rides No monthly minimum spend, no annual fees |
|
|
Up to 15% cashback per quarter, including public transport rides via SimplyGo |
Enhanced cashback of up to 10%
|
|
|
3 mpd on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+ purchases, dining, online food delivery, onling shopping, online travel, and public transport |
1.2 mpd on all other eligible spend No cap on bonus miles earned |
Editor's Pick
Best for daily commuters who also spend on groceries, online shopping, and ride-hailing. If public transport is a regular part of your routine and you want cash rebates across everyday categories, this card earns its keep.
1. Citi SMRT Card
The Citi SMRT Card is worth considering if you want cash rebates on SimplyGo transactions and daily expenses like online spend, groceries, taxis, and private hire rides.
Rebates are paid in SMRT,redeemableforshoppingvouchersorcashrebates(1SMRT, redeemable for shopping vouchers or cash rebates (1 SMRT ,redeemableforshoppingvouchersorcashrebates(1SMRT = S$1). The 5% cashback requires a minimum spend of S$500/month, failing which you drop to a 0.3% rebate. There's no monthly cashback cap, but there is an annual cap of S$600.
Note that since 13 July 2022, all replacement, renewal, and newly issued Citi SMRT cards no longer come with an EZ-Link stored value facility. Existing EZ-Link stored value facilities can still be used for top-ups until they expire, but won't earn rewards. If your card has an EZ-Link stored value facility, activate SimplyGo at any General Ticketing Machine to switch your payment mode.
Get this card if you…
Can meet the S$500 monthly minimum spend and want cash rebates on public transport, Grab/Gojek rides, online purchases, and groceries.
SingSaver Exclusive Offer
Apply for a Citi SMRT Card via SingSaver and and score S$430 Upsized Cash, S$470 Grab Voucher, 25,000 Max Miles by HeyMax (worth S$600 in travel value), Dyson Airstrait, or Dyson V8 Cyclone cordless vacuum upon activating and spending a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Valid till 2 August 2026. T&Cs apply.
Or, Get the Reward Upgrade You Deserve!
You can also top up from just S$100 to upgrade to the latest Dyson and Apple products, including the latest MacBook Neo 256GB Magic Keyboard. Valid till 2 August 2026. T&Cs apply.
2. UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card/Mastercard/Amex
The UOB PRVI Miles Card gives 1.4 miles per dollar (mpd) on local bus and train rides via mobile contactless — Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Add the card to your mobile wallet and tap just like an EZ-Link card. Since May 2025, SimplyGo also accepts the physical AMEX variant directly; unlike Amex's own-issued cards, this UOB-issued AMEX still earns miles as normal on SimplyGo rides.
Read our full review of the UOB PRVI Card here.
Get this card if you…
Want a high-earning general airmiles card with no monthly cap — useful for big-ticket purchases too. Enjoy complimentary Changi Airport transfers (call 6651 2253, 9am–6pm, at least 2 days ahead).
3. OCBC Frank Credit Card
The OCBC Frank Credit Card offers 8% cashback on online spending, mobile contactless payments, and foreign currency spend made in-store, plus an additional 2% on green merchants — including BlueSG, Charge+, Greenlots, Little Farms, and bus/MRT rides via SimplyGo. That's up to 10% cashback on your public transport spend.
The catch: a minimum monthly spend of S$800, with a cashback cap of S$100/month (S$25 per category).
Get this card if you…
Want a convenient cashback card for contactless mobile payment across transport, groceries, and shopping — no need to carry the physical card.
4. DBS Live Fresh Card
The DBS Live Fresh Card offers 6% cashback per month on transport spend (including SimplyGo) with a minimum spend of S$800/month, capped at S$20 for transport (S$70 total cap). A 0.3% unlimited base rate applies even if you miss the minimum spend.
Get this card if you…
Hold a DBS Multiplier Account and want a fuss-free everyday cashback card with no pressure to hit a high minimum spend for base rewards.
SingSaver x DBS Live Fresh Card Exclusive Offer
Enjoy S$300 Cash, S$340 eCapitaVoucher, 22k HeyMax Miles (worth S$396), Sony WF-1000XM6 (Earbuds), or Dyson TP10 when you apply and spend a minimum of S$500 within 30 days of card approval. Use promo code SINGSAVER. Valid till 2 August 2026. T&Cs apply.
Or, Get the Reward Upgrade You Deserve!
You can also top up from just S$120 to upgrade to the latest Dyson and Apple products, including the latest MacBook Neo 256GB Magic Keyboard. Valid till 2 August 2026. T&Cs apply.
5. DBS Altitude Visa
DBS Altitude Visa offers 1.3 mpd on all public transport rides via SimplyGo, charged directly to your card with no top-ups needed.
Read the full DBS Altitude Card review here.
Get this card if you…
Spend on flights and hotels (up to 3 mpd on Agoda bookings) and want complimentary travel accident insurance of up to S$1,000,000.
6. UOB Lady's Card & UOB Lady's Solitaire Card
UOB Lady's cards let you pick your bonus category based on your spending habits — 4 mpd for one category (UOB Lady's Card) or two categories (Lady's Solitaire) from Beauty & Wellness, Fashion, Dining, Family, Travel, Transport, and Entertainment, changeable every quarter.
Get this card if you…
Spend regularly in one or two of the seven eligible categories and want the flexibility to pick Transport when your commute costs spike.
SingSaver x UOB Lady's Card Exclusive Offer
Get S$60 Cash via PayNow when you apply for a UOB Lady's Card and make a min. spend of S$500 within the first 30 days of card approval. Promotion is valid for new-to-UOB credit cardmembers only. Valid till 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.
UOB Welcome Offer
Get S$100 Samsung e-vouchers or 10% discount on Samsung Singapore transactions via online store on top of SingSaver exclusive rewards when you apply for a UOB credit card and spend a min. of S$1,000 in the first month from the card’s approval. Valid till 31 July 2026. T&Cs apply.
7. Maybank Family & Friends Card
The Maybank Family & Friends Card offers 8% monthly cashback across five categories chosen from eight, including Transport. The 8% rate caps at S$125 (split across chosen categories) with a S$800 minimum monthly spend; 0.3% applies thereafter.
Note it doesn't pair with SimplyGo on Google Wallet (Apple Wallet only) — you can work around this by pairing with the Instarem Amaze Card on Google Wallet instead.
Get this card if you…
Want one card covering daily essentials like transport, telco, and streaming subscriptions.
8. UOB EVOL Card
The UOB EVOL Card offers 10% cashback on online and mobile contactless transactions (including SimplyGo), plus 10% on overseas in-store spend and 0.3% on everything else. Monthly cashback caps at S$80 total (S$20 mobile contactless/online, S$20 overseas FX, S$30 other), with a S$800 monthly minimum spend.
Effective cashback for the mobile contactless/online category works out closer to 3.75% in practice once you factor in the S$300 spend cap for that tier.
Get this card if you…
Do the bulk of your spend online or via mobile contactless, and use the UOB One Account as your main account.
9. Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card
The Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card offers up to 10% cashback (or equivalent 360° Rewards Points) on public transport spend via SimplyGo, plus the same rate on select fast food, coffee/toast, and digital subscription merchants. No annual fee, no minimum spend.
Get this card if you…
Want a best credit card for bus and MRT travel in Singapore with zero fees and no spend hurdles.
10. UOB One Credit Card
UOB revised the UOB One Card's cashback mechanism in September 2025 — it now runs on quarterly spend tiers rather than a flat percentage:
| Quarterly Spend Tier | Quarterly Cashback | Enhanced Rate on McDonald's/Grab/Shopee/SimplyGo (+groceries at higher tiers) |
|---|---|---|
| Min. S$600 (10+ transactions) | S$60 | 5% (McDonald's, Grab, Shopee, SimplyGo only) |
| Min. S$1,000 | S$100 | 5% (adds groceries) |
| Min. S$2,000 | S$200 | 10% (adds groceries) |
New-to-UOB customers applying between 15 May and 30 September 2026 can access an enhanced cashback promotion of up to 20% on these same categories during their first qualifying quarter. Note that 7-Eleven, Guardian, and UOB Travel were dropped from bonus categories from August 2025.
On top of this, eligible spend and salary crediting can unlock preferential interest on the UOB One Account.
Get this card if you…
Can consistently hit at least S$600–S$2,000 in qualifying spend each quarter and want a well-rounded cashback card for daily transport, food delivery, and groceries.
11. KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card
The KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card offers 3 mpd on SIA-related spend (Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+) and everyday categories including dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel, and transport. All other spend earns 1.2 mpd.
The bonus 3 mpd rate requires a minimum of S$800/year on SIA-related categories. Miles are split: base 1.2 mpd credits at month-end, with the bonus 1.8 mpd crediting 14 months later.
Get this card if you…
Want a general daily-spend card with no monthly bonus cap, and can hit S$800/year on SIA-related spend.
Card | Hot Reward Pick | SingSaver Reward | Card benefit | Annual Fee | Min. Annual Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OCBC Frank Card | - | - | 0.3 - 10 % | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | - | |
 | Citi SMRT Card | S$1,299 | 0.3 - 5 % | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | - | ||
 | UOB EVOL Card | S$160 | 0.3 - 10 % | S$0 | S$30,000 | - | ||
 | UOB Lady's Card | S$60 Cash via PayNow | S$160 | 0.4 - 10 miles per dollar | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | Up to10 miles per dollar | |
 | UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card | S$160 | 1.4 - 8 | S$261.60 | S$30,000 | 1.4 miles / dollar | ||
 | Maybank Family & Friends Card | - | - | 0.22 - 8 % | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | - | |
 | KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | S$160 | 1.2 - 3 | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | 3 miles / dollar | ||
 | DBS Live Fresh Card | - | - | 0.3 - 9.25 % | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | - | |
 | UOB One Card | S$360 | 3.33 - 20 % | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | - | ||
 | DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card | S$879 | 1.3 - 2.2 | S$196.20 | S$30,000 | 1.3 miles / dollar | ||
 | Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card | - | - | 0.5 - 10 % | No Annual Fee | S$30,000 | - |
Frequently asked questions about using credit cards for public transportation in Singapore
Yes, Trust Cards can be used for MRT and bus rides via SimplyGo as they typically use Visa as their mode of payment processing.
Unfortunately, American Express (AMEX) cards cannot be used for MRT or bus rides via SimplyGo at this time.
Yes, you can use a foreign Visa or Mastercard credit card to pay for MRT rides. However, foreign transaction fees may apply, so check with your card issuer before using your card.
Yes, you can also use your Visa or Mastercard debit card for MRT and bus rides. Just like with credit cards, you can either tap your physical card or add it to your mobile wallet for contactless payment.
CEPAS stands for Contactless e-Purse Application Standard. It's the technology that powers contactless payments in Singapore, including EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards. SimplyGo is an account-based ticketing system that allows you to use your contactless credit or debit card to pay for public transport.
While you can't use Samsung Pay directly as an EZ-Link card, you can add your credit or debit card to Samsung Pay and use it for contactless payment on public transport via SimplyGo.
Foreigners can use their foreign Visa or Mastercard credit cards for public transport via SimplyGo, just like an EZ-Link card. However, while most retailers accept Visa and Mastercard, your foreign-issued card may not be compatible with all EZ-Link functionalities, such as making payments at certain car parks or vending machines.
Yes, you can use your Visa or Mastercard debit card for public transport through SimplyGo, similar to using an EZ-Link Card for tapping in and out on buses and trains. However, your debit card might not work for all EZ-Link functionalities, such as payments at some car parks or vending machines.
About the author
SingSaver Team
At SingSaver, we make personal finance accessible with easy to understand personal finance reads, tools and money hacks that simplify all of life’s financial decisions for you.