Choices are never easy. That’s why, we do the math, so you don’t have to. Compare This, a SingSaver series, is here to help make decisions a little easier for you.
Not all cap-less cashback credit cards are the same. Which one of these three could be your new go-to cashback credit card?
On the hunt for a flat rate cashback credit card that’s easy to use? You’ve come to the right place: UOB Absolute vs Citi Cashback+ vs SCB Unlimited comparison guide.
These three cashback credit cards are a godsend if you’re the sort who doesn’t like to fuss around with credit cards — they let you earn cashback on pretty much anything you buy.
- Similarities between these cashback cards
- Comparison #1: Cashback workings
- Comparison #2: Ability to earn cashback on bill payments
- Comparison #3: Cashback redemption
- Comparison #4: Extra perks
- Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
UOB Absolute Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Unlimited
| Credit card | Key benefits |
| UOB Absolute Cashback | 1.7% cashback |
| Citi Cash Back+ | 1.6% cashback |
| SCB Unlimited | 1.5% cashback |
What these cashback credit cards have in common
UOB Absolute Cashback, Citi Cash Back+ and SCB Unlimited are accessible cashback credit cards that only require a minimum annual income of S$30,000.
A common attribute of all three credit cards is there is no cap on the base cashback you are eligible to earn. Also, there’s no minimum spend required to start earning cashback on your purchases.
All three credit cards are super easy to use, perfect for those new to the world of credit cards or those who simply prefer something extremely fuss-free.
How these cashback credit cards differ
Comparison #1: Cashback workings
| UOB Absolute Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Unlimited | |
| Cashback workings | 1.7% cashback on all eligible spend No min. spend and no cap No spend exclusions |
1.6% cashback on all eligible spend No min. spend and no cap 10% cashback on up to first S$3,000 spent within the first 2 months |
1.5% cashback on all eligible spend No min. spend and no cap Up to a total of 3% cashback when you deposit funds in your Unlimited$aver account |
Citi Cash Back+ lets cardmembers earn extra cashback for the first couple of months without having to jump through hoops at all.
It is trickier if you want to earn the extra cashback for SCB Unlimited — the bonus cashback of up to 1.5% that you can earn is capped at $100 per month and applies if you have a balance of S$100,000 or more in your Unlimited$aver account!
Comparison #2: Ability to earn cashback on bill payments
| UOB Absolute Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Unlimited | |
| Earning cashback on bill payments | Yes | No | Yes |
Although you can quite literally earn cashback on almost every purchase using any of the three cashback credit cards, take note that Citi Cash Back+ does not let you earn cashback on bill payments (including via Citibank Online).
Consider UOB Absolute Cashback or SCB Unlimited if you’re keen on earning rewards on your utility bills and phone bills.
If you want a card that rewards-it-all, look no further than UOB Absolute Cashback.
UOB Absolute Cashback even lets you earn cashback on insurance premiums, school fees, mobile wallet top-ups, medical and hospital bills and rental payment — categories often excluded from earning any form of credit card reward.
Earn high interest rates on your savings with the Citi Interest Booster Account when you sign up for a Citi Plus Account.
Comparison #3: Cashback redemption
| UOB Absolute Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Unlimited | |
| Cashback redemption | Receive cashback automatically in the next statement month | Redeem cashback via SMS or on the Citi Mobile® app — cashback earned doesn’t expire | Receive cashback automatically in the next statement month |
If having a say in when you’d like to utilise your rewards is important to you, you’ll appreciate the flexibility that Citi Cash Back+ offers. You can redeem your cashback online or in the Citi Mobile® App, anytime and anywhere.
For UOB Absolute Cashback and SCB Unlimited, your cashback can only be used to offset your following month’s credit card bill statement.
Comparison #4: Extra perks
| UOB Absolute Cashback | Citi Cash Back+ | SCB Unlimited | |
| Extra perks | American Express and UOB lifestyle privileges (retail, dining, local adventures, travel and more) UOB Smart Pay: BNPL lets you enjoy interest-free monthly instalments over 3, 6, 12 months. Fee applies |
Citi World Privileges: Get dining, lifestyle, travel and shopping deals locally & in 95 other countries Citi PayLite: Convert unbilled retail transactions into instalment payments. Fee applies Citi FlexiBill: Convert your credit card statement retail balance into installments Citi Quick Cash: Get a loan |
The Good Life®: Enjoy card offers and privileges at over 3,000 outlets in Asia from dining offers to shopping, travel and lifestyle benefits EasyPay: Convert retail transactions above S$200 into 6 or 12 months interest-free instalments. Fee applies SC EasyBill: Enjoy extra cashback on IRAS, education, insurance and rental payments, subject to fees and T&Cs |
You get to enjoy a slew of lifestyle deals and promotions with all three cashback credit cards.
Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
It’s difficult to pick out a winner in the UOB Absolute Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Unlimited comparison. Each cashback credit card has its own merits, and nobody can deny how similar the three credit cards are.
How do you decide which one is the most suited to you? This depends on your priorities and perhaps the overall experience the credit card has to offer, taking into account all the nitty-gritty details.
Choose UOB Absolute Cashback: This fuss-free, reliable cashback credit card offers the highest cashback amongst the three and allows you to earn and accumulate rewards of frequently excluded categories, such as insurance premiums and hospital and utility bills! However, do take note that fewer merchants accept American Express payments than Visa and Mastercard payments.
Choose Citi Cash Back+: Pick Citi Cash Back+ if you have big purchases on the horizon and are new to Citi. Although its regular cashback rate stands at 1.6% — marginally higher than the 1.5% offered by SCB Unlimited and lower than the 1.7% provided by UOB Absolute Cashback — you can earn 10% cashback on up to the first S$3,000 spent within the first two months.
Keep in mind that this card doesn’t let you earn cashback on your bill payments and other regular excluded categories such as card fees and charges, insurance premiums, payments to banks and brokerages etc.
Choose SCB Unlimited: SCB Unlimited is the fussiest amongst the three cashback cards. Even though it lets you earn extra cashback — not just for the first few months — there are hoops you’ll have to jump through.
Case in point, in order to earn up to 3% cashback, you’ll need to have at least S$100,000 in your Unlimited$aver account. This can be quite a turnoff for most, considering other credit cards offer higher cashback without this requirement.
An area that SCB Unlimited fares better than UOB Absolute Cashback and Citi Cash Back+? It offers an annual fee waiver for the first two years instead of just one.
Read these next:
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Credit Card Comparison: DBS Live Fresh vs UOB YOLO vs OCBC FRANK
Credit Card Comparison: POSB Everyday vs Citi Cash Back vs OCBC 365
Credit Card Comparison: Amex True Cashback vs Citi Cash Back+ vs SCB Unlimited
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