Does your credit card earn cashback on daily transport in Singapore?

Key Takeaways

• Transport spending in Singapore is not treated equally by cashback cards. Grab rides, MRT, bus, and petrol all get classified differently, and what you earn depends entirely on that classification.
• Grab rides are where some credit cards provide the strongest transport rewards. Some cards combine unlimited cashback with additional cashback on eligible Grab spending, giving frequent Grab users more value from spending they already do.
• MRT and bus trips typically earn at a lower rate on most cards, so it's worth knowing exactly what your daily commute is earning before you commit to one. 
• GXS Credit Card helps make daily journeys count, with at least 3% instant cashback in GrabCoins on Grab rides and 1.75% unlimited cashback on other common modes of daily transport.

You've optimised your Grab route. You know which MRT cabin lines up right at the escalator. You've even figured out the fastest bus route home, so props to you. The one thing you probably haven't thought of? Whether your cashback credit card is actually earning on any of it. 

How are Grab rides, MRT, bus and petrol classified for cashback in Singapore?

Grab rides

If Grab rides are your default mode of getting around, this is the transport category where your card is likely doing most of the work.

Some cashback credit cards go further by adding rewards on eligible Grab spending. For daily Grab commuters, this means the rides already built into their daily routine can be even more rewarding over time. With GXS Credit Card, every eligible Grab ride earns at least 3% cashback in GrabCoins, credited instantly after each trip. No minimum spend to unlock it. 

MRT and bus

Most cashback credit cards don't include transit payments in their bonus tiers, and EZ-Link top-ups are typically treated as fund transfers rather than retail spend. Some cards do earn on transit though, and if you're on the MRT every single day, even a small spend stacks up more than you'd expect in a year. The easiest cashback credit card keeps things simple by rewarding eligible everyday spending consistently, without making you remember different categories for different purchases.

Petrol

Petrol has its own category code and many cashback credit cards offer bonus rates at the pump. Most petrol cashback rates apply up to a monthly limit though. For drivers clocking serious mileage, a cashback card with no monthly earning cap gives you more consistent returns without worrying about hitting a ceiling during higher-spending months.

How you pay for transport affects how much cashback you earn in Singapore

Okay real talk though: how you pay for transport can matter just as much as which credit card you use.

Tapping your credit card on a SimplyGo reader is a completely different transaction from topping up an EZ-Link card. Direct taps go through as transit passes. EZ-Link top-ups go through as stored-value funding. Small habit tweak, same commute, more cashback. That's a change that requires zero extra effort. This is why a card that rewards everyday spending consistently can be more useful than one that requires you to remember multiple categories and conditions. 

What to look for in the best cashback credit card for transport in Singapore

1. Does the card reward Grab rides beyond its regular cashback? Some cards offer additional rewards on eligible Grab spending, giving frequent users more value every time they ride.
2. Is there a monthly cap on transport cashback? Some cards have a ceiling on how much you can earn in this category each month, so it's worth knowing where that sits.
3. Does it earn anything on SimplyGo or transit payments? Most cards don't, but some do. Worth asking if you're a daily commuter.
4. Does it also earn solid cashback on everything else? Petrol, everyday spend, all the incidental taps. That's what makes a credit card useful beyond just one category.

Which cashback credit card earns on transport and everything else in Singapore?

Transport spending is one of the most consistent categories for many Singaporeans. But a good cashback card shouldn't stop at your daily commute. The best cards reward daily transport like Grab rides, MRT, bus, and petrol, while continuing to earn consistently across your everyday spending, so you don't need one card for transport and another for everything else.

GXS Credit Card helps make everyday journeys more rewarding, with at least 3% cashback in GrabCoins on eligible Grab spend, including Grab rides, GrabFood, GrabMart, Grab Dine Out and GrabExpress. Eligible everyday spending across common categories like groceries, shopping, dining, and more also earn 1.75% unlimited cashback with a low minimum spend of $500 per billing cycle, so your rewards continue even after your journey ends.

So, when did you last check whether your card is actually earning on every transport tap you make? If you’re looking for a credit card that can give back on every commute, it may be time to consider GXS Credit Card.

T&Cs & disclaimers apply.

FAQs

1. Does my credit card earn instant cashback on Grab rides in Singapore? 
   Yes. GXS Credit Card credits up to 10% instant cashback in GrabCoins on Grab rides with a low minimum spend of $500 per billing cycle with no earning cap.

2. Why doesn't my credit card earn cashback on MRT and bus trips? 
   Most cashback cards don't include transit payments in their dedicated bonus tiers, and EZ-Link top-ups are typically treated as stored-value funding rather than retail spend. That said, a credit card with a solid flat cashback rate on all local spend earns on SimplyGo tap-ins the same way it earns on everything else, with no special category needed. GXS Credit Card earns 1.75% unlimited cashback on eligible everyday spending including SimplyGo tap-ins, with no earning cap. 

3. What is the best credit card for Grab with no minimum spend in Singapore? 
   For Grab users who want rewards from their very first spend, GXS Credit Card earns instant cashback in GrabCoins on eligible Grab rides, GrabFood, GrabMart, Grab Dine Out and GrabExpress with no minimum spend required. Cashback rates start from 3% and go up to 10% depending on your spend, with no earning cap on GrabCoins. This makes GXS Credit Card one of the easiest cashback credit cards for everyday Grab spending in Singapore. 

4. Does paying with a credit card on SimplyGo earn cashback in Singapore? 
   Yes, on some cards. When you tap your credit card directly on a SimplyGo reader, it processes as transit spend rather than a stored-value top-up, which means it qualifies for cashback on cards with a flat everyday rate. GXS Credit Card earns 1.75% unlimited cashback on eligible everyday spending including SimplyGo tap-ins, with no earning cap.

5. Which credit card gives the highest cashback with no cap in Singapore? 
   GXS Credit Card is the highest unlimited cashback credit card in Singapore with no cashback cap. It earns 1.75% unlimited cashback on eligible everyday spending, plus up to 10% instant cashback in GrabCoins on eligible Grab spend with no earning cap on either tier.