Remitly vs Wise in Singapore: fees, rates and transfer speed
Pricing claim based on comparative data for select airports and passes. Live pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations. 📱Find out how to get lounge...


Pricing claim based on comparative data for select airports and passes. Live pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
📱Find out how to get lounge access
The UOB One credit card is one of the most popular cashback cards in Singapore. It offers up to 10% cashback on selected daily spending categories, but the rewards structure is more detailed than it first appears.
If you’re thinking about applying, it’s important to understand how the cashback system works, what conditions you need to meet, and whether the card matches your spending habits.
This guide breaks it down clearly, covering cashback mechanics, eligible spending, fees, promotions, and whether the card is worth considering. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.
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The UOB One credit card is a cashback card for people who can spend consistently each month and meet a minimum number of purchases. Instead of earning miles or points, cardholders earn quarterly cashback and additional cashback on selected spending categories.
At a high level, the card is built around:
The key thing to know is that rewards are tied to specific conditions. If you don’t meet them, you may not receive the cashback advertised.
This is the part most people need to look at carefully. The card has a base quarterly cashback component, plus additional cashback on selected categories.
To qualify for quarterly cashback, you need to spend at least one of these amounts every month during your qualifying quarter, with a minimum of 10 purchases per month¹:
You’ll need to maintain the same qualifying tier over three consecutive months.
The UOB One card credits cashback on a quarterly basis, not monthly.
If you meet the minimum monthly spend and minimum transaction count for three consecutive months, you can receive the following quarterly cashback¹:
| Monthly spend per month | Quarterly cashback | Effective cashback rate |
|---|---|---|
| S$600 | S$60 | Up to 3.33% |
| S$1,000 | S$100 | Up to 3.33% |
| S$2,000 | S$200 | Up to 3.33% |
If you miss the minimum spend or the minimum 10 purchases in one statement period, you may not qualify for the quarterly cashback.
On top of the quarterly cashback, UOB offers additional cashback in selected categories¹:
| Category | S$600 tier | S$1,000 tier | S$2,000 tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selected partners (Grab, McDonald’s, Shopee Singapore, SimplyGo) | 5% | 5% | 6.67% |
| Grocery spend | - | 2.67% | 4.67% |
| Singapore Power utilities bills | 1% | 1% | 1% |
This brings the total cashback to:
Based on the official page, UOB highlights these maximum cashback rates on selected everyday categories¹:
This means the UOB One card is no longer just about Shopee cashback. It’s positioned more broadly around daily spending.
Shopee Singapore is one of the selected partners under the UOB One cashback structure. That means eligible spending at Shopee Singapore can qualify for additional cashback, subject to the spending tier you meet¹.
The card may also come with short-term promotions. Promotions can change, so it’s worth checking the latest UOB promotions page or the card page before relying on a specific perk.
Before applying, it’s worth checking both the eligibility rules and the fees.
According to the official page, eligibility is currently as follows¹:
With effect from 1 January 2024, the official fees listed are¹:
The official card page confirms a first-year fee waiver, but it does not set out a public step-by-step annual fee waiver process for later years on the main page. In practice, cardholders usually need to check with UOB directly through customer service or digital banking channels.
If this is important to your decision, it’s best to verify the latest waiver policy with UOB before applying.
If you use the UOB One card for non-SGD transactions, UOB charges an administrative fee of 3.25% on the converted amount².
Within that fee, part of the charge is retained by the card network²:
There is also a separate international processing fee of 1% for certain transactions processed outside the country of the transaction currency². This applies to:
So if you use your UOB One card overseas or with overseas merchants, the total cost may include both currency conversion charges and international processing fees, depending on how the transaction is processed.
The UOB One card can be rewarding, but only if your spending pattern fits the card structure.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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The UOB One credit card can be worth it if your spending is predictable and fits the qualifying rules.
It may suit you if you:
It may be less suitable if your monthly spending fluctuates a lot or if you prefer a simpler cashback card with fewer conditions.
If you’re comparing a cashback credit card with a travel-friendly debit card, the main difference is what each one is built for.
| Feature | UOB One Credit Card | Wise Card |
|---|---|---|
| Main use case | Cashback on eligible daily spend | Spending in foreign currencies |
| Rewards style | Quarterly cashback and additional category cashback | No cashback |
| Minimum spend required | Yes, monthly tier plus 10 purchases | No minimum spend |
| Foreign currency fee | 3.25% administrative fee on non-SGD transactions² | Low transparent conversion fee |
| International processing fee | 1% in some cases² | No separate international processing fee |
| Exchange rate approach | Network conversion and card fees apply | Mid-market exchange rate |
| Best for | Structured local spending | Travel and international spending |
The UOB One card is strongest when your spending fits its rules. If you can consistently meet the monthly tier and transaction count, it can deliver meaningful cashback.
The Wise Card works differently. It doesn’t focus on cashback. Instead, it’s designed to help users spend in 150+ foreign currencies with low, transparent conversion pricing.
In general:
If you plan to use your card overseas, cashback is only one part of the picture. You’ll also want to look at:
With the Wise Card, the focus is different. You get:
That can make it a practical option for travel or international payments, especially if cashback isn’t your main priority.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including MYR, JPY, CNY, and USD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up SGD to get started.
Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 8.50 SGD. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD each month, before low fees start.
While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in SGD and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.26%.
Plus, you can activate Wise Interest to earn returns* on your SGD and other currencies, meaning your travel money could be growing right up until you spend it.
*Growth is not guaranteed. Capital at risk.
You need to meet a minimum monthly spending tier and make at least 10 purchases per month for three consecutive months. Cashback is then credited on a quarterly basis¹.
The current tiers are:
You need a minimum of 10 purchases per month during the qualifying quarter¹.
UOB charges an administrative fee of 3.25% on non-SGD transactions². Some transactions may also be subject to a separate 1% international processing fee².
It can be, especially if you qualify for the S$1,000 or S$2,000 tiers. The official page highlights up to 8% cashback on grocery spend and up to 10% cashback at selected partners like Shopee Singapore¹.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Pricing claim based on comparative data for select airports and passes. Live pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations. 📱Find out how to get lounge...
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