UOB Visa Signature Credit Card: Should You Apply?

Boosted Rewards for Occasional Travellers with Moderate Budgets
UOB Visa Signature Card
UOB Visa Signature Card

UOB Visa Signature Credit Card: Should You Apply?

Boosted Rewards for Occasional Travellers with Moderate Budgets

4.0/5.0

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Rewards
Perks
Fees

Pros

  • 4 mi (2 UNI$) / S$1 local contactless & petrol
  • 4 mi (2 UNI$) / S$1 overseas (inc. online)
  • Free travel insurance

Cons

  • General spend earns 0.4 mi (0.2 UNI$) / S$1
  • S$1k local + S$1k overseas min. spend
  • Petrol rate excludes SPC & Shell
  • Few travel perks
UOB Visa Signature Card
UOB Visa Signature Card

Modern spenders who split their time between Singapore and abroad can quickly accrue miles with UOB Visa Signature Card. In fact, cardholders who spend at least S$1k overseas earn 4 miles per S$1 in foreign currency; those who spend S$1k locally also earn 4 miles per S$1 on petrol and all contactless purchases (both via Visa payWave & mobile wallets). This makes it fairly easy for average spenders to maximise earnings on nearly all purchases, no matter where they are. Even better, those who meet both minimum spend requirements can immediately max out the 8k miles monthly rewards cap (though S$2k spend in either category can also max out earnings, which is ideal for those with variable travel schedules). Ultimately, modern consumers with moderate budgets can enjoy convenience and rapid miles accrual with UOB Visa Signature Card.

UOB Visa Signature Credit Card Features and Benefits

  • Annual Fee: S$214, Waived for 1 year
  • Income Requirement: S$50,000 for citizens & PRs, S$80,000 for foreigners
Key Features:
  • Annual fee: S$214 ( waived for one year)
  • 10 miles (5 UNI$) per S$1 spend overseas, petrol and contactless transactions (w/ S$1k min. spend)
  • 0.4 miles (0.2 UNI$) per S$1 spend on all other transactions
  • Free travel insurance
  • UOB Year-Round Privileges
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What Makes UOB Visa Signature Credit Card Stand Out

UOB Visa Signature Card is a great option for modern, moderate spenders with variable travel schedules. Cardholders who spend at least S$1k/month overseas earn 4 miles per S$1 foreign currency spend–one of the highest overseas rates currently on the market. Perhaps even better, consumers who spend S$1k/month locally also earn 4 miles per S$1 on petrol and contactless spend. "Contactless" transactions include payments via Visa payWave and with mobile wallets (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay & more), making it easy for modern spenders to earn on nearly all purchases.

This rewards structure is perfect for consumers who split their time between Singapore and overseas destinations, but who may have inconsistent travel schedules. Typical miles and cashback cards have skewed priorities: miles cards tend to offer higher overseas rates but lower local rates, while cashback cards rarely offer a special boost for spend in foreign currencies. UOB Visa Signature Card stands out by offering the best of both worlds. Even better, cardholders with S$2k monthly budgets can easily max out the monthly rewards cap regardless of their travel schedule. Those who meet both minimums (S$1k locally and S$1k overseas) can immediately max out the 8k monthly rewards limit. However, consumers who allocate all S$2k overseas or locally can also max out their rewards.

Earnings Comparison Based on Budget Amount & Distribution

Overseas BudgetLocal Contactless/PetrolTotal Spend AmtMonthly Earnings
S$950S$950S$1,900720 miles
S$900S$1,000S$1,9004,000 miles
S$1,000S$1,000S$2,0008,000 miles
S$2,000S$2,000S$4,0008,800 miles
Both overseas and local categories have distinct S$1k minimum spend requirements to earn at elevated 4mi/S$1 rate. There is an 8k miles/month earnings cap at this boosted rate, further transactions earn 0.4 mi/S$1

Unfortunately, this card isn't infinitely flexible. Because of the dual S$1k minimums, cardholders with moderate budgets may need to split their spend equally or allocate all of their spend to one bucket (local or overseas). Lower spenders with diversified budgets may fail to reach either minimum, ultimately earning just 0.4 miles per S$1. Higher spenders, on the other hand, may overshoot the minimums and end up maxing out the 8k miles/month cap after S$2k spend, earning at the base rate for further transactions. These drawbacks apply to both local and overseas spenders, but frequent travellers may especially find issue with UOB Visa Signature Card. Cardholders receive free travel insurance, but the plan is quite basic, and there are no provisions for complimentary lounge access, bonus renewal miles or hotel booking perks.

Comparison to Traditional Miles Cards: Trade-Offs Between Rates, Mins/Caps & Perks

Credit CardPrimary RewardsMinimums & CapsKey Travel Perks
UOB Visa Sig.
  • Local: 4.0 mi/S$1
  • Overseas: 4.0 mi/S$1
  • Min: S$1k local, S$1k overseas
  • Cap: 8k mi/mo
  • Free travel insurance
DBS Altitude
  • Local: 1.2 mi/S$1
  • Overseas: 2.0 mi/S$1
  • Minimum: N/A
  • Rewards Cap: N/A
  • Free travel insurance
  • 2 lounge visits/yr
  • Disc. limo transfers
Citi PMV
  • Free travel insurance
  • 2 lounge visits/yr
  • Citi World Privileges
Local rate for UOB Visa Signature applies to contactless and petrol spend

It's also worth mentioning that there's a S$214.0 annual fee, waived just the 1st year. This may seem high at first–however, it's just S$21.4 higher than the S$192.6 market standard. Consumers who feel this card fits their lifestyle should keep in mind the scale of this differential. Ultimately, UOB Visa Signature Card is ideal for modern, moderate spenders with occasional–and perhaps variable–travel schedules.

How Does UOB Visa Signature Credit Card's Rewards Program Work?

Use our quick guide below to learn how you can redeem UOB Visa Signature Card's rewards.

  • Spend earns in UNI$ (points)
  • Spend incurred by supplementary cardmembers accrues to principal cardmember's account (therefore contributing towards maxing out the rewards cap)
  • UNI$ can be redeemed for merchant vouchers, cash credit or air miles
  • Miles are redeemed in blocks of UNI$5,000 for 10,000 air miles (KrisFlyer or Asia)
  • Cardholders must pay S$25 fee/miles redemption or a S$50 fee for 1 year of auto-conversion
  • UNI$ expire 2 years after the periodic quarter in which they were earned
  • UNI$ cannot be replaced or reinstated

UOB Visa Signature Credit Card's Rewards Exclusions

The following credit card expenditures are ineligible for rewards.

0% Instalment Payment Plans; SmartPay; personal loan; balance/funds transfers; cash advances; fees; interests; finance charges; late payment charges; annual fee charges; reversals; any fees payable to UOB (or any third party) for transfer of any debit balance on any other credit card; any credit card transaction that was charged to the Card Account but was subsequently cancelled, void or reversed for any reason
NETS and NETS-related transactions; any transactions or payments made at, via or to AXS; any payment via SmoovPay; stored Grab mobile wallet top-ups (though all other Grab transactions will continue to be eligible for awarding of UNI$); stored value card purchase/load; remote stored value load for financial institute rentals and/or merchant rentals (quasi-cash); payment of funds to prepaid accounts including Banc de Binary, EZ Link, FlashPay, MoneyBookers, OANDA Asia PAC, Paypal, Saxo Cap Mkts, Skrill, SkyFX, Transit Link, IG Markets (and others)
Payments to member financial institutions (merchandise & services, including quasi-cash) and non-financial institutions (foreign currency, non-fiat currency, cryptocurrency, including quasi-cash); securities brokers and dealers; wire transfer/remittance; remote money transfers (quasi-cash); insurance services (direct marketing, sales, underwriting); court costs (including alimony and child support) fines, bail and bond payments; tax payments; government services including postal services and intra-government purchases; payments to educational institutions (including elementary, secondary, colleges, universities, professional schools, junior colleges, correspondence schools, business and secretarial schools, trade and vocational schools & all other educational services); religious, political, charitable and social service organisations; gambling and betting (including lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at race tracks)
Nondurable goods; real estate agents & managers (rentals); cleaning/maintenance/janitorial services (aka property management); truck stop transactions (quasi-cash); any spending deemed to be for commercial and/or non-personal purchases; any transactions at SMART$ merchants where SMART$ are issued. Note: SimplyGo transactions performed on public bus and train readers are eligible for boosted rewards rate

How does UOB Visa Signature Credit Card Compare to Other Cards?

Read our comparisons of UOB Visa Signature Card with other cards and learn what makes each card unique in their own way. We compare and contrast each card to highlight its uniqueness to help you identify the card that you need.

Graph showing some of Singapore’s best credit cards in terms of value-to-consumer after two years, based on an average monthly spend of S$2,000
UOB Visa Signature v. Maybank Horizon Visa
  • Annual Fee: S$180
  • Stand-Out: Market-leading 3.2 miles per S$1 select local spend
  • Read Our Full Review
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card is one of the best options on the market for miles-seeking consumers who spend time both in Singapore and abroad. Cardholders earn an impressive 3.2 miles per S$1 on local dining, petrol, taxi fares & Agoda bookings, plus 2 miles on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions. While Maybank Horizon Visa Card's rates are generally lower than UOB Visa Signature's, it has a much lower S$300 minimum spend requirement and higher 12k miles/month earnings cap.


Maybank Horizon Visa also stands apart as it's notably more affordable. The S$180.0 annual fee is waived for 3 full years, and then with just S$18k annual spend (about S$1.5k/month). As a result, average spenders looking for affordable miles both locally and overseas may prefer Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card.

UOB Visa Signature v. OCBC Voyage
OCBC VOYAGE Card
OCBC VOYAGE Card
  • Annual Fee: S$488
  • Stand-Out: Flexible miles redemption, boosted rewards for overseas spend
  • Read Our Full Review
OCBC Voyage Card offers wealthier travellers a convenient way to earn boosted miles even while at home. Cardholders earn 2.3 miles per S$1 overseas and 1.2 miles per S$1 locally–elevated to 1.6 miles for local dining. As dining makes up a large part of many consumers' budgets, this added perk is quite attractive for frequent travellers who often spend extended periods within Singapore.


OCBC Voyage Card also offers extraordinary travel perks, such as unlimited lounge access, free travel insurance, limo transfers, golfing privileges, and even 15,000 annual bonus renewal miles. These benefits are far more attractive than the simple travel insurance offered by UOB Visa Signature Card. However, OCBC Voyage Card is far more expensive at S$488.0 (no waiver). Overall, OCBC Voyage Card is a better match for miles-seeking travellers who prefer to travel in luxury, while UOB Visa Signature Card may be better for average spenders who prioritize rates over travel perks.

UOB Visa Signature v. UOB One Card
  • Annual Fee: S$194.40
  • Stand-Out: Highest flat rebate on the market, earn up to $300/qtr
  • Read Our Full Review
While UOB One Card offers cashback rather than miles, it may just be the best rewards card on the market for consumers with consistent S$2k/month budgets. Cardholders who maintain this spend level for 3 months earn 5% flat cashback, up to S$100/month (S$300/quarter). Consumers earn a special +5% boost (up to 10%) on Grab rides and select UOB Travel, plus +1% (up to 6%) on SP bills. Lower or inconsistent spenders earn just 3.33% cashback, which is less competitive overall.


UOB One Card is similar to UOB Visa Signature in that virtually all transactions are eligible for rewards. Additionally, consumers with a S$2k budget point are most likely to maximise rewards. Both offer free travel insurance and access to the SMART$ Rebate programme. However–beyond offering cashback instead of points/miles–UOB One Card differs by offering a higher max monthly rewards cap (S$100 vs. equivalent of S$80) and a slightly lower annual fee (S$192.6 vs. S$214.0).

UOB Visa Signature v. Maybank Horizon Visa
  • Annual Fee: S$180
  • Stand-Out: Market-leading 3.2 miles per S$1 select local spend
  • Read Our Full Review
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card is one of the best options on the market for miles-seeking consumers who spend time both in Singapore and abroad. Cardholders earn an impressive 3.2 miles per S$1 on local dining, petrol, taxi fares & Agoda bookings, plus 2 miles on air tickets, travel packages and foreign currency transactions. While Maybank Horizon Visa Card's rates are generally lower than UOB Visa Signature's, it has a much lower S$300 minimum spend requirement and higher 12k miles/month earnings cap.


Maybank Horizon Visa also stands apart as it's notably more affordable. The S$180.0 annual fee is waived for 3 full years, and then with just S$18k annual spend (about S$1.5k/month). As a result, average spenders looking for affordable miles both locally and overseas may prefer Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card.

UOB Visa Signature v. OCBC Voyage
OCBC VOYAGE Card
OCBC VOYAGE Card
  • Annual Fee: S$488
  • Stand-Out: Flexible miles redemption, boosted rewards for overseas spend
  • Read Our Full Review
OCBC Voyage Card offers wealthier travellers a convenient way to earn boosted miles even while at home. Cardholders earn 2.3 miles per S$1 overseas and 1.2 miles per S$1 locally–elevated to 1.6 miles for local dining. As dining makes up a large part of many consumers' budgets, this added perk is quite attractive for frequent travellers who often spend extended periods within Singapore.


OCBC Voyage Card also offers extraordinary travel perks, such as unlimited lounge access, free travel insurance, limo transfers, golfing privileges, and even 15,000 annual bonus renewal miles. These benefits are far more attractive than the simple travel insurance offered by UOB Visa Signature Card. However, OCBC Voyage Card is far more expensive at S$488.0 (no waiver). Overall, OCBC Voyage Card is a better match for miles-seeking travellers who prefer to travel in luxury, while UOB Visa Signature Card may be better for average spenders who prioritize rates over travel perks.

UOB Visa Signature v. UOB One Card
  • Annual Fee: S$194.40
  • Stand-Out: Highest flat rebate on the market, earn up to $300/qtr
  • Read Our Full Review
While UOB One Card offers cashback rather than miles, it may just be the best rewards card on the market for consumers with consistent S$2k/month budgets. Cardholders who maintain this spend level for 3 months earn 5% flat cashback, up to S$100/month (S$300/quarter). Consumers earn a special +5% boost (up to 10%) on Grab rides and select UOB Travel, plus +1% (up to 6%) on SP bills. Lower or inconsistent spenders earn just 3.33% cashback, which is less competitive overall.


UOB One Card is similar to UOB Visa Signature in that virtually all transactions are eligible for rewards. Additionally, consumers with a S$2k budget point are most likely to maximise rewards. Both offer free travel insurance and access to the SMART$ Rebate programme. However–beyond offering cashback instead of points/miles–UOB One Card differs by offering a higher max monthly rewards cap (S$100 vs. equivalent of S$80) and a slightly lower annual fee (S$192.6 vs. S$214.0).

Read Also:

Zoryana Melesh

Zoryana is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, who focuses on evaluating credit cards, savings and fixed deposits in Singapore. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MPA in International Finance and Economic Policy, both from Columbia University. Prior to joining ValueChampion, Zoryana worked in treasury management consulting.

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