Citi PremierMiles Card vs. UOB One Card (2025 Comparison)
For Singaporeans, choosing a credit card can be challenging. Do you want a travel rewards card or a cashback card? Today, we compare two popular options:
- Citi PremierMiles Card – A travel card that earns air miles.
- UOB One Card – A cashback card designed for consistent spenders.
In this post, we break down each card’s features, earn rates, bonus promotions, and key perks. We also include a detailed comparison table and useful links for further reading.
Citi PremierMiles Card
The Citi PremierMiles Card is designed for frequent flyers and travel lovers. It lets you convert your everyday spend into airline miles that never expire.
Key Features
- Earn Rates
- Earn 1.2 Citi Miles for every S$1 spent locally.
- Earn 2.2 Citi Miles for every S$1 spent in foreign currency.
- Note: Overseas spending carries a 3.25% fee.
- Bonus Promotions
- Earn up to 10 Citi Miles per S$1 on online travel bookings through partners like Kaligo.
- Earn up to 7.2 Citi Miles per S$1 on Agoda hotel bookings.
- Additional Perks
- Airport Lounge Access: Get 2 complimentary Priority Pass visits per calendar year.
- Travel Insurance: Enjoy up to S$1 million in travel insurance coverage when you charge travel tickets on the card.
- Flexible Redemption: Redeem Citi Miles for flights, hotel bookings, vouchers, or even cash rebates.
- Renewal Bonus: Receive 10,000 bonus Citi Miles on your card anniversary.
Benefits
- Non-Expiring Miles:
Your Citi Miles never expire. You can accumulate them over time, which is ideal if you do not travel every month. - Wide Transfer Network:
Transfer your miles to 11 airline and hotel loyalty programs (including KrisFlyer, British Airways, and Qatar Airways) on a 1:1 basis. - Bill Payment Bonus:
Use Citi PayAll to pay bills like rent, education fees, or utilities and earn extra miles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Straightforward Miles Earning:
Simple rates for local (1.2/mpd) and overseas spend (2.2/mpd). - Travel Perks:
Complimentary lounge access and travel insurance add real value. - Flexible Redemption:
Miles can be transferred to many frequent flyer programs without expiry.
Cons
- Foreign Transaction Fee:
A 3.25% fee applies on overseas purchases. - Transfer Block Requirement:
You must transfer miles in blocks of 10,000, which might delay smaller redemptions. - Points Pooling:
Citi does not pool miles across different Citi cards.
Who Should Consider the Citi PremierMiles Card?
- Frequent Travelers:
If you fly often and value lounge access and travel insurance, this card fits well. - Miles Accumulators:
Ideal for those who prefer accumulating points over time and redeeming them later. - Bill Payment Savvy:
If you already pay regular expenses via Citi PayAll, you can further boost your miles.
How to Maximize Your Citi PremierMiles Card
- Book Travel Through Partner Sites:
Use the designated links for Kaligo and Agoda to earn bonus miles. - Use Citi PayAll:
Pay bills and even education fees to rack up extra miles. Watch for promotions that may reduce the service fee. - Plan Major Purchases:
Try to time large spends during bonus miles promotions to maximize rewards. - Register for Priority Pass:
Activate your complimentary lounge access as soon as you receive your card.
UOB One Card
The UOB One Card is built for cashback rewards. It is popular among consistent spenders who want to earn a rebate on everyday purchases.
Key Features
- Cashback Structure:
- Base Cashback: Earn 3.33% cashback on all eligible transactions even at low spend levels (S$500/month).
- Enhanced Cashback:
- Spend S$1,000/month to get up to S$100 per quarter.
- Spend S$2,000/month consistently to earn up to S$300 per quarter (roughly 5% rebate on higher spend tiers).
- Select Merchant Bonuses:
- Enjoy up to 10% (or even 15% during promotions) cashback on spending at brands like Grab, Shopee, Dairy Farm (including Cold Storage and Giant), and UOB Travel.
- Annual Fee & Eligibility:
- Annual fee is S$196.20, usually waived for the first year.
- Minimum income: S$30,000 for Singapore citizens/PRs; S$40,000 for foreigners or a S$10,000 fixed deposit alternative.
- Quarterly Cashback System:
Cashback is calculated based on your lowest monthly spend in the quarter. To earn the maximum rebate, you need to: - Spend a minimum number of times (usually 5 transactions per month).
- Reach set spend thresholds consistently over three months.
Additional Perks
- High Deposit Interest:
When paired with a UOB One Account, you can earn attractive interest on your savings. - Fuel Discounts:
Save up to 21.15% at Shell and 22.66% at SPC when you fuel up with your UOB One Card. - Promotional Offers:
Look out for sign-up bonuses like S$350 cash credit for new-to-UOB cardholders. - Extra Merchant Bonuses:
Bonus cashback on utilities (e.g. Singapore Power bills get an extra 1% rebate).
Benefits
- Everyday Savings:
Cashback on daily essentials like groceries, dining, transport, and utilities helps reduce monthly expenses. - Flexibility Across Spend Levels:
Whether you are a high spender or your monthly spend fluctuates, you can still earn a respectable cashback rate. - Simple Redemption:
Cashback is credited as a statement rebate, which is simple to track and use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High Rebate Potential:
Consistent spenders can earn up to 5% or more in cashback. - Additional Savings at Fuel Stations:
Enjoy extra discounts on petrol, which adds value for drivers. - Complementary Annual Fee Waiver:
New cardholders often get the first-year fee waived. - Bonus Cashback on Select Categories:
Earn enhanced rates on popular brands like Grab, Shopee, and Dairy Farm.
Cons
- Quarterly Calculation Method:
Cashback is based on your lowest spend month in a quarter, which may penalize irregular spenders. - Minimum Transaction Requirements:
You must make a minimum number of transactions per month to qualify. - Complexity in Tracking:
The tiered system may require careful tracking of spend to maximize benefits.
Who Should Consider the UOB One Card?
- Consistent Spenders:
If you spend regularly and can meet the minimum monthly thresholds, you can enjoy maximum cashback rewards. - Budget-Minded Consumers:
This card rewards you for daily spending and helps lower your expenses. - Fuel & Utility Users:
Additional rebates on fuel and utility bills add to the overall value.
How to Maximize Your UOB One Card
- Plan Your Transactions:
Schedule your regular expenses (such as groceries, dining, and utilities) to meet the S$500 minimum spend each month. - Monitor Transaction Count:
Make at least 5 transactions per month to ensure qualification for quarterly cashback. - Utilize Bonus Categories:
Use the card at partner merchants like Grab, Dairy Farm, and Shopee for enhanced cashback. - Pair with UOB One Account:
Linking your card with the UOB One Account can boost your overall savings with higher deposit interest.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Citi PremierMiles Card | UOB One Card |
|---|---|---|
| Card Type | Travel Rewards Card | Cashback Card |
| Annual Fee | S$196.20 (waived for first year with qualifying spend) | S$196.20 (waived for first year) |
| Minimum Income Requirement | S$30,000 for Singapore citizens/PRs; S$42,000 for foreigners | S$30,000 for citizens/PRs; S$40,000 for foreigners or S$10,000 fixed deposit option |
| Local Spend Earning | 1.2 Citi Miles per S$1 | Base cashback rate of 3.33% (minimum S$500/month spend) |
| Foreign Spend Earning | 2.2 Citi Miles per S$1 (with 3.25% fee) | Up to 5% cashback on select overseas transactions |
| Bonus Promotions | Up to 10 Citi Miles per S$1 on online travel bookings; up to 7.2 on Agoda | Enhanced cashback (up to 10% or even 15% on partners like Grab, Shopee) |
| Lounge Access | 2 complimentary Priority Pass visits per year | Not applicable (focus on cashback) |
| Travel Insurance | Complimentary travel insurance up to S$1 million when travel is charged on card | Not a travel card; separate travel promotions may exist |
| Additional Perks | Citi PayAll for bill payments; flexible miles transfer to 11 airline programs | High deposit interest via UOB One Account; fuel discounts at Shell/SPC |
| Redemption/Reward Structure | Miles never expire; transfer in blocks of 10,000; wide partner network | Cashback credited quarterly based on lowest monthly spend |
| Ideal For | Frequent flyers who value travel rewards and perks | Everyday spenders who want to reduce monthly expenses with cashback |
Which Card is Right for You?
Choose the Citi PremierMiles Card if:
- You travel often and want to accumulate airline miles that never expire.
- You value travel perks such as complimentary lounge access and travel insurance.
- You can benefit from bonus promotions on hotel and flight bookings.
- You prefer the flexibility of transferring miles to multiple airline partners.
Choose the UOB One Card if:
- You prefer simple cashback on everyday spending.
- You are a consistent spender and can easily meet the minimum monthly spend.
- You want extra savings on fuel, groceries, and utilities.
- You like the idea of pairing your credit card with a high-interest savings account (UOB One Account) for additional benefits.
Before you decide, ask yourself:
- Do you travel frequently and want rewards that enhance your travel experience?
- Is your spending consistent enough to hit quarterly targets?
- Would a straightforward cashback rebate help you manage your budget better?
Both cards offer great rewards but cater to different spending styles. Assess your habits and choose the card that best fits your financial goals.
Useful Links for Further Reading
- Citi PremierMiles Card Review – The MileLion
- Citi PremierMiles Card – SingSaver Review
- UOB One Card – MoneySmart Overview
- UOB One Account – Seedly Review
- UOB One Card Review – Eugene Chai
- The Best Travel Credit Cards in Singapore (2024/2025) – The Travel Playbook
Final Tips
- Compare Your Spending:
Look at your monthly expenses. If you travel often, the Citi PremierMiles Card can offer extra value with its miles and travel perks. If your spending is mostly on everyday essentials, the UOB One Card’s cashback might be more beneficial. - Monitor Promotions:
Both banks run periodic promotions. Keep an eye on Citi PayAll promotions or UOB’s bonus cashback events to maximize rewards. - Plan for the Future:
Remember that rewards and benefits may change over time. Check the latest terms and conditions before applying. - Use Technology:
Utilize online calculators and mobile apps provided by Citi and UOB to track your rewards. They help you plan your spend and ensure you reach the thresholds for bonuses.
Which card fits your lifestyle? Do you need travel rewards that boost your vacation experiences or a cashback card that gives you more daily savings? Evaluate your priorities and choose the card that works best for you.
By understanding each card’s features, benefits, and limitations, you can make a more informed decision. Use the links provided to explore detailed reviews and stay updated on any changes. Your financial journey is personal—choose the tool that helps you save more and enjoy your rewards to the fullest.
Happy spending and safe travels!
This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to decide between the Citi PremierMiles Card and the UOB One Card. Enjoy the benefits that best suit your spending habits and travel needs!
