Best Credit Card for Public Transport in Singapore (2023)

SINGAPORE — Getting around in Singapore is convenient thanks to its well-integrated public transport system, with an average of 6.39 million trips on public buses and trains per day in 2022.

If you commute regularly, consider the best credit card option that will earn you the most points and maximize rewards on your travel expenses. While public transportation costs may not seem high, frequent or daily travel by train or bus can add up—so why not start collecting some rewards while you’re at it?

How to link your credit card to public transport in Singapore

Paying with credit cards on trains and buses is straightforward. There are currently three options that allow the use of credit cards as a means of payment on public transport:

1. EZ-Link Cards

EZ-Link was the first contactless payment system for MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses, introduced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in 2002. The EZ-Link card is a prepaid card that can be topped up using a Mastercard or Visa credit card either manually at the general ticket machine or via the EZ-Link app’s auto-top-up feature. However, it should be noted that most credit cards do not earn rewards when topped up using EZ-Link. The EZ-Link card has its own rewards system that allows points to be earned on public transport or other expenses that can be redeemed at participating retailers. The card can be purchased at MRT stations, bus stops and certain convenience stores.

2. NETS FlashPay

NETS FlashPay is another prepaid card for contactless payments on trains and buses. Similar to EZ-Link, a NETS FlashPay card can be loaded with a Mastercard or Visa credit card through the NETS app, general ticket machines or certain convenience stores and has an automatic top-up feature. Since most credit card issuers exclude prepaid cards from reward eligibility, the NETS FlashPay card does not grant credit card rewards when topped up by credit card. Instead, it has its own rewards system called the Retailer Stored Value Programme (RSVP) that allows users to take advantage of discounts and special offers at participating retailers.

3. Just go

With the launch of SimplyGo by the LTA in 2019, commuters can use their Mastercard or Visa credit cards directly across Singapore’s public transport network. SimplyGo allows the use of contactless credit or debit cards or mobile wallets to pay for public transport fares, with no top-up required as the fare is deducted directly from the credit card. All SimplyGo transactions are rewarded when a locally issued Mastercard or Visa credit card is used to pay. Unfortunately, American Express cards are not accepted.

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Once the card account is linked to SimplyGo, users can pay using their physical credit card, mobile phone or smartwatch. Regardless of the method, reward points are earned as long as the device is linked to the Mastercard or Visa credit card. Contactless cards do not require prior registration and can be used immediately to pay the fare at the ticket counter. However, by registering with the Transitlink SimplyGo portal, users can check their trip history and fare.

Can all credit cards be used as EZ-Link cards?

Not all credit cards can be used as EZ-Link cards. To check if a credit card has EZ-Link functionality, simply turn the back of the credit card over and look for the “CePAS” logo. A contactless credit card with the “CePAS” logo means it can be used as an EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay card.

For such cards, the EZ-Link or NETS FlashPay feature is the default payment method for public transport. Since you don’t earn credit card reward points with these two methods, switching to the SimplyGo method is the best option. To switch from the standard payment method to the contactless payment method (SimplyGo), go to the general ticket machine and follow the instructions.

Is using public transport more expensive with a credit card?

Fares charged using contactless credit or debit cards are the same as fares charged for travel cards such as EZ-Link and Nets FlashPay.

An exception to this is when using a contactless credit card issued abroad. You can use a contactless credit card issued abroad to pay for train and bus tickets, but an administration fee of up to S$0.60 per day will be charged for ticket payments. In addition, foreign cardholders may be subject to additional fees from their issuing banks.

Which credit card is best for public transport in Singapore?

Choosing the right credit card for public transportation depends on what the user wants to maximize. Assuming the purpose of using credit cards to pay for public transportation is to collect rewards, choosing the most suitable card depends on whether the cardholder wants to collect reward points, cashback or miles.

Therefore, when choosing a public transport credit card, commuters should consider their spending habits and the rewards that matter most to them. Here are some of the best public transport credit cards in Singapore:

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