Should I buy miles for 1.6-1.8 cents with UOB Payment Facility?
- MilesWise
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 6
From now till 30 April 2025, UOB has launched a new promotion for its UOB Payment Facility, which allows cardholders to buy miles at 1.6 to 1.8 cents.
What is UOB Payment Facility?
The UOB Payment Facility, offered by UOB Singapore, allows cardholders to pay various expenses, such as bills, rent, insurance premiums, taxes, and school fees, while earning miles or points. These payments are subject to a service fee, effectively enabling users to "buy" miles at a specific cost.
How Does It Work?
Apply for UOB Payment Facility, providing card, personal, and bank details.
Wait 4-6 working days for approval.
Upon approval:
The approved amount (plus fee) is charged to your UOB card.
Funds are credited to your bank account.
UNI$ (miles) are credited once the transaction posts
How is this better then CitiPayall/ Cardup?
At first glance, purchasing miles at 1.8 cents (or 1.6 cents if you hold a UOB Reserve Card) may not seem like an exceptional deal. For instance, a UOB PRVI Miles Cardholder could acquire miles through CardUp at a lower rate of 1.26 to 1.57 cents per mile, depending on the type of payment. Citi PayAll offers a flat rate of 1.75 miles per dollar (mpd) on all payments with a minimum spend of S$5,000, reducing the cost per mile to 1.49 cents.
However, both CardUp and Citi PayAll require that payments be linked to a genuine economic transaction, such as rent or a helper’s salary. In contrast, the UOB Payment Facility is more flexible, as it permits self-payments, eliminating the need to simulate an actual bill payment.
That said, UOB miles/points are less flexible than those earned through Citi, as they can only be transferred to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
Some other Use Cases
Topping Up Miles: If you are just short of the required miles for an award redemption, this can be a good way to top up.
Extending Interest-Free Period: Timing the transaction right after your statement date allows you to extend your credit period before the next due date, providing potential cash flow benefits.
Final Recommendation
Before committing to purchasing miles through the UOB Payment Facility, assess the award rates and taxes for your intended redemption. While this deal offers a lower rate than usual, it is not the most cost-effective way to acquire miles. Those with actual bills to pay may find better value using CardUp or Citi PayAll instead. If you are new to CardUp, Use my promo code and get $30 off your admin fee, equivalent of $1154 of (income tax, or anything) bills.
Are you buying miles? Let me know in the comments/poll!
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