TransitLink’s SimplyGo (Formerly ABT) is Here. Should You Ditch Your EZLink Card?
After letting account-based ticketing (ABT) languish in “pilot” mode for two whole years, the folks at TransitLink finally got their act together and are launching it for real. Presenting, at long last, SimplyGo.
As its name suggests, SimplyGo is very simple. It’s the latest incarnation of TransitLink’s two-year-old pilot programme called ABT (account-based ticketing), which is a system that lets you pay for public transport with your credit card. Only Mastercard is supported for now; Visa cards will be rolled out later this year.
“Uh, okay. Noted with thanks,” you say. “I’ll just continue using my EZLink card because it’s safe and familiar and feels like home. Also my mom got me the limited edition Pompompuri card.”
Fair enough. But might you be missing out on credit card promotions? Let’s have a look at what you can get.
Any credit card promotions for SimplyGo?
Fat chance of getting Singaporeans to change their behaviour without dangling a promotion. TransitLink knows this, so they’ve partnered with various banks to offer the following carrots for using their Mastercards:
If you’re serious about earning rebates from public transport spending, then the BOC Qoo10 Mastercard is a must-have. The trouble is that there’s a minimum spending requirement of $600, and public transport spending (funnily enough) doesn’t count towards it.
Otherwise, you can opt for an ICBC credit card – neither the Global Travel Mastercard nor Chinese Zodiac Mastercard has a minimum spend – or a UOB credit card for 20% rebates.
There’s also supposed to be 50% cashback with Citibank cards and 10% off with CIMB, but neither website has a promotional page up yet. I’ll update this article when they’re up.
Promotions aside, is there any benefit to using SimplyGo?
You’d think that switching to a credit card permanently for your public transport spending is a good idea. Who wouldn’t want to earn miles, rewards points, or bonus cashback with that $80 or $100 that you’re already spending every month, right?
But as it turns out, most credit cards have already de-listed TransitLink and/or TransitLink ABT from its list of eligible spending. So after the promos end, you most likely won’t be able to earn miles or rebates with SimplyGo.
Of course, there should probably be another round of promos once SimplyGo launches Visa support. Stay tuned for a card update then.
Personally, I might actually ditch my EZLink card permanently because I just found out that you can use Apple Pay (or Google or Samsung Pay) if your SimplyGo credit card has that function. It’s a little bit fumble-y having to do Touch ID authentication each time you tap in/out, but it means one fewer card to carry, which is totally in line with my #minimalistgoals.
Here's my response to these gimmicky, trashy marketing antics.
10 FREE RIDES WHEN YOU SIMPLYGO WITH UOB
https://www.uob.com.sg/personal/cards/simplygo.html
Thanks for sharing, didn't know YouTrip is on board too.
TransitLink’s SimplyGo (Formerly ABT) is Here. Should You Ditch Your EZLink Card?
After letting account-based ticketing (ABT) languish in “pilot” mode for two whole years, the folks at TransitLink finally got their act together and are launching it for real. Presenting, at long last, SimplyGo.
As its name suggests, SimplyGo is very simple. It’s the latest incarnation of TransitLink’s two-year-old pilot programme called ABT (account-based ticketing), which is a system that lets you pay for public transport with your credit card. Only Mastercard is supported for now; Visa cards will be rolled out later this year.
“Uh, okay. Noted with thanks,” you say. “I’ll just continue using my EZLink card because it’s safe and familiar and feels like home. Also my mom got me the limited edition Pompompuri card.”
Fair enough. But might you be missing out on credit card promotions? Let’s have a look at what you can get.
Any credit card promotions for SimplyGo?
Fat chance of getting Singaporeans to change their behaviour without dangling a promotion. TransitLink knows this, so they’ve partnered with various banks to offer the following carrots for using their Mastercards:
If you’re serious about earning rebates from public transport spending, then the BOC Qoo10 Mastercard is a must-have. The trouble is that there’s a minimum spending requirement of $600, and public transport spending (funnily enough) doesn’t count towards it.
Otherwise, you can opt for an ICBC credit card – neither the Global Travel Mastercard nor Chinese Zodiac Mastercard has a minimum spend – or a UOB credit card for 20% rebates.
There’s also supposed to be 50% cashback with Citibank cards and 10% off with CIMB, but neither website has a promotional page up yet. I’ll update this article when they’re up.
Promotions aside, is there any benefit to using SimplyGo?
You’d think that switching to a credit card permanently for your public transport spending is a good idea. Who wouldn’t want to earn miles, rewards points, or bonus cashback with that $80 or $100 that you’re already spending every month, right?
But as it turns out, most credit cards have already de-listed TransitLink and/or TransitLink ABT from its list of eligible spending. So after the promos end, you most likely won’t be able to earn miles or rebates with SimplyGo.
Of course, there should probably be another round of promos once SimplyGo launches Visa support. Stay tuned for a card update then.
Personally, I might actually ditch my EZLink card permanently because I just found out that you can use Apple Pay (or Google or Samsung Pay) if your SimplyGo credit card has that function. It’s a little bit fumble-y having to do Touch ID authentication each time you tap in/out, but it means one fewer card to carry, which is totally in line with my #minimalistgoals.
More at https://blog.moneysmart.sg/transportation/transitlink-simplygo-abt/
LMFAO@ POSB......what the fuck is a priceless experience?????