UOB JCB Card Review

Targeted at fans of all things Nippon, the UOB JCB Card comes with a myriad of Japan-focused benefits. Earn up to a 6% rebate when you spend at popular Japanese merchants such as Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Don Don Donki, Isetan, UNIQLO and Kuriya Japanese Market. Compare the features and fees of the card to determine if it is right for you.

Benefits of using the UOB JCB Card

Cardholders can look forward to a number of Japan-focused benefits:

• Up to a 6% rebate at popular Japanese merchants. Enjoy up to a 6% SMART$ rebate at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Don Don Donki, Isetan, Meidi-Ya, Tokyu Hands, UNIQLO, Ichiban Boshi, Ichiban Sushi, Kuriya Dining, Kuriya Japanese Market and All Nippon Airways with a S$300 minimum spend per calendar month. You can get a 3% SMART$ rebate when spending less than S$300 per calendar month.
• 5% rebate on all spend made in Japanese yen. Receive a 5% rebate on all eligible transactions in Japanese yen. Take note that the maximum cap on the amount of rebate awarded from the accelerated earn rate is capped at S$50 per calendar month.
• 1% rebate on all other spending. Earn a 0.3% basic SMART$ rebate plus an accelerated 0.7% SMART$ (subject to a maximum rebate cap of S$50 per calendar month) rebate on all other eligible transactions with no minimum spend required.
• One-year fee waiver. This card comes with a first-year annual fee waiver and costs S$64.20 p.a. for subsequent years.
• Complimentary supplementary card. Extend the privileges of the UOB JCB Card to your loved ones with supplementary card(s). The first supplementary card is free, but extra cards will cost S$32.10 p.a. each.

Features of the UOB JCB Card

In addition to bonus rebates, you can also take advantage of competitive features such as the following:

• Japan travel privileges. For frequent travellers to Japan, the UOB JCB card offers a wide array of travel perks, such as the following:
  • Complimentary airport lounge access. Relax at JCB Platinum Airport Lounge in Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom and more for up to four times a year. Find more cards with complimentary lounge access.
  • 10% off LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL. Tour Japan immediately after you land without having to worry about your luggage. This card offers a 10% discount on LUGGAGE-FREE TRAVEL service, which will ensure that your luggage is delivered to your hotel directly from the airport.
  • Up to 20% off Airport Limousine Bus tickets. Enjoy hassle-free transfers from various airports in Japan to downtown with discounted Airport Bus tickets.
  • 10% off Kansai Rail Pass. Save on your tourist rail pass with 10% off when you pay with JCB as well as other sightseeing offers.
  • 5% off Japan’s major drugstores. Knock up to 5% off popular supplements, health products, cosmetics, skincare, hair care and more at the major drugstores in Japan, such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Satudora, Sundrug and Tsuruha Drug. However, you’ll need to spend at least 30,000 yen on your card to qualify for this rebate offer.

• Up to 10% SMART$ rebate. Earn up to a 10% SMART$ rebate at over 300 participating merchants island-wide and offset your next purchase instantly. Every 1 SMART$ you earned under the UOB SMART$ rebate programme is equivalent to S$1.

Please refer to the JCB website for more details regarding the perks you’re entitled to.

Find other credit cards from UOB

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Name	Product	Reward	Cashback Offer	Annual Fee	Min Income - Singaporean and PR
UOB Absolute Cashback Card		Enjoy 1.7% limitless cashback with no minimum spend and no spend exclusions.	Enjoy 1.7% limitless cashback with no minimum spend and no spend exclusions.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $192.60 thereafter	$30,000	Apply and spend at least $3,000 by 31 July 2022 and receive 5% cashback (equivalent to S$150). T&Cs apply.		Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB One Credit Card		Receive a gift worth up to $250 Grab vouchers when you apply and spend a minimum of $1,500 within 30 days from card approval date.	Up to 10% cashback with some merchants including Grab,7-Eleven and Cold Storage; 6% for Singapore Power Utilities bills; and 5% back on all other retail spending.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $192.60 thereafter	$30,000	Receive a gift worth up to $250 Grab vouchers when you apply and spend a minimum of $1,500 within 30 days from card approval date. T&Cs apply. Ends 30 June 2022.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB PRVI Miles American Express Card		Earn 1.4 miles for every $1 spent locally and 2.4 miles for every $1 spent overseas.	Get $100 cash credit when you apply.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $256.80 thereafter	$30,000	Enjoy up to 20,000 bonus miles if you charge $50,000 to your card in a year. Apply today and enjoy free transfers to Changi Airport.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB EVOL Credit Card		Enjoy a wide variety of discounts and cashback rebates on dining, entertainment, online shopping and travel.	Up to 8% cashback on online and mobile contactless spend.	$192.60 annual fee	$30,000	Apply and spend at least $1,500 and receive AirPods Pro with an eco Oakywood case worth $429. T&Cs apply. Valid until 30 June 2022.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card		Earn 3 KrisFlyer miles per $1 when you spend with Singapore Airlines, Scoot and KrisShop and 1.2 KrisFlyer miles per $1 on all other spend.	Receive 7,000 miles or $100 cash credit	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $192.60 thereafter	$30,000	Apply and spend at least $1,500 within 30 days and receive a gift worth up to $250 Grab vouchers. T&Cs apply. Valid until 30 June 2022.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB Lady's Card		Earn 10X UNI$ (or 20 miles) per $5 spent on a chosen spending category with no min. spend required, and 1X UNI$ (or 2 miles) on other purchases.	Receive $100 cash credit when you apply for a new credit card.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $192.60 thereafter	$30,000	Apply and spend at least $500 and receive $80 DFI Retail Group Vouchers. T&Cs apply.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card		6 air miles for every $1 spent through Expedia, Agoda and UOB Travel	Receive $100 cash credit when you apply for a new credit card and spend at least $1,500 within 30 days from card approval date.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $256.80 thereafter	$30,000	Receive a gift worth up to $250 Grab vouchers when you apply and spend a minimum of $1,500 within 30 days from card approval date. T&Cs apply. Ends 30 June 2022.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB PRVI Miles World Mastercard		Earn 1.4 miles per $1 spent locally and 2.4 miles per $1 spent overseas, including online shopping.	Receive $100 cash credit when you apply for a new credit card.	$0 annual fee for the first 1 year and $256.80 thereafter	$30,000	Receive 12,000 welcome miles when you apply as new customer. T&Cs apply. Ends 30 June 2022.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card		Get 2 air miles per $1 spent overseas and 1.4 air miles per $1 spent locally	N/A	$642 annual fee	$150,000	Receive up to 25,000 miles (UNI$12,500) when you’ve paid the annual fee. T&Cs apply.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to apply for a credit card with UOB

For existing UOB account holders, you can apply directly through Internet banking and get instant approval if you apply using MyInfo and submit it between 7am to 8pm. Alternatively, you can also initiate the application by sending an SMS.

If you don’t have a UOB bank account but you are a SingPass holder, you can submit an application by clicking on “Apply & Pay within minutes”. This fast, simple and secure application process will speed up the process by retrieving your personal details and income information directly from MyInfo.

Otherwise, you can start the process by choosing a UOB card from the table above and clicking the green ‘Go to site’ button.

Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and organise the necessary information:

Eligibility criteria

• Earn at least S$30,000 p.a. if you’re a Singaporean or permanent resident.
• Earn at least S$30,000 (Japanese) or S$40,000 (others) if you’re a foreigner
• Fixed deposit collateral of at least S$10,000 if you don’t meet the income requirements
• Have a good credit rating
• Be at least 21 years of age or older.

Required documents

For salaried employees

• Photocopy of your NRIC (front and back)
• Latest billing proof (within the last 6 months) to show your residential address if it differs from your NRIC.
• Income documents:
  • Latest 12 months’ CPF statement via SingPass login; or
  • Latest computerised payslip (for a fixed-income earner with a basic salary over S$2,500); or
    Latest 3 months’ computerised payslip (for a variable-income earner with a basic salary below S$2,500); or
  • Latest income tax notice of assessment and latest 12 months’ CPF statement; or
  • Latest income tax notice of assessment and latest computerised payslip (in Singapore dollars).

For self-employed and commission-based employees

• Photocopy of your NRIC (front and back)
• Latest income tax notice of assessment
• Latest billing proof (within the last 6 months) to show your residential address if it differs from your NRIC.

For foreigners

• Photocopy of your passport (with at least 6 months’ validity)
• Employment pass (with at least 6 months’ validity)
• Latest billing proof (within the last 6 months) to show your residential address if it differs from your NRIC.
• Income documents:
  • Latest computerised payslip (in Singapore dollars)
  • Latest income tax notice of assessment and latest computerised payslip (in Singapore dollars)
  • Company letter certifying employment and monthly salary (in Singapore dollar currency) dated within three months.

Questions you still might have

Is there a maximum cap for the amount of SMART$ rebates I can earn?

Yes, the total amount of SMART$ accrued from the accelerated earn rate is capped at S$50 per calendar month. After that, you’ll earn cash rebates for all other eligible transactions at the basic rate of 0.3%.

Does SMART$ expires?

Yes, SMART$ are only valid for a maximum of six months after they’re issued or prior to the card’s expiry date, whichever is earlier. So make sure to redeem them before that.

How can I check and redeem my SMART$ balance?

You may check and redeem your SMART$ balance at any participating merchants. Alternatively, you may call UOB’s 24-hour hotline at 1800 222 2121 to check.

Bottom line

If you travel to Japan frequently or are a fan of Japanese goods, the UOB JCB Card offered some of the best cost-saving perks. However given that UOB is discontinuing this credit card as of April 2021, you’ll want to compare other cards from UOB’s stable.