Observation - Local Payment in Singapore

Due to staying in Singapore for a period of time and trying to use different payment methods, what options do foreigners have if they want to experience cashless payment locally?

1. Credit card

Credit cards are an important element of cashless payment, because other payment tools will require credit cards to store value, so if you don't bring them, or you don't have a credit card, it is recommended to bring a little more cash.

If you simply use a credit card, usually large supermarkets and department stores will support card swiping, and almost also support the function of credit card pay wave, so the transaction can be completed directly as long as the sensor is used.

In addition, as long as you go to the Singapore TransitLink SimplyGo website to register a credit card, you can also take the bus and subway directly with the inductive credit card, so you don't have to worry about adding value to the original subway card. Download the SimplyGo app, and the detailed information (mileage and price) of the ride will also be displayed on the app, making it clear at a glance.

Chance to use: 40%

2. Grab pay

Grab was originally a taxi service in Southeast Asia, but later developed functions such as Grab pay and food delivery. Some stores in Singapore cannot swipe the card, but they will support Grab pay. Scan the QR code of the store when using it, and then enter the amount to confirm.

Grab pay itself is like a wallet. After binding a credit card, the amount of stored value must not be less than 10 SGD each time, but you can also turn on the automatic top-up function by yourself, and set the value to be automatically added after the amount is less than a certain amount.

One advantage of paying with Grab pay is that you can get reward points, which can be traded off the next time you use it, and it will feel like a small profit. In addition to paying merchants, ride-hailing payments are also common.

Chance to use: 20%

3.EZ-Link or FLASHPAY

These two are Singapore Metro Cards, a bit like Taiwan's Easy Travel Card. However, EZ-Link can only be used by public transportation, and FLASHPAY can be used as payment in some stores, so the FLASHPAY card is selected when purchasing at the airport.

During the whole trip to Singapore, there are not many merchants who can use FLASHPAY. I have tried to use it four times, but only one store clerk really knows how to set it up.

Chance to use: 3%

4. Mobile payment

If the iphone is tied to the first registered credit card, you can use apple pay to enter and exit the subway station and bus station directly. If you want to go shopping with only your mobile phone, Singapore may be able to do it, but unfortunately, there are relatively few merchants using apple pay, and only one or two are used occasionally.

Chance to use: 1%

Summarize:

Minimize the use of cash in Singapore this trip, but it may still be unavoidable, many merchants accept cash or NETSPay (only local bank accounts can be used). Fortunately, there are a lot of local money changers, so it’s really not enough. You can also exchange NT dollars directly for NT dollars, so you don’t have to exchange a lot of money in Taiwan.

However, if foreigners in Taiwan want to use Taiwanese payment, will they be hindered? If only a credit card is tied, which payments can be used? If you have the opportunity, please ask foreigners who have lived in Taiwan for a long time!