Still using cash to pay hawkers? What if I told you that you could earn some rewards when you pay using wallet apps?
Most hawkers would have this large QR code pasted outside of their store, that is the SGQR code. It enables for various mobile wallet apps to be able to pay hawkers with this one unified QR code. While you could use cash or just use your bank’s bank transfer app to pay, this might not earn you any rewards. Instead, do consider using these apps to start earning on hawker foods too.
List of apps:
Fave
Referral code: FAVEISAAC311 (Get S$1 off your first purchase with minimum spending of S$20)
Some merchants may also have Fave included in the SGQR code and similarly, if you spot this logo on it, you are able to use Fave to make your payment. While Fave makes use of the credit card to make payments, you have to add it to the app before using unlike Xnap which uses Google Pay or Apple Pay. You would be able to earn credit card rewards on those that reward on dining, specifically the MCC code 5814.
Transactions made on this app to your card is considered an online payment, and hence these are the best cards to use:
| Cards to use | Earn rate |
| Citi Rewards | 4mpd |
| UOB Lady’s/Lady’s Solitaire (Dining category) | 6mpd |
| UOB Preferred Platinum Visa | 4mpd |
| UOB EVOL | 8% |
| HSBC Revolution | 4mpd |
Google Pay
Referral code: 958al5g (Get S$3 cashback from Google Pay to your PayNow number when you sign up with my code and make your first payment with a minimum of S$10)
Google Pay is not one of the logos on the SGQR label but you are still able to make payment using it if it has a Fave icon on the SGQR label. However, instead of it being charged to your card, it makes use of the bank account you have connected with Google Pay to pay hawkers. You earn cashback when you pay through this app which is deposited to your bank account through PayNow.
Shopback
Referral code: rtiCZT (Get $5 bonus when you add your withdrawal details and do one of the following, accumulate $10 of confirmed cashback or have $300 of fully paid PayLater orders)
While Shopback is not one of the apps in the SGQR code, there are quite a number of hawkers accepting this as a payment method. Its QR payment banner is quite noticeable as it would have the large cashback percentage text written on it.
A great thing about paying with Shopback is that on top of the credit card rewards you earn when you pay with it, you also get cashback as advertised. But…. the catch is that you would only get that cashback on your subsequent visit to the store.
Similarly, Shopback transactions to hawkers would count under the MCC code 5814, allowing you to earn rewards on online dining like Fave and Xnap.
Kris+
Referral code: S854469 (Get 750 miles worth $5, cannot be transferred to KrisFlyer) when you sign up with my referral code and spend a minimum of $3 on your first purchase
Like Shopback, it is not one of the apps in the SGQR code. While not many hawkers have this payment method available, there are other F&B shops that accept this payment method. It earns miles which can be credited to your KrisFlyer (recommended) on top of your credit card rewards when you use Kris+ to pay. Do take note of the merchant’s MCC number as certain cards do not reward for certain MCCs.
EZ-Link Wallet
EZ-Link Wallet is one of the most accepted SGQR payment method compared to Fave, Shopeback or Kris+. The upside is that it allows you to top up with a credit card, and cards that does not exclude MCC 4111 from rewards will earn you rewards. You can use Heymax to check which cards allows you to earn rewards.
The only downside with it is that top up value cannot be withdrawn and have to be used for retail transactions.
This month, they are running some promotions whereby you can earn cashback of up to S$6 on SGQR payments depending on the number of transactions you make.
| At least 10 transaction | S$1 |
| At least 20 transaction | S$2.50 |
| At least 30 transaction | S$6 |
