7 Cashback Categories You’re Probably Overlooking

Think you’re getting the most out of your cashback card? Think again. 

It all seems great when you first sign up for a new cashback card—expecting a big return every time you spend. Sounds good, right? But how often do we manage to hit all the categories needed to get the maximum cashback?

Savvy cardholders know there are lesser-known ways to get additional savings and truly maximise their cashback benefits. Card companies, eager to attract more users, are also evolving to better match modern spending habits.

One such example is the Maybank Family & Friends Card, offering up to 8% cashback. Here are the categories where you could be getting more—and the ones you might be missing out on.

 

1. The usual suspects: dining, groceries, and transport

Many of us in Singapore are familiar with the typical cashback categories like dining, groceries, and transport—everyday expenses that are easy to earn rewards on. Whether it’s grabbing lunch at your favourite restaurant, stocking up on essentials at the supermarket, or commuting on the MRT, these categories often provide the highest cashback. 

However, there are other areas right under our noses where you could be earning rewards that might not be on your radar.

 

2. The overlooked categories

Many people are unaware that they could be missing out on significant savings in everyday spending categories. Here are some areas where you might be leaving money on the table:

 

Online shopping 

How many of you are getting sucked into those never-ending live shopping streams, whether it’s crystals, card games, or clothes? If TikTok Shop has become your latest shopping obsession, here’s some good news: you can soften the blow of those impulsive buys with a bit of cashback. With MCCs now expanded to include TikTok (5399), along with the usual suspects like Shopee and Lazada, your binge shopping might just pay you back—literally. So, go ahead and indulge a little, knowing you’re not leaving extra money on the table.

 

Fast food and food delivery

Still feeling the bloat from last night’s McDonald’s run? A typical meal might set you back around S$10, and if your busy lifestyle has you relying on fast food a few times a week, congratulations, you’ve just hit S$120 a month. Throw in the occasional lazy Sunday binge-ordering from Foodpanda, Deliveroo or Grab Food, and you might as well wave goodbye to S$200 a month just on food delivery.

 

Online TV streaming and data communication

Let’s say your monthly mobile phone bill is around S$60, and you’re all in on streaming subscriptions costing about S$10 to S$20 each (e.g., Netflix, Disney+). You could see your monthly costs reaching S$100 or more. Over a year, that totals over S$1,200. Earning cashback on these recurring expenses could provide an extra boost to your budget without altering your spending habits.

 

Pet retail and care

Pets are part of the family, yet the costs associated with grooming, vet visits, and supplies can add up quickly. For instance, a premium dog food brand can cost S$80 for a 15kg bag, and regular grooming sessions might run another S$60. Many pet owners miss out on cashback options for these expenses, which can make a substantial difference in monthly budgets.

 

Sports apparel and wellness

Many of us happily shell out cash for gym memberships, sports equipment, and wellness activities—because who doesn’t want to look good while sweating it out? A gym membership in Singapore typically costs between S$80 and S$150 per month. If you also purchase sports gear, like running shoes or gym apparel, which can easily run S$100 or more each time, these costs can quickly accumulate. If you buy new gear once every few months, you could spend over S$1,500 annually on health and fitness—adding cashback opportunities to these expenses can provide extra savings. Country clubs and golf as well.

 

EV charging stations

Charging an electric vehicle (EV) is a regular expense for eco-conscious drivers who have switched to electric cars. If you charge your EV at a public station that costs approximately S$0.50 per kWh, and your vehicle’s battery capacity is around 60 kWh, each full charge would cost about S$30. If you charge once a week, that adds up to S$120 a month—savings here could translate into a meaningful cashback if you’re using a card that offers rewards for such expenses.

 

Malaysian Ringgit and Indonesian Rupiah spend

When it comes to overseas spending, most people focus on earning travel miles or avoiding foreign transaction fees. However, significant savings opportunities exist for transactions made in Malaysian Ringgit and Indonesian Rupiah. 

Whether you’re making cross-border purchases or frequently visiting Malaysia and Indonesia, this is a significant—and often overlooked—opportunity to earn on your overseas spending. So, for all the weekend warriors heading to JB and Batam, make sure to bring this card along for your Grab rides and meals.

 

3. How I realised I was missing out

The wake-up call for me was the Maybank Family & Friends Card—it made me realise how much I was missing out on in those often overlooked categories. Think online shopping, food delivery, streaming services, pet care, sports gear, EV charging… now that they’re on your radar, there’s no reason to let those savings slip through your fingers. 

With this card, you get to enjoy 8% cashback on your daily spending and pick 5 out of 10 cashback categories that best match your lifestyle, including:

1. 1. Groceries
   2. Transport
   3. Dining & Food Delivery
   4. Retail & Pets
   5. Data Communication & Online TV Streaming
   6. Online Shopping
   7. Entertainment
   8. Pharmacy
   9. Sports & Sports Apparel
   10. Beauty & Wellness

Whether you’re online shopping, binge-watching your favourite shows, ordering food, spoiling your pets, or stocking up on sports gear, charging your EV, this card has you covered. And here’s the cherry on top—you’ll also earn 8% cashback on all your spending in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). With up to S$150 cashback per month, that could mean an extra S$1,800 in your pocket each year.

Starting from 1 Oct 2024, the card gets even better with more retail merchants added to the Preferred Cashback Categories and a new foreign currency in the Additional Bonus Category. So, your cashback opportunities are about to expand, too!

 

4. How to unlock your cashback potential from hereon

You’re not limited to the 5 categories you initially choose. With the Maybank TREATS SG mobile app, you can lock in your selected categories for three months and modify them later if your spending needs change.

So here’s the plan: take a moment to do a quick review of your spending habits. Look at where your money flows each month: are you frequently treating yourself to takeout, investing in fitness classes, or splurging on streaming subscriptions? If you spot any patterns, great. 

Now, if you anticipate a big purchase on the horizon—like finally upgrading that ancient gym membership or diving into a home renovation project—why not plan ahead and adjust your cashback categories accordingly?

For instance, if you’re renovating your home and need to buy various items, you can switch your cashback category to Retail & Pets or Online Shopping. Plus, the Maybank app allows you to track your spending and cashback earnings, ensuring you make the most of your benefits and leave no category untapped.

Here’s how it works Maximum cashback in each category is capped at $25 Spend in 5 categories = $125 total cashback ($25 x 5 categories) Spend in Malaysian ringgit and Indonesian rupiah capped at $25 Total cashback: $150

To earn the monthly cashback, simply spend a minimum of $800 each month. This can easily be achieved through essential expenses like groceries, dining out, entertainment subscription services, transport, and more. For any additional spending beyond that, and all the eligible spending not within your selected categories, you’ll receive unlimited cashback at a rate of 0.3%. That means you can potentially receive more than S$150 savings each month!

 

5. Any promotions for the Maybank Family & Friends Card? 

From 1 Oct – 15 Nov 2024, those who sign up for the Maybank Family & Friends Card will receive a Samsonite ENOW SPINNER 69/25 EXP (worth S$570), or S$200 Cashback, when you charge a minimum of $1,300 within the first 2 months of card approval. 

What’s more, the first 500 people who get their card applications approved get $50 extra vouchers—a $30 Changi Rewards Flexi e-Voucher +$20 iShopChangi voucher—perfect for those travelling. 

Not to worry even if you’re not within the first 500 applicants, the next 400 eligible applicants can get a $20 iShopChangi voucher—at least better than nothing, we say. 

 

Last thoughts

So there you have it—your roadmap to unlocking hidden cashback treasures in your everyday spending. Now’s the time to take a closer look at your finances and consider those categories you might have been ignoring. Whether it’s your Netflix subscription, gym fees, or even EV charging costs, there’s potential cash waiting for you to claim it.

 

 

This post was written in collaboration with Maybank. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence. You can view our Editorial Guidelines here.