Brilliant | UOB Zenith & PRVI Miles Elite Cards Now Come with Free Grab Rides

UOB has rolled out a highly welcomed enhancement to its Complimentary Ride Home programme, tailored exclusively for UOB PRVI Miles Elite and UOB Zenith World Elite cardholders.

And the timing? Absolutely spot on.

Not long ago, I highlighted Standard Chartered’s move to raise the AUM requirement for a similar benefit and expressed a hope that banks would pivot towards partnering with Grab instead.

Let’s be real—Airport Limo’s service has long been underwhelming, plagued by poor vehicle upkeep and pricing that simply doesn’t reflect the value offered. From a business standpoint, the shift to Grab is a smart, cost-effective decision, and from a customer experience perspective, it’s a massive win.

To give some context, the existing Complimentary Ride Home service previously relied on Airport Limo. While “free” is always attractive, the execution left much to be desired. Complaints about the vehicle conditions were widespread, with many surfacing on platforms like Xiaohongshu (XHS).

The ride policy was another sticking point—having just one extra passenger meant paying a ridiculous surcharge. I experienced this myself as a UOB PRVI Miles Elite cardholder. Spoiler alert: even though it was complimentary, I wouldn't use it again.

Effective 16 May 2025, that all changes.

UOB PRVI Miles Elite cardholders will receive an RM80 Grab promo code, while UOB Zenith World Elite cardholders will enjoy an RM180 promo code. That’s a generous upgrade—RM180 can even cover a Premium Grab ride, which typically costs around RM160.

To unlock the benefit, cardholders must make at least three overseas transactions of any amount. This is a fair and simple requirement that won’t be a stretch for frequent travellers.

Crucially, you no longer require physical receipts. You can simply add the promo code into your Grab app and redeem the free ride. UOB will instead charge you the full fare if you did not meet the spending requirements.

One limitation to note: the Grab promo code can only be redeemed from KLIA Terminal 1. While that may raise eyebrows, it’s understandable given the potential cost implications of extending the service to KLIA Terminal 2.

Final Thoughts

This is a very welcome move by UOB Malaysia, and frankly, it’s pleasantly surprising to see the bank responding directly to customer feedback. By replacing the underwhelming Airport Limo service with something as flexible and trusted as Grab, UOB has shown it's serious about improving the customer experience.

What’s more, this enhancement adds real substance to the UOB Zenith World Elite card—a product that, until now, has struggled to justify its RM1,000 annual fee or weak MPR rates. With this new benefit, it becomes a more compelling proposition, especially for high-spending travellers who want convenience without compromise.

The affluent credit card segment in Malaysia has been left wide open ever since Maybank lost its footing at the top. UOB appears to be seizing this opportunity, actively building on its growing premium customer base with benefits that are not only relevant but genuinely practical. It’s refreshing to see a bank rolling out perks that make sense in real-world scenarios—something that's all too rare these days.

And yes, it’s hard not to compare this move to Standard Chartered’s recent changes. For Priority Banking Visa Infinite cardholders who now face higher AUM thresholds for lesser benefits, UOB’s strategy feels like a direct and deliberate contrast. It’s bold, it’s customer-centric, and frankly, it’s a-up call to the rest of the market.