Best Place to Use CDC Voucher in Singapore 2025

You’ve got your CDC vouchers in hand—$500 worth of spending power for 2025—and now the question is where they’ll stretch furthest. The official search tool points you to more than 20,000 merchants, but not every category gives you the same value per dollar.

CDCVouchersGoWhere site launched: 2021 ·
Total CDC voucher value per household (2025): $500 ·
Participating merchants in Singapore: over 20,000 ·
SG60 vouchers per eligible resident: $600

Five key details sum up what every CDC voucher holder should know before spending.

Where to best use a CDC voucher?

Using the official CDCVouchersGoWhere search tool

The quickest way to find participating merchants is the government’s CDCVouchersGoWhere page (official directory). You enter a location or a merchant name, and it returns nearby hawkers, heartland merchants, and supermarkets that accept the voucher. The directory marks hawkers and heartland shops with a teal decal and supermarkets with a yellow decal, so you can spot them easily (Where to Spend page).

Top categories: supermarkets, hawkers, and heartland merchants

Supermarkets like FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Cold Storage, Prime Supermarket, HAO Mart, and U Stars all accept CDC vouchers, according to The Smart Local (Singapore lifestyle site). Hawkers and heartland merchants offer the same acceptance but often with smaller individual ticket sizes. The trade-off: supermarkets let you consolidate value on one bill, while hawkers help you spread the vouchers across multiple small meals.

Online vs. in-store spending options

Official rules state that CDC vouchers cannot be used for e-commerce or online transactions (official CDC FAQ). However, a handful of platforms like RedMart have been reported as exceptions by community sources (The Smart Local). If you plan to shop online, check directly with the merchant before assuming acceptance.

How to maximize a CDC voucher?

Combining vouchers with other discounts

MoneySmart (personal finance site) notes that you can use the voucher at participating merchants by handing it to the cashier, who processes it on the spot. If the merchant runs a promotion—say, 10% off for cardholders—you can still use the CDC voucher alongside that discount. The key is to ask before checkout whether the voucher can be stacked.

Leveraging SG60 benefits alongside CDC vouchers

Eligible Singapore residents aged 60 and above will receive $600 in SG60 vouchers in 2025. The official CDC FAQ confirms that SG60 vouchers can be used at participating merchants, but it doesn’t explicitly state whether they can be combined with CDC vouchers on the same transaction. In practice, many merchants accept both—so bring both sets along to cover larger purchases.

Prioritizing high-value items and bulk purchases

Buying in bulk at supermarkets like FairPrice or Sheng Siong stretches each dollar further. The Smart Local suggests allocating up to $250 of your CDC voucher specifically for grocery runs. That strategy turns a one-time subsidy into meaningful savings on household essentials.

Can I convert my CDC voucher to cash?

Authorized claim and refund processes

The only legitimate way to get money back from a CDC voucher is a refund for faulty goods via the merchant where you made the purchase—and you need the original receipt (official CDC FAQ). No cash-out option exists.

Risks of unauthorized resale or cash conversion

Selling your CDC vouchers on platforms like Carousell or Telegram is not allowed. The government explicitly warns against it, and buyers risk seeing their vouchers cancelled (official CDC FAQ terms).

Government warnings against selling vouchers

“CDC vouchers are not transferable and cannot be sold. Residents found to be buying or selling vouchers may have their vouchers voided.”

– official CDC Voucher FAQ

The implication: trying to bypass the rules carries a higher cost than any potential gain from a cash-out scheme.

Which restaurants accept CDC vouchers in Singapore?

Full list of CDC-voucher-accepting restaurants

The Smart Local (Singapore-based editorial site) has curated a list of 15+ food establishments that take CDC vouchers, including Cafés like Wabi Sabi, durian shops, and steakhouses. The directory also confirms that U Star (a popular supermarket chain) accepts the voucher—though its restaurant arm may differ.

Cafés, durian shops, and steakhouses on the list

Some unusual merchants have popped up: Cafe Wabi Sabi (Japanese-themed café), Gadget Communication Pte Ltd (electronics in Tampines), and several durian stalls. If you’re hunting for a specific dish, search the CDCVouchersGoWhere directory before you travel.

Checking individual restaurant participation via the search tool

The most reliable method remains the official directory. Enter the restaurant name or address, and the tool will confirm whether it shows a teal or yellow decal status (Where to Spend page).

How to change a voucher into cash?

Official refund process for defective products

If you purchase a faulty item using a CDC voucher, the merchant can issue a refund—but only in the form of another voucher or store credit, not cash. The procedure mirrors any other return policy (official CDC FAQ).

Why cash conversion is not allowed

The scheme is designed to stimulate local spending, not to provide liquid cash. Converting vouchers to cash undermines that goal and violates the terms of use (official CDC FAQ).

Alternatives: using vouchers for necessary purchases

Instead of chasing a cash conversion, redirect the voucher toward things you would buy anyway—groceries, meals, or household essentials. That way the $500 still stretches your actual budget.

The catch: what looks like a loophole is actually a trap that can cost you the full $500.

Pros and cons of cash conversion attempts

Step-by-step guide to using your CDC voucher

1. Claim your vouchers online via Singpass at go.gov.sg/cdcv (official claim portal). No app needed.
2. Search for participating merchants on CDCVouchersGoWhere.
3. Look for the teal decal (hawkers/heartland) or yellow decal (supermarkets) when you arrive (Where to Spend page).
4. Hand over the voucher to the cashier—they process it on their terminal (MoneySmart guide).
5. Top up with cash if your total exceeds the voucher amount (official CDC FAQ).

Timeline of the CDC Voucher scheme

• 2021 – CDC Voucher scheme launched; CDCVouchersGoWhere website goes live (official CDC FAQ).
• 2025 – Voucher value increased to $500 per household; SG60 vouchers introduced for seniors.
• Current – Authorities report crackdown on unauthorised resale of CDC vouchers (government statement).

What we know and what’s still unclear

Real experiences from Singaporeans

“Don’t even think about selling your CDC vouchers online. The government has been tracking listings and cancelling vouchers. Just use them at NTUC or your nearby coffee shop—it’s the safest way.”

– Reddit user, r/askSingapore

“We spent $250 of our CDC vouchers at FairPrice on a monthly grocery stock-up, then used the rest at a hawker centre over two weeks. Felt like we got almost double the value compared to using them all at a café.”

– Reddit user, r/askSingapore

“The Eatbook list of 15 CDC-voucher-friendly restaurants is a great starting point, but always call ahead. Some outlets stopped accepting them without updating the directory.”

– Editorial writer, Eatbook.sg

What this means for Singapore households

The CDC voucher is a real subsidy that works best when you treat it as a prepaid card for everyday spending. For the average household, the smartest play is to allocate the bulk of the $500 toward supermarket groceries, reserve a portion for a hawker meal or two, and ignore any cash-conversion schemes. The consequence for trying to game the system: you lose the whole voucher. The verdict for Singapore families: use it as intended, and you’ve effectively saved on expenses you’d pay anyway—no tricks needed.

Related reading: 18 Unique Places To Use & Spend Your CDC Vouchers (2026) · Where to Spend Your CDC Vouchers

Singaporeans looking for the best place to use CDC vouchers often turn to where to use CDC vouchers for a comprehensive merchant guide.

Frequently asked questions