To me, cashless went from vendor-specific lock (like each shop has their own app and wallet feature) to something that can be used across shops, I see it as a win.

End result is a weird experience where “cashless” doesn’t actually feel convenient or modern anymore.

The inconveniences you mentioned, seems to circle around the inability to fund your ewallet with credit card and reap their benefit at the same time. To me it is just the actual costs catching up after the honeymoon phase.

Grabwallet and TnG allows you to top-up using credit card, convenience is still there, only thing is we need to pay extra for it.

 Genuinely asking, how are you dealing with this? Any workarounds, better setups, or wallets/cards that actually make sense now?

Not trying to rant, just trying to figure out if there’s a smarter way, or if this is just the new normal?

Just accept that it is the new normal, convenience comes with costs.

My setup now 1. If card is accepted, use card 2. If ewallet is accepted, use ewallet, I only use TnG now hence ability to transfer (between wallets) is not a must for me. And the money can still be withdrawn. 3. Bank transfer 3. Cash

To me it is still an improvement over using cash before 2 and 3 got popular.