In 2016, we flew on Etihad Airways First Class Apartment & Malaysia Airlines Business Class paying less than Economy ticket. Stepping into 2017, we have accumulated 400,000 miles, which is sufficient to redeem 2 first class tickets and some business class flights.
How to achieve it? By redeeming our flight ticket with credit card points.
There are more than 50 different credit cards available in Malaysia however only few could boast as the best travel credit card. The rests are merely marketing gimmicks, in our opinion meant to trick consumers thinking they are good.
Most of us own a credit card but doesn’t know how to maximize the cards’ benefits. We usually get Free Business Class Flights (pay tax & fuel surcharge only), Free Airport Lounge Access, Free Hotel Room Upgrade and even Free Airport Taxi back home.
If luxury travel is your ideal goal, read on, cancel all your cash back, supermarket & movie ticket credit cards and apply these instead!
You can also compare the difference between 2016 & 2017 – Top 10 Travel Credit Cards to Apply for Malaysians in 2016. Alternatively, we have also listed Top 5 Travel Credit Cards for Malaysians in 2017 (Earning RM5k & below!)
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1. Maybank 2 Cards Premier AMEX
The Maybank 2 Cards Premier AMEX successfully retained its crown as the best credit card in Malaysia for airline miles redemption earning holders 1 mile per RM0.95 for both local & overseas transactions.
This is the card you should own if possible to rack up all the miles especially on domestic transactions which is the best feature I like most.
Best for : Airline Miles Redemption
Redemption Rate :
- Local & Overseas – RM0.95 for 1 Enrich, Asia Miles & KrisFlyer
Min Income to apply : RM120,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : RM800. FREE for the first year. Subsequent years FREE if spend a min of RM80,000 per annum
Advantage :
- Highest airline miles redemption rate on domestic spending.
- 50% Savings on F&B at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.
- 50% Dining privileges at all Starwood Hotels in Malaysia.
- Free Green fees access to over 79 Golf Clubs in 15 countries (17 clubs in Malaysia & 62 international club)
- Free Travel Insurance & Retail Protection
Disadvantage :
- High minimum income required to apply for this card
- American Express is not widely acceptable compared with Visa & Mastercard
- No airport lounge benefit
More info : Maybank 2 Cards Premier AMEX
2. Maybank 2 Gold & Platinum AMEX
The Maybank 2 Gold Card AMEX is the best card for most people who yet to qualify for the premium cards which generally need RM100,000 annual income. With only RM30,000 min income required, anyone with RM2,500 monthly salary should apply this card to rake in airline miles.
Best of all, this card has no annual fees. Unlike the Premier card, there are different rates when redeeming with Asia Miles at RM1.49 while KrisFlyer at RM1.70 and RM2.12 for Enrich. Both overseas & local transaction earns you the same points and you can max out your conversion especially on Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles.
Best for : Airline Miles Redemption
Redemption Rate :
- Local & Overseas
- RM1.49 for 1 Asia Miles
- RM1.70 for 1 KrisFlyer
- RM2.12 for 1 Enrich
Min Income to apply : RM30,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : Lifetime Free Waiver
Advantage :
- High airline miles redemption rate
- Free annual fees
- Low minimum income to apply
Disadvantage :
- Normal card without benefit
- American Express is less acceptable in Malaysia
More info : Maybank 2 Gold Card AMEX
3. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express® Gold
The Singapore Airline KrisFlyer AMEX Gold card is a medium entry card with a RM4,000 monthly salary to qualify. This card allows holders to earn up to RM1 per 1 KrisFlyer mile making it one of the highest miles redemption card in the market.
Also it allows holders 5X free access to Plaza Premium Lounge in Malaysia. This benefit used to be unlimited Plaza Premium Lounge access but was downgraded in 2016.
The downside, this card is limited to earn Singapore Airline KrisFlyer miles only and the miles are automatically transferred to your KrisFlyer account hence reducing your miles lifespan from 6 years to 3 years only. (Usual credit cards points are valid for 3 years and airline points valid another 3 years which makes it 6 years). So make sure you can earn enough points to redeem a worthy air ticket within 3 years when using this card.
Best for : Singapore Airline KrisFlyer miles redemption
Redemption Rate :
- Local & Overseas – RM2 for 1 KrisFlyer
- Double up your miles with minimum spend of RM60,000 within twelve (12) months Card anniversary year making it RM1 per 1 KrisFlyer mile.
Min Income to apply : RM48,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : RM250. 1st year fee-waiver.
Advantage :
- Double up miles earned with RM60,000 spending making it one of the highest redemption
- 5X Free Plaza Premium Lounge Access in Malaysia per year
- Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage
Disadvantage :
- Miles redemption only limited to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- American Express less acceptable in Malaysia
More info : Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express® Gold
4. RHB Premier Visa Infinite
The RHB Premier Visa Infinite offers the highest point earning for overseas spending of all credit cards listed in this article at only RM0.75 per 1 Enrich Mile.
Card holders are given 10 complimentary access (below 100k spend a year) or unlimited access (above 100k spend a year) to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia and 5 other locations – Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Taipei.
Since it is a Visa Infinite card, holders can take advantage on Free Hilton HHonors Gold status with 2 stays or 4 nights stay. Hilton HHonors Gold status are eligible for Free Room Upgrades, Executive Lounge Access and even 4pm Late Checkout which is very worth it. This status usually need 20 stays to attain.
Best for : Overseas Spending Airline Miles Redemption
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas
- RM0.75 for 1 Enrich Mile
- RM1.50 for 1 KrisFlyer
- Local
- RM2.00 for 1 Enrich Mile on local hotels, airlines, duty-free, dining and online spend
- RM4.00 for 1 Krisflyer for local hotels, airlines, duty-free, dining and online spend
- RM6.00 for 1 Enrich Mile on other local spending
- RM12.00 for 1 KrisFlyer on other local spending
Min Income to apply : Invitation. Call RHB Premier Line to apply.
Annual Fees : Free For Life
Advantage :
- Highest overseas spending Enrich miles redemption
- Complimentary Green Fees at 8 Golf Club in Malaysia
- Complimentary RM2 million Travel Insurance Coverage
- No annual fees. Free for life
- 10X to unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounge
Disadvantage :
- High income to apply
- Very low local spending airline miles redemption
More info : RHB Premier Visa Infinite
5. Alliance Visa Infinite
The Alliance Visa Infinite isnt the best miles redemption card in the market but more of an all rounder between miles redemption and privileges. This card is the premium card from Alliance bank with RM150,000 income to apply.
Earning miles wise it is quite high for overseas spending at RM1.20 for 1 Enrich while normal earning for local spending at RM3 for 1 Enrich. This card comes with unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounge in KLIA and 6X to unlimited access to worldwide lounge with Priority Pass. To achieve unlimited access you will need to spend RM300,000 in the current year.
Since it is a Visa Infinite card, holders can take advantage on Free Hilton HHonors Gold status with 2 stays or 4 nights stay. Hilton HHonors Gold status are eligible for Free Room Upgrades, Executive Lounge Access and even 4pm Late Checkout which is very worth it. This status usually need 20 stays to attain.
Best for : Worldwide Lounge Access
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM1.20 for 1 Enrich Mile
- Local – RM3.00 for 1 Enrich Mile
Min Income to apply : RM150,000 p.a
Annual Fees : RM848. Annual fee waiver with a minimum spend of RM30,000 per annum.
Advantage :
- Complimentary 6X to unlimited (depend on annual spending) access to 850 VIP lounges in more than 100 countries and 300 cities worldwide with Priority Pass
- Complimentary unlimited access to KLIA Plaza Premium Lounge
- Free Hilton HHonors Gold Status with 2 stays or 4 nights
- Free Travel Insurance Coverage
Disadvantage :
- Only limited to earn Malaysia Airlines Enrich Miles
- High minimum income needed to apply
More info : Alliance Visa Infinite
6. Maybank Visa Infinite
The Maybank Visa Infinite offers one of the highest flight points earning on overseas spending with RM0.95 for 1 Enrich, Asia Miles & KrisFlyer while local spending net RM2.40 for 1 airline Mile.
Since it is a Visa Infinite card, holders can take advantage on Free Hilton HHonors Gold status with 2 stays or 4 nights stay. Hilton HHonors Gold status are eligible for Free Room Upgrades, Executive Lounge Access and even 4pm Late Checkout which is very worth it. This status usually need 20 stays to attain.
Best for : Hotel Privileges and high overseas flight miles earning
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM0.95 for 1 Enrich Mile, Asia Miles, KrisFlyer
- Local – RM2.40 for 1 Enrich Mile, Asia Miles, KrisFlyer
Min Income to apply : RM120,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : RM 800. Subsequent years FREE if spend a min of RM80,000 per annum
Advantage :
- Free Hilton HHonors Gold status with 2 stays or 4 nights stay.
- 5X Free Access per year to Plaza Premium Lounge in Malaysia & Worldwide.
- Up to 50% off dining privilege in SPG Starwood Hotels.
- Free Green fees access to over 79 Golf Clubs in 15 countries (17 clubs in Malaysia & 62 international club)
- Free RM2 million Travel Insurance Coverage
Disadvantage :
- High annual income required to apply
More info : Maybank Visa Infinite
7. HSBC Premier Travel World Master
HSBC Premier Travel World Master offers the 2nd highest airline miles earning on overseas spending at only RM0.91 for 1 airline mile.
Although the minimum annual income of RM36k per year is fairly simple to achieve, yet there is a catch. You will need to be a HSBC Premier Account holder with at least RM200k in total relationship with them. So if you are a high saver, apply this premium card to take advantage on its privileges.
One of the benefit of World MasterCard is you are eligible for Free SPG Gold member after 1 night stay in Asia Pacific. SPG Gold members are given Free Room Upgrades & eligible for 4pm late check out. This status usually requires 10 stays to attain.
Best for : Flight miles earning on overseas spending
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM0.91
- Local – RM4 for 1 Enrich, Asia Miles or KrisFlyer
Min Income to apply : RM36,000 per annum. Exclusively for HSBC Premier account holder with minimum RM200,000 in total relationship balance with HSBC
Annual Fees : Not Mention
Advantage :
- 12X Complimentary Access to worldwide lounge with LoungeKey
- Free SPG Gold status after 1 night stay in Asia Pacific
- Unlimited Wifi worldwide with Boingo
- Free RM750k takaful travel coverage
Disadvantage :
- Need RM200k savings or banking relationship to apply.
More info : HSBC Premier Travel World Master
8. Ambank Visa Infinite
The Ambank Visa Infinite offers Unlimited Plaza Premium Lounge access in Malaysia, Taiwan, UK, UAE, Maldives, Singapore, Oman, India, Cambodia, Canada, Australia, Brazil & China making it one of the most generous card especially it is Free For Life.
Complimentary Hilton Premium Club Membership is given which offers up to 50% discount on dining and special promotion rate in Hilton hotels in Malaysia.
Since it is a Visa Infinite card, holders can take advantage on Free Hilton HHonors Gold status with 2 stays or 4 nights stay. Hilton HHonors Gold status are eligible for Free Room Upgrades, Executive Lounge Access and even 4pm Late Checkout which is very worth it. This status usually need 20 stays to attain.
Best for : Unlimited Plaza Premium Lounge Access, Airline miles earning on overseas spending, Hilton Gold Privilege
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM1 for 1 Enrich, Asia Miles or KrisFlyer
- Local – RM5 for 1 Enrich, Asia Miles or KrisFlyer
Min Income to apply : RM120,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : Free For Life
Advantage :
- Free Hilton HHonors Gold Status after 2 stays or 4 nights stay.
- Free RM2 million Travel Insurance Coverage
- Complimentary Hilton Premium Club Membership Card
Disadvantage :
- High income to apply
More info : Ambank Visa Infinite
9. Hong Leong Visa Infinite
Best for : Free for life card & Hilton HHonor Gold Privilege
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM1.80 for 1 Enrich Mile
- Local – RM2.80 for 1 Enrich Mile
Min Income to apply : RM180,000 p.a.
Annual Fees : Free For Life
Advantage :
- Free Hilton HHonors Gold Status after 2 stays or 4 nights stay.
- Free For Life
- 4X Lounge Access 1st year.
Disadvantage :
- High Income to Apply
- The lounge access is only free 1st year. Subsequent year require minimum cumulative retail spend of RM100,000 by cardholder in the preceding year to qualify 4x free. Very cheapskate from Hong Leong Bank.
More info : Hong Leong Visa Infinite
10. CIMB Enrich World MasterCard
The CIMB Enrich World MasterCard earn holders RM1.50 for 1 Enrich Mile for overseas & RM3 for 1 Enrich Mile on local spendings.
One of the benefit of World MasterCard is you are eligible for Free SPG Gold member after 1 night stay in Asia Pacific. SPG Gold members are given Free Room Upgrades & eligible for 4pm late check out. This status usually requires 10 stays to attain.
This card also allows holders 8X Golden Lounge visits provided you fly with Malaysia Airlines making this benefit rather restrictive for premium card especially Golden Lounges are just available in Malaysia, Melbourne & London.
Best for : Enrich Miles Redemption & Free Starwood Hotel Upgrade
Redemption Rate :
- Overseas – RM1.50 for 1 Enrich Mile
- Local – RM3 for 1 Enrich Mile
Min Income to apply : RM100,000 p.a
Annual Fees : RM588
Advantage :
- Free SPG Gold member after 1 night stay in Asia Pacific
- 8X MAS Golden Lounge Access when flying with Malaysia Airlines
- Complimentary RM1 Million Travel Insurance Coverage
Disadvantage :
- Limited only to earn Malaysia Airlines Enrich Miles
- Less route & lounge choice from Malaysia Airlines compare with Cathay & SIA
- High annual income required to apply
More info : CIMB Enrich World MasterCard
Why Citibank cards aren’t in Top 10?
No, we dont hate Citibank at all. However that is the most frequent asked question from friends & readers. Apparently Citibank has great marketing, positioning themselves as the best credit card to own for travels however in reality they aren’t.
To avoid doubts, we have created a table on Citibank cards and how it fared badly compared to the 10 credit cards listed above.
|
No
|
Credit Card
|
Overseas Spend (RM spend to earn 1 Mile) | Local Spend (RM spend to earn 1 Mile) |
Min Income to apply
|
||||
| MAS Enrich | SIA Krisflyer | Cathay Asia Miles | MAS Enrich | SIA Krisflyer | Cathay Asia Miles | |||
| 1 | Citi PremierMiles Visa | RM2.25 | RM2.25 | RM2.25 | RM4.50 | RM4.50 | RM4.50 | 100,000 |
| 2 | Citi Prestige Card | RM3.50 | RM3.20 | RM3.20 | RM7.00 | RM6.40 | RM6.40 | 200,000 |
| 3 | Citi Rewards Card | RM1.70 | RM1.40 | RM1.30 | RM8.50 | RM7.00 | RM6.50 | 60,000 |
|
4
|
Citibank Rewards Platinum
|
RM8.50 | RM7.00 | RM6.50 | RM8.50 | RM7.00 | RM6.50 |
36,000
|
| RM1.70 | RM1.40 | RM1.30 | RM1.70 | RM1.40 | RM1.30 | |||
| “Bottom points only limited to transaction on few selected merchant only eg: Airasia, Malaysia Airline, Firefly. The rest will earn above points. Worst Cap for Travel is RM12,000 a year while other categories only RM1,000 per month | ||||||||
Conclusion
We rank the credit cards mainly by conversion of point to mile, privileges available, annual income required and lastly the annual fees. We do not receive any commission nor benefits from any banks. This article is purely for our readers benefits.
In 2017 we hope to engage closer with our readers instead of just 1 way flow. If you have any questions about travel, comment below, perhaps we can write an article on your questions and enlighten others as well.
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This post is so wonderful with big money savings when our ringgit is falling like durians. Thank you for sharing.
Since you featured RHB Premier Visa Infinite I think you should also mention Maybank’s Diamanté.
Hi,
I thought RHB Premier Visa Infinite Credit Card has lifetime annual fee waiver?
Hi Ms Liew, yes it is. I think we did put Free For Life under its Annual fees
great effort for sharing …….thanks Tommy
You are welcome..Hope it helps
Hi Tommy, thanks for doing this research. It is greatly appreciated. May I ask, if I want to claim my Free Hilton HHoners Gold status after 2 stays or 4 nights stay, would I have to use my Maybank Visa Infinite credit card in the first place, to charge the stay? Or it’s not necessary? As long as i have Hilton HHoners membership? Same question for SPG Gold member. Thanks ever so much.
Hi Delia, Hilton doesnt need to charge but SPG requires a stay paid with World Mastercard
Thanks Tommy!
Hi Tommy,
Great information~
Thanks for sharing.
By the way, may i know how to calculate the Redemption Rate on 2) Maybank 2 Gold Card?
1RM = 1 TP?
Redemption Rate : (published here is)
Local & Overseas
RM1.49 for 1 Asia Miles
RM1.70 for 1 KrisFlyer
RM2.12 for 1 Enrich
Hi, you can visit Maybank website to check on the redemption point
Which credit card do you have, or your top 2 recommendation?
Hi, it will definitely be the top 2 listed in the article
Hi tommy. For Maybank 2 cards premier AMEX. Does the rate only apply for Mastercard ir AMEX only?
Hi Kaf Lai, yes the 5X earning points for for AMEX only
Thanks for the reply Tommy. I’m stuck with the selection between Maybank World Mastercard, Maybank Visa Infinite & Maybank 2 Cards Premier AMEX. Which one would you really recommend? So far I see Maybank World Mastercard would be a better choice since the points won’t expire. Do advise. Thanks
Hi Kah Fai, there is no perfect card so in the end you will need to check what is your ultimate motive. As Maybank World Master only able to redeem enrich and takes double money to earn same points for local spending. So it is like 50k and 100k spending difference
Hi Tommy, Noted on your reply. So for Maybank 2 Cards Premier AMEX right, what is the conversion rate for VISA/ Mastercard? RM1: 1TP? Let’s say I use AMEX card for Petrol, will i still be getting 5x TP? Do advise. Thanks 🙂
Hi Kah Fai, only AMEX earns 5X. Specific categories not too sure as I dont use AMEX for petrol
Are you sure hilton honors gold status has free access lounge? I tot only platinum status?
HI Terence, for gold member you will need to be upgraded to executive room to be eligible while platinum is 100%. However until now we were upgraded 100% to exeuctive level room so eligible to access lounge
Hi Tommy, I would like to ask whether the Ambank Visa Infinite still give Hilton honorary gold status? or only Hilton premium membership. Thanks
Hi Jems, there is slight changes now but it will be Instant Hilton Honors™ Gold status with 2 stays or 4-nights with Visa Infinite
whats the diff between maybank 2 platinum cards and maybank 2 gold cards ?
The redemtion for air flight all same ?
Hi Kennith both is the same. Only Premier is different
Hi Tommy, thanks for the infos. I realised no Credit Card mentioned to earn AirAsia Big Points, is there a way to earn it besides CITI?
Hi Heng, most credit card you can redeem to Airasia Big points however Citibank AA card is the fastest way to earn Big points
thank you 🙂
Hi Tommy, thanks for the great article! Can you share roughly how much mile points required to redeem an economy and a business class flight? Thanks!
Hi Hwi, depends on distance. Business is bout 40k and above.. Economy not really worth it
Hi Tommy, is it worth by using citibank credit card to spend on overseas?
Hi Jaclyn, it depends on what are u after and which exact card..
hi tommy,
i will apply a travel credit card for purely earning miles purposes and 2 brand is in my list, Citibank Premiermiles & Stand Chart Worldmiles.
any advice.
Hi Yap, both earning miles is quite low for local spending
hi tommy,
thanks for your advice.
Do you know the bank forex charges for all these cards? I read they vary quite a bit. Ambank cards supposedly have the lowest rate but it’s not in your list.
Hi Yoong, unfortunately we are not aware how much each bank charges apart from 1% standard plus exchange rate by visa and master.
Hi Tommy,
Regarding HSBC premier travel card, do you know if the $200k is required to stay as a term deposit in the account or it’s only required to open an account? Can I spend the money in there after opening an account?
Also, say if i stay/ work overseas, and use it daily for purchases overseas, do you think that would be counted as overseas spendings?
Regards,
Alec
Hi Alec, u will need to read their T&C. If u stay overseas and spend there it is also consider as overseas spending as long as ur card in applied in Malaysia
Ambank CC’s plaza premium lounge access policy has changed with conditions of RM500 min. spending for every entry. Starts from 1st Nov 2017. what a SHAME!!!! TIME to look for a new Credit cards!!!
Any recommendations? free/waive-able annual fees and unlimited world wide lounge access?
Regards,
Jake G
Hi Jake, i just checked. The Signature World Mastercard or Visa Infinite remains the same for plaza premium lounge access but the normal World Master & Visa infinite will have to have RM500 spending
Hi Tommy,
I still can’t decide what Visa/Master card is the best option to earn SIA Krisflyer Miles for Malaysia spending? Annual fee or incoming is not an issue. Thanks.
Hi, tommy, great sharing! I am a frequent flyer with Etihad
Hi Nicole, thats great! I was a Etihad Platinum member
What other credit card besides Citibank premier miles gives free ride home from airport?
Hi, Standard Chartered Worldmiles
Hi Tommy, what credit cards should I get since I already have Maybank 2 Premier Card? Any suggestions?
Hi maybe the Ambank Visa Infinite priority signature card for its benefit
Thanks for the great post, thought I am reading this in 2019!
hi Tommy
Great info.. any advise how can accumulate few hundred thousand of airmiles? is it require high spending?
Hi, yes in malaysia it require high spending