But the minimum payment applies.

The points deducted in exchange of cash back could be MORE than you estimated. I am not sure about DA, but quite a big number of my previous HLB points were cut for this purpose.

This post has been edited by winner: Jul 23 2009, 10:42 AM

FYI, Poslaju won't allow maids to receive certain important documents like CCs from banks. This happened to me too, when SCB sent cc via Poslaju to my residence. My maid was disallowed to receive it, and I had to purposely go to Poslaju office to collect it.

It looks like I missed some "fun" in TreatsFair, as I am still not back to M'sia yet. Btw, I heard MBB is not as efficient as anticipated. Likewise, the level of service of MBB is expected apparently.

What I referred to was that a lot of people couldn't get their cards within 2 hours as promised.

Hmmm...I think your figure may apply to CIMB or DA only. The 100k CL doesn't apply to SCB VI, based on occurence.

The cardholders of this cc can only access to KL Plaza Premium Lounge. If you are not a frequent traveller, having access to premium/VIP lounges is not really something special. I normally do not utilise it because I always go to KLIA last minute. However, it is good for those who have a connecting flight. I went to Dubai airport lounge last week during a transit period, the facilities they have are much lesser than KL lounge.

Most of the banks offer free Plat cards, and the requirement is getting lower and lower over times.

Oh yes, talking about SCB Just1 cc, I'll completely finish up the RM600 rebate entitlement once I settle my hotel bills this weekend. I have no idea what cards to use next, as my Alliance isn't great enough (rebate for up to RM5000 purchase/month).

HSBC Visa Plat's requirement is on a par with SCB VI, @RM150k/annum. Benefit wise, SCB VI is better off. As HSBC Visa Plat's AF could be waived, I doubt the AF for SCB VI will be waiveable after the 3-year FOC period.

I want rebate, rebate and rebate! I don't spend much when I'm in M'sia. Only spending in overseas on company stuffs can make me accumulate points and rebates faster. I may get an Amex cc before my next trip to overseas so that I can get the Longines watch.

An SCB cc sales staff told me this when she invited me last month.

I always wanna consolidate the number of CCs. At this moment, I only have SCB x2, Alliance x1 and Citi x1. SCB Just1 has been my primary card in these 2 months, followed by Alliance. And now, I can put my Just1 cc into cold storage for the rest of 10 months. Yes, I think I’ll apply for Amex Plat and Gold cc, hoping to get the Longines watch within 6 months. I’ll use Amex Gold cc for petrol and groceries, and use Alliance for other purchases in M’sia. For overseas transactions, Alliance is preferred for the 1st RM5000, and then Amex Plat cc (no worry about the 2.5% admin fee as company will reimburse) and SCB VI (for 3x choice points). Citi is now my backup cc, and I consider terminating it if the Amex Plat and Gold are approved.

2-3 weeks, based on my experience.

I was surprised to receive their call offering VI FOC after my Just1 was just approved, even though I was not /am not their PB customer. VI is no longer exclusive either.

It is because I thought it was only offered to its PB customers. I was never one of them, and I didn’t even have any accounts with them except Just1 cc!

Don't worry. Your day will come soon.

It could be the other way round.
Since then, I received calls from SCB selling property refinance package and PL.

General guideline for home loan is that your monthly installment must be within/should be around 1/3 of your gross monthly income after taking into account other loans. Why is it related to the number of CCs in the event that one has no cc debts? My family members flip properties every now and then, home loan financing is not an issue at all.

My query is that, why do we need to worry about our total CL if we are good paymasters? With the recent 5/95 offerred by most of the developers, I managed to get the package, but my friend who bought the same obtained 20/80 instead.

HSBC M'sia is downsizing? That's definitely not a pleasant news. Oh, I should advise my family to take money out from the bank? I'm a bit "kiasu" type and I did the same to Citi end of last year.

For those who don't have a paid account with Malaysiakini, here's the full report.

HSBC callous in sacking call centre workers
Emily Chow | Jul 31, 09 12:15pm
HSBC's decision to terminate 241 of its call centre employees in Leboh Ampang without redeployment has been soundly condemned.

MCPX
The banking giant said it decided to shut down the local call centre in accordance with its global corporate policy to increase efficiency.

All in-bound calls to the call centre Ampang will now be channelled to the bank's electronic data processing nerve centre in Cyberjaya.

Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary general G Rajasekaran urged human resource minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam to intervene and resolve the matter.

"We are deeply concerned with the management's inconsiderate approach... HSBC should make every effort to relocate the affected employees.

No offer of alternate jobs

"Contrary to a press statement in a business daily, the management did not offer the retrenched workers any alternate jobs within the company," said Rajasekaran (below).

"Since HSBC claims that the 241workers constitute only five per cent of its workforce (in Malaysia), it can easily absorb them in other departments," he added.

A source told Malaysiakini that many of the call centre workers would be left stranded because several options being considered by HSBC to aid affected workers were not feasible.

"Among the options were to apply for jobs at Electronic Data Processing Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HDPM) in cyberjaya, or seeking positions elsewhere within HSBC.

No vacancies in HSBC

"This is very unfair. There are no vacancies within HSBC, and if workers are to be given jobs in Cyberjaya, they would have to re-apply all over once more," said the source

"They would be at a disadvantage as workers would be competing with other fresh applicants and would be employed at lower starting salary.

"This should not be the case," the source continued, "as most of HSBC's workers at the Kuala Lumpur call center have been working there for about 10 years.

The process of closing the call centre will take nine months from now. They are to be released in four batches, with the first 45 workers leaving by the end of October this year.

Why not?

Guys...this is another sad story about DA. Last week my colleague stopped at Dubai airport and planned to take a rest at the airport lounge FOC. I used my SCB and there was no problem at all. While my colleague (who is a Senior GM) showed his DA World, the front dest girl looked at the card front and back for a few seconds and asked, "Sorry sir, which bank???" He was shocked and a bit embarrassed. He explained it's CIMB and the girl checked her computer for a few more seconds, then she let him go in. My colleague said he should have used his Amex Plat if he knew this earlier.

As at to date, SCB Just1 is the most generous in giving cash rebate. Yes, I won't be surprised if they change T&Cs next year.

Since they rejected your application last time, did you manage to get one lately?

If your news on the suspension is true, I suppose they have already approved 1000 cards.

During the launching time in May'09, they always advertised that 1st 1000 approved cards will be given a free RM50 rebate. I presume they have hit the target last month. And now, I notice that SCB has even removed Just1 cc from their website.

Congrats. You must be one of the last few batches of approved applicants.

I must agree that I won't allow banks having any chances of charging me interest and late payment charges. I also don't entertain calls from banks pertaining to PL, BT, refinance and insurance. I guess banks don't like a cardholder like me.

This post has been edited by winner: Aug 3 2009, 07:14 PM