I think PL is an option for you. You must immediately adjust your lifestyle and cut whatever unnecessary spending. Remember, buying car is not an investment. You may consider to sell your existing car and do not own a car for the next 6 months, or buy a cheaper and low maintenance car instead. As such, the amount saved from the car loan installment can be used to pay part of your debt.

In addition, you may discuss the topic in another thread - Personal Financial Management, and you'll get lots of idea there. Good luck!

I doubt if there is any people here having this cc. It would be better for you to call Ambank CS for clarification.

No bank can give you a free lunch. There will be upfront interest or handling fee for the so called 0% installment plan.

It seems your mum is a fanatic cc collector ya…just kidding.

Anyway, there are not many people interested in this cc as the benefit provided is not great.

Just cancel whatever cards you seldom/don't really use. My friend experienced a nightmare after a house break-in. He lost 2 CCs he seldom used, and discovered that the thief had swiped his CCs for a spending spree totalling 20k++. Although he was not liable to pay the loss, he still had to get a police report and personally go to the respective banks to show the proof.

Most CCs nowadays automatically grant waiver for 1st year AF.

I am a bit surprised too. Ever since the system is so advanced and could detect non-halal entertainment outlets? Perhaps the cardholders could try dining at high-end restaurants and hotels, and order wine or liquor. Do let us know the outcome.

Has anyone used this card to wine and dine in hotel? Even if one doesn't dine in restaurant in the hotel, but he/she orders non-halal drink to be sent to his/her room and charges the bill to the room, can the total hotel room bill be settled by using this card during check out? If the card is so strict to non-halal items only, then it can't be used in most of the hotels. Even 5-star hotels in Middle East also serve non-halal food and drink. But I don't think the card is so "intelligent" in detecting this, especially purchases in overseas.


I look forward to your update. Alliance should be the winner again. If you can post the rates charged by Amex vs others, it would be helpful.

This post has been edited by winner: Sep 14 2009, 09:46 AM

Although OCBC is a Singaporean bank, it doesn't mean that you will get a lower conversion rate when you use the cc in Singapore, as your OCBC cc is issued in Malaysia. The admin fee on currency conversion will also apply.

If you read vin_ann's post carefully, the excharge rate shown in Citi cc was actually 3.59 vs the actual forex rate of around 3.52. Therefore, the rate was in fact higher as the admin fee has been taken into account.

Southern Bank! Was your transaction done ages ago? DA has long been under CIMB.

Following the inclusion of 1% admin fee on all overseas transactions, CIMB’s conversion rate has never been attractive since April 09.


That’s in fact the most annoying thing! It would ruin your mood and sometimes give you a “heart attack”. I had experienced enough with DA a few years back. Recently Alliance also gave me a little bit of problems, but what to do...I need their cash rebates.


After all, HSBC Premier MC is still an MC. The conversion is done by MC. I guess the only thing that can be adjusted by HSBC is the admin fee, i.e. imposing a smaller percentage of admin fee compared to other HSBC cards.

Damn it Citibank! I just received my e-statement and discovered that Citi didn't give me 2x reward points for overseas transactions. I queried the CS but was informed that Citi Plat cc has stopped giving 2x points for overseas retail purchases since last month. I don't find a reason to keep this card now. No cash rebates and additional points. It is actually a lifestyle card (discount for F&B) for me only. CUT IT!

Actually, I should use SCB VI when travelling abroad as it gives 5x choice points!

I don't wanna get so many cards, unless the "direct" benefits are fantastic, such as those given by SCB Just1, Alliance and Amex Gold cc.

That's true. If it is not for company purposes, I won't use SCB cc in overseas as I was shocked with the rates they charged me. Talking about the conversion fee, SCB replied me briefly in writing that the currency conversion was done by MC and they only charged 1% admin fee. But SCB refused to show me the breakdown of conversion and admin charge. However, I am totally clueless why their rate was >2% higher than Alliance's rate.


After hitting the max rebate for Just1, currently I concentrate using Alliance Younique MC (max rebate RM68.25/month for RM5k purchase + 1x point for local and overseas transactions), Alliance Plat Visa (max rebate RM68.75/month for RM5k purchase + 1x point for local and 2x points for overseas transactions), and Amex Gold cc for local telco, petrol and grocery transactions. I am gonna terminate my Citi Plat soon.

You need to do it manually.