I dont think so. For me personally, I used my credit card a few times liao, and never once encounter any problem. I bought something at China airport few years ago with SBB mastercard, and they just called me to clarify instantly after the payment went through. Then I bought something in Thailand airport, and the same thing happen with another bank. I didnt even call to advise them Im travelling.

However, I do really prefer Citibank. Not only the rebate is good, I like how they handled internet transaction. Other banks that I tried always ask for verification like mother name, ic, birthdate. Some even need to create a pin. With Citibank card, all you need is the 3 digit CVV at the back of the card and it went through instantly.

Yes, i accidently pay late last time, because i was out of the office.
When I look at the statement, I can see there is late payment charge being put in. Fine. 3 days later there is finance charge pulak.
Well, Im too lazy too call them so im cancelling it.

not only citibank la, but other cards too.

The extra security verification which either call Verified By Visa or Master SecureCode is another layer of protection to against Internet fraud case. Imagine if your credit card number and CVV number expose, then your card will be easily being fraud for online transaction.

Your CVV number can be easily expose when you use for retail shopping. People with quick reading can memorize your card easily, unless you covered your CVV number at the back.

IMHO, this is definitely an advantage instead of disadvantage.

A lot of customers complaint about transaction failure at several merchants and ATM machines. I reckon if SCB can forego DEBIT function for Just1 card, all these problems can be solved.


Citi cc promoters are very aggressive. Citi has the highest number of customers in cc segment in Malaysia. Their CS staff are experienced and well trained. Their cards are well recognised worldwide.

They try to lure customers in by giving new applicants freebies, regardless of whether the application is successful or not. However, after you are already in and become their cardholders, you will find the benefits offered are just so-so, except for discount at various mid to high-end F&B outlets.

yeah. although citibank only have few branches, it have the highest number of cardholder!

shame to local bank...

Then its not their problem wat....coz u never called them to vaive it..

I tried to ask Citibank to vaive late payment fee once, coz i didnt get the statement for the 1st time..The CS said will vaive it but next month statement comes again i didnt see them vaive it.

Yeah, work in credit card sales before, citibank offer the highest commission...
But I realize that citibank's requirement for their credit card (especially Gold and Platinum) is straight, even apply by using cc also need 18 month of usage. I get rejected 5 times, until now still can't get my Airasia Citibank card

But any bank cc with visa or master logo also can be used on oversea transaction, don't they?

But alot of former want to apply citibank cc compare to the othe bank cc

But their cc is not easy to apply, my friend both working in same company, same salary, and same document attach to citibank, but only one just appove, and the other is reject, citibank approve cc quite strict

Any VISA and Mastercard issued by any local or foreign banks can be used overseas, not just Citibank's



No longer the case. Maybank now has the highest number of customers in credit card segment in Malaysia since mid-2009, as reported by Star Newspaper, The Edge and Bernama


Agreed. There aren't really many privileges as many claimed. CIMB Bank Mastercard offers way more discounts. The redemption point needed to redeem for shopping vouchers from Citibank is also very high and not many choices


This is not necessarily a good thing. Citibank NA is losing millions of US$ every month from their credit card business. Credit card is a very risky business. This is the very reason why our homegrown Public Bank and the Singaporean bank, OCBC Bank do not invest much money in their credit card business.

Anyways, the crown now belongs to Maybank, NOT Citibank.

This post has been edited by MilesAndMore: Sep 18 2009, 10:04 AM

All Visa and Mastercard can be used for overseas transaction with equal conveniences, not just citibank's. In fact, I would be more interested to know whether they charge overseas transaction charges or not.


This post has been edited by Optiplex330: Sep 18 2009, 10:30 AM

@MilesAndMore :Regarding MBB, I'm assuming that's relating to customer base and not in terms of usage?

MBB has been offering alot of free for life and pre approved cards, probably the reason why their customer base has increased tremendously. Also the fact that loadsa payrolls go into m2u, so ppl prefer the convenience of paying off their bills via m2u.

But really, in terms of usage, I wonder if their the top. I have a pre approved MBB Petronas Visa myself, I just took it cause it's free, but I've never used it. It's been in my drawer for quite some time now =p

But I do agree with you, in terms of privileges, CIMB has been pretty aggresive over the past year or so, which is a good thing for us XD
Citibank still does have pretty good privileges, and there're special ones each month which they update on their site, so it's still pretty good I reckon (though I don't use my Citi card much)

Where is HSBC? I once recalled a promoter told me in Midvalley that their HSBC is the highest number of users even more than Maybank LOL..i was amused by her statement...i was wondering i was already signing up card with her...do she need to make this statement LOL

Off course its not their problem. But again I dont want it to be my problem. There are plenty of card offers no annual fees without need to call them every time i want waiver.

Another question, I look at CIMB website, it says World Mastercard need 200K income per annum. But when I look at DA from CIMB, it says 180K. Are they 2 different card? I thought DA is from CIMB.

Tell the promoter that HSBC has the lowest approval rate for credit card...

Wat card did u have again?

Different card carries different condition/function/watever....
Yes there area plenty of "free for life" cards, but all comes with condition like 12 usage/year minimum will be auto waived..

eg. for Citibank Clear card, its 1st year (or 2year) waiver free but after that will be charged annual fee, thats the condition and different with the other card from Citibank.
If u prefer auto waiver aka "free for life" then just change your card to the one that has that condition.

Well, my main card is maybank plat petronas. Before that im using some card from maybank, cant remember what its name, where you need to swipe 3 times to waive the fees. I applied for citibank 2 years ago as a backup card. As you mentioned, it gave free waiver for the first year. I also remember around that time not many cc have free annual fees. Now, with many cc have that option, i think i should terminate my citibank, since im not using it all the time, and I dont have to worry about annual fees at all.

Yes, in terms of receivables, Citi is still at the top.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...15&sec=business

Citi itself is already a "brand" and very well recognised, while HSBC is catching up. This round of global financial crisis has somehow reversely affected Citi's image.

If you look at the link that winner given, maybank is is a huge different between year 07 and 08, probably grown in this year since maybank lot of new cc product in this year.

Each case is unique. For instance, my mom's application for HSBC VISA Gold was approved instantly but Alliance Bank rejected her application for You:nique


Indeed it is based on customer base.


Its image is tarnished, badly

I find it rather interesting that Public Bank's receivables is higher than UOB Bank. UOB Bank has been promoting its credit card aggressively over the last several year.