Info for credit card newbies:
1. Minimum income requirement to qualify for a credit card is RM24,000 per annum (effective from 18th March 2011). You must be able to submit proof of your income.
2. Minimum age to qualify for a Principal credit card : 21 years old. Supplementary cardholders: at least 18 years old.
If you do not/cannot meet the above requirements, then you are not qualified for a credit card. You still can go get a debit card and enjoy the convenient similar to a credit card.
3. If you are a foreigner or your income is from overseas (e.g. you work in Singapore), please refer directly with the bank if you are eligible for their credit cards
4. There is no such thing as the best credit card, it depends on your needs and each card has its own benefits.
5. For those earning less than RM36K, your credit limit should be 2X your monthly income in accordance to BNM guidelines. For those earning more than RM36K, the credit limit assigned to you is entirely up to the bank. With BNM latest guidelines, banks are no longer allowed to increase a cardholder's credit limit without his/her consent.
6. There is a Government Service Tax of RM50 for each Principal Credit Card. If you apply for a credit card and the moment it is approved, you are responsible for the RM50 GST. So make sure you want the card before applying for it.
7. And the only thing that is of importance regarding credit cards is - DO NOT do apply for a credit card if you have no cash or savings to pay for your transactions. Credit card interest rate is very high and many go bankrupt because they have no discipline in controlling their spending. Always settle credit card bills in full monthly, never say just once, if you don't have money today in the bank to pay your credit card bills, what makes you think you will have enough money tomorrow to pay your credit card bills? DON"T be a slave to the banks.
8. If you cannot afford to pay the RM50 GST, GO GET A DEBIT CARD!
When choosing a credit card, below are things to consider
1. Free Lifetime Annual Fee - if the card does not come with automatic annual fee waiver, e.g. 12 swipes per year, then you have to waste time requesting for annual fee waiver yearly.
2. What is the main purpose of you getting a credit card? - Petrol, Cash Back/Rebate Only, Overseas Transactions, Golf, Installment Plans, Airport Lounge etc. Do some homework and you shall benefit from using the right credit card instead of grumbling over the miserable RM50 GST.
3. Convenience in making payment. You are to make payment before the Due Date or else you may be imposed Late Penalty Fee and Interest Charges.
Gen-X's recommendation for those new to credit cards:
Annual Income RM24K/year to RM30K/year.
UOB One Card - good for Petrol as it earns you 5% cash back for all stations. However the cash back is capped at RM20/month, i.e. up to RM400 petrol. And if you pump at BHP, you get to earn SMART$ too PLUS BHP points.
Click here to UOB Thread for further info or click here to read my review of the UOB One Card.
MACH by HLB - from the very start you need to choose the right package based on your spending pattern. It earns you 10% cash back for movies or 5% cash back for dining.
Click here to MACH Thread for further info or click here to read my review of the MACH by Hong Leong Bank.
To see more credit cards where the eligible income starts at RM24K/year - click here to read my article on Entry Level Credit Cards.
Minimum Annual Income RM30K/year.
FREE FOR LIFE Maybankard 2 Cards. This is a combo package where you are issued an American Express and you can decide to partner it with either a Visa or MasterCard. The MBB 2 AMEX earns you 5X Treats Points everyday for any transactions which is like approximately 2.5% cash back when redeeming for cash vouchers AND best of all it also earns you 5% cash back on Saturdays and Sundays.
Click here to MBB 2 Cards V7 Thread for more info or click here to read my review of the Maybankard 2 Gold and Platinum Cards.
In my opinion, the Maybankard 2 AMEX is truly good for local transactions since we earn 5X Treats Points which are evergreen. For overseas, please bear in mind that the conversion rate is high (go read MBB 2 Thread Post#2 FAQ).
Note: if you can't wait tilll Saturday or Sunday to pump petrol, consider getting the UOB One Card. Also this free up the 5% cash back for the MBB2 AMEX on weekends for other types of expenses. And as of December 2012, Petronas stations accept AMEX
Minimum Annual Income RM36K/year.
OCBC Titanium MasterCard - Everyone should have this card as it earns the cardholder 5% cash back everyday for Petrol, Telco Bills, Dining, Groceries and Utilities. The cash back is capped at RM50/month. So with the 5% cash back and RM1K spending per month, you can earn RM600 in cash back a year. Annual Fee is waived with just 12 swipes a year.
Click here to OCBC Thread for more info and note the places you can earn 5% cash back and click here to read my review of the OCBC Titanium MasterCard.
OTHER RELATED LINKS
Click here to read my article Platinum Credit Card to find the right card for yourself.
If you are looking for Premier Credit Cards with good Enrich redemption and other goodies click here to read my article Malaysia Premier Credit Card - Privilege and Exclusive Credit Cards which are good for overseas transactions.
If you are looking for a credit card purely for petrol, go to Petrol Thread by clicking here.
If you are looking for a credit card for free access to KLIA and LCCT Plaza Premium airport lounge click here to that thread.
If you are into Enrich Miles for FREE air tickets, click here to Enrich Miles Thread and see which is the best card for converting points to Enrich Miles.
If you are looking for 0% Balance Transfer, click here to BT Thread. And if you are new to Balance Transfer, please click here to read my article Balance Transfer Plans - Facts You Need To Know before signing up for one.
If you are looking for cards that offers 0% installment plans, Maybank credit cards are accepted at many merchants where you can opt for Ezy Pay starting from 6 months and up to 36 months. However, once again, if you don't have savings please do not sign up for 0% Installment Plans because you will be in debt. And I advise you to go for shorter period. Click here to read my article 0% Installment Plans - It IS A Trap.
If you are an Insurance Agent or spend up to RM5K per month at places that do not accept American Express, look into Alliance Platinum Credit Card where you can earn up to 2% cash back (approximately RM68/month with RM5K spending) PLUS reward points too.
And if you must know what is the best credit card for overseas transactions (as of January 2013), well it is the Maybank Visa Infinite - click here to read my comprehensive review.
Last but not least, if you are new to credit cards please visit my Credit Card Tutorial Page by clicking here. I have designed a series of articles for you, after completing the FREE tuition, you'll be an expert on credit cards
This post has been edited by Gen-X: Sep 11 2013, 11:48 PM
Recommendation for Credit Cards V1, TQ to contributors ! (From MOD)