LATEST UPDATE: New Measures on Credit Cards by Bank Negara

Proceed from v15: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1824199

**Those wishing to get an agent to assist with your credit card application please post your request at the service noticeboard section as this section is about discussion on credit card issues and not for promoting or seeking agent.

Knowing your cards > http://www.bankinginfo.com.my
1. Visa
2. Mastercard
3. JCB
4. AMEX - Charge or Credit Card
5. Diners Club
6. China Union Pay (中国银联)
7. Etc.

1. Annual fee
Annual fee free credit cards :
- CIMB Direct Access
- CIMB Bank
- American Express Green charge card & American Express Gold credit card
- Public Bank (**minimum swipes apply)
- Alliance Bank (**minimum swipes apply)
- UOB Bank (**minimum swipes apply)
- Maybank (**certain cards only)
- EON Bank (**minimum swipes apply)
- Citibank Choice (**minimum swipes apply)
- Hong Leong Bank Essential VISA (**swipe at least twice a month OR spend RM8,000/year)
- AmBank (**certain cards only)
- OCBC (**minimum swipes apply)

2. Credit cards payment methods - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1802980

3. Tap and Go Cards - no signature required


4. Credit Card linked to Petrol
- OCBC Titanium MasterCard <> all petrol stations = 5% cash back
- Citibank Cash Back VISA Platinum <> all petrol stations = 5% cash back
- UOB <> BHP Petrol = 2% cash back (UOB One only), 1% cash back (others)
- Citibank <> SHELL (This only applicable for Citibank Shell, Citibank Cashback Plat applies to all petrol stations)
- Maybank/Maybank Islamic <> PETRONAS = 5x Treatpoints
- CIMB Bank/CIMB Islamic <> PETRONAS = 2% cash back
- Public Bank ESSO/Mobil VISA <> ESSO/MOBIL = 0.5 - 5% (tier-based)
- RHB Travel Money <> all petrol stations = 2% cash back (5% cash back every first weekend)
- AMBank Carz <> all petrol stations = 2% cash back (3% for Gold and 5% for Platinum, provided there is an outstanding)
**All range of American Express charge & credit cards give 2x MR/TP on petrol purchases whilst AMEX Gold credit card and Maybankard 2 AMEX give 5x MR/TP. This applies to all petrol brands.
For more info on pumping petrol using cards, please refer to this thread: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1798403

5. Standard financial charge (interest rate)
Tier 1 > 13.5% p.a.
Tier 2 > 16% p.a.
Tier 3 > 17.5% p.a.
Cash advance: 18% p.a from the date of withdrawal + 5% advance cash withdrawal fees
Late payment: 1% of outstanding or RM 5 whichever is higher.
Minimum payment amount: 5% of outstanding or RM 25/RM 50 whichever is higher.
Sample calculator can be found here
Sample calculator from AKPK

6. Complimentary Cards
1) HSBC Premier - deposit and maintain RM200k
2) Citibank Citigold - deposit and maintain RM200k
3) Standard Chartered Priority Banking - deposit and maintain RM250k
4) UOB Privilege Banking - Opening deposit of RM300k with maintenance of RM200k
5) OCBC Premier Banking - Opening deposit of RM300k with maintenance of RM200k
6) CIMB Bank Preferred Banking - deposit and maintain RM200k
7) Hong Leong Bank Priority Banking - deposit and maintain RM200k
8) Alliance Bank Privilege Banking - deposit and maintain RM200k
9) RHB Bank Premier Banking - deposit and maintain RM200k
10) Public Bank Red Carpet Banking - deposit and maintain RM500k or a Mutual Gold customer with a total combined deposits of RM200k in savings/current/fixed deposits.

7. American Express - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1724607

8. International Transactions - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1845691

9. Credit Card Cancellation - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1814307

10. Cash Advance fees


11. Verified by Visa and Mastercard Securecode
Verified by Visa ---> http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/sea/merchants/...vbv_intro.shtml
Participating banks :

MasterCard SecureCode ---> http://www.mastercard.com/au/personal/en/c...code/index.html
Participating banks :


12. Balance Transfer - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1123346

13. RM50 Government Service Tax - Currently STILL IN FORCE
With effect from 1 January 2010, there will be service tax imposed on credit card as follows :
i. RM50 per annum on each Principal Card; and
ii. RM25 per annum on each Supplementary Card
The service tax will be collected on the date the card is issued, or on the completion of each year or on the date of renewal of the card (except HSBC which will be billed 1 month later). This means that the above mentioned service tax shall be levied on new credit card issued effective from 1 January 2010. For existing credit cards issued before 1 January 2010, the service tax shall be levied upon anniversary of card issuance.


14. Airport Lounge Access - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1791878

15. Previous versions


16. Useful information
BNM issued guidelines in 2003 that limits consumer liability in cases of fraud to only RM250. See the actual document here. (Courtesy of tishaban) (thanks awaynoway for the updated link)

Credit information:
CCRIS: http://creditbureau.bnm.gov.my/
CCRIS report - go to Bank Negara yourself and use self-service terminal to get report with MyKard (you need to go as need thumb print).
CTOS: http://www.ctos.com.my/
BRIS: http://bris.com.my/index.html

Swipe Smart with 6E:
http://www.abm.org.my/Swipe_Smart_with_6E_...ffectively.aspx

17. FMB - Financial Mediation Bureau
http://www.fmb.org.my/index.htm

18. AKPK
- An agency set up to provide financial education, financial counseling and debt management
http://www.akpk.org.my/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Link to AKPK thread : http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/876712

19. Other Links By Users
A blog about credit cards by Gen-X > My Credit Cards

20. Credit Card/Charge Card Reward Points
Validity of numerous credit card/charge card reward points
1) HSBC - up to 3 years
2) Citibank - reward points are evergreen
3) Maybank - reward points are evergreen
4) CIMB Bank - 3 years
5) Alliance Bank - reward points are evergreen
6) Standard Chartered - 3 years (**SCB VI Choice Points are evergreen)
7) American Express - Membership Rewards Points are evergreen
8) Hong Leong Bank - up to 3 years
9) AmBank - up to 3 years
10) RHB Bank - 3 years for Platinum and 2 years for all cards ranked lower than Platinum
11) UOB - 3 years
12) EON Bank - 3 years

21. Premium Credit Cards and its requirements
1) CIMB & DA World Mastercard/Visa Infinite - Min Income Requirement : RM 200k
2) CIMB Enrich World Mastercard - Strictly by Invitation (those with card usage above RM 500k per annum may be considered)
3) CIMB VISA Signature - Min Income Requirement : RM100k
4) Maybank World Mastercard - Min Income Requirement : RM 240k
5) Maybank Visa Infinite - Min Income Requirement : RM 240k
6) MBF World Mastercard - Min Income Requirement : RM 200k (By Invitation)
7) Standard Chartered Visa Infinite - Only for Priority Banking customer (RM 250k in deposits)
8) RHB Visa Infinite - Strictly by Invitation Only
9) HSBC Premier Mastercard - Only for HSBC Premier customer (RM 200k in deposits)
10) HONG LEONG Bank VISA Signature - Min Income Requirement : RM180k

22. Best Credit Cards and its categories - Click on ME
Please note these are just recommendations based on normal spending. High spending or specific usage individuals might want to look at other cards.
1) Classic Card = Hong Leong Essential
2) Gold Card = Alliance Younique / Maybankard 2 AMEX Gold
3) Titanium Card = OCBC Titanium / Standard Chartered Titanium (**product withdrawn from new application)
4) Platinum Card = Alliance Platinum / SCB Business Platinum / Citibank Cash Back Platinum / AMEX Platinum Charge Card (assuming AF is waiveable) / Maybankard 2 AMEX Platinum
5) Visa Signature = EON VS
6) Visa Infinite = SCB VI
7) World MasterCard = Maybank WMC (assuming AF is waiveable)
8) For 1st time CC applicants with Degree: DA (Direct Access @ CIMB)
Looking for recommendations? Please refer to this thread: http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1792023

23. Credit Cards with Complimentary Travel & Accident Insurance
1) All HSBC/HSBC Amanah credit cards
2) All Citibank credit cards (except all co-brand cards, cash back)
3) All Public Bank generic credit cards
4) All Maybank generic credit cards
5) All AMEX charge card & AMEX Platinum credit card
6) All EON Bank credit cards
7) Alliance Bank Platinum

24. OCBC Titanium Credit Card rebates - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1791215

25. Reload Touch n Go using credit cards - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1803385

This post has been edited by hye: Dec 29 2011, 11:06 AM

Since this is a new thread, I might as well post the links to some of the reviews I have done on credit cards for easy reference:

Click here to my blog on credit cards and determine yourself which credit card is best for you.

Citibank PremierMiles Visa Signature and Platinum credit cards.

Citibank Platinum Cash Back Credit Card.

Hong Leong Bank Visa Signature - The Best Visa Signature?

HSBC Visa Signature.

Hong Leong Bank Fortune Visa Cash Back credit card.

Review of Maybankard 2 Cards. The MBB 2 American Express earns you 5X Treats Points everyday and on weekends EXTRA 5% cash back. This review also compares the Maybank 2 Cards versus OCBC Titanium MasterCard

Comprehensive and full review of the Maybank Visa Infinite - The Best Credit Card for Overseas?

OCBC Titanium MasterCard. This article have a table comparing cash back credit cards.

UOB One Card - This is a pure cash back card and offers 5% cash back for petrol. this article has a table comparing UOB One Card vs. Maybankard 2 Cards vs. Citibank Cash Back Platinum vs. OCBC Titanium MasterCard.

UOB Lady's Card - Men can't have it.

Click here to read my article titled - The Best Credit Card in Malaysia - Is There Really One?

Click here to read my article - Malaysia Top 10 Credit Cards.

Click here for Credit Cards Customer Service Contact Numbers.

For your own good, you must click here and read this article on Credit Card Fraudulent Charges and SMS Alert.

If you are new to credit cards, Click here to read my article Credit Cards are Cash Cow for Banks. Are You Working for the Banks?

This post has been edited by Gen-X: Feb 26 2012, 11:06 PM

---reserved---

actually how can I reserve the 2nd post?
it keep on appending to the 1st post

This post has been edited by alexwsk: May 23 2011, 11:57 AM

citibank clear card is a good card for those who like to watch movies.
1. buy 1 free 1 on friday for GSC
2. buy 1 free 1 on fri for cineleisure at the curve
3. buy 1 free 1 on weekend for TGV
4. buy 1 free 1 coffee bean on everyday

For TGV, this groupon-type offer will give similar benefits. Only problem with these offers whether through credit card or groupon-type website is that you are forced to join the regular queue, instead of the special queue for collecting tickets already purchased (c/f reserved) online.

BTW, the above deal has so far been renewed from time to time after it expires.

Also, for those with iPhones, do download the Maxis Movies app where you get buy 1 free 1 on Tuesdays for a limited time - both TGV & GSC.

This post has been edited by wshoh: May 23 2011, 12:44 PM

Check on "Do not combine with previous post?" under Add Reply

This post has been edited by ronnie: May 23 2011, 12:47 PM

Anyone received phone call from Maybank to prove your income document so they won't limit your cards into 2?

Purchases from Apple Online via CIMB/Direct Access Credit Card

For information purposes, I as well as other CIMB/DA credit card users have had our accounts charged higher than the amount invoiced by Apple Online (Malaysia, but based in Singapore) - I have filed an official dispute with CIMB/DA and am currently awaiting their response (Refer to iPad 2 online order status thread).

If no kind soul starts an individual topic as regards this matter soon, I will do so when I find the time.

Without going into the T&Cs of the CIMB/DA credit card agreement, I reason based on the fact that other banks including HSBC, Citibank, MBB, SCB and Alliance (as reported in this thread as well as the iPad thread) only charge the amount as invoiced by Apple Online, CIMB is treating Apple Online transactions very differently, which explains the higher charges.

Will report back on progress of the matter when news/more info is available. If legal methods don't work, I guess there are always extra legal options - Facebook and LYN comes into mind.

*edited* @ronnie Thanks for the additional feedback and also for highlighting it here. @Gen-X Thanks for your tip.

*UPDATED*

This may explain - but still not very satisfactory. CIMB is the only bank in Malaysia with such a practice then?

This post has been edited by wshoh: May 23 2011, 07:44 PM

SCB also doesn't charge extra...

its been a while since the last time i check my maybank2u page. found out today that i've been charged twice for the same transaction! i pump petrol at esso on 14may. in my transaction history, it is posted twice which is on 15may and 18may. i know for sure that i only pump once on that day, in fact the amount is exactly the same (60.02). i only pump once a week. my statement is only on the 28th. should i report now or wait until statement comes out? where to complaint? thanks..



This post has been edited by azam_halim: May 23 2011, 03:46 PM

Hmm i didnt know clear card got such gooding...
But thats all it gives rite?? Maybank 2 Amex still wins

Where got such thing? all card are combine limit lor

of course AMEX still win. clear card still got 3x point for selected outlet and merchant, special discount for concert. citibank clear card for me is best for fresh grad or entry level who want to enter into world of plastic card

This post has been edited by gerrardling: May 23 2011, 04:15 PM

wait for the statement to come out first, call the number behind ur card

I would suggest to complain IMMEDIATELY... hopefully resolved before 28th May 2011.

The bank will ask you to fill up a "Transaction dispute" form and send it back to them. I think you stand a good chance for yourself as both transactions carry the same transaction date. IMHO, resolution will take a while so just pay your cc bill as per the month due although the CS may ask you to exclude the disputed amount.

Yes, I am aware of Clear Card offer at Curve and Coffee Bean. What surprised me is that the YGV offer applies to ALL Citibank CC.


ronnie warned us about using CIMB credit cards earlier (also mentioned by you). Just to share - I used my Alliance Bank Visa no such problem. Transaction in Ringgit.

Today got a call from HSBC offering me Visa Signature Card. GST and annual fee waive for 1st year.
I am still considering if I should take up the offer.
What is your say?

Call MBB 0378443696 and ask them.

HSBC Credit cards have free annual fee waive by just swiping 12 times a year Got RM50 to spare and add HSBC VS to your collection

Seriously, only you know if the card will benefit you.

Do you aware that the 5x rewards points is not a permanent benefit of this card? I found out from reading the T&Cs. I have commented it in your blog.