No worries. It's still a credit card related subject

Today I receive my Starwwood Privilege card via courier. just like ben83 said. But my Priority Pass card no where to be seen. So called CS and he said the PP application form should be inside my MBB VI welcome kit (usually the case for Citibank PremierMiles and SCB VI). After I said no, he said he'll fax to me the form. The after I susah susah set up the fax, the same CS called and told me he won't be faxing over but he will do the necessary arrangement on his side and forward my info to the relevant department for my Priority Pass Membership to be issued. Pretty good service.

Also asked when MBB going to charge me GST, and he said 2 to 3 months time and system shows that the free 10,000 TPs not yet credited into my account.

Overall I must say MBB VI Tol Free CS are very courteous and helpful.

If not mistaken even big computer hardware dealer shop like AllIT also ask for additional % if swipe using CC

Just noticed this Starwood Privilege Card is free for you. Anyway, are you a SPG member ? If you are not, make sure you enroll for it online. They will not automatically send the card to you. Once you have successfully enrolled for SPG online, click request card and choose your desired card design. You will get it in a few weeks time

Sadly no vouchers! I recall good things said about the vouchers that are included with the Starwood Privilege Program

This post has been edited by zenquix: Nov 17 2011, 05:49 PM

anyone currently holding cc from citibank, just wanna ask a few questions

Citibank FlexiPayment Plan (FPP)
http://www.citibank.com.my/english/existin...exi-payment.htm

do any other bank have similar plan as Citibank's FPP ?

EPP offers :
-Convert purchases into fixed monthly installments.
-Flexible tenures available from 6 – 36 months

does that means my purchases can be at any shops (not just selected shops only ?) one time swipe, and convert to FlexiPayment Plan and decide repayment tenure from 6 – 36 months

Yes and No. Tell the salesman you paying by card and you only willing to buy if no surcharge and he'll write a note on the item or inform the cashier. This year I bought something from them, took an item from the shelve and directly went to cashier and paid with card and no surcharge.

As for the YES, some items they will say need surcharge if it is on promo. Last year when I bought from ALL IT my 23" monitor that was on offer, the salesman wanted to charge me surcharge and I told him he can't do that since the promotion ad DID NOT state cash only and in the end he agreed and inform the cashier to accept card without any surcharge.

Thanks for the info, else I won't be bothered to read the last page of the booklet that came with the card mentioning about spg.com and thought that the Starwood Privilege Card is all there is to it.

PB FLEXIPAY

This post has been edited by chemistry: Nov 17 2011, 07:10 PM

Just for your info, internet access in select Starwood hotels is FOC as long as your SPG membership is active.

By the way, in order to earn SPG points for your stay in any Starwood hotels, you have to book your room directly with them either through online or by calling the hotel. Hotel room booked via third party websites such as Agoda and Hotelclub is not eligible for SPG points accrual.

Yes, after the said transaction; you can call in the bank to request for installment plan on that transaction. However be reminded that there's going to be interest levied on the installment, thus the amount you finally pay off is higher then you purchase.

not entirely accurate. You need to be Plat SPG level to qualify for free internet (in places where it is chargeable)

This post has been edited by zenquix: Nov 18 2011, 01:06 AM

Not really. Some Starwood Hotels such as Sheraton Seoul D Cube do provide complimentary internet access to all SPG members even if you are just a regular SPG member, which is why i said "select Starwood Hotels" in the first place

Initially i also thought that only SPG Platinum member can use the internet for free but i later found out that it is free as long as my SPG membership is still valid on the day i check-out from the hotel. It's quite tricky because it is not mentioned anywhere, not even inside the hotel room that internet access is free for all SPG members of all tier levels. I found out on my fourth night staying in that hotel when i called the receptionist to enquire about the internet rate. I used the paid service from Olleh WiBro by KT on the first few days and ended up paying KRW48,000 on the day i returned the Olleh WiBro at Incheon Airport. Spent KRW48,000 = RM135.84 which i did not have to

By the way, SPG members staying at Sheraton Seoul D Cube wishing to use the internet also have to login like everyone else. Once on the login page, just choose the per hour rate or 1-day rate. The per hour rate is KRW6,000/hour while the 1-day rate is KRW21,000/day. You will not be charged a cent on the day you check-out

This post has been edited by MilesAndMore: Nov 18 2011, 03:53 PM

SCB no longer sponsor this section ? get used to see that 20% cashback banner already

My eyes can now rest...

Thanks again Bro.

Much better now, I bet Citibank will come back here soon and advertise since now they have promo RM150 cash back for new applicants.


To All: I just published a short article on HSBC 10X Reward Points and OCBC Additional 2% Cash Back for Overseas Transactions.

The HSBC Promo only good for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and capped at RM3,300/card

OCBC promo applicable on all days but they only allocated RM8000 per week. Looks like those swiping on weekends won't be getting the 2% but still got chance to win the MacBook Air.

Click here to read my article on Overseas Promo.

nowadays Lowyat PC shop mark up their price, when u really pay in cash, they will give u about 10% discount, if u pay in CC, discount is about 5%

if u include the surcharge all into the product selling price, no complain by consumer.
if u put in extra 3% charge, i'm sure they will complain, this is human mentality.

Since we are at this surcharge topic, let me share my recent experience. I inquired the price of a watch at Sincere Watch Pavilion and proceed to ask if they accept AMEX. Upon hearing this, the sales advisor said there will be a surcharge for AMEX but not for MasterCard/Visa. I would like to know, can we complain to AMEX in this case because only AMEX gets surcharge. Thank you.

Added: I just contacted The Hour Glass Pavilion and the sales advisor said there is no surharge for AMEX. AMEX will charge them, and zero charge for customers. Great!

p/s Sorry if it is inappropriate to post the name of the companies, just sharing

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Nov 18 2011, 12:13 PM

Gen-X, you forgot to mention this

• Enjoy additional 2% cash rebates when you spend a minimum of RM1,000 overseas.

Yes, you can complain to AMEX.

And yes, Hour Glass did accept my AMEX without surcharge when I bought a watch early this year where at that time AMEX got promo 15% cash back.


Thanks Bro for pointing out above, that is a very important criteria. Updated my blog.

I'm all for transparency and it's for the better awareness of the folks reading here then why not. I have always been questioning the rationale behind the surcharge ever since I have a better understand of what it is. Earlier I too thought it was OK because every other merchant impose surcharges when you use credit card but I realize merchants should not be doing so.

Some time ago, I had the opportunity to discuss with a representative of the bank on this subject and actually the banks had all this while aware of this practice and they do prosecute those who broke this surcharge rule.

FYI, (if I remember it correctly)
First time offense - merchant will be fined RM10,000
2nd time offense - merchant will be fined RM25,000
3rd time offense - fine + permanent ban of ever accepting credit card.

* The fines above will be imposed by the bank to the merchant. The bank will do it because if you complain the bank refusing to take action then VISA/Mastercard Intl will take action against the bank with more severe fines / punishment.

Do note that you will need to present your proof of the surcharge to the bank before the bank can successfully prosecute the merchant.

And how does most merchant's in Malaysia successfully charge you with the surcharge all these years ?

Item is RM100
In your receipt ... Item price RM100, surcharge RM3 Total RM103. The proof of the surcharge is RM3 and it is enough for the bank to proceed to prosecute the merchant.

What normally happens should you consent to the charge, total price + surcharge will be in your invoice ... Item price is now RM103. No evidence of surcharging occurs, only you and the merchant knows that the RM3 is the surcharge. Now you guys understand how the merchant cheats the bank to hide the surcharge and all this while they avoided it.

Special note ... AirAsia and a few budget airlines will charge you for using credit card and how do they get away with it?
Easy ... they don't call it surcharge but instead "Convenience fee". Unfortunately VISA/Mastercard International recognize this as a service offered by the airlines and actually they are aware that this is the surcharge. I have in the past complained to VISA/Mastercard on this unethical fees imposed by the budget airlines but they have avoided answering me. Lack of consumer support also is a problem and I must say possibly these budget airlines have found this loophole and exploited this.

Just sharing guys of some of the things around us.