Good move by HLB to cooperate with Emirates.
Sign-on bonus - 10k miles
Spend 300k - 150k miles
Anniversary bonus (spend 300k) - 10k miles (why they split into 2???)
Overseas spend (1.75 miles / RM4) = 0.44 mile / RM spend
Local spend (1 mile / RM4) = 0.25 mile / RM spend

Assuming you spend exactly 300k locally:
You get 150k + 10k + 75k (set aside welcome bonus)
= 235k miles / RM300k
= 0.78 mile / RM spend (almost tally with your calculation 1 mile / RM1.22 spend)

Pros:
Mastercard, can use anywhere
Include JomPay and Gov transaction (for 300k; but not sure whether it contribute for normal local spend - 0.25 mile/RM)
Not many Msia CC can redeem Emirates miles
4x Emirates KLIA lounge

Cons:
Only can redeem Emirates miles
High income requirement - 250k (not many people can achieve this)
AF RM2500
Only 1 complimentary lounge access??? (exclude 4x Emirates KLIA lounge)

Conclusion:
Must spend RM300k, only worth getting this card (and of course must fly Emirates)
If you are ready to pay for AF, you may look into Amex The Platinum Card instead (but it is Amex card)
Hopefully more CC will offer reward for JomPay and Gov spending

Agree, but if you can't spend rm300k, no need to think about it
Also, provided jompay & Gov consist of a large portion.
Else I think better stick to M2P.

Update:
- Cardholder will be enrolled under LoungeKey.
Complimentary membership = unlimited entry?
Why it is stated 1x lounge access / year (for World Elite, but no mention anything for World card)

- Based on product sheet, Retail Transaction EXCLUDE Gov spending and JomPay.
Both the above will be accumulated towards 300k annual spending, but I think not eligible for local spend (RM4 = 1 mile category)


This post has been edited by charlesj: May 4 2019, 12:39 PM

Agree on demand / load factor, especially new a380 suite.
I ever encountered all 6 vacant but dont even have waitlist for saver, whereas the day before, I have the option to confirm immediately (not waitlist).
Not my travelling date, did not confirm. Next day check again no more. Yes, all 6 seats are still vacant.

Regarding SQ 14-day waitlist, it was supposed to initiate in Q2.
Till last week it was not.
Got my waitlist cleared with 1 week left.
Initially waiting for 14 days before paying for my ticket.
Earlier this year, my waitlist was cleared 3 days before flying.

Of course no one like uncertainty, but some people has better flexibility and afford higher uncertainty.
Ie. book ticket for parents / retired, where they can just pack luggage and fly next day
That's why the airlines offer 2 types of redemption (or more), saver and full.
Either you redeem super early (months) in advance or fill up the leftover seats.
Airlines are trying to occupy as many seats as possible.

Yup, this is the most likely outcome especially for those must travel on that date (or with minimal flexibility: +/- 1-2 days).
It is worse if you had redeemed 1 way ticket, as we know buying one way ticket is much expensive.
Set yourself a dateline, ie 14 days before flight, if waitlist not clear, just buy.

Check multiple airlines / flying options, don't stick to single plan (ie die die must fly SIA).
Previously I had running out of options and finally flew Finnair to Europe.
End up the flight is quite pleasant and spent half a day in Helsinki.
I nearly took Condor airlines and after searching for review, I gave up.
Google flight is one of the best place to start with.

For sure you need to take the consequences for playing the game.
Nevertheless, sometimes the price can go low.
Recently I just booked an overseas flight (5 days before travel), where the price is 20% lower compare to 10 days ago!

How long usually you have to wait for CS to pick up?
Which number are you calling?
Any free calls to overseas / with minimal rate?

Read somewhere, choose Chinese/Cantonese will have less waiting time compare to English.

Hmm... found the same number from AM website.
Can't find local / toll free contact for MY previously.
Nearly call their HK number (luckily managed to book online, no need call).
20-30min waiting time is quite good.

OOT: is all 1800-xx number MY toll-free?
Found AUS 1800 129 264 but not dare to try

I see... thanks for the info

MCA is MIC friend lo. Jk.
MCA = multi carrier award, fly on different airlines under one ticket.

If you are new to miles, ignore this.
Go for simple and direct redemption.

Generally, both KF and AM have their own pros and cons.
If you have fixed destination, check which airlines has direct flight or flight best suit you.
If not mistaken, CX do fly more cities compare to SQ.

If you have no plan and just wanna try flying business, I suggest Australia is a good spot to start with (but don't fly on CX).
Else check those European cities that SQ/CX have direct flight.

Different FFP use different method.
KF based on zone
AM based on distance
EM based on price

Sometimes, you can find some sweet spot if you play around with it.

Not recommend to waitlist 3 tickets.
Try to play around with number of available seats.
Ie if you choose 2 pax got confirm; 3 pax waitlist, meaning you need only 1 seat on waitlist.
You may confirm 2 tickets first and waitlist the 3rd, look for alternative and take the consequences of separate travel.

Assume totally no seat for now.
If you waitlist 3, but someone after you waitlist 1.
When 1 seat is release, he will jump above you and get it.
3 tickets will be release at the same time.

2-week threshold has yet to implement.

Taking train will be easier

Every FFP has their own pros and cons.
Many here redeem for EM / KF / AM, except Air Asia.
It depends on where / how you are flying.
No single or short answer as well as no definite answer.
It is personal preference.

This is a huge topic!
Preference on all 3 FFP, depending on different scenarios
No point follow others preference which may not suit you.

You can easily Google for tonnes of good article.
How to use KF
How to earn AM
EM redemption guide
etc

Just play around

You cant upgrade the cheapest ticket, ie Economy Lite to Business.
Most of the time if you see availability for Business, you should be able to upgrade (but no guarantee).
I will suggest you redeem directly for business ticket, unless your ticket is paid under company expenses and you can upgrade into business on your own.

Received email that my Skywards is now upgraded to Silver.
Yet to receive my HLB CC, acknowledgement email nor SMS saying my card is approved.
Skywards is immediate...

Dont have account with them hence no app / online banking.
Received the card by the way.
Just saying that Skywards is fast in updating, even faster than the bank telling me my card is approved.

Yea, just wanted to try Emirates.
Will be good if got chance to fly their new 777 with "artificial" windows for centre seat

This post has been edited by charlesj: Jun 20 2019, 04:15 PM

New 777-300ER
Not too sure which route, not really studied on EK, maybe yet to kick-off.

Nevertheless, here's a review
https://thepointsguy.com/2017/12/emirates-v...al-windows/amp/

When you purchase air ticket, you also no need to fill in passport number.
Only upon check-in you have to provide.

If not mistaken, Bangkok airways cannot earn KF.
May be able to earn AM.
During online booking, if they don't let you choose, likely unable to earn other FFP.
Also depending on booking class, usually economy (especially cheap ticket) may get 0% or 25%.
Every airlines aim customers to use their FFP.