How to maximize the MBB Ikhwan Amex? so far i use for Shopee & Agoda only, TNG ewallet topup consider as Online spend?

Are there any <100k annual salary cards that still offer airport lounge access, without high spending criteria requirements or unavoidable annual fees?

This post has been edited by yimingwuzere: Jul 16 2025, 08:21 AM

No, ewallet top up is not eligible for cb for MBB Amex cc.

For both MBB Ikhwan Amex and MBB 2C Amex, I use a lot of SPayLater.
Eg Utilities bills > POS online or POS Automated Machine (PAM) > SPayLater > Amex.
Eg Eateries that don't accept cc but accept Shopee Pay > SPayLater > Amex.

Can look into hsbc visa signature or hsbc travel one.

I was using hsbc VS for my recent trips. Just cancelled the card last week. No weird criteria for the lounge. Which is convenient cause i barely used the card.

Paying bills like unifi, mobile phones as well. I was checking the mbb ikhwan website, there is no exclusion for Utilities, so paying TNB works too.

This post has been edited by adele123: Jul 16 2025, 11:31 AM

Cannot pay bills via M2U using Ikhwan AmEx as it won’t be counted as cash back. Obviously, TNB also won’t be considered into cash back.

Travel One has an annual fee of RM300, VS RM600. According to RinggitPlus/CompareHero, waivers for VS require annual spending of RM2,000 and spend at least once a month for 12 consecutive months, T1 annual spend of RM20,000. Are call-in waivers also an option if one uses HSBC for their primary bank account?

I find it strange that there's no mention on the waivers on HSBC's website.

This post has been edited by yimingwuzere: Jul 16 2025, 01:59 PM

so far waiving of the annual fee seems easy for me, last 2 to 3 years easy to waive. i got this card in Nov 2021, got few years experience. just use the app to chat will do, dont need to call if you dont like to call.

but getting the offset for the RM25 service tax is harder. which is why based on my personal experience, HSBC VS seems somewhat low maintenance. not entirely WITHOUT maintenance, still manage-able.

I see. my bad. but TNB website accepts amex though. wont it count?

ya, then wont work for unifi, but major telcos accepts amex on their website/portal? should still work right?

No, TNB is utilities so no cash back.

Yes, if using their respective telco apps can get cash back. For UniFi can use Shopee or Lazada and pay directly with AmEx.

This post has been edited by fruitie: Jul 16 2025, 03:00 PM

Yes, offsetting the RM25 charge is harder for pretty much every bank. That's not a big deal.

I checked the fine print and it seems that there's no coverage at all for Subang or KLIA2 lounges. While Subang lounge coverage is rare for cards, KLIA2 seems weird, almost as if they removed it recently just like UOB did. Any other cards that still offer KLIA2 access?

Collected my UOB One Platinum.
Now I know why people said UOB give high CL. I get 5x gross monthly salary

This post has been edited by nexus2238: Jul 16 2025, 07:28 PM

It seems that after the introducing of e-wallets and new era, seldom people use credit card now?

nope

well, the majority lies with e-money/online banking
card payment also includes debit card i think

e-money / online banking mainly replace cash / cheque.
cc is credit business. competition is BNPL.
20% growth rate for card business is very good.

just as i expected, the card payment transactions include debit card


14% growth but market share shrinks

1. Annual Income: RM80K

2. Free Lifetime Annual Fee: Preferred

3. Card required for:
Petrol => RM1600 - RM3000
Dining = RM1500
Toll (from tng) = RM500
Grabfood = RM300
Utilities = RM400
Shopping (Foreign currencies) = RM1000
Other local spending <= RM8000


4. Existing credit cards (if any): Ambank Enrich Platinum - (Rejected) Ambank Visa Signature

5. Interested in CC from: CIMB visa Infinite & RHB shell card or any bank etc

6. Others: Prefer if got Apple Pay for dining.

I think based on my spending habit better I apply for 2 separate cards. Maybe a cashback for the petrol/utilies/ewallets and then another points card for the rest of my spending.

I heard rhb shell card nerfed but still looks decent for me. My current enrich platinum completed butchered to the ground. SIFU here can recommend anything better ?

*For those who understand my underlying transaction, can use it for your own benefit*
CIMB PVI : 1000 Setel + 500 grocer @ RM 75
CIMB PVP : 1250 Setel @ RM 60
M2C Amex : 1000 SpayLater @ RM 50
Maybank Ikhwan : 625 SpayLater @ RM 50
Affin Duo : 1667 online + 1383 Balance Transfer / Filler @ RM 50
PBIVP : 750 online/Ew @ RM 15 --- gonna cut soon coz SST waiver not given anymore soon
-
due to certain perks on certain petrol station
Maybank VS : 1760 Shell @ RM 88

========= Total RM 388 per month @ 3.90% CB transaction rate

New in-line
BMMB POS VI : up to 1250 POS-transaction, up to RM 100 CB per month -- gateway for DBKL / Cukai Taksiran / TNB / Indah Water

Gonna Apply for Bank Islam 1000 online @ RM 30

======
I'm very sad with lost of RHB Shell Visa ... that is RM 200 per month.. sigh

Wah, you able to max up the CB for all cards

Since benefits for RHB Shell had been nerfed, is there any replacement card for Shell petrol cash back, preferably with free annual fee?

This post has been edited by jutamind: Jul 18 2025, 08:41 PM