Been away from Malaysia for 8 years. Recently returned and got a job

Annual Income: 55k - 60k

Free LT membership fee: preferably but if benefits provided can outweigh the membership fee I am willing to pay for it.

Card usage: petrol, utilities, dining, foreign travel (job sometimes has me flying to other countries )

Existing credit card:

all US based credit card (chase CSR, freedom, freedom unlimited, discover X 2, HSBC credit card, amex gold charge card, Charles Schwab amex platinum)

Malaysia: NIL

Others: I left the country very young without even opening a bank account so I would have to start from scratch. I recently opened a bank account and would like to open a general credit card since I don't want to keep using my US cards. Listed above are wait I aim to use the cards for.

Thanks for any info provided.

Thanks for your reply and if you have any good recommendation please let me know.

I am trying to get HSBC to give me a CC (HSBC visa signature & HSBC Premier World MasterCard) but I will see if I'm approved. I haven't been working long enough to provide EPF and pay slip. I have a relationship manager for HSBC but again I tried applying and hopefully they'll approve me. It's hard to keep swiping my US card or paying cash...

I will keep my US funds out of the country due to superior customer service and friendly user interface provided by Schwab. A good chunk of the money is also invested so better if I don't cash out. I cannot rave enough about Schwab sadly they close down their SG branch or else I wouldn't be in this dilemma.

As for Amex Malaysia and amex US are two different entities so I'm basically nothing to them in Malaysia but a valued customer in US. I will be concealing the AMEX soon since it has an AF and I can't downgrade it to a no AF card (I believe).

I am looking for a replacement for my CSR which is the perfect card IMO if possible. CSR main highlight for me was 3x points for travel and dining and the priority pass membership despite having a $450 AF. The $450 includes $300 Uber credit which makes the AF $150. My job requires a good amount of travel so I get to use the lounge at least 6 times a year. I also get to claim the Uber fares so I'm essentially paid to use the card. If anyone knows of a Malaysian credit card providing similar benefit I am all ears.

Currently I see a bunch of premium credit card but it requires at least 10k a month pay which is not what I make. I could only find the two HSBC card above that somewhat fulfills my criteria and I am somewhat qualified for it but it only provide lounge access in SG,MYS, HK

Sorry for the long reply.

Yeah I realize that Malaysia has a really weird concept about credit card. You work hard to get a job then in order to get a credit card. Even if you get the credit card you can't fully utilize it (i.e. minimal income 3k but Max benefit will req 2k spending). Either that or there's a cap on each cash back category.

I am glad someone understands my pain applying for credit card in Malaysia. It is easier for me getting my first card in US than my first card here even though I am an actual Malaysian citizen.

I will look into Public Bank Quantum for grocery (contactless payment) and online shopping. I agree that amex isn't really a thing here in Malaysia so no point in getting it. As for the Barcelona card seems like a good daily driver but sadly I'm a real Madrid fan... Maybe in a couple weeks I'll get over it

Thanks for your recommendations and reply.