cannot use amex to top up bigpay right? what a waste..

Anyone using bpay and merchantrade multi currency prepaid card? Which would be better for foreign country travel?

Trying to chk out mtrade wallet but seems like lacking info on the multi currency part. I kinda like the idea of pre-buying the FC that I'm going to use during travel and just spend on that fixed amount. Previously the airasia prepaid card has that function... Having max rm10k in card is abit limited considering is about 2.2k euro...

want to ask experts using bigpay.. anyone tried using the card to churn airmiles? from what i read and understand, it can also be used as a way to hit minimum credit card spending for fee waiver (m2cp etc).

for ease of withdrawal, load maximum RM 9k to bigpay, using M2CP VI, spending RM 9k = about 4k miles. After loading, withdraw from ATM (RM 3k x 3) with fees of about RM 18. 1 year can get about 48k miles at cost of RM216 where the miles value is at least RM 1,920 (RM 0.04 / mile). At same time by pass the minimum spend for M2CP.

Even more interesting is if using MBB Diamante VI which earns 5x points on any spending...

This post has been edited by raist86: Oct 2 2018, 01:17 PM

To all those who keep harping on bigpay being another source of easy money for Air Asia do read up on BNM E-Money / E-Wallet regulation policy. Can be found here : http://www.bnm.gov.my/microsite/ps/gl_016_3.pdf specifically subsection 10.2 onwards.

Funds collected are separate from working capital and expenses. Even on the interest income from the fund can only be used if the amount is excess of total e-money liability.

anyone withdraw money in Swiss, Italy, Czech and Germany before? will be heading there in April and tot of not bringing so much cash.. most stuff already purchased using bigpay and the rate is really eye popping compared to normal cc..

just to test, i done 2 transaction on Trenitalia on the same day, 30 mins apart... bigpay gave me Euro - MYR = RM 4.628.. MBB VI charged me Euro - MYR = RM 4.73...

always pay in their local currency and not in MYR for foreign transaction. For sites like airbnb, no point using bigpay cos airbnb already forced to use DCC to MYR and there's a built in 3% buffer charge.

canot pay usd for airbnb. the currency is set to the location of IP. maybe can try using VPN and change to another country.

CC use Amex Reserve then can get 5x points. otherwise only 2x local spending. i've tried and clarified with MBB before.

i'm heading to europe in a week's time. already changed some euro cash. i'm planning to load max RM 10k into the card and withdraw foreign currency while there such as Swiss franc, Czech krona and euro (if hand cash not enough). is this advisable? because i checked local currency exchange here most of them have very crap rates for swiss franc and CZK.

atm withdrawal is based on app indicated rate RM 10 fee right?

any way to check if those bank atm or FI charges the withdrawal fee?

for me most of hotels (airbnb) and train tickets already pre-purchased online. the rest is more like ad hoc purchases and local tickets.. will update again on withdrawing swiss franc at airport.

I'm just done with my trip to Europe. Specificially Swiss, Italy, Austria, Prague and Germany. Used BP there without much of a hitch. Cards are widely accepted and transportation tickets can be purchased via app using card.

One lesson in Prague. If see Euronet atm, stay far far away. Even though i used the bank exchange rate instead of DCC i still got hit with a 99 czk withdrawal fee (about rm18). Didnt realize this until too late and was in a rush. I withdraw from Deutsche Bank atm in Swiss and there was no charge. Be careful with Euronet atm as the default option for amount withdrawal is ridiculously large... 20000 czk anyone? Thats like rm3500 in one go.

Also, if paying at shop using card, ask the cashier to insert card and use chip & pin. They like to tap and wave, but if amt is larger than rm250, transaction will auto decline. Got one cashier used the paywave 3 times until my card kena barred. Had to contact CS to unbar. I kept telling him to slot in but he wouldnt listen. Typical italian fler...

This post has been edited by raist86: Apr 25 2019, 11:42 AM

Italy is bad when it comes to using credit card for public transport tickets. always need to have cash. I bought the Roma pass while in Rome so didn't have to hunt for it. But for Bologna, had to buy tix using cash. Buy multiple passes in one go and use as needed. it's about 1.30 per pass.
it's the same for naples.. there was once i had a major headache while moving around in the outskirt of modena.. we had to catch a bus.. it's only once every 1 1/2 hour frequency... i didn't have change (only 20 and 50 euro in wallet) and the bus driver only accepts exact change.. you can imagine the chicken and duck conversation.. good thing a good samaritan (italian lady) paid for my two tix... got to modena station and returned her money after manage to get it changed..

Lesson, always have small change or buy multiple tickets when travelling in italy.

This post has been edited by raist86: May 10 2019, 11:23 PM

always choose CHF if they come out the option to pay in both currency. MYR rate uses DCC which negates the point of using bigpay as the processor would've added in fees for the exchange. rate is very close to XE rate, with some minor adjustments after the transaction clears. Either higher or lower. Percentage wise not much diff. Definitely better than using bank credit card for overseas transaction.

Treat BP like a normal credit card. you can use the card to pay for tickets etc and it'll charge accordingly. Just make sure have credit inside.

Withdrawal is same. Always remember to choose the original currency amount (CHF in this case). Some ATM like Euronet is a big ripoff as they'll steer u towards settling the withdrawal in MYR. Charges for Deustch bank is RM 10 on withdrawal fees. Remember to key in the right pin. Exchange rate very close to XE rate.

No problems with BP throughout my 1 month trip there.