Question on credit cards. Why are some purchases to be paid with installments for buying stuff sound so unchained? like 0% interest for buying a laptop/mobile phone. What's the catch and the maths involved? I need someone to fill me in before i make a first swipe of death.

MBB Petronas card is one of the hottest credit card in town and this led to long queues. Actually there's no such thing as card upgrading - it's as good as you applying for an additional card and then you still need to cancel off the old card.

BTW ... you didn't say where and how did you apply for the card. I sent my application to the bank directly (I went to the bank) and it still took me a good 1 month plus (about so) before my card arrives.

---

Added on May 11, 2008, 12:05 amMy friend ... I think you need to add in clarity to your questions further. I read your question a few times and although I think I know what you mean ... I'm worried I may get the translation wrong.

This post has been edited by hye: May 11 2008, 12:05 AM

I applied for Citibank directly for a CC and it still got canceled D:. Cursed buggers. Waiting for the Hong Leong card to be approved now >.>

DA 2k/month can get already.Last time is 3k/month but need degree.

yup...i also send directly to the bank..they took about 1 week to arrive at CC centre...just have to wait then..

I already have prudential takaful insurance.....
Just this ACE insurance is free for 12 months (100K coverage). So i still consider to accept or not.....

Edit : Looks like i off topic a bit.... Sori

This post has been edited by shift: May 11 2008, 12:27 AM

no catch just that if you keep paying installment for stuff do remember that you are basically using leveraging on ur future for now. if some unforseen circumstances comes out of the sudden then you might be in big trouble

Whew, that's a load off. Thanks for the advice : D.
At least now i know what goes on : x. I think im gonna get all my card applications rejected. I just need to make a phone call to see if my hunches are true.

lol

i just got 1.5k on my citibank card

I thought Citibank gives out 2.5x ur basic salary?

i dont know, maybe i will call them to increase it to 2.5x my basic salary

thanks for the tips, bel

I suggest you ignore it. It's just a method for them to gain your personal information.

Or just the regular CIMB Bank Mastercard.

@avenger,
My first ever Credit Card was issued by Citibank and I do remember having to decide on the credit limit amount - i remembered requesting for a lower credit limit than the 2.5x. From that on, no other banks ever asked me about credit limit and it seems as if I've always gotten at least 2x of what I have on my Citibank Mastercard.

im same case with u.

but my citibank gives me about 2x of credit limites.

while my 1st HSBC card gives me 2.5x, when im fresh grad getting 1.5k.

@vin_ann,
I suppose it's a usual thing to give 2x credit limit on the 2nd card then?! *Shrugs* I'm not getting enough credit limit on my Citibank Clear Card anymore (although it was increased from RM5k to RM6k) and previous requests for an increase in credit limit were rejected!

Anyhow, of all my credit cards, Citibank gives me the lowest credit limits.

@Tinkerbel,

yes. Citibank gives me the lowest credit limits. last time, if not the Myvi Promotions, i wont apply for the Citibank CC.

now just use for the utilities payment online only. never let the my Citibank CC see the lights.

while for HSBC, after 1 year using, it's auto increase the credit limits by RM500

@tinkerbel

It's the same thing for me as well. To be fair, they just recently upgraded my credit limit but nevertheless it's still lower than most of my cards.

This post has been edited by hye: May 11 2008, 10:21 AM

@vin_ann,
To be fair, I was earning RM1.8k p/month when I applied for the Citibank CC. I'm expecting a boost in credit limit with my new Plat card but I haven't got it and it's been almost 3 weeks now!

Also, I've given up hope on getting additional credit limit; I applied for some other credit cards instead but from what I understand, banks look at total risk so I don't blame them.

@hye,
After my 1st year with Citibank, they issued with me an additional Visa card - that gave me additional RM5k credit. I believe they also incresed my credit limit on my MasterCard to RM7.5k

Please remember when u use cimb petronas card, u dont get cc points for retail transactions because of the 0.5% cash rebate.

i think cimb da is prolly the best of both worlds, 2% petrol rebate for any petrol station + respective mesra/bonuslink/smile points and points for retail transactions.