The 5 Best Travel Credit Cards in Malaysia

Travel enthusiasts know that credit cards can make a world of difference when it comes to saving on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.

If you want to apply for credit cards online, you'll see that that the choices for travel  cards are more diverse than ever. From reward points to travel insurance, each card offers you different perks to suit your needs.

To help you select the ideal card for your travel needs, we've reviewed and compared some of the best travel credit card available:

Let's look at the details of each travel credit card and how they can be your perfect travel companion. 

Alliance Bank Visa Infinite Credit Card

Here's a card that you can count on when you're in a pinch overseas. The Alliance Bank Visa Infinite doesn't just reward you for overseas spend, it provides you 24/7 support which will come in handy if you ever face any payment issues while travelling. 

Apart from that, you can enjoy flexible payment plans with 0% interest rates when you spend on flight tickets, hotel bookings and overseas purchases. This is bound to give you more room in managing your finances when planning a trip. 

Main Benefits:

• TIMELESS BONUS POINTS, where all your reward points will never expire. Check out the details below:

• 0% Flexi Payment Plan for Flight Tickets, Hotel & Overseas spend.
• 2X Complimentary access to participating Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide.
• 24/7 personalized assistance in dining, travel and entertainment at home or abroad!

Terms and conditions:

• Minimum monthly income: RM5,000.
• Annual Fee: RM438 (Waived on the first year, subsequent years waived when you spend a minimum spend of RM12,000).

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

Here's a card that doesn't just reward you, it helps keep you safe when you travel. It offers an instant cash advance option. You'll be able to cash out with any ATM worldwide within 24 hours in cases of emergencies where credit cards are not accepted. Additionally, the card comes with a generous complimentary travel insurance coverage, up to $250,000.

Avid traveler will love the instant redemption option, available for a wide range of airlines and hotels via the HSBC Malaysia Mobile Banking app.

Apart from being able to claim reward points from hotels and airlines, you can gain points from overseas spending too. 

Main benefits:

• Reward points for a wide range of local and international travel and dining.

• Complimentary travel insurance coverage of up to USD250,000 in travel insurance coverage (including travel medical, travel inconvenience – flight and baggage delay, baggage loss, COVID coverage, etc).
• 6X Complimentary access to participating Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide per year.
• Complimentary E-Commerce Purchase Protection when you shop online with up to USD1,000 coverage.

Terms and conditions:

• Minimum monthly income: RM5,000.
• Annual Fee: RM300.

UOB PRVI Miles

The UOB PRVI Miles Credit Card is the perfect card for those who love collecting points. The card rewards you with UNIRinggits (UNIRM) for your spending.

This includes instances when you need to make travel agency bookings, which aren't found with many other cards. 

The 50% discount on Grab rides offered by this card is bound to come in handy for  airport transfers and for domestic trips too. 

Main benefits:

• Earn UNIRM reward points to redeem as you please

• Get a 2,000 UNIRM bonus when you make a retail spend at least 3X per month (minimum spend applies and with limited redemptions).
• 50% OFF on Grab Rides (up to RM10 off and with limited vouchers).

Terms and conditions:

• Minimum monthly income: RM5,000.
• Annual Fee: RM198.

Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card

Here's the card for those that want to travel in style. With the Standard Chartered Journey card, you'll be able to fully enjoy unlimited access to the comforts and amenities of the Plaza Premium Airport Lounge at both KLIA 1 and 2. Waiting for you flights will now be a luxury experience rather than a chore. 

Additionally, you can also save on travel expenses when you redeem Miles points, which rewards you for overseas spend too. Your savings will be further enhanced with complimentary Grab airport transfer and waiver of the first year annual fees.

Main benefits:

• Redeem generous Miles points for local and international spend.

• Unlimited access to KLIA, KLIA2 airport lounges.
• Complimentary airport transfers via Grab.
• Travel insurance coverage of up to USD100,000.
• Complimentary E-Commerce Purchase Protection when you shop online with up to USD200 coverage.

Terms and conditions:

• Minimum monthly income: RM7,500.
• Annual Fee: RM600 (Waived on the first year, subsequent years waived when you spend at least RM60,000 on retail purchases)

CIMB Travel World Credit Card

Picking the CIMB Travel World Credit Card will grant you exclusive travel privileges especially for card holders. This includes a complimentary 4 night stay per year at any participating Marriot Vacation Club properties worldwide.

Whilst flying from KLIA, you'll be able to access the Plaza Premium lounge 12 times a year too, which works out to once a month on average.

Main benefits:

• Claim bonus points for overseas and local spend:

• Up to 12X Complimentary access to participating Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide per year
• Complimentary 12 months HoteLux Elite Plus membership & 2,000 HotelLux points
• Complimentary 4 nights stay at participating Marriott Vacation Club properties

Terms and conditions:

• Minimum monthly income: RM8,333.
• Annual Fee: RM555 (Waived 100% with RM120,000 spending p.a. 50% with RM60,000 spending p.a.)

The Bottom Line

As a frequent traveler, a travel-friendly credit card will give you plenty of perks and advantages. However, it's the savings you get when you redeem airmiles points that will truly make your trip worthwhile. 

At CompareHero, you'll see all our travel-centric credit cards on one platform. This lets you weigh your options and make more informed decisions as to which cards truly suit your travel style. 

If you're still unsure, find out more by contacting us and we'll help you along with any questions you may have.