If you are more careful on your credit card usage, you can actually save more money and at the same time, earn more benefits. In this article, we list some credit cards that can give you that opportunity. Read here to find out how it works.
Ever had someone tell you to only pay in cash? That apparently using cash is wiser, safer, and better in every way?
Now, we know that credit cards do get a bad reputation, and for good reasons too. While it’s true that credit card debt is a real issue, the card itself is not the cause - it’s poor financial management!
Back to our original question - credit cards actually do so much more than give you access to acquire what you want or need before you actually have the money to pay it off. Credit cards actually reward you for spending, so to this we say: if you’re already spending, might as well get rewarded for it.
Here are some ways using a credit card can actually be incredibly good for your money:
Banks and comparison sites like CompareHero are always running promotions to encourage new users to sign up for specific credit cards. You can always take advantage of this incentive and get a gift that you’re interested in. Of course, do read the terms before signing up, as while some gifts are guaranteed, others may be given out à la lucky draw style. (E.g. each 40th successful applicant.)
A rice cooker Uncle Roger would approve of. (Disclaimer: Promotion subject to change without notice.)
So if you’re looking to furnish your new home with some essential appliances, wouldn’t it be great if you scored yourself a new air fryer or vacuum machine just by applying for a new credit card?
On that note, check out our current credit card promotions here. (Our promotions change every month, so if you see something you like, grab it quickly!)
You would already know that credit card rewards exist. If not, how else would banks encourage you to take up credit cards in the first place?
Depending on the card that you have, you can easily accumulate points with each spend you make. At the end of your monthly cycle or year, you can always check your points to see how much you’ve accumulated, and choose to redeem something that you want or need. Our favourite? Shopping vouchers!
Unlike cards that give you reward points, there are cards that give you cash back when you spend. Of course, when you get cash back, you may or may not get reward points when you spend. (It depends on what your card offers.)
And just to note, cashbacks usually work where the user (you) make a purchase wherever, and at the end of the cycle, you pay your dues and get your cashback benefit (e.g. a total of, say, RM30 from that month) credited back into your account as a rebate.
But as beneficial as this sounds, take note that it’s common for banks to impose a certain maximum to your cashback benefit.
Compare all cashback credit cards here.
What are branded credit cards? Quite simply, they’re the product of a partnership between a credit card issuer (bank) and an external brand. While they work like a standard credit card, they have added benefits so you can save some money or get added rewards when you spend in their business.
Here are 3 branded credit cards that we think you’ll love:
Perfect if you’re: A heavy Grab user who loves collecting points and redeeming them for Grab vouchers.
About this card:
Apply for the Maybank Grab Credit Card here
Perfect if you are: A seasoned online shopper, especially one who prefers to shop on Shopee
About this card:
Apply for the Maybank Shopee Visa Platinum Credit Card here
Card benefits:
Apply for the AEON Classic Mastercard credit card here
Insurance is not cheap, but it is a necessity regardless of what you do or how old you are. Many credit card companies come with some sort of travel insurance, but we found that OCBC Bank has a Great Eastern credit card which gives:
Sure, the benefit is not forever but it can at least give you some added protection at no charge!
Apply for the OCBC Bank Great Eastern credit card here
This one helps you if you have an existing credit card debt that you cannot control. If you didn’t know, credit card interest rates in Malaysia start at 15% p.a., and can increase up to 18% p.a. if you consistently keep up bad repayment habits. (Higher interest rates act as a penalty to encourage borrowers to pay their dues on time.)
By getting a balance transfer credit card, you basically transfer your existing debt to a new credit card and avoid paying the already hefty interest rate. Here’s an example:
Let’s say you had an outstanding debt with Credit Card Bank A and Credit Card Bank B, and over the course of two years, it snowballed to a whopping RM20,000. Keep it for another month and it will continue to grow even more.
Bank C offers a balance transfer solution with a 0% interest rate, provided you clear your dues in 12 months. As such, Bank C absorbs all your existing debt of RM20,000 - all of which will not grow unless you fail to repay. For the next 12 months, you will have to pay RM1,667 in Bank C to clear off your debt.
If you had kept your debt in Banks A and B, you would definitely have to pay MORE than that as you would need to add on the compounding monthly interests. In that sense, a balance transfer credit card can help you save hundreds of Ringgit from interest fees!
Interested? View all balance transfer credit cards here.
A lot of people think that all would be well if they only pay the monthly minimum requirement. Yes, you will avoid late fees, but you will be charged a monthly interest. If this is not nipped in the bud, your monthly owing will grow and eventually leave you with an uncontrollable debt.
There is no reward big enough to justify being in debt, so always make it a priority to pay off your monthly owing in full so you’re always in control of your rewards and finances.