Best Rewards Credit Cards in Malaysia 2026

Every time you spend on a rewards credit card, you earn points, and these points can be redeemed for everything from shopping vouchers at your favourite stores to air miles for your next holiday. The catch is that not all rewards cards are created equal. Some give you 10x points on petrol but cap your earnings at RM300 per month, while others offer unlimited points but at a much slower rate.

The best rewards card matches your actual spending habits. If you're filling up at Petronas twice a week, a petrol-focused card like the Petronas Maybank Visa Gold makes sense. But if you're doing most of your shopping online, you'd be better off with something like the CIMB e Credit Card, which gives you 12x points on Shopee and Lazada.

The key is understanding how multipliers and caps work. A card advertising "12x points" sounds impressive until you realise the cap is hit after just RM1,666 in spending, giving you roughly RM40 worth of rewards.

Best Rewards Credit Cards by Category

Finding the right rewards card means matching it to where you actually spend your money. Here's how the best cards stack up for petrol, groceries, movies, and online shopping.

1. Best Rewards Credit Cards 2026 For Petrol

If you're filling up your tank once or twice a week, a petrol-focused rewards card can turn your regular fuel spending into meaningful savings. The Petronas Maybank Visa Gold is the standout here, giving you 8x TreatsPoints on weekends and 5x TreatsPoints on weekdays at any Petronas station, with no monthly cap.

Let's say you spend RM200 on petrol each week. That's RM800 a month. With this card, you'd earn roughly 4,800 TreatsPoints per month (assuming a mix of weekday and weekend fill-ups). That's about RM9.60 in redemption value, or RM115 per year just from your regular petrol spending.

BEST REWARDS POINTS CREDIT CARDS FOR PETROL
	Petronas Maybank Visa Gold
Highest rewards points	8X TreatsPoints for every RM1 spent at PETRONAS Service Stations on weekends (Saturday & Sunday). 5X TreatsPoints for every RM1 spent at PETRONAS Service Stations on weekdays (Monday - Friday).
Cap on rewards points	No specific cap
Stores	All PETRONAS Service Stations nationwide. Starting from September 1, 2023, Setel CardTerus transactions at PETRONAS Service Stations are also eligible for rewards.

Worth noting: Most petrol cards don't give bonus points when you reload your e-wallet at the pump or pay via apps like Setel (unless specifically stated, like Setel CardTerus for this card). Always check the terms to avoid missing out on points.

2. Best Rewards Credit Cards 2026 For Groceries 

Grocery shopping is one of the most predictable monthly expenses for Malaysian households, which makes it an excellent category for earning rewards. Three cards dominate this space: the HSBC Platinum Credit Card, Standard Chartered Visa Platinum, and UOB Lady's Card. All offer 5x points at supermarkets and hypermarkets.

If you're spending RM600 per month on groceries, you'd earn 3,000 points monthly with any of these cards. With HSBC's 100 points = RM1 conversion rate, that's RM30 in redemption value, or RM360 per year.

BEST REWARDS POINTS CREDIT CARDS FOR GROCERY
	HSBC Platinum Credit Card	Standard Chartered Visa Platinum	UOB Lady's Card
Highest rewards points	5X rewards points on every RM1 spent	5X rewards points on every RM1 spent	5X UNIRinggit points on every RM1 spent
Cap on rewards points	3,000 Additional Reward Points	No specific cap	15,000 UNIRinggit points per month
Stores	Any local supermarket or grocery merchants (based on MCC).	Any local supermarket (MCC 5411 and 5499).	Supermarkets and hypermarkets (online or in-store, MCC 5411).

The UOB Lady's Card has a higher cap (15,000 points vs HSBC's 3,000), which matters if you're spending more than RM600 monthly on groceries. But both HSBC and Standard Chartered cards are available to all cardholders, not just women.

Important: These cards only give bonus points at merchants classified as "supermarkets" in the payment network (using specific MCC codes). Spending at 7-Eleven, convenience stores, or petrol station minimarts typically won't qualify. Check the MCC code lists linked above to be sure.

3. Best Rewards Credit Cards 2026 For Movies

For regular cinema-goers, a rewards card can make their movie habit more affordable. The RHB Islamic Rewards Motion Code Credit Card-i offers the best rate at 10x points on any movie ticket purchase, regardless of cinema chain.

If you're watching two movies per month at RM15 per ticket (RM30 total), you'd earn 300 Loyalty Points monthly. With RHB's 500 points = RM1 conversion rate, that's RM0.60 per month, or RM7.20 per year. It's modest, but it adds up if you're watching movies weekly.

BEST REWARDS POINTS CREDIT CARDS FOR MOVIES 2026
	RHB Islamic Rewards Motion Code Credit Card-i	GSC Hong Leong Gold Visa	Alliance Bank Visa Platinum
Highest rewards points	10X Loyalty Points for every RM1 spent on movie ticket purchases	3X Reward Points for every RM1 spent on movie tickets & concession items	1x Three-Year Bonus Points (TBP) for every RM1 spent on Entertainment transactions
Cap on rewards points	Unlimited Loyalty Points	No specific cap	No cap
Stores	Any cinema/movie ticket purchase (MCC 7832).	GSC Cinemas only (website, mobile app, counter)	Any movie theatre/entertainment venue (based on MCC for Entertainment).

The GSC card offers lower points (3x vs 10x) but includes exclusive discounts on drinks and food at GSC cinemas, which can offer better overall savings if you're buying popcorn and drinks alongside your ticket.

4. Best Rewards Points Credit Cards 2026 For Online Shopping

Online shopping has become a major expense category for many Malaysians, particularly on platforms like Shopee and Lazada. The CIMB e Credit Card leads this category with 12x Bonus Points on "eDay" (every 28th of the month) and 3x points on other days.

Here's how the maths works: if you spend RM500 on Shopee on the 28th, you'd earn 6,000 Bonus Points. With CIMB's 1,000 points = RM1 conversion rate, that's RM6 in redemption value. But there's a catch. The cap is 20,000 points per statement cycle across all bonus categories combined (online shopping, e-wallet, auto-billing, contactless). Once you hit 20,000 points (roughly RM1,666 in spending at 12x rate), you're back to earning just 1x points.

BEST REWARDS POINTS CREDIT CARDS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING
	CIMB e Credit Card	Alliance Bank Visa Infinite	HSBC Visa Signature
Highest rewards points	12X Bonus Points on eDay (every 28th of the month) 3X Bonus Points on other days	8X TBP for every RM1 spent on e-Commerce	5X Reward Points for every RM1 spent (local currency) 8X Reward Points for every RM1 spent (foreign currency)
Cap on rewards points	20,000 Bonus Points per statement cycle for all 12X or 3X earning categories combined (online, e-wallet, auto-billing, contactless)	RM3,000 per statement cycle	15,000 Additional Reward Points per month
Stores	Online spend on Shopee and Lazada. Refer to more info.	Covers e-Commerce transactions based on POS Condition Code 59.	Online transactions (MCC Codes for online retail, e.g., 5311, 5732). Foreign currency spend is explicitly rewarded more.

The Alliance Bank Visa Infinite offers more consistent value with 8x points and a higher cap (RM3,000 in spending before you hit the limit). If you're a heavy online shopper spending RM2,000+ per month, this card might give you better total returns despite the lower multiplier.

Important: CIMB's 12x rate only applies to Shopee and Lazada, so other online merchants earn just 1x points. The HSBC and Alliance cards work across a wider range of online retailers.

Understanding How Reward Multipliers and Caps Actually Work

Reward points can be one of the most attractive features of a credit card, but the advertising can be misleading. A card offering "12x points" sounds impressive, but you need to understand multipliers, caps, and point values to know what you're actually getting.

What “12x Points” Actually Means

When a card says you earn 12x points, it means you'll earn twelve times the usual points for every ringgit you spend, but only up to a monthly limit. Most high-multiplier cards come with a cap, which is the maximum number of boosted points you can earn each month. After reaching that limit, your spending will no longer earn the same high rate.

Here's a practical example: The CIMB e Credit Card gives 12x points on eDay (the 28th of each month) but caps total bonus points at 20,000 per statement cycle. At 12x, you'd hit that cap after spending RM1,666. Beyond that, you're earning just 1x points, which is a terrible rate.

Why this matters: A high multiplier sounds impressive, but if the cap is low, the total rewards you get may also be low.

How Caps Affect Your Actual Rewards

Here's how much value you're really getting from popular cards with high multipliers and caps:

If you're a high spender (RM3,000+ per month), a card with lower multipliers but no cap may give you more rewards each month than a card with flashy 12x rates and tight restrictions.

How Much Your Points Are Worth

Not all points have the same value. Each bank uses its own point system, and some are worth more than others. Here's what you need to know:

Important: Point values can vary depending on what you redeem them for. Air miles conversions often give better value than shopping vouchers, but only if you actually book flights. An RM50 voucher for a store you never visit has zero real value.

How to Choose the Right Rewards Credit Card

To choose the right rewards card, focus on these four questions:

Can you actually qualify for the card?

Premium cards with high multipliers often require minimum incomes of RM36,000 to RM60,000 per year. There's no point coveting a card you can't get approved for.

How much must you spend before the multiplier stops working?

A card with 8x points and a RM3,000 cap may give you more total rewards than a card with 12x points and a RM1,666 cap, if you're spending RM2,500 per month.

How valuable are the points?

If you're earning 12,000 Maybank TreatsPoints per month, that's RM24 in redemption value (500 points = RM1). But if you're earning 12,000 UOB UNIRinggit, that's RM12,000 in value (1 UNIRM = RM1). Check the conversion rates.

Does the card's high multiplier match your spending?

If you rarely shop online but have an online shopping card, you gain little value. Match the card to your actual habits: petrol cards for drivers, grocery cards for families, online shopping cards for frequent e-commerce users.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I earn reward points with my credit card?

Every time you swipe (or tap!) your card for eligible purchases, you earn points, usually 1 point for every RM1 spent. Some cards give bonus points when you spend in certain categories like online shopping, dining, petrol, or overseas. These are known as reward multipliers.

2. What’s a reward multiplier, and why does it matter?

A reward multiplier boosts the number of points you earn per ringgit spent. For example, 5x points on online shopping means you earn 5 points for every RM1. It’s the fastest way to stack up points, so be sure to check which categories your card rewards most.

3. Do all types of spending earn points?

Not everything counts. Most cards don’t give points for transactions like cash advances, e-wallet reloads, government payments (LHDN, EPF), utilities, or insurance premiums. Always check your card’s T&Cs to avoid surprises.

4. Do reward points expire?

Yes, usually within 1 to 3 years. Some cards offer "evergreen points" that never expire, but that’s more the exception than the rule. Use your bank app or statement to track your balance and expiry dates.

5. Where can I check my reward points balance?

You can view your points in your monthly statement, online banking, or your bank’s mobile app. Some apps also show what you can redeem, making it easier to plan ahead.

6. What can I use my points for?

Points can be redeemed for shopping vouchers, gadgets, bill rebates, or even air miles like Enrich, KrisFlyer, and AirAsia Points. If you love to travel, converting points to air miles often gives you the best value.

7. Can I use reward points to waive fees or charges?

Some banks let you use points to waive your annual fee or offset the RM25 government service tax. But you can’t use them to directly pay your credit card balance.

8. Can I transfer points to someone else or another card?

Points usually can’t be shared or moved between people. And if you cancel your card, any unused points will typically be forfeited. Some banks let you transfer points to partner airline programs, but not to other individuals.

9. How do I maximise my credit card reward points?

• Use high-multiplier cards: Focus on cards that reward your frequent spending categories (e.g., groceries, petrol).
• Track expiry dates: Don't let your points expire unused.
• Redeem wisely: Items like air miles or premium vouchers typically offer higher value per point.
• Look out for promos: Some banks offer bonus points during special campaigns or festive seasons.

10. Are reward points better than cashback?

It depends on your lifestyle.

• Reward points offer flexibility with a variety of redemption options (vouchers, miles, merchandise).
• Cashback offers instant value as a rebate on your statement. If you prefer simple savings, cashback may be more straightforward. But if you like travelling or exclusive gifts, rewards cards could give you more value in the long run

Compare and Apply for Rewards Credit Cards Online

Compare the rewards credit cards that match your spending habits and apply online through our WhatsApp chatbot. Just click the 'Apply' button above, and we'll guide you through the process.

Worth remembering: The best rewards card isn't always the one with the highest multiplier. It's the one that matches where you actually spend your money, has a reasonable cap, and offers redemptions you'll actually use.