Best Air Miles Credit Cards in Malaysia 2025

Want to save on your next holiday? An air miles credit card helps you turn everyday spending into free flights, cheaper tickets, or seat upgrades. Instead of cashback, every Ringgit you spend earns points that can be converted into airline miles with programs like Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.

These cards are perfect for Malaysians who love to travel. Whether you shop for groceries, dine out, or book hotels, your purchases can help you collect miles faster. Some cards even offer bonus miles on overseas spending, along with travel perks like free airport lounge access and complimentary travel insurance.

How Air Miles Credit Cards Work

Air miles credit cards are a clever way to fast-track your travel rewards. The mechanism is simple: you use your credit card for everyday purchases, and for every Ringgit spent, you earn a certain number of reward points. Once you've accumulated enough points, you can convert them to airline miles and use them for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.

Key Terms to Understand

• Mile Per Ringgit (MPR): The effective rate at which you earn a mile for every RM1 spent on your credit card in its boosted category. This is calculated as: (Points Earned per RM1) ÷ (Points needed for 1 Mile) x 1,000. A higher MPR means faster mileage accumulation.
• TreatsPoints: Maybank’s proprietary rewards currency. Earn TreatsPoints every time you swipe an eligible Maybank credit card, then convert them to airline miles (e.g., Enrich, KrisFlyer, Asia Miles) or redeem for merchandise and vouchers.
• Enrich / KrisFlyer / Asia Miles: The loyalty points of Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, respectively. These miles can be used for free flights, premium cabin upgrades, or partner airline redemptions.
• Companion Voucher: A valuable perk that lets a companion fly for free or at a heavily discounted fare when you redeem an award ticket for yourself.
• Points Expiry: The time limit on your reward points. Bank reward points typically expire within 3 years, while converted airline miles follow the airline’s own expiry policy (usually 2–3 years).

Top Air Miles Credit Cards in Malaysia 2025

Here are some of the best air miles credit cards in Malaysia, chosen for their high earning rates, easy points conversion, and valuable travel rewards to help you reach your next destination sooner.

Standard Chartered Journey: 2X Miles Points on Travel, Dining, and Overseas Spend

The Best Earning Rate (1.00 MPR) with Unlimited Lounge Access. It offers the most efficient mile accumulation ratio on your list (1 mile per RM1 spent) in specific categories, combined with the luxury of unlimited complimentary lounge access at KLIA/KLIA2.

Minimum Income Requirement: RM96,000 per annum.

Annual Fee: RM600 (waived with RM60,000 annual retail spend).

Travel Perks:

• Unlimited Complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge access (KLIA & KLIA2).
• Up to RM65 cashback on Grab rides to/from any airport in Malaysia (with minimum travel spend).
• Complimentary Travel Medical Coverage up to USD100,000 (including COVID-19 coverage).

CIMB Travel World Elite: 10X Bonus Points on Overseas, Airlines, and Duty-Free stores

The Best Value for Overseas Spend with Zero FX Mark-up and Extensive Perks. It is the only card on this list that explicitly offers NO additional bank markup on overseas foreign exchange transactions, which can save heavy international spenders significantly, backed by a wide range of premium World Elite perks.

Minimum Income Requirement: RM250,000 per annum.

Annual Fee: RM1,215.09 (waived with RM240,000 annual spend)

Travel Perks:

• NO ADDITIONAL BANK MARK-UP on overseas foreign exchange spend.
• 12X shared complimentary access annually to Plaza Premium First and selected Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide.
• Complimentary in-flight WiFi cashback up to RM80 per statement cycle.
• Complimentary HoteLux Elite membership for a limited period.
• Complimentary 4-Day, 3 Night Stay at Anantara Vacation Club Thailand (subject to campaign period).
• Complimentary Travel Insurance/Medical Coverage up to USD500,000, including Collision Damage Waiver (excess only).

HSBC Premier World Mastercard: Up to 15X Reward Points on Overseas Spend

High MPR for Overseas Spend, Premier Status Access, and Exclusive Lifestyle Privileges. This card offers the highest possible mile accumulation rate for overseas transactions (1.00 MPR). It offers exclusive top-tier perks, including a complimentary hotel night stay, complimentary main course dining offers, and integrated HSBC Premier benefits.

Minimum Requirement: Must maintain an HSBC Premier relationship (approx. RM300,000 Total Relationship Balance)

Annual Fee: Free for Life (RM0) for Premier Account Holders

Travel Perks:

• 6X complimentary yearly airport lounge passes (KLIA1, Singapore, and Hong Kong).
• Complimentary one (1) night stay at selected hotels around the globe.
• Complimentary main course at selected restaurants (when paying with the card).
• Complimentary travel insurance with up to USD500,000 coverage.
• Enjoy global data roaming from FlexiRoam.

Maybank World Elite Mastercard: 25X TreatsPoints For Every RM5 Overseas Spend

The Ultimate Exclusive Lifestyle & Perk Card (Golf and Buy 1 Get 1 Business Class). It offers high-end perks like complimentary green fees at selected golf clubs worldwide, 16x annual lounge access, and a highly valuable conditional Buy 1 Get 1 Free Business Class ticket to London or Paris with Qatar Airways (subject to high spend).

Note on Earning: Conversion to miles is typically 12,500 TreatsPoints: 1,000 Miles. Overseas MPR is 0.40 miles per RM1.

Minimum Income Requirement: RM190,000 per annum

Annual Fee: RM800 (waived with RM80,000 annual retail spend)

Travel Perks:

• 16X complimentary annual access to Plaza Premium First, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Travel Club Lounges.
• Complimentary Green Fees at selected golf clubs worldwide (subject to minimum prior month spend).
• Complimentary Travel Insurance coverage up to RM2,000,000.
• Buy 1 Get 1 Business Class ticket with Qatar Airways (requires RM250,000 annual spend).

UOB PRVI Miles Elite: 10X UNIRM for Overseas Transactions (Up to 12X UNIRM for SGD, THB, IDR, VND).

High Guaranteed Annual Miles Bonus and Exclusive KLIA Perks. It offers a high guaranteed annual mile bonus and enhanced point earnings in selected ASEAN currencies, plus unique benefits like a complimentary airport transfer home from KLIA.

Minimum Income Requirement: RM100,000 per annum

Annual Fee: RM600 (First year waived for New-to-Bank customers)

Travel Perks:

• 8X complimentary yearly access to selected Plaza Premium Lounges, including exclusive access to the Private Lounge at KLIA Terminal 1.
• Bonus 60,000 UNIRM (equivalent to 5,000 miles) upon annual fee payment.
• Complimentary Grab ride home from KLIA1 (after 3 overseas transactions).
• Up to 2.4 air miles per RM1 spent on Agoda bookings (in specific currencies).
• Comprehensive Travel Personal Accident Coverage up to RM300,000.

Maybank 2 Gold Cards: 20,000 TreatsPoints for 1,000 Enrich/KrisFlyer/Asia Miles

The Most Accessible, Free-for-Life Entry Point with Strong Weekday Earnings. With the lowest income requirement and the unbeatable perk of free-for-life annual fees, the Maybank 2 Gold Cards are the most accessible air miles credit cards in Malaysia. The American Express card's 5X TreatsPoints on weekday retail spending offers a surprisingly competitive rate for a no-fee product.

Note on Earning: 5X TreatsPoints per RM1 on all weekday retail spend (Amex card). (MPR: approx 0.25 miles per RM1).

Minimum Income Requirement: RM30,000 per annum

Annual Fee: Free for life (RM0)

Travel Perks:

• Automatic Travel Personal Accident coverage up to RM300,000 when travel fares are fully charged to the card.
• Includes coverage for missed connections and luggage delay/loss when travel is paid with the card.
• Enjoy emergency assistance, card replacement, and travel assistance through Mastercard Global Service.

How to Choose the Right Air Miles Credit Card

Choosing the right card is a strategic decision that goes beyond the MPR. Find the card that aligns with your financial profile and spending habits.

1. Points Earning Rate & Conversion Efficiency

Look for a high earning rate on your most frequent spending (e.g., overseas) coupled with an efficient conversion ratio to your preferred loyalty program.

2. Eligibility Income Level & Annual Fees

Premium cards often have high income requirements (e.g., RM250,000 for the CIMB Travel World Elite). Check if the annual fee is worth the benefits, or if you can meet the annual spending waiver threshold (e.g., RM60,000 for Standard Chartered Journey).

3. Bonus Categories

Direct your spending to where your card offers multiplier points, such as dining, online shopping, or specific travel bookings.

4. Points & Miles Expiry and Redemption Flexibility

Be aware of the expiry dates of both bank points and converted miles. Some programs, like OCBC Premier Voyage Mastercard, offer non-expiring miles for maximum flexibility.

What Are the Benefits Beyond Miles?

Beyond the miles themselves, the best cards offer valuable benefits that elevate your entire journey:

Airport Lounge Access

A highly sought-after perk. Several cards offer complimentary airport lounge access, often depending on annual spending or membership status.

The Maybank World Elite Mastercard and CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Cards provide up to 16X and 12X complimentary access respectively, while the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card offers unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges in KLIA and klia2 for international travel.

Travel Insurance Coverage

Most premium travel cards include automatic travel insurance when the full travel fare is paid using the card. Coverage can be substantial, with cards like the RHB Premier Visa Infinite offering up to RM2,000,000 in travel insurance coverage.

Other Travel Perks

Some cards offer unique benefits like the Visa Airport Speed Pass (Maybank Visa Signature) for fast-track immigration, or the No Overseas FX Mark-up feature on the CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card, saving on international spending.

Best Airline Programs for Malaysians

Think of your credit card as the "points factory" and the airline program as the "product." Choosing the right program is critical for maximum value.

KrisFlyer Miles: The Best All-Rounder for Global Travel

• Fixed Prices for Predictability: KrisFlyer uses a "fixed award chart." This means a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo will always cost a specific number of miles, regardless of when you book it. You know exactly what you're saving for, which is a big advantage over other programs where the cost can change unexpectedly.
• Global Access: As a member of the Star Alliance, KrisFlyer gives you access to a massive global network of partners, including major airlines like ANA (Japan), Lufthansa (Germany), and United (USA). This means you can use your miles to fly almost anywhere in the world, not just on Singapore Airlines.
• Best for Premium Cabins: KrisFlyer is famous for its excellent value on Business and First Class flights. If your goal is to one day fly in a luxury cabin, accumulating KrisFlyer miles is a highly effective strategy.

Asia Miles: The Strong Alternative with a Great Network

• Extensive Network: Asia Miles is part of the oneworld alliance, which includes top-tier airlines like Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines. This provides a strong network, particularly for destinations in Europe, North America, and Australia, giving you many options for your redemption.
• Distance-Based Value: Asia Miles uses a "distance-based award chart." This means the number of miles you need is based on how far you fly. This can offer predictable value and "sweet spots" for certain long-haul flights.
• No Fuel Surcharges on Some Partners: A huge bonus for Asia Miles is that some of its partners, like Japan Airlines and British Airways, don't charge high fuel surcharges on award flights. This can save you a significant amount of cash when you redeem your miles.

Enrich Miles: Best for Domestic Flyers (with a Catch)

• Domestic Focus: If your travel is primarily within Malaysia or to nearby regional destinations, Enrich can be a great, accessible program to use your miles.
• The Dynamic Pricing Catch: Enrich uses a "dynamic pricing" model. This means the number of miles required for a flight changes with demand, similar to how cash ticket prices go up and down. This can make it difficult to plan and save for a specific trip, as the cost can be unpredictable and often very high for popular routes.
• Harder to Redeem on Partners: While Enrich is a member of the oneworld alliance, redeeming miles on partner airlines often requires calling the Malaysia Airlines call center, which can be a hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which airlines can I earn miles with using a credit card?

• Malaysia Airlines (Enrich Miles): A staple for many Malaysian banks, often linked to cards like the AmBank Enrich Visa Infinite or convertible from general reward points (e.g., Maybank TreatsPoints).
• Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer Miles): Extremely popular, with cards like the UOB PRVI Miles Elite or HSBC TravelOne Credit Card offering competitive conversion rates to KrisFlyer.
• Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles): Another strong regional player that many cards allow conversion to, such as the UOB PRVI Miles series.
• AirAsia (BIG Points): While less common for direct conversion from premium bank cards, some cards might offer BIG Points or specific co-branded AirAsia cards exist for this.
• Other Airline Partners: Depending on the bank and the specific card, you might also find options to convert points to miles for other airlines like British Airways (Avios), Emirates (Skywards), Qatar Airways (Privilege Club), or other members of global alliances like Star Alliance or Oneworld. Always check the specific bank's airline transfer partners list!

2. What are the quickest ways to earn air miles with a credit card?

• Prioritise Overseas Transactions: Many cards, like the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite or UOB PRVI Miles cards, offer significantly enhanced earning rates for foreign currency spending – sometimes doubling or tripling your miles per Ringgit.
• Leverage Bonus Categories: Direct your spending to specific categories where your card offers multiplier points, such as dining, online shopping, e-wallet top-ups (check current promotions), or direct travel bookings.
• Capitalise on Sign-Up Bonuses: Many cards, including those from Maybank and UOB, entice new applicants with a substantial bonus of miles or points upon meeting an initial spend target within the first few months. You can simply check on our Sign-Up Offers page for more info!
• Centralise Your Spending: Funnel all your eligible expenses through your primary air miles card to hit higher spending tiers and accumulate points faster.

3. What is a Companion Voucher & how does it work for flight redemptions?

A companion voucher is a truly fantastic perk often found bundled with certain premium travel credit cards, especially those co-branded with airlines or high-tier financial products. Imagine this: when you redeem your miles for an award ticket or purchase an eligible full-fare ticket for yourself, this voucher steps in to provide a second ticket for a travel partner at a significantly reduced rate, or sometimes even completely free.

While the base airfare for your companion might be covered, do remember that you'll typically still be responsible for the associated airport taxes and other fees.

4. Can I convert credit card points to airline miles like Enrich or KrisFlyer?

Yes, absolutely. Most cards that accumulate generic bank reward points, such as Maybank TreatsPoints, HSBC Reward Points, or CIMB Bonus Points that come with a list of partner airline loyalty programs. This means your points aren't locked into just one airline; you have the power to convert them to several major players.

For instance, your HSBC TravelOne Credit Card points can seamlessly transform into KrisFlyer Miles, Enrich Miles, Asia Miles, and a host of other international airline currencies. However, it's worth noting that direct earning cards (like the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold) will inherently tie your miles exclusively to that specific airline's program. Always dive into your chosen card's rewards catalogue to explore its full suite of airline transfer partners.

5. Can I redeem air miles for more than just flights?

• Cabin Upgrades: Elevate your travel experience from Economy to Business or First Class.
• Hotel Stays: Many airline loyalty programs (including KrisFlyer, Enrich, and Asia Miles) partner with hotels, allowing you to use miles for complimentary nights or even transfer miles to hotel loyalty points.
• Travel Experiences and Packages: Explore options to redeem miles for car rentals, exclusive tours, or even curated holiday packages.
• Retail Vouchers and Merchandise: While generally offering a lower value per mile, you might find redemption options for gift vouchers or items through the bank's reward catalogue.
• Airport Conveniences: This can include excess baggage, priority check-in, or even airport lounge access (though many air miles cards offer this directly).

6. Do air miles credit cards have annual fees, and are they worth it?

Yes, these fees can range from a few hundred Ringgit to well over RM1,000 for top-tier cards. The "worth it" factor truly hinges on your individual spending habits and travel frequency:

If you're a frequent traveller or a high spender, the value derived from redeemed flights, valuable upgrades, and included travel benefits (like lounge access or comprehensive travel insurance) can easily outweigh the annual fee.

• Annual Fee Waivers: Many cards offer annual fee waivers if you meet a specific minimum annual spend (e.g., RM30,000 or RM50,000 yearly), effectively making the card free if you consistently hit that threshold.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Always calculate how many miles you expect to earn and what value you can get from them versus the annual fee. Sometimes, a higher fee is justified for accelerated earnings and more exclusive benefits.

7. What is a good air miles conversion rate for Malaysians?

This rate indicates how many Ringgit you need to spend to earn one air mile (for example: RM1.50 = 1 mile). Generally, a lower RM value per mile is better. For instance, RM1.20 = 1 mile (for overseas spend on some cards like the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite) is far more lucrative than RM5 = 1 mile.

• Consider spending categories: Many cards offer better rates for overseas spend or specific local categories (dining, online, or travel bookings).
• Beware of tiered earning: Some cards might have different earning rates once you hit certain monthly or annual spending thresholds.
• Direct vs. Points Conversion: Some cards, like Amex KrisFlyer cards, directly earn miles, simplifying conversion. Others earn bank reward points, which then convert to miles (e.g., Maybank TreatsPoints to Enrich Miles, HSBC Reward Points to various airline miles), so you also need to check the points-to-miles conversion ratio. For instance, 12,500 Maybank TreatsPoints are needed for 1,000 Enrich Miles on most premium cards.

8. Do air miles from credit cards expire?

The expiry rules depend on two key aspects:

• Bank Reward Points: If your card earns bank reward points (for example: Maybank TreatsPoints, HSBC Reward Points) that you later convert to airline miles, these points themselves usually have an expiry date. Some Maybank TreatsPoints may expire in 12-15 months unless you qualify for Rewards Infinite status for non-expiring points. You must convert them to miles before they expire.
• Airline Miles: Once your points are successfully converted and credited to an airline's loyalty program (Enrich Miles, KrisFlyer Miles or Asia Miles), the miles typically have their own expiry policy. For instance, KrisFlyer miles commonly expire after 3 years. Enrich Miles might also expire after a set period, though they often have provisions for extensions through flight activity or co-brand card usage. Asia Miles typically have an 18-month validity but can be extended with qualifying activity. Always check both your credit card's reward points expiry terms and the airline loyalty program's specific mileage expiry rules.

9. What extra perks can I get with Air Miles Credit Cards in Malaysia?

• Complimentary Airport Lounge Access: As discussed, this is a highly sought-after benefit, often provided by cards like the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card (for unlimited Plaza Premium access) or the UOB Visa Infinite (for DragonPass access). You can head to our Best Free Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards for more valuable info.
• Travel Insurance: Many cards offer complimentary travel insurance coverage (often for personal accidents, medical emergencies, or travel inconveniences like lost baggage or flight delays) when you charge your flight tickets to the card.
• Airport Transfers/Limousine Service: Some premium cards provide complimentary airport transfers or discounted limousine services, particularly for higher spending cardholders.
• Exclusive Hotel & Dining Discounts: Benefit from special partnerships with hotels and restaurants, offering exclusive discounts, complimentary meals, or upgraded stays.
• Global Concierge Services: Higher-tier cards may include 24/7 personal concierge assistance for everything from travel bookings and dining reservations to event tickets.
• Foreign Currency Transaction Perks: While less common for pure "miles" cards, some travel-focused cards might feature lower foreign transaction fees or more competitive exchange rates compared to standard cards.

10. Is an Air Miles Credit Card right for you?

An air miles credit card is best suited for individuals who fit a specific profile to truly extract maximum value: 

• The Frequent Traveller: If you fly regularly, whether for business across Asia or leisure globally, you'll naturally accumulate a substantial amount of miles through your consistent travel.
• The High Spender: Individuals with significant monthly credit card expenditure (for example, RM3,000 to RM10,000+) can accumulate enough points/miles quickly to make redemptions worthwhile.
• The Airline Loyal: People who consistently fly with a particular airline or are part of a specific airline alliance (for instance, Oneworld via Malaysia Airlines, Star Alliance via Singapore Airlines) can concentrate their miles for specific redemptions within that ecosystem.
• The Strategic Optimiser: Someone willing to actively track their spending categories, card benefits, and stay updated on redemption values to maximise their mile earning and ensure efficient use of rewards. If you rarely travel, have low monthly credit card spending, or prefer immediate financial benefits, a cashback or general rewards credit card might offer more tangible value for your lifestyle in Malaysia.

Ready to Start Earning Your Next Holiday?

Stop letting your everyday spending go unrewarded. It’s time to pick a credit card that truly fits your lifestyle, whether you’re chasing the highest Miles Per Ringgit (MPR), enjoying Zero FX Mark-up savings, or indulging in premium travel perks.

Looking for more travel benefits? Explore our full range of travel credit cards tailored for every kind of jet-setter. And when you apply through RinggitPlus, you could snag some exclusive sign-up gifts upon approval!

Still unsure which card suits you best? Try our credit card recommendation tool to find your perfect match based on your spending habits.

Don’t wait — apply now, claim your bonus gift, and start flying for free sooner.