HLB To Discontinue Emirates Credit Cards, Will Provide Visa Infinite As Replacement

Alex Cheong Pui Yin

29th May 2024 - 3 min read

Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has announced that it will be discontinuing its Emirates HLB credit cards, following the end of its collaboration with the airline operator. Accordingly, the bank will be issuing a new HLB Visa Infinite card to all existing Emirates HLB credit cardholders (both principal and supplementary) as replacement.

In its FAQ, HLB said that cardholders will receive two notifications with regard to the replacement card: one will be sent at least 21 days in advance before their new Visa Infinite credit card is issued to them, and another once the card is on its way to them. The old Emirates credit card will subsequently be deactivated 90 days after a new Visa Infinite credit card has been issued, or when you activate your new card.

Note, however, that if you already have a Visa Infinite card – on top of the Emirates credit card – you will not be issued another Visa Infinite card. Instead, you can just swap over and start using your existing Visa Infinite card to make future payments. Your Emirates card, meanwhile, will be automatically discontinued on 24 June 2024.

HLB also clarified that there will be no change to your card’s credit limit; your new Visa Infinite card will have the same credit limit as your existing Emirates card. The outstanding balance in your Emirates card will also be transferred over to the new Visa Infinite card, along with any standing instructions that you have set, and selected card products that you have taken up through the Emirates card:

Balance transfers
Quick cash
Flexi and extended payment plans
Automatic balance conversions
Relief conversion payment plans
Credit Shield

Likewise, if your existing Hong Leong Touch ‘n Go (TNG) Zing card is linked to your Emirates card, that, too, will be switched over automatically to your new Visa Infinite card, as well as your fixed deposit (if your existing Emirates card is secured with fixed deposit). Those who have already paid the RM25 service tax (SST) for your Emirates card for the current anniversary year will also not be charged again.

Aside from that, HLB reassured that Emirates cardholders who have earned and accumulated Skywards miles – which is part of the Emirates cards’ benefits – will not need to worry about losing their airmiles. You will still be able to view and redeem your Skywards miles via the Skywards app after the deactivation of their Emirates card. Moving forward, however, you will start earning Enrich Points via your new Visa Infinite card instead, and can redeem these points for oneworld Alliance flight tickets.

To note, HLB previously offered three Emirates credit cards in total: Emirates HLB Platinum, Emirates HLB World, and Emirates HLB World Elite. Their key benefit lies in being able to earn Skywards Miles (automatic conversion) through your spending, with a rate of up to 2.5 Skywards Miles for every RM4 spent. Depending on your card, it also comes with benefits like complimentary access to the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Dubai, golf privileges, and airport transfers in Malaysia.

The HLB Visa Infinite card, meanwhile, lets you earn 1 Enrich Point for every RM3.50 retail spend that you make locally, and RM2.20 retail spend made overseas. Free for life, you are also entitled to a maximum of 4x complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge access (Malaysia and Singapore), and can also tap into Visa Concierge services for all your travel and lifestyle needs.

If you have enquiries regarding this latest development, you can reach out to HLB’s contact centre at 03-7626 8899 or check in with them via HLB Connect for assistance.

(Source: Hong Leong Bank)

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Alex Cheong Pui Yin

Previously covered recruitment-related stories and had a short stint as a copywriter for the property industry. She subsequently developed an interest in investment and robo-advisors.

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