Christmas spending in Malaysia can add up fast. Between gifts, gatherings, and year-end festivities, December often becomes the most expensive month of the year. But there’s a good chance you’re sitting on thousands of ringgit worth of credit card points that you’ve completely forgotten about.

If you’ve been spending RM2,000 a month on a card that gives 1 point per ringgit, you’ve racked up around 24,000 points in just one year. That’s enough for a decent kitchen appliance or RM50-100 in shopping vouchers. Two years of spending? That could be an air fryer. And yet most Malaysian cardholders let these points sit untouched until they expire.

What Can Your Points Actually Buy?

Before you start the redemption process, it helps to know what’s actually available. Credit card reward catalogues have improved significantly in recent years, and the selection goes well beyond the dusty toasters and luggage sets of old.

If you’re into cooking, AmBank’s catalogue includes Bear Air Fryers (around 182,000 points) and Tefal cookware. Alliance Bank offers MyBrew coffee makers and Tefal multi-cookers. Maybank has Pensonic electric ovens. Nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like serving roast chicken from an oven you got for free.

Gadget lovers can get real value here. RHB Superdeals includes Samsung soundbars, Sony 4K TVs, and phones and tablets. UOB offers Fitbit wearables and Bluetooth speakers. HSBC has Dyson hair dryers — the gift everyone wants but nobody wants to pay RM2,000 for. 

Running late on your shopping? E-vouchers are your friend. Most banks let you redeem points for Shopee, Grab, or AEON vouchers that arrive via email within hours. If you just need extra cash for last-minute mall shopping, this is the fastest route. No waiting for delivery, no risk of your gift arriving in January.

Before You Redeem

A few things to keep in mind before you start shopping with your points.

Delivery times vary. Physical items typically take two to three weeks to arrive. If you redeem now, your gift might arrive just in time for Christmas. Wait until mid-December and you’re looking at a New Year’s gift instead. E-vouchers are faster, usually arriving within 24 hours to three days, which makes them the safer bet for procrastinators.

Check your expiry dates. Most credit card points expire after three years. Your monthly statement should show when points are set to lapse. Use the ones expiring soonest first.

Do the maths on value. Not all redemptions offer equal value. If 50,000 points can get you either a RM50 toaster or a RM100 voucher, the voucher is the smarter choice. Quick mental calculation: divide the item’s retail value by the points required to get a sense of your “ringgit per point” rate. Then compare across options.

How To Redeem Your Points, Bank by Bank

Each bank handles redemptions slightly differently. Some have sleek app-based systems; others still rely on PDF catalogues and email forms.

Maybank (TreatsPoints)

Maybank has one of the more straightforward systems, accessible via Maybank2u or the MAE app.

1. Log in to Maybank2u
2. Click on “Rewards” in the top right menu
3. Select “Redeem Now” to access the MyTreats catalogue
4. Add items to your cart
5. Check out using your points

Maybank also offers On-The-Spot redemptions at some retail partners, which lets you use points directly at the checkout counter.

UOB (UNIRinggit)

UOB handles everything through the TMRW app, which makes it fairly intuitive if you’re already a user.

To redeem for vouchers or catalogue items:

1. Open the TMRW app
2. Tap “Rewards+”
3. Tap “Redeem Coupon” for vouchers, or browse the catalogue for physical items
4. Confirm your delivery address
5. Pay with UNIRinggit

To offset your card payment:

1. Open the TMRW app
2. Tap “Rewards+”
3. Select “Offset Payment”
4. Choose how many UNIRinggit to convert (every 200 UNIRinggit = RM1 off your bill)
5. Confirm the offset

The payment offset is worth considering if you’d rather reduce your December bill than wait for a physical item to arrive.

RHB (Loyalty Points)

RHB integrates redemptions into its mobile banking app through RHB Superdeals. The catalogue is surprisingly extensive with over 10,000 items available.

1. Log in to the RHB mobile banking app
2. Tap the “Rewards” tab to see your balance
3. Click “Redeem” to enter the RHB Superdeals portal
4. Browse and select your items
5. Complete checkout

RHB also offers On-The-Spot redemptions at participating merchants, so you can use your points directly when shopping or dining out.

HSBC (Reward Points)

HSBC uses a browser-based redemption system rather than an app. They tend to have good kitchenware options if that’s what you’re after.

1. Visit the HSBC Rewards website
2. Browse the catalogue (gadgets, kitchen appliances, home items)
3. Add items to your cart
4. Log in with your credit card details to finalise

Alliance Bank (Timeless Bonus Points)

Alliance Bank doesn’t have a shopping cart system like Maybank or UOB. It’s more manual, so allow extra time.

1. Visit the Alliance Bank Rewards page to view the PDF catalogue
2. Note down the item code for what you want (e.g., JVC headphones)
3. Fill out the e-Redemption Form on their website, or call customer service

AmBank (AmBonus Points)

AmBank also uses a form-based system for physical catalogue items. If you have a BonusLink card linked to your AmBank credit card, you can redeem cash vouchers through the AmOnline app instead.

1. Check the AmBonus Rewards Catalogue PDF on the AmBank website
2. Note the item code for your chosen product
3. Fill in the e-Form at ambank.com.my/eForm with your item code
4. Wait for confirmation

Making The Most Of It

Every point you don’t redeem is a tiny discount you earned but never collected. Unlike sale prices or cashback that require you to spend more, these points are already yours. They’re just sitting in a database somewhere, waiting for you to remember they exist. Log in to your banking app and check your balance — you might find your Christmas shopping is already half done.

And if you’re thinking of applying for a new credit card anyway, check out RinggitPlus’s Unbox the Week, a weekly campaign where you can win prizes like Apple gadgets and guaranteed cash gifts just for applying through the site.

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