Best Petrol Credit Cards in Malaysia 2026

Malaysians spend hundreds of ringgit on petrol every month. Between commuting to work, school runs, weekend trips to the mall, and visits to family, most of us are at the petrol station at least once a week, and some of us far more often.

With RON95 at RM2.54 per litre (or RM1.99 for BUDI95 recipients) and RON97 at RM3.11, these trips add up quickly. A typical Malaysian driver covering 1,500km monthly spends roughly RM200 to RM300 on petrol alone, depending on their car's fuel efficiency.

Petrol credit cards help offset these costs by giving you cashback or reward points every time you fuel up. The best ones can save you between RM20 and RM50 monthly. That's money that stays in your wallet instead of vanishing into your tank.

How Malaysia's Weekly Petrol Pricing Works

Unlike the fixed prices we had before 2018, Malaysia now adjusts petrol prices weekly based on global crude oil costs. The government announces new prices every Wednesday evening, which take effect from Thursday midnight.

Current petrol prices (8 - 14 January 2026):

• RON95: RM2.54/litre (market rate), RM1.99/litre (BUDI95 subsidy)
• RON97: RM3.11/litre
• Diesel: RM2.89/litre (Peninsular Malaysia), RM2.15/litre (East Malaysia)

RON95 and diesel have remained subsidised since 2018, but the government switched to targeted subsidies (BUDI95) in September 2025. If you don't qualify for BUDI95, you're paying the full unsubsidised rate.

For the latest prices updated weekly, check our petrol price Malaysia live updates.

This weekly adjustment system means petrol costs can shift unexpectedly. A petrol credit card gives you consistent savings regardless of whether prices spike or drop, making your monthly budget more predictable.

How Do Petrol Credit Cards Work?

Use your card at the pump, earn rewards automatically. Your bank identifies petrol purchases using merchant codes. If you meet the card's requirements (right station, minimum spend, specific day), cashback or points post to your account within 1-2 billing cycles.

Cashback appears as "Cash Rebate" on your statement, reducing what you owe. Earn RM20, pay RM20 less. Points accumulate in your banking app for later redemption (petrol vouchers, air miles, products).

Three things affect your earnings: First, timing matters. Weekend-only cards like Maybank Petronas Ikhwan give 8% on Saturdays but nothing on Tuesdays. Second, minimum spending unlocks rates. Miss the RHB Shell's RM3,000 monthly threshold and your 12% drops. Third, caps limit earnings. Hit your RM30 monthly cap by mid-month? The rest of your petrol spending earns zero.

Pick a card matching where you already fuel up and how much you already spend. No need to change habits.

Top Petrol Credit Cards 2026 in Malaysia

The three cards below represent different approaches to petrol rewards. The RHB Shell Visa offers the highest cashback percentage but requires significant spending. The Maybank Islamic Petronas Ikhwan cards give strong weekend cashback with no minimum spend. The UOB ONE Card spreads its cashback across multiple categories, including fuel, making it useful if you want one card for several expense types.

All three cards include supplementary cardholders in the cashback calculation, so family members' spending counts toward your monthly totals and caps.

These figures assume you're using each card at its designated partner station and meeting any minimum spend requirements. If you regularly fuel up at both Shell and PETRONAS, you might consider carrying two cards (one for each station) to maximise your returns.

The monthly cashback caps matter more than you might think. A RM50 cap means you stop earning cashback after spending RM625 at 8% (Maybank Petronas cards) or RM417 at 12% (RHB Shell). If you spend more than these amounts on petrol monthly, the cap limits your total savings. For lighter spenders, the caps are generous enough that you'll rarely hit them.

How to Choose the Best Petrol Credit Card for Your Needs

The best petrol credit card isn't the one with the highest cashback percentage. It's the one that matches your actual spending habits and favourite petrol stations.

Which station do you use most?

If you're loyal to Shell, the RHB Shell Visa's 12% cashback beats any general card. PETRONAS regular? Go for the Maybank Islamic Petronas Ikhwan cards. If you fuel up anywhere convenient, choose a card that rewards you at all stations, like the UOB ONE Card.

How much do you spend on petrol monthly?

This determines whether cashback caps matter. Spend RM150/month? A card capped at RM15 works fine. Spend RM500/month? You need higher caps (like Maybank Petronas at RM50/month) or you'll leave money on the table.

Can you hit the minimum total spending?

High-cashback cards often require RM2,000 to RM3,000 in total monthly spending across all categories, not just petrol. The RHB Shell Visa needs RM3,000/month for its 12% rate. If you typically spend RM1,500/month on your credit card, you won't qualify. Choose a card with no minimum spend requirement or a threshold you actually meet every month.

Match the card to your real behaviour, not your ideal behaviour, and you'll maximise your savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a petrol credit card, and who should use it?

Petrol credit cards give you cashback or reward points specifically on fuel purchases at petrol stations. You should use one if you drive regularly and spend at least RM100 to RM200 monthly on petrol. Any less and the savings won't be substantial enough to justify tracking another card.

These cards work best for daily commuters, families with multiple drivers, or anyone who racks up significant mileage each month. If you're spending RM300 monthly on fuel, even a modest 5% cashback card saves you RM180 annually.

2. Can I earn cashback at any petrol station?

Not always. Some credit cards are co-branded with specific stations like Shell, PETRONAS, or Petron and only offer their highest cashback rates there.

Others, like HSBC Amanah MPower Platinum-i or UOB ONE Card, reward you for fuel purchases at any petrol brand, including BHPetrol, Caltex, and Shell.

3. What is a monthly cashback cap, and how does it limit my savings?

A monthly cashback cap is the maximum rebate you can earn in one billing cycle. Once you hit this limit, additional spending in that category earns nothing.

For example, the UOB ONE Card caps petrol cashback at RM15 monthly. With its 10% cashback rate, you stop earning rewards after spending RM150 on fuel (10% of RM150 = RM15). If you spend RM300 on petrol that month, you still only get RM15 back. The extra RM150 earns zero cashback.

This is why understanding caps matters. If you regularly spend RM400 monthly on petrol, a card with a RM15 cap won't be as valuable as one with a RM50 cap (like the Maybank Petronas cards), even if the percentage rate is slightly lower.

4. Is a minimum spend required to get the highest cashback?

Yes, many cards require a minimum total monthly spend across all purchases (not just petrol) to unlock their highest cashback rates. This means your groceries, dining, online shopping, and other transactions all count toward hitting the threshold.

The RHB Shell Visa card needs RM3,000 in combined monthly spending to give you the full 12% cashback on Shell fuel. Spend only RM2,000 total, and your cashback rate drops. The UOB ONE Card requires RM1,500 monthly spend for 10% cashback across multiple categories, including fuel.

Some cards, like the Maybank Islamic Petronas Ikhwan series, offer 8% cashback with no minimum spend requirement. You get the full rate whether you spend RM50 or RM5,000 monthly. These are better options if your overall credit card spending is modest.

5. Does cashback apply to diesel as well?

Some credit cards do include diesel in their eligible fuel categories, but others may exclude it or provide lower cashback. Always check the card’s fine print or product disclosure sheet to confirm if diesel purchases are covered.

6. How do I receive the cashback or reward points?

Cashback is typically auto-credited to your credit card statement in the following month. For points-based cards, your accumulated points will be reflected in your online banking portal and can be redeemed for fuel vouchers, merchandise, or converted into air miles.

7. Will my supplementary cardholder earn cashback too?

Yes, spending on supplementary cards contributes to the primary cardholder’s total spend and cashback or points. This helps you reach spending tiers and caps faster, especially for families who share refueling responsibilities.

8. Can I link my credit card to loyalty apps like Setel or BonusLink?

Yes, absolutely! Linking your card to Setel (for PETRONAS) or BonusLink (for Shell) can unlock additional rewards, convenience, and faster tracking. Some credit cards even offer extra cashback when used with Setel.

9. What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a petrol credit card?

• Citizenship/Residency: Malaysian citizen, permanent resident or expats with valid work permits
• Age: Generally, at least 21 years old and above for principal cardholders
• Income: Earn at least RM24,000 to RM60,000 annually (depending on card)
• Documents: IC (front and back), latest payslips (1-3 months), EPF statements, or bank statements as proof of income. Self-employed individuals need business registration documents and bank statements

10. Is the annual fee worth it?

Many petrol credit cards waive the annual fee if you meet a minimum spend or swipe frequency. If a card offers high cashback (e.g., RM50/month), it can easily outweigh a small RM100 to RM195 annual fee. Evaluate your own spending before deciding.

11. What’s the best way to maximise petrol cashback every month?

The single most effective strategy is using your card exclusively at its partner petrol station and ensuring you hit any minimum monthly spend thresholds. Beyond that, timing your fuel purchases strategically and combining your card with loyalty apps can squeeze out extra savings.

Here's how to maximise your petrol cashback:

• Choose the right card for your habits. If you only use Shell, get the RHB Shell Visa. If you fuel up at PETRONAS, get a Maybank Petronas card. Using a Shell-specific card at PETRONAS earns you nothing.
• Hit the minimum spend requirement. If your card needs RM3,000 monthly spend for maximum cashback, consolidate your expenses onto this one card (groceries, bills, online shopping) to reach the threshold.
• Fuel up on bonus days. Some cards offer higher cashback on weekends or specific days. The Maybank Petronas cards give 8% on weekends. Fill your tank on Saturday instead of Thursday, and you'll earn more.
• Link to loyalty apps. Connect your card to Setel (PETRONAS), BonusLink (Shell), or Caltex Journey for additional points on top of your credit card rewards. You're essentially double-dipping.
• Don't exceed the monthly cap. Once you've hit your cashback cap (say, RM50), additional fuel spending that month earns nothing. Spread large expenses across multiple months if possible.
• Pay your bill in full and on time. Late payment fees and interest charges will completely erase your petrol savings. If you're carrying a balance, the 15% to 18% interest rate far outweighs any 8% to 12% cashback.

Start Saving on Your Next Fill-Up

The best petrol credit cards can save you up to RM50 every month. Compare petrol credit cards on RinggitPlus, choose the one that matches your stations and spending, and apply online in under 10 minutes. You could start earning cashback as soon as your card is approved.