What Is A Petrol Credit Card?
A petrol credit card is designed to give you cashback or reward points on petrol fueling transactions.
As Malaysians, we spend a lot of our time on the road, and petrol credit cards go a long way towards saving some money from our monthly petrol expenditure.
Petrol price in Malaysia — lessen your burden with a petrol credit card!
For anyone who often drives to work, fetches their children from school, or is out and about, it strains your wallet as you have to fuel your car constantly.
And with the hefty petrol price in Malaysia nowadays (not including other expenses such as tolls), it’s a no-brainer that you find yourself stressed about your daily expenses.
According to our weekly petrol price updates, the prices in Malaysia have remained the same for RON95 and Diesel since 2018.
However, due to the significant price changes within the global market, our government must implement weekly petrol prices instead.
So for our reader’s easy reference, we include the recent updates on petrol prices in Malaysia here.
Bookmark this page so you can refer to it from time to time.
[Updated: 30 June 2025]
RON95 Petrol Price: RM2.05 / litre (no changes)
RON97 Petrol Price: RM3.21 / litre (updated)
Diesel Petrol Price: RM2.88 / litre for Peninsular Malaysia, RM2.15 / litre for East Malaysia (updated)
Now that you’re well informed about the petrol prices, have you thought about getting a petrol credit card? This type of credit card can significantly help you save a lot of money on fuel every month.
Let’s take a look and compare some of the best petrol credit cards in Malaysia below.
How do petrol credit cards work?
Understanding how petrol credit cards work can help you maximise your monthly savings and avoid missing out on valuable cashback or rewards. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how these cards operate when you use them for fuel purchases in Malaysia.
1. Use your credit card for petrol purchases
When you refuel at the pump or pay at the counter whether at PETRONAS, Shell, Caltex, BHPetrol, or other stations, use your petrol credit card to pay. Some cards also reward petrol transactions made through e-wallets like Setel, so make sure your card supports this if you prefer cashless payments.
2. Earn cashback or reward points automatically
Once you’ve paid, your bank will track the transaction using a merchant category code (MCC) associated with petrol stations. If the transaction meets your card’s eligibility criteria (like partner station, minimum spend, spending tier, or promotional day like weekends), you’ll earn:
- Cashback – A direct rebate credited to your next billing cycle, which reduces your total amount due.
- Points – Reward points (e.g. TreatsPoints, Air Miles) that accumulate in your account and can be redeemed later.
3. How cashback or points are reflected
- Cashback usually appears in your credit card statement under a "Cash Rebate" or "Credit Adjustment" line. It's automatically applied to reduce your bill.
- Reward Points are updated in your online banking rewards dashboard. You can later redeem them for petrol vouchers, merchandise, or convert them into airline miles, depending on your card.
What is the best petrol credit card Malaysia has to offer?
As a petrol rebate credit card is essentially a cashback credit card, you should take into consideration the same factors as an ordinary cashback card when choosing a credit card for petrol spending.
Check the amount of credit card petrol rebate you get, the monthly cap, and whether you need to pump on certain days of the week to determine what is the best petrol card in Malaysia.
You should also be aware that some of the best credit cards for petrol in Malaysia are specific to certain petrol stations, which is why you hear of cards being referred to as Petronas credit cards, Shell cashback credit cards, and so on.
For example, the Maybank Islamic Petronas Ikhwan petrol cashback credit card gives you 8% cashback on weekends on any Petronas spend.
Meanwhile, the RHB Shell Visa Credit Card gives 12% cashback when you hit a total monthly fuel spending of RM2,500 or above at any Shell service station.
If you don’t fancy limiting yourself to one petrol station only, get a credit card for petrol that offers cashback for general petrol expenditure.
Regardless of which brand of petrol you prefer, there is always an option for you to look at.
If you don't have an option on the petrol brand of your choice, then you can always opt for a non-partnered card and still get cashback or rewards when you refuel your ride.
Or better yet, get a credit card recommendation from us at no charge! We'll help by checking your overall eligibility criteria and see whether there's a match for a credit card for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Petrol Credit Cards
1. What exactly is a petrol credit card and who should use it?
A petrol credit card is designed for individuals who frequently refuel their vehicles. If you drive regularly whether for work, family errands, or personal use, you can benefit from cashback, points, or discounts every time you pump fuel. It’s ideal for those looking to offset rising fuel prices in Malaysia.
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 amount of cashback you can earn in a billing cycle. For instance, a card offering 10% cashback on petrol with a RM15 cap means you’ll stop earning cashback after spending RM150.
Anything beyond that won’t be rewarded, so timing and tracking your petrol expenses helps.
4. Is a minimum spend required to get the highest cashback?
Yes, most petrol credit cards require you to hit a minimum monthly spend across all categories to unlock the best rewards.
For example, RHB Shell Visa needs RM2,500 in total monthly spending for 12% cashback, while UOB ONE Card requires RM1,500 for 10% cashback.
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?
- Choose the right card: Use your card at the partner station (e.g. Shell for RHB, PETRONAS for Maybank).
- Meet minimum spend: Hit the minimum monthly spend for the full cashback tier.
- Plan wisely: Refueling on weekends if your card gives higher rates then.
- Consolidate spending: Concentrate your petrol spending on one card to reach the monthly cap.
- Combine with loyalty programs: Link your card to Setel, BonusLink, or Caltex Journey loyalty apps.
- Pay on time: Pay your bill in full and on time to avoid late fees that wipe out your savings.
