Best Travel Credit Cards in Malaysia 2025

For Malaysians who love to travel whether for business, leisure, or long weekends abroad, a travel credit card isn’t just a luxury, it’s a smart financial tool. The right card can unlock free flights, priority airport access, peace-of-mind travel insurance, and exclusive perks that make every journey more rewarding.

Here's a brief explanation, travel credit cards are rewards-based credit cards that focus on travel benefits. Instead of cashback, you earn either:

• Air miles (e.g. Enrich Miles, KrisFlyer Miles, Asia Miles)
• Travel points convertible to miles or hotel nights

These cards often include:

• Airport lounge access
• Complimentary travel insurance
• Airport transfer perks
• Bonus rewards on overseas or airline spend

How do travel credit cards work?

1. Earn Points or Miles: Every ringgit you spend earns points, especially for spending in travel, dining, or foreign currency categories.

2. Accelerated Earning: Certain spend types earn more miles—for example, overseas transactions, airline tickets, hotel stays, and Grab rides to the airport.

3. Redemption Options:

• Convert points to air miles (e.g. Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer)

1. Book hotel stays

2. Redeem travel vouchers or airport lounge entries

4. Travel Insurance Activation: Insurance is activated when you charge your flight ticket or full travel fare to your card.

5. Access Airport Lounges: Selected cards offer free visits to Plaza Premium Lounges or even unlimited access at KLIA1/KLIA2.

So, looking to find travel credit cards for your next getaway? You're in the right place! We've compiled a few recommendations below for all income bands.

Best travel credit cards in Malaysia 2025
Credit Card	Annual Fee	Interest Rate	Minimum Monthly Income	Travel Perks
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold	Free*	15% p.a.	RM3,000	Convert daily spending to air miles RM1 = 1X KrisFlyer Mile for Singapore Airlines online flight ticket purchase 50% discount on selected Plaza Premium Lounge Complimentary travel insurance of up to RM750,000 15% discount on car rental and complimentary car upgrade at Avis/Hertz
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card	RM300	15% p.a.	RM5,000	Convert daily spending to air miles and hotel membership points 8X reward points for every RM1 spent on all foreign currency spend 5X reward points for every RM1 spent on local travel and dining Free 6X access to selected Plaza Premium Lounge in KLIA, Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport Up to USD 250,000 in complimentary travel insurance
UOB PRVI Miles Card	Free*	15% p.a.	RM5,000	Convert daily spending to air miles Earn 5X UNIRinggit on participating airlines, hotels, travel agencies and overseas spending Redeem points to fly for free with AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Asia Miles airline partners 50% off Grab rides (Up to RM10 off each transaction, limited vouchers) Bonus 2,000 UNIRinggit with 3X retail spending per month (Limited redemptions and minimum spend apply) Low interest rates on easy payment plans
RHB World MasterCard Credit Card	Free	15% p.a.	RM6,666	Up to 6% cashback on travel, dining and petrol every month Free 5X access to selected Plaza Premium Lounge in Malaysia 20% discount at selected Plaza Premium Lounges overseas (Except Shanghai and Beijing) Complimentary RM600,000 travel insurance Zero green fees
Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card	Free*	15% p.a.	RM8,000	Convert daily spending to air miles Redeem Miles Points to get free flight tickets from participating frequent flyer programs Free unlimited access to selected Plaza Premium Lounges in KLIA and KLIA2 with a valid international boarding pass Discount on airport transfer via Grab rides, subject to a spending amount criteria Up to USD 100,000 in travel medical coverage Dining and shopping deals
CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card	RM1,215.09	15% p.a.	RM20,833	Awarded the 'Best Credit Card for Affluent Clients (AUM USD 70,000 and above)' by The Digital Banker - Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2023 10X Bonus Points on overseas, airlines and duty-free spending Complimentary 12X access per annum to Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium Lounge worldwide RM80 cash rebate for in-flight WiFi services per statement No bank 1% markup on overseas spending Travel insurance coverage worth up to USD 500,000
Public Bank Visa Signature	Free*	15% p.a.	RM6,666	Convert daily spending to air miles 2% cashback on online and dining transactions every month (capped at RM30 with a minimum of RM100) 10X Green Points on selected Green Category transactions 3X VIP Points for every RM1 on overseas retail transactions 2X complimentary annual access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia (with minimum spend requirement) Complimentary travel insurance of up to RM500,000 Premium perks such as tracking your carbon footprint on every card spending and E-commerce Purchase Protection Plan worth up to USD 200 annually 50% discount on Will and Wasiat Writing Service by Public Bank

Benefits and features of a travel credit card

• Air miles bonus - anniversary bonus, welcome bonus
• Free airport transfer - Grab, limousine services
• Free airport lounge access - nationwide or worldwide
• Gold privileges - discounted to free green fees to prestigious golf clubs nationwide or worldwide
• Free travel insurance - coverage for personal accidents, flight delays, missing connecting flights, luggage delays, and luggage loss
• Travel and lifestyle coverage - personal services for restaurant reservations, ticket bookings, transportation arrangements, etc.
• Cashback and rewards for overseas spending - save more with cashback and earn points/air miles when you pay with your credit card

Loyalty points: from rewards to air miles

It pays to be a loyal customer of any services you subscribed to because you can gain a lot of benefits, and they continue to retain business with you via a frequent-flyer program (FFP).

The frequent-flyer program (FFP) lets you earn air miles every time you purchase flight tickets with the airlines and their partners. These air miles can be used to pay for or offset the price of services within the airlines.

You can use air miles to redeem free flights, cabin upgrades and free access to the airport lounge.

Now, there is a credit card that can help you collect air miles faster than a loyalty card. They let you spend on anything (not just flight tickets) and reward you with points, which can be converted into air miles.

Take Hong Leong Visa Infinite as an example. This credit card rewards you with 1X Enrich Mile for every RM3.50 spent on local transactions and 1X Enrich Mile for every RM2.20 spent on overseas transactions.

You can also check out other credit cards that offer travel perks with a minimum monthly income of RM5,000 and below, such as:

• AEON Visa Gold
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold
• UOB PRVI Miles Card
• HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

What are the best credit cards for air miles redemption?

Not all travel credit cards reward you with air miles for every swipe. Most credit cards have their own rewards programs that give out points for every Ringgit you charge to it. 

Since travelling has become commonplace for all, banks have expanded their credit card rewards redemption program to include air miles conversion.

Source: star2.com

All you have to do is spend with your rewards credit card to collect as many points as you want and then convert them to air miles once you reach the minimum conversion rate. 

Below are some examples of credit card air miles conversion rates for Maybank, HSBC and Standard Chartered.

It is worth noting that for Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card cardholders, you will be enrolled in a different rewards program that gives out Miles Points with a lower conversion rate.

Still unsure of which travel credit card to get? We have compiled the best air miles credit cards in Malaysia for you to compare and apply.

Now, what is a travel credit card without the benefit of free airport lounge access?

While you can always pay to access these exclusive airport lounges, it's even better if you can get them for free! We have a list of cards that offer this privilege below.

Best credit cards for free airport lounge access

One of the most sought-after privileges in travel credit cards is complimentary access to the airport lounge. This designated area is private and usually catered to the elite segment. 

But now, it is nearly accessible for all travellers with the right airport lounge access credit card. Below is the summary of credit cards that offer you this benefit:

Best credit card for overseas spending

There are a tonne of advantages when you use a credit card for shopping when travelling overseas. 

First, you will save your cash for emergency purposes only. Secondly, you can earn multiplied points and cashback per swipe. 

For example, with the RHB Visa Infinite, you earn 1X points for every RM1 spent in Malaysia. But when spending overseas, you'll earn 5X points instead.

Below are the top credit cards for overseas spending that give you higher reward points for every transaction.

To avoid your purchase being declined or flagged as suspicious by the bank, make sure you have enabled your credit card for overseas purchases and increased your credit limit before your trip.

Best credit cards with travel insurance coverage

Travel inconveniences such as delayed or missed flights are annoying, as much as losing or waiting for your luggage hours after you have landed. Those are common incidents affecting travellers, which is why some credit cards offer free travel insurance. 

This benefit is effective only when you charge your flight tickets to your travel credit card. Even so, it is much more convenient and cheaper than having to purchase third-party travel insurance. 

This is usually the case for those, like business people, who have limited time to plan for their journey.

Moreover, credit card travel insurance also provides coverage for personal accidents and medical expenses that you can reimburse later.

Therefore, if your credit card offers this benefit, use your credit card for travel expenses like paying for your flights and hotels, and you can be eligible for credit card travel insurance coverage.

How to choose the best travel credit card?

• Travel Frequency: Frequent flyers will benefit most from unlimited lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Preferred Airline/Hotel Programs: Choose cards that match your frequent flyer or hotel loyalty accounts.
• Spending Pattern: Match your card's rewards with your top categories like dining, overseas spend.
• Conversion Rate: Look for lower points-to-miles ratios (e.g. 10,000 points = 1,000 miles).
• Income Eligibility: Ensure you meet the monthly requirement to avoid rejection.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Lower is better, most cards charge 1% to 2.5%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Travel Credit Cards

1. What’s the main purpose of a travel credit card?

A travel credit card helps you earn rewards that are valuable for travel mainly air miles, travel points, or perks like airport lounge access and insurance. It's designed to stretch the value of every ringgit you spend, especially when you pay for flights, hotel stays, foreign currency purchases, or dining.

If you travel often (even just 1–2 times per year), these cards can help you save on airfare, enjoy free airport comforts, and provide peace of mind through travel insurance.

2. How do I earn air miles with a credit card?

You can earn miles by:

• Spending on travel-related categories (air tickets, hotel bookings, airport transfers)
• Paying in foreign currencies
• Dining and online transactions (for some cards)

Miles are either awarded directly (e.g. KrisFlyer or Enrich Miles) or via reward points convertible to airline programs. High-tier cards typically offer better earn rates.

3. What is considered a good points-to-miles conversion rate?

Ideally, look for cards that offer at least 1 mile per RM1 spent on travel or overseas transactions. A conversion rate like 2 points = 1 mile (SC Journey) is strong. Avoid cards with high conversion thresholds like 5 points = 1 mile unless they have low earning barriers.

4. Do credit card miles or reward points expire?

Yes, both credit card reward points and airline miles can expire:

• Bank reward points usually expire in 1 to 3 years depending on the issuer.
• Airline miles follow the frequent flyer program’s policy (e.g., Enrich Miles expire after 3 years, KrisFlyer Miles after 3 years, BIG Points after 24 months).

Always monitor expiry dates via your bank’s mobile app or rewards portal. If nearing expiry, convert your points or redeem them for travel perks before losing value.

5. Which travel card has the best lounge access in Malaysia?

For frequent flyers, lounge access is a major perk. Among Malaysian cards:

• Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card offers unlimited access at KLIA1 and KLIA2 via Plaza Premium lounges.
• Others like HSBC TravelOne Credit Card, and UOB PRVI Miles offer 2X to 6X free access per year, with some restrictions.

Choose based on how often you travel and whether you want access for family or business trips.

6. What kind of travel insurance is provided by these cards?

Travel cards offer automatic insurance coverage when you use the card to pay for your flight. Coverage typically includes:

• Emergency medical treatment overseas
• Travel delays and cancellations
• Lost or delayed luggage
• Personal accident or death
• COVID-19-related incidents (varies by bank)

Check the insurance policy document or your bank’s T&Cs to understand the payout limits.

7. Are foreign transaction fees always charged?

Yes. Most Malaysian credit cards charge 1% to 2.5% on foreign currency transactions. However, travel cards often compensate with extra reward points for overseas spend. Some users also pair their travel card with a multi-currency card (e.g. Wise) for fee-free overseas shopping.

8. Do supplementary cardholders get to enjoy lounge benefits too?

Not always. Most lounge access perks are reserved for primary cardholders only.

• Some premium cards do allow supplementary cardholders to enjoy shared lounge passes.
• Others may require a fee per additional user, or limit access to select lounges only.

Always confirm with your bank before assuming your supplementary cardholder can enter lounges.

9. What’s the minimum income required to qualify for a travel credit card?

• Entry-level travel cards: From RM3,000/month (e.g. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold)
• Mid-tier cards: RM5,000–RM8,000/month (e.g. HSBC TravelOne, UOB PRVI Miles)
• Premium/elite cards: RM15,000 and above (e.g. CIMB Travel World Elite, Maybank Islamic World Elite Mastercard Ikhwan)

This affects your approval chances and credit limit, so pick cards aligned with your income.

10. Should I inform my bank when I travel overseas?

Yes. Even though most Malaysian cards are accepted globally, it's still a good idea to notify your bank to:

• Prevent your transactions from being flagged as suspicious
• Avoid your card being blocked while you're overseas
• Enable location-based fraud protection

You can usually do this through your bank's mobile app, online banking platform, or customer service hotline.

11. Should I get a travel credit card if I only travel once a year?

Yes, if you spend regularly on dining, online shopping, or overseas sites, you can still accumulate travel rewards all year long.

• Many travel cards reward foreign currency and travel-related spend, even outside of holidays.
• Some also let you redeem points for hotel stays, vouchers, or shopping giving you flexibility even if you don’t fly often.

However, if you barely travel or redeem airmiles, our Best Cashback Credit Card might offer more immediate savings.