Best Travel Credit Cards in Malaysia 2025

Frequent flyers get bonus airmiles, free travel insurance, airport lounge access, hotel rebates with a travel credit card

Have a safe flight!
Credit Card » Travel
✕
Find a Card with Us

Answer a few questions with our chatbot

PDPA

We protect your personal information in compliance with the PDPA

We respect your privacy and we are committed to handle your personal information safely and responsibly

What Are The Best Travel Credit Cards Malaysia Has To Offer?

Travel often enough and you’ll quickly realise how fast the costs add up, from flights and accommodation to airport transfers and meals abroad. A good travel credit card can help you earn back some of that spending through air miles, free lounge access, and automatic travel insurance.

Unlike cashback cards that give you ringgit back on everyday purchases, travel credit cards reward you with points or miles that convert into flights, hotel stays, and travel perks. If you're taking even one or two international trips a year, these cards can make your travel more comfortable and less expensive.

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)
  • Book hotel stays
  • 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.

Why Get A Travel Credit Card

Here's a look at the core benefits that make these cards so rewarding:

You'll accumulate air miles faster

A standard airline loyalty program rewards you for flying, but you only earn air miles on flights. With a travel credit card, you earn points on everything you buy, from groceries, petrol, bills, and dining, then convert them to air miles. Cards with good conversion rates (like 2 points = 1 mile) can help you earn a free flight within a year or two of regular spending.

Accelerated earning rates make this even faster. Spend RM5,000 on overseas purchases with a card that offers 10X points, and you've earned 50,000 points. At a 2:1 conversion rate, that's 25,000 air miles! Enough for a return flight to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City on many airlines.

Free travel insurance saves money and hassle

Buying travel insurance for every trip costs between RM50 to RM200, depending on your destination and coverage. With a travel credit card, you get this automatically when you charge your flight to the card.

Coverage typically includes personal accident insurance, medical expenses abroad, flight delays and cancellations, missed connections, and lost or delayed luggage. Maximum coverage varies by card, from RM300,000 up to RM2 million for premium cards.

Do read the policy details carefully. Some cards require you to charge the entire travel fare to activate coverage, whilst others only need a portion. COVID-19 coverage isn't universal either, so check if your card includes it.

Airport lounge access makes travel more comfortable

Anyone who's spent three hours in a crowded departure hall knows the value of a quiet lounge. Travel credit cards often include access to airport lounges, to Plaza Premium Lounges or similar facilities at KLIA, KLIA2, and airports worldwide.

Inside, you'll find comfortable seating, food and beverages, showers, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even massage chairs. The peace and comfort can make a huge difference, especially if you're travelling with children or have a long layover.

Premium cards like the Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card offer unlimited lounge access at KLIA and KLIA2, whilst mid-tier options typically provide 6 to 12 visits per year.

Overseas spending earns multiplied rewards

Most Malaysian credit cards charge a 1% to 2.5% foreign transaction fee when you spend abroad. Travel cards compensate by giving you significantly more points on overseas purchases.

For example, the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card offers 8X reward points on all foreign currency spending. If you spend RM10,000 during a two-week holiday in Europe, you'd earn 80,000 points (and pay around RM100-RM250 in foreign transaction fees). Those points can be converted to air miles or redeemed for future travel.

Additional travel perks

Beyond the core benefits, many cards include extras like complimentary airport transfers via Grab (typically capped at RM60-RM80 per trip), dining discounts at partner restaurants, shopping rebates, and personal concierge services to help with bookings and reservations.

Some premium cards even offer golf privileges, hotel room upgrades, and buy-one-get-one business class tickets if you meet minimum annual spending thresholds.

A travel credit card is a financial tool designed to enhance your travel experience and provide significant value. Here's a look at the core benefits that make these cards so rewarding.

Best Credit Cards for Air Miles Redemption 2025

If your goal is to collect air miles for free flights and upgrades as quickly as possible, these cards are for you. While some cards directly award you with miles, most give you reward points that you can convert to various frequent flyer programs. The key is to look for a low conversion rate. The fewer points you need to get one mile, the better the card.

CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card: RM1 = Up to 10 Bonus Points (overseas, airlines, and duty-free stores)

What Are The Best Travel Credit Cards Malaysia Has To Offer?

Other cards:

Best Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access 2025

What is a travel credit card without the benefit of free airport lounge access? While you can always pay to access these exclusive spaces, it's even better if you can get them for free! Lounge access is one of the most sought-after privileges, offering a private and comfortable escape from the bustling terminal.

Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card: UNLIMITED airport lounge access in KLIA and KLIA2

Other cards:

Best Credit Cards for Overseas Spending 2025

There are multiple advantages to using a credit card when traveling overseas. Not only do you save your cash for emergency purposes, but you can also earn multiplied points and cashback with every swipe.

To avoid your purchase being declined or flagged as suspicious, make sure you notify your bank of your travel plans and increase your credit limit before your trip. Here are the top credit cards that give you higher reward points for every transaction made overseas:

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card: RM1 = 8X Reward points

Other cards:

Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance Coverage 2025

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

This benefit is effective only when you charge your full travel fare to your card, providing you with a convenient and often more affordable alternative to purchasing third-party travel insurance.

Maybank World Elite Mastercard: Up to RM2 million coverage, including purchase protection.

Other cards:

How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card

Choosing the perfect travel credit card boils down to aligning the card's benefits with your personal travel habits and financial profile. Use this checklist to guide your decision:

1. Assess Your Travel Frequency

If you travel frequently, look for cards with unlimited or high-limit airport lounge access and comprehensive travel insurance. For those who travel once or twice a year, a card with a generous welcome bonus or high points-earning rates on specific categories might be more beneficial.

2. Identify Your Preferred Airlines and Hotels

Select a card that partners with your favorite frequent flyer program (e.g., Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer) or hotel loyalty program (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy). This allows you to maximize your point conversions and get the most value from your spending.

3. Analyze Your Spending Pattern

Consider where you spend the most. If a significant portion of your budget goes to dining, online shopping, or foreign currency transactions, choose a card that offers accelerated rewards in those categories.

4. Check the Points Conversion Rate

Don't just look at how many points you earn per ringgit; check the conversion rate to air miles. A lower points-to-miles ratio (e.g., 2 points = 1 mile) is better as it allows you to redeem rewards faster.

5. Verify Income Eligibility

Ensure you meet the minimum monthly income requirement for the card you're interested in to avoid a declined application.

6. Review Foreign Transaction Fees

Most cards charge a fee of 1% to 2.5% for overseas transactions. While some cards offer high reward points to offset this fee, it's a key factor to consider if you travel abroad often.

Flights, Hotels, Cruise, and Train Deals with Travel Credit Cards

Enjoy exclusive travel offers when you book with your travel credit card, which makes every journey more rewarding.

Flights, Train, and Cruise Deals

  • Maybank World Elite Mastercard: A special privilege for cardmembers who spend a minimum of RM250,000: the ability to acquire a Buy 1, Get 1 Business Class Ticket to London or Paris with Qatar Airways.
  • CIMB Travel Cards: Participate in a MasterCard "Pay Now Travel Later" program, which allows booking trips in advance with the flexibility of a 1-time free waiver to change travel dates.
  • HSBC TravelOne Credit Card: Earn up to 8x Reward points on all foreign currency spend and 5x Reward points on local travel expenses, including airlines, hotels, and travel agencies. Rewards can be instantly redeemed for flights with partners like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, or for hotel stays with Marriott Bonvoy.
  • Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card: Rebates or discounts when booking with partner cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises. Promo until 31 Dec 2025.
  • Maybank myimpact Visa Signature Credit Card: 8% cashback on "ESG-friendly" categories, including commuter rail and bus transportation, with specific merchants like KLIA Ekspres and Rapid KL.

Hotels and Accommodation Deals

Airport Transfers or Limousine Services

  • Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card: Complimentary airport transfers in Malaysia via Grab, capped at RM65 cashback, requiring a minimum travel retail spend of RM2,500 in the past 90 days.
  • CIMB Travel Platinum Credit Card: Up to 2X Airport Transfers (Grab Ride worth RM65).
  • UOB Visa Infinite Card: 12X Complimentary Local Airport Limousine rides to KLIA Terminal 1 or KLIA Terminal 2, subject to a minimum spend of RM5,000 in qualifying categories (airlines, hotels, travel agencies) within the last 30 days.
  • Standard Chartered Priority Banking Visa Infinite: Cashback up to RM80 for Airport Limo (KLIA) or KLIA Ekspres (KLIA or klia2) rides, 12X annually, provided a minimum of 3X overseas foreign currency retail purchases are made within the past 30 days.
  • Alliance Privilege Visa Signature: 2X complimentary e-hailing airport rides worth RM80 each per year upon meeting a minimum retail spend of RM120,000.

Disclaimer: Please note that all benefits, privileges, and features listed are strictly subject to the Terms and Conditions (T&C) and Product Disclosure Sheets (PDS) of the respective card issuer (Bank).

You must always verify the current, specific T&C (including minimum spend, validity, and eligibility) directly with the issuing bank or service provider before applying for a card or making any travel arrangements based on these details, as information is subject to change without prior notice.

Frequently Asked Questions 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 to 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?

  • 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. The lower the ratio, the better!

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. 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. Always refer to your card's specific policy document for full details and claim procedures.

6. How do I redeem my points or miles?

The redemption process is typically straightforward and can be done through your bank's online platforms. The most common method is to log in to your bank's website or mobile app and navigate to their rewards catalog. You can then select your desired airline or hotel partner to transfer your points.

The process and timeline can vary between banks, with some transfers being instant while others may take a few business days.

7. Are foreign transaction fees always charged?

Yes. Most Malaysian credit cards charge from 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?

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

10. Are there any annual fees or hidden costs?

Most travel credit cards come with an annual fee, which is a yearly charge for the benefits and privileges that come with the card. However, these fees can often be waived if you meet a minimum annual spending amount or through a special promotion.

Some banks also allow you to redeem your reward points to pay for the annual fee, effectively making it free. It's important to check the card's product disclosure sheet for a full list of fees and charges.

Compare and apply travel credit cards online!

Simply compare the travel credit cards that suit your preferences and apply online seamlessly with us. Just click on the 'Apply' button above, and you'll be taken to our WhatsApp chatbot. We'll assist you thereafter.

Hear from our users

Find out how Malaysians start making smart financial decisions with us
VIEW MORE >
✕
Search Icon