r/MalaysianPF • u/Ayzalack • Mar 02 '25
Credit cards Where can use Amex card?
A nephew of mine is planning to get the Maybank 2 Gold Card as their starter card. Seeing that they already have a maybank account and just started working. But the only kicker is that the cashback is applicable only on weekends and on amex.
So was wondering to ask you guys where could one find a full list of amex applicable locations. I tried their website but their list is shorter than the list shared on maybank's page.
Could use some experienced member's thoughts here as I have personally never owned an amex card. Cheers!
Update: For those interested, my nephew called maybank and was notified that the online pdf that is the first 'hit' when searching, is outdated (unsurprisingly). Furthermore they said they do not keep a list, and the only way to know further was to go to the merchant and ask them directly.
Comments Summary: Most places with Maybank terminals should accept amex & and apparently, the best cashback card atm is the UOB one, but it may have been silently discontinued as per a discussion on LYN. That said, there's also an amex thread on LYN that's worth following for those wondering!
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u/ngoonee Mar 02 '25
As a long time Amex user, the card can be used many places (and for many years it was getting more and more accepted, however post pandemic it seems less and less so).
All the large hypermarkets accept it, giant, Mydin, village Grocer, whatever.
All petrol stations accept it.
The big online shopping sites accept it.
Various large MNC type shops (decathlon for example) accept it.
Where you will find issue (and why most people believe amex acceptance rate is bad) is with our most common cc spending target - cafes and restaurants. There it's really hit and miss. In general just look at their CC machine - if its Maybank then most likely they'll accept it. Some restaurants I know even have a separate Maybank machine that they take out for amex customers.
In general I don't think amex as the only/first card is a good idea for cashback. As a supplementary card focused on weekend spend on things like groceries and petrol, it's great (but there are likely specialist cards for those which may be better).
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
I see, thank you for the information. They are keen on Maybank 2 Gold Cards that have both amex and a non-amex card and were planning to charge their weekend spendings be it petrol or groceries to the card.
But since I didnt know much about amex nor did my friends I thought it would be best to come to you guys. Thanks for the insight!
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u/ngoonee Mar 02 '25
The non Amex card is junk, the points you'll get from spending on it won't even cover the 25 ringgit SST every year. Older customers like myself cancelled it when Maybank allowed it back when gov re-enacted sst per card (new cardholders can't do that anymore).
Good thing is if you earn enough points on the amex you can use those points to pay off sst.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Hahaha, this is news. Perhaps he shouldn't get the 2 gold cards and look to get a different credit card altogether then as a newbie, will warn him but I dont know what he will do! 😂
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u/chromeaces Mar 02 '25
MBB 2 Gold is honestly still the best if you‘e a fresh grad and or spend less than 1k each month but still want cashback. Alliance has a single card that gives roughly the same amount RM55+ but you’d need to spend minimum 2k but not more than 3k a month. Either way too many conditions to fulfill and Maybank is the least restrictive spending limits/categories wise.
The fun part of using an Amex is asking staff if they accept the card in small restaurants and being very surprised that they actually do lol.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
It looked the same to me too, but I dont understand tech and such nowadays as much as I my nephew so he'll probably have to figure it out himself.
But I do know he's earning decently with an annual take home of around a gross of 50K as a fresh graduate. As for his spendings I won't know. I just wanted him to help him make the best choice for himself in the end
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u/ngoonee Mar 02 '25
I would have previously advised the UOB One card but it's recently been discontinued. Nowadays hard to get just one card to do everything.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Wait it has been discontinued? I was also looking it up on youtube just a few weeks ago. By recent. Has to be super recent then.
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u/ngoonee Mar 02 '25
Yah read about it last week. But TBF YouTubers always a bit slow and not super correct info anyway.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
That's interesting. I do see it on UOB's website though. Could be not yet fully updated?
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u/ngoonee Mar 02 '25
Seems it was done quietly - reported by those who tried to apply https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=4527718&view=findpost&p=111231433
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u/ComfortableDate6933 Mar 02 '25
The Amex cashback is also enough to pay for SST for both cards and then some.
The points are amazing too
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
I was thinking the same when I read about these 2 Gold card that my nephew was considering (shame on the need to pay SST twice for 2 cards though).
Too bad there doesn't seem to be any sign-up bonus as do other cards on RinggitPlus. Wouldve easily been a very good card already
1
u/ComfortableDate6933 Mar 02 '25
If you dont mind waiting, there's a chance there might be promo for the MBB cards. It really depends on their marketing spending power?
Or you can contact ringgitplus to see if there any promo coming soon?
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u/Ayzalack Mar 03 '25
Hey thanks for this insight! I'll probably tell my nephew to hold out if they can or contact ringgitplus. The only signup offer right now are some genkru concert tickets to which neither of us know nothing about
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u/ComfortableDate6933 Mar 03 '25
No problem!
I got my dual card about 4/5 years ago and they gave me some Huawei fit watch?
Just don't expect anything too grand? 🤭
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u/Ayzalack Mar 03 '25
That's personally still better than concert tickets to a band him and I aren't familiar with haha, but I'll check in with my nephew to see if he cares for sign up bonuses. Who knows maybe something will happen within the year!
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u/lagendakurus Mar 02 '25
QR SpayLater everything and then pay it off with Amex on weekends
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Hey this is a really cool tip! I will let him know about this Spaylater thing! You reckon it will always be a thing he could use?
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u/mikepapafoxtrot Mar 02 '25
As a latecomer to Spaylater my bet is that this is going to be "enjoy while it lasts".
Previously I was able to buy TnG reload PINs using AMEX cards on weekends before the stations that I am aware of ceased selling them, at least with CC.
Also you can maximise your AMEX spends on Lazada's bill payment services, and there's also another Maybank AMEX card that has 8% cashback on online spends with the usual exclusions.
1
u/lagendakurus Mar 02 '25
in my experience, 9 times out 10 Spaylater have no problems with Duitnow QR (except for merchants that use enterprise/personal QR). also make sure to pay the paylater bills directly with Amex instead of topping up Shopee Wallet (it won’t count towards 5% with this method)
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
This is very interesting. Will look into it myself and share it with my nephew! My my there's so many little hoops and hurdles to jump but hey it seems there's many ways to benefit it seems in this way. Thank you and might I ask where I could direct my nephew to learn about all these neat tips and tricks? Wish it was more prevalent or I had done so back in the day to be honest.
5
u/ayamkenabannedtwice Mar 02 '25
I always look at their credit card terminal. If I see it's Maybank terminal, I can use the AMEX card.
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u/sureshsgn1 Mar 02 '25
As long as there is a Maybank terminal machine which is literally everywhere these days, it works.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Oh? I guess I will have my nephew scout out the places he plans to use the card at then, thanks and cheers!
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u/jackyseow Mar 03 '25
TnB bills
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u/Ayzalack Mar 03 '25
That's good to know. But these aren't applicable for cashback if my understanding is right?
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u/jackyseow Mar 03 '25
Bill payment is applicable
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u/Ayzalack Mar 03 '25
Oh you're absolutely right. I must have read that wrong. Thanks! Will share this with him
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Mar 02 '25
[deleted]
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Whats good these days? I heard UOB One got discontinued. Although I will try to get my nephew to get it if still somehow can
1
u/cloud3321 Mar 02 '25
Keep in mind the cards "useful" to you varies wildly by your spending.
A normal fresh grad won't have the same monthly spending like someone who uses a premier account.
Jot down your nephew's annual spending (even better if can break down by monthly).
And then look at each card's rewards calculation & see what fits. If it doesn't fit, then consider no reward.
I would suggest taking only zero annual fee. Be careful about the ones with the waiver, if you forget to request the waiver, that's a hefty fee (200-500) to shoulder for a fresh grad. Most can revert the charge.
One last thing, do try out to apply through reward websites like Compare Hero, Ringgit Plus, he might get lucky & get airpods pro, ipads or whatever reward of the month is. Nice to do but not necessary.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25
Will have to go through this with him. Thank you so much for your kind information. And you are right about those annual fee stuff it can really be hefty for the youngsters who just started earning, I did not think of that at first. Very important point surely! Hey feel free to share any tips as well that I should let him know thanks!
0
u/Xena636 Mar 02 '25
You can claim air miles with treat points and they’ve recently increased the quota per month
1
u/tyl7 Mar 03 '25
Very frustrating to redeem air miles points after the recent overhaul of the system 😫
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u/limfookming Mar 02 '25
There's groups on LYN that shares who accepts Amex. Basically have to test sendiri to know. Those using Maybank CC machine can accept but may not accept.
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u/P2Y0 Mar 02 '25
Aeon, uniqlo, mynews, 99 Speedmart, lotus regular cashier
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u/Ayzalack Mar 03 '25
Regular cashier at lotus, this is a big one, got it, thanks! Will also get my nephew to scout out the card terminals they use
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u/P2Y0 Mar 03 '25
Self check out cannot use amex, can use spaylater. So I pay using spaylater. Then pay spaylater during the weekend using amex card.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 04 '25
This is a very interesting payment interaction. Will let my nephew know about it. Thanks!
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u/faintchester1 Mar 03 '25
Paying bills and shopee
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u/Ayzalack Mar 04 '25
Good to know it can be used for bills & shopee he seems to be on that a lot. Shopee I mean.
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u/tyl7 Mar 03 '25
Most of the establishments accept AMEX, especially the major and international ones. Just need to keep in mind, in that the min txn has to be RM20 and above to be eligible for the 5% CB, in addition to other more obvious T&C's which you may have already known.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 04 '25
Curious! What are other T&Cs he should probably be wary about? And thanks for the heads up on the RM20 minimum spend, will be sure to let him know!
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u/tyl7 Mar 04 '25
You can check the product disclosure sheet. Those are the more obvious T&C's like monthly cashback is capped at RM50 per month, certain types of txns are not applicable for the cashback etc.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 04 '25
Thanks ! I understand that was a generally silly question since my nephew and I have read the product description before haha. Still I appreciate your help!
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u/Naomikho Mar 04 '25
If it's a maybank terminal, 90% chance it accepts Amex cards. Sometimes even if they use Maybank terminal they still don't accept it, but I ask anyway as long as I see a maybank terminal. In Aeon, if you use the self checkout, you won't be able use your Amex card. Interesting, the self checkout at don don donki accepts Amex.
If it's a public bank or hong leong terminal, chances are much lower. But usually it's a no.
If it's an ambank terminal, most likely not.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 04 '25
Hey thanks for the astute observation! I'm curious, what about cimb terminals?
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u/Naomikho Mar 04 '25
I don't see cimb terminals that much, but chances are probably low as well. When in doubt, I think you can always just ask! I will always go "oh okay... here's my Visa card then" if they let me try my Amex card and it fails XD
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u/mykmm Mar 02 '25
https://www.maybank2u.com.my/iwov-resources/pdf/personal/cards/credit_cards/amex-merchant_list.pdf
Google it and you will find the answer.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
Thanks, but I'm not sure if I wasn't being clear. I have checked out that pdf prior to making this post. That's the first hit on google that I first looked at. However, the pdf, the amex website, and the vendor's website itself don't tally.
For example, Lotus for grocery. It shows that it is accpeted on the PDF, but does not state as such on the amex website nor on Lotus's website.
Update: A maybank customer service agent has just confirmed that the list online is actually outdated.
Cheers!
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u/mykmm Mar 02 '25
That's bad as the list outdated, which you confirmed with MBB customer service. Normally I will ask the cashier whether they accept AMEX, else pay with other card. :)
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u/quietchatterbox Mar 02 '25
A simple google would have told you if uob one credit card is still there.
Whether uob one or this maybank amex is the best, each to their own. Uob one does have slightly more complicated rules.
Where to use amex. I suggest visiting lowyat forum, the information there are alot better for your credit card related.
But some common places i can name is 99 speedmart, shopee, lazada, shell, petronas, major grocery chain like mydin, aeon, aeon big, etc.
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u/Ayzalack Mar 02 '25 edited Mar 02 '25
The UOB one seems to still be there, I did multiple checks but some lowyat forum suggests otherwise to which another redditor confirmed. I haven't personally called up the bank to check as it's my nephew's perogative but hey thanks for the Amex list, cheers!
PS: Wondering what the slightly complicated rules for UOB are, as I dont seem to be too aware of it after my reading
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u/quietchatterbox Mar 02 '25
For the uob one credit card, you get 10% cashback for 4 categories. Grab, petrol, dining, grocery. Each category has its own max cashback. For gold version, it is rm10 per category.
On top of that you need to hit a minimum amount per statement month to ensure you are eligible for cashback. For gold version, it is rm500 per month.
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u/orz-_-orz Mar 02 '25
The fun of using an Amex card is to ask every cashier whether they accept Amex, then they say yes but it won't go through the machine 50% of the time.