The Maybank Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Platinum has been a topic of considerable interest, particularly among those new to the pursuit of airline miles in 2024.

Many enthusiasts have pondered whether this card can replicate the success of its predecessor, the highly acclaimed Maybank 2 Cards Premier American Express Reserve. To a notable extent, it emerges as a compelling choice, particularly for a credit card with an annual income requirement of RM60,000.

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This card is especially advantageous for Malaysians employed full-time in Singapore, a point I will delve into in greater detail throughout this review.

However, potential cardholders should be mindful of certain key factors, such as the acceptance of American Express cards among merchants in Malaysia, which can influence the overall utility and efficiency of accruing benefits from the card. In the ensuing sections, I'll unpack the value propositions of the Maybank Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Platinum, providing a thorough overview of its merits and limitations.

When assessing the local earning rates of the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum, it's prudent to compare it to other Malaysian credit cards that also allow conversion to KrisFlyer miles. The card offers a rate of 0.4 Miles per Ringgit (MPR), equivalent to 1 Airline Mile for every RM2.50 spent locally.

This positions the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum ahead of its competitors, including the RHB Premier Visa Infinite and the UOB Visa Infinite Metal credit cards, in terms of travel-branded offerings. Visit my KrisFlyer Ultimate Guide for more comparisons.

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A significant challenge, however, is the lower acceptance rate of American Express in Malaysia. Due to the higher merchant fees associated with Amex, its uptake is notably lower compared to Visa and Mastercard. This limitation primarily affects those who frequent establishments where Amex is not widely accepted.

For cardholders who can regularly patronize high-end restaurants and international chains that accept Amex, this card could offer substantial value. Yet, this requires a spending pattern and income level that align with the card's potential benefits, emphasizing that engaging in this rewards program is not without its costs.

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For online expenditures, the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum offers a favorable accrual rate of 0.5 MPR, or 1 KrisFlyer Mile for every RM2.00 spent, which is competitive within its income bracket. This feature is especially valuable considering the scarcity of cards around the RM60,000 annual income mark that provide enhanced points for online purchases.

By contrast, cards like the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite cater to a different frequent flyer program, offering miles at a rate of 1 Airline Mile = RM1.875 for Enrich Miles. However, given the higher valuation of KrisFlyer miles compared to Enrich miles, the slight difference in accrual rates may be considered negligible for those focused on accumulating KrisFlyer miles.

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In summary, while the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum offers competitive mileage accrual rates, its effectiveness is contingent on one's ability to navigate the limited Amex acceptance in Malaysia and align spending habits to maximize the card's benefits.

When evaluating the overseas spending efficacy of the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum, the card provides a moderate airline miles accrual rate of 0.5 MPR, or 1 Airline Mile for every RM2.00 spent. This positions it comparably to high-tier cards such as the Standard Chartered Journey, which demands an annual income of RM90,000 but offers a similar MPR. This places the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum at a competitive advantage in its category, particularly for cardholders who primarily spend abroad.

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However, there are certain nuances that potential cardholders must consider. American Express cards typically incur higher transaction fees on foreign purchases compared to their Mastercard and Visa counterparts. Given this, one might expect a more favorable mileage accrual rate to offset these fees, especially from a card bearing the prestigious American Express Platinum name.

This aspect is crucial for frequent overseas travelers or Malaysian expatriates in countries like Singapore, where Amex is more widely accepted than in Malaysia. In contrast, in Thailand, the acceptance of Amex is less widespread, which could diminish the card's effectiveness for users in that region.

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Despite these challenges, it's important to recognize the strategic positioning of the Maybank KrisFlyer Amex Platinum within its market segment. The lack of robust competition within the same annual income bracket may contribute to the absence of a more aggressive mileage accrual strategy. This is a common trend seen across various card offerings, where the incentive to enhance benefits grows with the cardholder's income and spending capabilities.