Review | Maybank World Mastercard
The Maybank World Mastercard represents Maybank’s premium offering in the Mastercard credit card category, requiring a minimum annual income of RM100,000.
Given the recent controversies surrounding Maybank’s TreatsPoints, it is important to note that the Maybank World Mastercard offers Treats Air Miles instead of TreatsPoints, which is basically a different canonical name for the points given when you spend with your Maybank World Mastercard.
At the time of writing this review, I am unsure if the Maybank World Mastercard's conversion to Enrich miles is dampened by the recent capping of airline miles conversion by Maybank.
Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the card possesses distinct features that could attract a niche market. Let’s explore in detail what this credit card has to offer.
Air Miles Conversion
Similar to other Maybank offerings, including its competitive sibling, the Maybank Visa Infinite—which also mandates an annual income of RM100,000—the Maybank World Mastercard differentiates itself with distinct airline miles accrual rates for local and overseas spending.
Unlike other banks such as UOB and CIMB, there are no special spending categories that offer additional TreatsPoints. It is important to note that this review is written post the devaluation on May 22, 2024.
I strive to keep my reviews as current as possible, particularly when significant changes occur, as was recently the case with Maybank
The Maybank World Mastercard grants 0.25 miles per ringgit (MPR) for local expenditures. Although not the best in its income bracket for accumulating airline miles, its 0.25 MPR does outperform the popular UOB PRVI Miles Elite, which only offers a 0.11 MPR on local spend.
However, a rate of 0.25 MPR will hardly fast-track you to a business class seat unless you’re spending RM300,000 annually or you unusually opt to redeem for a business class seat on a short route like KL-Singapore.
More importantly, unlike the Maybank 2 Cards Premier, the Maybank World Mastercard only offers conversion into Enrich Miles. This is a significant drawback of the credit card in my opinion, given that several RM60,000 annual income credit cards offer double the MPR on local spend.
For overseas expenditures, the Maybank World Mastercard provides a 0.5 MPR, which also applies to online purchases in foreign currencies.
The card holds a unique position within Maybank’s lineup, notably less popular than the Maybank Visa Infinite, which is part of the Maybank 2 Cards Premier program.
Yet, with a 0.5 MPR on international spending, it falls short of competitors such as the UOB PRVI Miles Elite, which offers an impressive 1.11 MPR, and the CIMB Travel World Mastercard, with a 0.64 MPR. Notably, even the Standard Chartered Journey Mastercard, requiring a lower annual income of RM90,000, matches this rate.
Before its devaluation in May 2024, the Maybank World Mastercard’s 0.62 MPR on overseas spending was competitive; post-devaluation, however, the card’s appeal has significantly diminished.
Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounge access mirrors that of the Maybank Visa Infinite. Principal cardholders are granted five complimentary entries to Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide each year. Unfortunately, there is no lounge access provision for supplementary cardholders.
Full List of Lounges: Click here.
While the range of accessible lounges does not compete with CIMB, which I consider the leader in this category, it does include several key regional lounges that are beneficial for frequent travelers in this area.
Be sure to check out my Airport Lounges Ultimate Guide to compare airport lounge access for various credit cards in Malaysia.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Maybank World Mastercard presents some strengths, such as a respectable 0.25 MPR for local spending. However, it falls short in more competitive areas, particularly following its recent devaluation. The card’s overseas earning rate of 0.5 MPR is comparatively less appealing, making it a less attractive option for frequent international shoppers and travelers.
The recent devaluation and changes to TreatsPoints have significantly impacted Maybank’s standing, with many existing Maybank 2 Card Premier holders expressing dissatisfaction and switching to competitors like UOB or CIMB for better airline miles accumulation. Despite the rumored upcoming launch of the Maybank World Elite Mastercard, one can’t help but feel that significant damage has already been inflicted on Maybank’s reputation due to the ongoing TreatsPoints issues. It remains to be seen whether the new offering can recover customer trust and loyalty.
Moreover, while the card offers unchanged airport lounge access—providing five complimentary entries to Plaza Premium Lounges globally for principal cardholders but none for supplementary ones—it mirrors the benefits of the Maybank Visa Infinite without enhancing its overall appeal in a saturated market. Potential cardholders should carefully consider these aspects, especially those seeking enhanced travel perks or superior mileage earnings
Be sure to check out my Enrich Ultimate Guide, KrisFlyer Ultimate Guide, Asia Miles Ultimate Guide and my newly published Ultimate Guide by Spending Categories to find the best credit card that suits your needs for airline miles in Malaysia.
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