I’ve written several articles on which credit cards you should use for dining, airport lounge access, and more. Recently, I received an earful (and rightfully so!) about why I didn’t write an article for the 7.7 online shopping promotions. Ask and you shall receive!
With plenty of online shopping events coming up in the second half of the year, especially the well-anticipated Singles Day on 11.11, this is the perfect time to get your credit cards ready.
This list is by no means exhaustive. There are plenty of credit cards that cater to cashback needs, but since Refined Points is an airline miles blog, I’ll only be focusing on miles credit cards.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
CIMB e Credit Card
The CIMB e Card stands out as the top choice in my Ultimate Category-Specific Guide for online shopping. It offers a compelling 0.96 Miles Per Ringgit (MPR) for Enrich miles and 0.8 MPR for Asia Miles, Avios, and other frequent flyer programs, positioning it well ahead of the competition. However, there is a notable limitation to consider.
The CIMB e Card grants 12X Bonus Points exclusively on the 28th of each month. Consequently, for online shopping on major promotional dates such as 7/7, 8/8, or 11/11, the card only provides 3X Bonus Points. This limitation presents a challenge, as there is no immediate workaround.
To optimize your rewards, compare prices during these promotional days (e.g., 7/7) with those on the 28th of the month. If the prices on the promotional days are not significantly lower, it may be advantageous to wait until the 28th to maximize your Bonus Points accumulation.
Additionally, while the CIMB e Card’s high MPR rates on the 28th are advantageous, note that there is a cap of 20,000 Bonus Points per statement cycle, which equates to an approximate spend of RM1,666 assuming expenditures are made solely on the 28th of each month.
Of course, on other days, the CIMB e Card still offers 3X Bonus Points, which translates to a 0.24 MPR for Enrich Miles and a 0.2 MPR on Asia Miles, Avios and most other frequent flyer programs.
Alliance Bank Visa Infinite & Visa Platinum
The Alliance Bank Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum credit cards both offer 8X TBP (Total Bonus Points) for online purchases, with a monthly cap of RM3,000 per card. If you hold both credit cards, you can accumulate up to RM6,000 in total. Given that points from Alliance Bank credit cards are pooled together, this represents a substantial cap. This translates to an effective 0.53 MPR (Miles Per Ringgit) for Enrich miles.
While Alliance Bank also provides the option to convert TBP to AirAsia Points, for optimal value, it is advisable to focus on maximizing your Enrich miles rather than converting to AirAsia Points.
Additionally, both the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum cards offer 8X TBP for reloading e-wallets, also capped at RM3,000 per card each month. High spenders can leverage this benefit by using their credit cards for e-wallet top-ups and online purchases. This can increase your total cap for each card to RM6,000 per month, and up to RM12,000 per month if you possess both credit cards.
Maybank Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Platinum
The Maybank Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Platinum card is an excellent option for accumulating KrisFlyer miles through online shopping. With an impressive 0.5 MPR (Miles Per Ringgit) on online purchases, it ranks among the top credit cards in Malaysia for earning KrisFlyer miles in this category.
As of this writing, Refined Points confirms that American Express credit cards are accepted by major platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. However, it is unclear if TikTok Shop falls under the same Merchant Category Code as these other platforms.
Regardless, if you frequently shop online on these sites and are keen on accumulating KrisFlyer miles, this card is a compelling choice due to its outstanding earning rates. This is particularly true given its status as a co-branded card with Singapore Airlines.
Honorable Mention: UOB World Card
The UOB World Card deserves an honorable mention, but it might not be the top choice for online shopping, as you’ll see shortly. Unlike some other cards, the UOB World Card does not offer special multipliers for online purchases. However, it does provide 12X UNIRM (UOB Rewards Points) for reloading e-wallets such as TNG E-Wallet, Boost, and BigPay, with a cap of RM300 per e-wallet per month. This results in a combined monthly cap of RM900 for all three e-wallets.
You can use these e-wallets to pay for online shopping, similar to the strategy with Alliance Bank Visa credit cards. The limitation here is the RM300 cap per e-wallet, which may restrict the amount of airline miles you can earn. In fact, it might be more advantageous to reserve these caps for other expenses like tolls and dining at restaurants where credit cards are not accepted.
Despite this, using the UOB World Card in this way can still be beneficial. For instance, if you fully utilize the RM900 cap each month at 12X UNIRM, you would accumulate 10,800 UNIRM per month, totaling 129,600 UNIRM in a year. This can be a substantial reward if accumulated over time, providing a decent amount of UNIRM for your efforts.
Final Thoughts
In the ever-evolving landscape of credit card rewards, selecting the right card for online shopping can significantly impact your accumulation of miles and points. Each card discussed offers distinct advantages tailored to different spending habits and reward preferences.
The CIMB e Card stands out for its high earning rate of 0.96 MPR for Enrich miles and a 0.8 MPR for other airlines, though it comes with a notable limitation of earning 12X Bonus Points only on the 28th of each month. For those who can strategically time their purchases, it offers substantial rewards, albeit with a capped earning potential.
The Alliance Bank Visa Infinite and Visa Platinum cards provide robust earning potential with 8X TBP for online purchases and e-wallet reloads. The combined monthly cap of RM6,000 per card, and RM12,000 for both, presents a significant opportunity for high spenders to maximize rewards.
The Maybank Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Platinum card excels with its impressive 0.5 MPR for online shopping, making it a top choice for accumulating KrisFlyer miles without any spending caps. It is especially valuable for those who frequently shop on platforms that accept American Express.
Lastly, the UOB World Card, while lacking special multipliers for online shopping, offers a notable 12X UNIRM for e-wallet reloads. Despite the RM300 cap per e-wallet, it remains a viable option for those who can effectively use this strategy to enhance their rewards over time.
Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your spending patterns and reward goals. By carefully considering each card’s features and limitations, you can make an informed decision that maximizes your rewards and aligns with your travel and financial objectives.
Be sure to check out my Ultimate Category-Specific Guide to compare the full list of credit cards for online spend in Malaysia.
