CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite Review: Is It Malaysia's Best Credit Card for Petrol?

In Malaysia, petrol-focused credit cards stand out for one simple reason: everyday practicality. Among them, the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card¹ positions itself as a premium option tailored for frequent drivers who fuel up at Petronas.

Think of it as a step up from standard cashback cards. The CIMB Islamic Petronas Visa Infinite is one of the best credit cards in Malaysia, and it's not just a credit card for petrol cashback. It combines high petrol rebates with daily lifestyle perks, including overseas spend rebates.

This co-branded card with Petronas is exclusively available as a Shariah-compliant product (there is no conventional variant), operating under the Tawarruq concept² as of January 2026.

The card excels at petrol savings, and it bundles in rebates on lifestyle and overseas spending too. But how does it actually perform when you go overseas? In this CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card review, we'll break down its features, costs, and limitations. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Is the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite Right for You?

CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite's Foreign Exchange and ATM Fees

The CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card delivers strong domestic value. But its overseas usage? That's where hidden costs can quietly creep in.

First up: foreign transaction fees. CIMB imposes an administrative charge of 1% on transactions, and Visa adds its own transaction fee on top. This is in addition to the exchange rate mark-up, the currency conversion rate determined by Visa.

Then there are the fees for overseas ATM cash withdrawals. Although the transaction fee is waived until further notice, you'll still encounter conversion mark-ups and transaction fees.

On top of that, since this is considered a cash advance, profit charges of 1.5% per month or 18% per annum kick in immediately, calculated on a daily rest basis from the transaction date to the date it is settled in full. That can make your credit card bill significantly more expensive.

And if you opt for Dynamic Currency Conversion – offered by certain overseas merchants to give you the choice to pay in Ringgit Malaysia (including online purchases) for overseas transactions – there will be yet another fee.

A multi-currency card such as Wise can help you avoid many of these fees and mark-ups. It uses the mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google) and charges a low, upfront, transparent fee. You also get 2 fee-free ATM withdrawals each month, up to 1,000 MYR (or equivalent). And since it can exchange, hold and manage 40+ currencies, it makes it easy to spend like a local while on holiday.

Want to see the mid-market rate for yourself? Take a look below:

How to Maximise Your CIMB Petronas Cashback and Lounge Access

To unlock the maximum 12% petrol cashback on the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card, you'll need to meet a few requirements.

First, the 12% rebate is only applicable on Petronas transactions, Setel transactions at Petronas, and EV charging at Petronas stations.

Second, you may not be able to hit the highest cash rebate tier of 12%, as it applies for a statement balance of MYR 4,000 and above. Those who hit a minimum of MYR 1,500 spending can get a 6% cash rebate. So you'll need to use it as one of your main spending cards.

But here's the catch: the petrol cash rebate is capped at MYR 60 per cardholder per statement cycle.

The good news? Petrol and EV charging spend can be combined with other categories – groceries, dining, and cashless parking – to help you hit that MYR 4,000 statement balance. This unlocks a 6% cash rebate on those categories as well (3% for hitting the lower MYR 1,500 spending tier).

Now, let's look at the lounge access perks. The CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card offers 4x Plaza Premium Lounge visits per year, and you can connect your eligible cards to Plaza Premium Group's Smart Traveller app for effortless access via QR code, explore outlet locations, review your visit history, and track your remaining lounge access quota.

However, this benefit is shared across the Principal and Supplementary cardholders and is limited to Plaza Premium Group only. Accompanying travellers (without the card) pay 50% of the walk-in usage fee.

Do take note that the airport lounge and dining outlet locations are subject to change from time to time by Plaza Premium Group. You'll want to check the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite lounge access list before you fly.

While these perks look attractive at first glance, they're best suited for higher income earners and spenders who are occasional travellers. The card shines for domestic commuting via car, everyday spending, and booking flights for travel insurance.

Those who frequently fly, make overseas transactions, and need foreign ATM withdrawals can consider pairing it with a travel card such as Wise, which lets you spend like a local at the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees and fee-free ATM withdrawals.

Shariah Compliant: CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card

Looking for a Shariah-compliant option? The CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card follows Islamic finance principles.

Since January 2026, it has operated under the Tawarruq concept² (commodity murabahah) instead of the older Ujrah (fee-based) model. This means it uses Takaful coverage instead of conventional insurance, while maintaining similar cashback and lifestyle perks.

Tawarruq structures ensure that financing is backed by underlying commodity transactions, aligning with Islamic banking requirements.

So, Is the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite Worth It?

If you're looking for a credit card for petrol that Malaysian drivers can rely on, the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card is a strong contender, especially for high spenders who can consistently hit the MYR 4,000 monthly threshold.

However, it may not be as useful overseas due to hidden foreign transaction fees, exchange rate markups, and interest on foreign ATM withdrawals.

The best of both worlds? Pair it with a Wise card. That way, you can enjoy petrol cashback at home while saving on FX fees abroad.

Live Like a Local, Spend Like One Too with Wise

The Wise card is a simple and cheap way to make online payments in 40+ currencies. All you need to do is to sign up for a free Wise account and top-up in MYR to get started. You'll be able to order up to 3 free virtual Wise cards with unique card details, so you can make convenient and secure online payments whenever you need. Manage, freeze, and delete your virtual cards using the handy Wise app.

Choose to spend directly in MYR and let Wise's auto conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency in advance. Either way, you’ll get the mid-market rate, with low, transparent fees from 0.77%.

💳 Get your Wise card today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of a CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite Credit Card?

The CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card offers up to 12% petrol cashback at Petronas, 4x lounge access, travel insurance coverage, and rebates on everyday spending.

What is the income requirement for the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite?

The minimum income requirement for the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card is MYR 120,000 per annum.

Can I use CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite internationally?

Yes, the CIMB Petronas Visa Infinite-i Credit Card can be used internationally. Do note that foreign transaction fees and foreign exchange rates that include mark-ups, as well as other fees, may be incurred.