Maybank Grab Credit Card Review 2026: Is It Still Worth It for Malaysians?

Joel Conceicao

As the biggest bank in Malaysia, Maybank holds a dominant position in the Malaysian digital banking landscape.

Case in point: in 2024, over 1.26 trillion MYR of transactions were made in ASEAN countries via Maybank’s digital platforms¹.

This massive shift is reflective of a new reality: most Malaysians live their lives online, with smartphones and digital payments. That only means co-branded cards like the Maybank Grab Mastercard Platinum Credit Card have become even more ever-present.

But is it still the smartest way to spend in 2026? To help you decide, here’s a clear breakdown of the 2026 perks below.

We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Table of contents

First, though, is the Maybank Grab Card right for You?

If the Grab app is one of your go-to’s, here are some things you might want to know about this card:

FeatureDetails
Minimum Income
  • 24,000 MYR per annum²
Annual Fee
  • Free for life
Grab Ecosystem
  • 1X GrabCoins for every 1 MYR spent on Grab No top-up fees for top-ups to GrabPay Wallet
Global/Online
  • 1x GrabCoins for every 1 MYR spent on e-commerce, cross-border and overseas transactions
Other Local Spend
  • 1X GrabCoins for every 3 MYR spent in Malaysia
Elite Privileges
  • Mastercard Priceless specials
Welcome Gift
  • 1,000 GrabCoins upon physical card activation or first spend with digital card.
  • Also, a 5X 5 MYR GrabRide voucher and 5X 5 MYR GrabFood voucher upon a minimum cumulative spend of RM300 within 45 days from the date of approval

Oh, and just so you know: existing Maybank customers who apply for the Maybank Grab Mastercard Platinum Credit Card will get a digital card that’s viewable on the Maybank2U website within the same day after approval.

The digital card is valid for 10 days and has a 300 MYR limit. So you can start spending immediately while waiting for your physical card to arrive.

Who is the Maybank Grab Credit Card great for?

Naturally, the Maybank Grab credit card is ideal for people who use Grab services and GrabPay frequently. But one thing to note is that while your GrabCoins will accumulate quickly, high foreign transaction fees - typically around 2.25% - will add up fast as well.

That’s where the Wise card comes in as a great supporting card, so you can spend overseas at the mid-market exchange rate with no markups or admin fees.

For a clearer picture of your spending power, take a look at the real-time rates Wise offers below:

How to maximise your GrabCoins like a pro

Since late 2025, Grab has rebranded its GrabRewards programme to GrabCoins. But no worries: all existing GrabRewards Points earned previously have been converted at a 1:1 ratio into GrabCoins, and Grab is offering more ways to earn them³.

Depending on the transaction type, you can earn different amounts of GrabCoins.

For example: you’ll get 5% back in GrabCoins when ordering Grab Signatures and breakfast on GrabFood. And you’ll get the same amount if you make an advance booking or book a premium or exec ride. A normal GrabCar ride will award you GrabCoins too.

Other things to look out for:

  • Booking a table on Grab DineOut will net you 150 GrabCoins.
  • Shopping online with PayLater by Grab will earn you up to 200 GrabCoins.

GrabCoins earned from 1 January 2026 onwards expire six months after you earn them, while all GrabCoins that were converted from GrabRewards Points have a grace period until 31 July 2026.

Looking to squeeze every drop of value out of your spending? The smartest move is using PayLater by Grab for your daily expenses.

You’ll earn up to 1x GrabCoins per 1 MYR spent at participating online stores. Even better, if you shop with VIP brands, you’ll pocket an extra 200 GrabCoins as a bonus for your transaction.

Maybank’s fees and charges

The Maybank credit card foreign transaction fee is a total of 2.25% on transactions made outside of Malaysia.

This can quickly rack up during overseas holidays, particularly when you’re shopping and dining out.

Also, the Maybank Grab credit card does not earn any GrabCoins rewards for:

  • JomPay
  • FPX
  • Mycdd
  • Government bodies
  • Non-Grab e-wallet reloads

This means that ideally, only your Grab spending should be charged to this card to get maximum value.

How Wise complements your Maybank card

If you want to get the most out of your money, then why not pair the Maybank Grab credit card with Wise for a smart choice?

At home in Malaysia, you can use the Maybank Grab credit card for Grab rides, food delivery, purchases, and more to quickly earn GrabCoins, which can be exchanged for rewards.

And when you’re overseas, using Wise to pay for your overseas transactions will help you save money, thanks to favourable mid-market exchange rates.

Additionally, you’ll be avoiding any Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees, as well as the foreign transaction fee that Maybank charges on top of network currency exchange rates.

The final verdict: is the Maybank Grab card still worth it?

For people who frequently use Grab’s services - whether it be ride-hailing, food delivery, or financial services like PayLater by Grab - the Maybank Grab credit card is an excellent way to get extra GrabCoins and accelerate your rewards.

Spend Like a Local Anywhere with the Wise Card

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including CNY, JPY, GBP, and SGD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up MYR to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 13.7 MYR. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 1,000 MYR each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in MYR and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.77%.

💳 Get your Wise card today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the benefit of the Maybank Grab card?

The Maybank Grab Platinum credit card rewards users for their Grab usage by offering GrabCoins for every 1 MYR spent on Grab. This is in addition to the GrabCoins users will earn from their transactions, which means GrabCoins rewards will be greatly accelerated for Maybank Grab credit card owners.

What is the top-up fee for the Maybank Grab credit card?

The Maybank Grab credit card has no top-up fees when topping up the owner’s GrabPay Wallet.

How do I waive the Maybank Grab credit card annual fee?

The Maybank Grab Platinum credit card has no annual fee, thanks to its lifetime fee waiver perk.


Sources: Checked on 6/2/2026

References:

  1. Maybank 2024 annual report
  2. Maybank Malaysia
  3. Grab Malaysia

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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