RHB Rewards Credit Card Review: Is It a Smart Choice for Malaysians?

Joel Conceicao

The RHB Rewards Credit Card is one of the more popular entry-level cards in Malaysia, and it's easy to see why. You earn RHB Loyalty Points on everyday spending, and those points can be redeemed for over 8,000 items and vouchers¹, from gadgets to e-vouchers. There's genuinely something for most people in there.

You can choose between the RHB Rewards Credit Card and the RHB Rewards Credit Card-i. Both offer the same perks and features, but the -i version is strictly Shariah compliant. The card starts you off with 1 Loyalty Point per 1 MYR spent. But with boosted categories that go up to 10x bonus points, there are plenty of ways to rack up points faster.

This guide covers everything you need to know – including its key benefits, how to maximise its value, and when it might be worth reaching for a different card altogether. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

The RHB Rewards Credit Card at a Glance

Here's a quick overview of what the card offers²:

FeatureDetails
Minimum Income24,000 MYR Per Annum
EligibilityMinimum 21 years old
Annual Fee200 MYR³
Top Reward CategoriesCinema, Online, Overseas, Shopping
Base Earning Rate1x Loyalty Point for every 1 MYR spent, with multipliers across several categories
Points ExpiryValid for 3 years⁴
Overseas ATM FeeCash advance fees (the higher of 5% or 15 MYR), 1% markup, plus ATM network fees
Foreign Transaction Fee1%, with the exchange rate determined by Visa or Mastercard

Correct at time of research – 23/4/2026

Both the conventional and Islamic versions of the RHB Rewards Credit Card offer the same rewards multipliers and fee structure⁵. Again, the RHB Rewards Credit Card-i is strictly Shariah-compliant⁶.

RHB Rewards Credit Card's Fees

Annual Fee

Like any credit card, the RHB Rewards Credit Card and RHB Rewards Credit Card-i come with fees worth factoring in before you sign up. The annual fee is 200 MYR, waived in the first year. After that, you can waive it again by spending 10,000 MYR or more in a year. There are no additional annual fees for supplementary cardholders beyond the principal.

One more thing to note: any outstanding payments – finance charges and other fees – are subject to an interest rate of up to 18% annually if not paid back by the due date.

Cash Advance Fees

Cash withdrawals carry a 5% cash advance fee (or 15 MYR, whichever is higher), plus 18% interest per annum from the day you withdraw until the balance is fully settled. Unlike regular purchases, there's no grace period here – interest starts immediately.

If you're taking cash out abroad, you may be offered a choice: pay in MYR or in the local currency. Always choose the local currency. Paying in MYR triggers dynamic currency conversion (DCC), which tends to offer less favourable rates. And it's one of the most common and avoidable travel money mistakes out there.

Foreign Transaction Fees

For some cardholders, the 4x Loyalty Points on overseas purchases is a genuine draw. But here's the thing: the fees on foreign currency transactions can easily offset those rewards, making it worth considering a specialist card when you're abroad.

When you spend in a foreign currency, RHB uses Visa or Mastercard network rates, which may include a markup. That means you're not getting the mid-market rate (the one you see on Google). Instead, the bank may make a margin on the currency conversion. The result? Foreign purchases tend to cost more than you'd expect.

Curious about the mid-market rate? Take a look below:

On top of that, RHB charges a 1% fee on all foreign currency transactions. Take out cash abroad and you're also looking at a 5% cash advance fee – plus 18% per annum interest from the day you withdraw. These charges add up quickly.

So whilst the RHB Rewards Credit Card can be excellent for earning and redeeming points in Malaysia – and may even help you get abroad, by allowing you to redeem points for air miles or hotels – it's unlikely to be your best option once you're actually there. Being smart about which card you use abroad can save you from a nasty surprise when you get home.

One more thing: if you plan to use your RHB card overseas, make sure you activate it before you leave. It needs to be enabled for international use before you reach your destination.

Love earning travel perks and miles? Check out our guide to the best RHB travel credit cards in Malaysia

Maximising Your RHB Loyalty Points and Rewards Catalogue

Here's how to make the most of the RHB rewards catalogue and earn points faster.

You earn RHB rewards points (Loyalty Points) on all kinds of spending. But some categories earn significantly more than others. To accelerate your points balance, focus your spending on these boosted categories:

  • 10x Loyalty Points for cinema entertainment
  • 3x Loyalty Points for online shopping: airlines, hotels, travel and others
  • 2x Loyalty Points for health spending
  • 2x Loyalty Points on shopping

You'll also earn 4x Loyalty Points on international spending. That said, as covered above, the foreign transaction fees associated with using your card abroad are likely to negate much of the value those points represent.

Once you've built up enough points, you can browse the RHB credit card rewards catalogue and redeem them through RHB Superdeals, the bank's dedicated rewards platform. Note that while all cardholders can accumulate points, only principal cardholders can redeem them⁹. The platform offers over 8,000 items and vouchers to choose from, across categories including:

  • Gadgets
  • Home appliances
  • Baby and kids
  • Health and beauty
  • e-Vouchers

You can access RHB Superdeals through RHB Now, the bank's internet banking platform.

Prefer to give back to society? You can also use your RHB Loyalty Points to donate to Aman Palestin, RHB's charity body which aids Palestinians through initiatives such as medical aid.

To get the most out of your card, lean into those boosted categories and keep an eye out for items on offer. You may be able to snag them for fewer points than usual. And every 24th of the month, RHB Day brings special deals available for redemptions starting from 24,000 points.

So, Is the RHB Rewards Credit Card Worth It?

For an entry-level rewards card, the RHB Rewards Credit Card holds up well. It's particularly well-suited to regular cinema-goers and online shoppers, where the points multipliers let you build up Loyalty Points at a reasonable pace.

Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:

ProsCons
Annual fee waived in year oneHigh foreign transaction fees
Up to 10x points on cinema entertainmentCash advance fees apply from day one
Wide rewards catalogue (8,000+ items)Only principal cardholder can redeem points
No extra fee for supplementary cardholdersPoints expire after 3 years

The key is using the card strategically. Spend enough to waive the annual fee, avoid cash advances, and clear your balance promptly to keep costs in check. For spending in Malaysia, the RHB Rewards Credit Card can be a solid, low-cost earner.

For international spending, a card with lower foreign transaction fees – like the Wise card – is likely to serve you better.

Travel Better, Spend Like a Local with Wise

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 are the benefits of the RHB Rewards Credit Card?

The RHB Rewards Credit Card lets you earn points on everyday spending, redeemable for a wide range of perks, from gadgets to vouchers. With rewards multipliers of up to 10 Loyalty Points per 1 MYR spent, you can accumulate points quickly, especially on boosted categories like cinema and online shopping.

How do I redeem my RHB Rewards Credit Card points?

You can redeem your points through the RHB Superdeals page, accessible via the Superdeals website or through online banking. Simply log in to RHB Now, go to My Accounts, and select Rewards Redemption. You can also choose to donate your points (or cash) to Aman Palestin, RHB's charity supporting Palestinians.

What is the RHB Rewards Credit Card annual fee?

The annual fee is 200 MYR, waived in the first year. From year two onwards, you can waive it again by spending 10,000 MYR or more. There's also no additional annual fee for supplementary cardholders.


Sources:

  1. RHB group - RHB Cards features: RHB rewards
  2. RHB Group - RHB Rewards Credit Card
  3. RHB Group - Service charges
  4. RHB Group - FAQ: RHB Loyalty Points
  5. RHB Group - Compare credit cards
  6. RHB Group - RHB Rewards Credit Card-i
  7. Visa - Travel support: Exchange rate calculator
  8. Wise
  9. RHB Group - RHB rewards FAQ


*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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