If you’re thinking of getting a credit card to let you earn rewards as you spend, you may be considering the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite credit card1 which offers Alliance Bank timeless bonus points that don’t expire, as well as lifestyle benefits like lounge access.
This guide walks through how the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card works, and also touches on an alternative which is also worth taking along with you on your travels - the Wise debit card. The Wise card offers low cost ways to spend in 150+ countries with the mid-market rate and no foreign transaction fee2. More on that later.
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Probably the main reason to hold the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card is the opportunity to earn Alliance Visa Infinite points which you can redeem as air miles with Air Asia or Malaysian Airlines, as vouchers for ecommerce, restaurants, malls and department stores, for gifts and lots more3. There are also extras, such as complimentary Alliance Bank Visa Infinite lounge access which can make travel that little bit more relaxing.
To get the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card in the first place you’ll need to apply online and have a minimum income of 60,000 MYR annually or more. There’s an annual fee to pay, but this is waived in the first year of holding the card, and can be waived in subsequent years if you use your card frequently.
Here’s a rundown of the key features and fees of the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card4 - we’ll go through the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite benefits you get in return in just a moment.
| Eligibility | Principal cardholder must be 21 or older with a minimum income of 60,000 MYR annually |
| Annual fee | 438 MYR, waived in first year |
| Interest rate | 15% - 18% depending on card usage and payment patterns |
| Foreign currency transaction fee | 1% bank fee, exchange rate set by Visa |
| ATM withdrawal fee (cash advance transaction) | 5% fee (minimum 15 MYR per transaction) + interest at 18% |
Looking for an option for your business spending rather than for personal use?
There’s also the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite business card5, which works somewhat differently to the personal credit card. Alliance Bank Visa Infinite business cardholders get more time to repay their bills, ways to access financing which can be repaid over 18 months, and ways to earn cashback on spending which can help with business cash flow. If this is the card you’re interested in, it’s worth taking a closer look online as the features, perks and benefits aren’t the same as the Visa Infinite for personal cardholders.
🌎 Enjoy low, transparent fees and free ATM withdrawals with the world's most international debit card
The main benefit of the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card is the fact you can earn Alliance Timeless Bonus Points which don’t expire and which can be redeemed in a large number of ways. You can also get some free lounge access when you travel, a Visa concierge when you need help making travel plans, and ways to spread the costs of your spending over several months.
You can earn bonus points with Alliance Bank on all spending - but the rate at which you earn does vary based on the type of spending involved:
| Spending category | Rewards multiplier |
|---|---|
| 8x rewards | |
| 5x rewards | |
| 1x rewards |
There are some categories of spending which don’t qualify for reward earning, including government spending and petrol purchases.
It’s also useful to remember that although you earn rewards on overseas spending at a higher rate - 5x rewards for every ringgit spent - you’ll also pay a fee for currency conversion. This is usually a 1% charge which is added to your card bill when it’s time to pay. You’ll need to weigh up this extra cost when you’re deciding if the Alliance Visa Infinite is the right card to take overseas with you. If you’re thinking of using a debit card instead, we’ve got a great option coming up later - the Wise card which has no foreign transaction fee and uses the mid-market rate for currency conversion.
You can exchange your Timeless Bonus Points for AirAsia and Enrich points for your next flights, for e-vouchers, or appliances, or lifestyle benefits. The redemption rates vary a lot depending on the way you choose to redeem your points. Here are a few examples of how you may want to use your Alliance Bank Visa Infinite card points3:
- Trade 60,000 reward points for a 100 MYR voucher for Giant or Aeon
- Trade 60,000 reward points for a 100 MYR voucher for Starbucks, Pizza Hut or McDonalds
- Trade 60,000 reward points for a 100 MYR e-voucher for Grab, Touch ‘n Go or other digital services
- Trade your points for Air Asia or Malaysia Airlines Enrich points - redemption values vary
- Buy electrical appliances or travel goods like luggage - reward points used vary a lot depending on what you select
- Redeem for items like headphones - JVC wireless headphones cost just over 100,000 reward points
- Use points to make donations to your favourite charities
| 👀 Looking for a multi-currency card to spend abroad instead? See how Wise compares to MAE and BigPay |
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A credit card can help you spread the costs of your travel over a few months, and may also let you earn rewards at a faster rate when you’re abroad. However, credit cards also come with fees which can mean you spend more than you would with a debit card.
Check out the Wise card as an alternative - or an addition to - your credit card. You can use your Wise international debit card in 150+ countries, with mid-market rate currency conversion wherever you spend in foreign currencies.
Wise accounts can support 40+ currencies, so all you need to do is add money in MYR and convert to the currency you need in advance or when you pay. Since there are no ongoing card charges, you’ll only ever pay transparent low fees for the services you need. That can mean your money goes further when you’re away from home.
Order a Wise card for a one time card fee of 13.70 MYR, to spend seamlessly around the world and make 2 free withdrawals of up to 1000 MYR a month to make sure you have cash in your pocket when you need it.
Sign up for your Wise card today 💳
Use this guide to decide if the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite is the right credit card for your needs - and remember to check out the Wise debit card as a simple, smart and low cost way to spend when you’re overseas, with the mid-market rate and no hidden costs.
*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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