CIMB Credit Card Lounge Access - Which cards are the best for free lounge passes?

If you’re a frequent traveller, getting a CIMB credit card in Malaysia with complimentary lounge access is a sure way to travel in comfort. As you embark on your search for a CIMB lounge access credit card, you’d notice a rather extensive list of credit cards on offer - each with its own lounge access, fees, and features.

Here, we dive into 5 popular CIMB credit cards and compare their minimum annual income and spending requirements, annual fees, alongside its lounge access features. Along the way, we’ll also look at the Wise card, which will help you save on unnecessary fees when you spend overseas with the mid-market rate and no foreign transaction fees.

What to consider when choosing a CIMB credit card with lounge access?

When you’re specifically looking for a CIMB credit card with airport lounge access, you have several options to pick from. Each one of them is varied in terms of its fees, features and complimentary lounge access.

To decide which one if the best fit for your lifestyle requirements, here are a few things to consider:

• Minimum income – the minimum income level for CIMB credit cards in this guide starts from 24,000 MYR
• Annual fee – most of the selected cards have no annual fee charges
• Number of visits – CIMB cards in this list offer 2, 4, 8, or 12 lounge access per year
• Supplementary cardholder visits – some cards allow shared complimentary visits for supplementary cardholders
• Minimum spend requirement – aside from AmBank’s priority banking customer bracket, most of the cards have a minimum spend requirement
• Rewards – there’s a wide variety of rewards on offer by CIMB, from Bonus Points that you can offset flights and hotel accommodation to dining perks
• Insurance – some CIMB cards offer some travel or accident insurance as part of the package. Check out the details thoroughly to make sure you find coverage that suits your needs

Another key factor to consider is where in the world you can exercise your complimentary lounge access privileges to make your card’s worth.

CIMB credit card lounge access list

Depending on the CIMB credit card you hold, you can enjoy complimentary lounge access to Plaza Premium Lounges or Plaza Premium First Lounges¹ in Malaysia and across the globe.

There are more than 90 Plaza Premium Lounges CIMB cardholders can gain access to in countries like Australia, China, Singapore and South Korea to name a few. The more exclusive Plaza Premium First Lounge is located in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Macau.

On top of lounge access, cardholders can also indulge in a complimentary set meal at designated dining outlets in airports at Canada, Finland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

Best CIMB credit cards with complimentary lounge access

In this guide, we weigh in on 5 popular CIMB credit cards with complimentary lounge access. From the minimum annual income requirements, to minimum spending requirements, and annual fee payments, we dive into everything you need to know before you decide on the card that’s the most suitable for you.

Begin your search for a CIMB credit card below.

CIMB Travel Platinum

The CIMB Travel Platinum card² offers 4 x Plaza Premium lounge access, once per quarter, in Malaysia and overseas. This applies on the condition that you make a minimum quarterly spend of 3,000 MYR on the card.

While the card’s minimum spend may be on the higher side, there are no annual fees to worry about and it has a low minimum annual income requirement of 24,000 MYR. Not only is it an accessible option for most, it also offers 5x Bonus Points for every ringgit spent overseas, at duty free stores and with airlines and 2x Bonus Points on local spend.

If you’re a frequent traveller, this card stands out as a rather attractive option to chalk up CIMB Bonus Points that can be redeemed for goods and vouchers, amongst other things.

CIMB Visa Signature

The CIMB Visa Signature card grants cardholders 2 x Plaza Premium Lounge access in Malaysia and overseas for the first year. Subsequently, the privileges will only be extended to those who spend 100,000 MYR or more on retail or online on the CIMB credit card, inclusive of supplementary card spending.

Do note that the lounge access is only granted to principal cardholders.

For those whose spending is in line with the minimum requirements, the CIMB Visa Signature is a way to earn CIMB Bonus Points – 2x Bonus Points when you swipe overseas, and 1x Bonus Point for every ringgit spent locally. These points are valid for 3 years and can be redeemed under the CIMB Member Reward Program.

Plus, with this card you won’t have to worry about hefty annual fees.

CIMB Visa Infinite

The CIMB Visa Infinite card⁴ allows a rather generous 8x lounge access to the Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia and overseas for the first year. Subsequently, these privileges will only be renewed on the condition that a minimum spend of 100,000 MYR is charged to the card per year. The upside is that there are no annual fees charged for this card.

As long as you can meet the minimum spend requirement, the CIMB Visa Infinite is an attractive option for its lounge access. On top of that, lifestyle privileges like dining discounts are also offered to cardholders.

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CIMB Travel World Platinum

With the CIMB Travel World card⁵, primary and supplementary cardholders can get into the Plaza Premium Lounges for a combined total of 12 times in a year. Here’s the catch – to enjoy the privileges, you will need to meet the minimum quarterly spend requirement of 600 MYR.

The CIMB Travel World card is liberal in its bonus points reward system. Earn up to 8x bonus points on overseas spend, 2x bonus points on other local spend, and 1x bonus points on local education, insurance and utilities. These points can be used to offset bookings with CIMB’s airline and hotel partners.

CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite

The CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite card⁶ is an invitation-only credit card exclusive to CIMB Preferred clients. To qualify, you must have at least 250,000 MYR in savings accounts, current accounts, or investment products with the bank.

If you fall under the bracket of CIMB’s preferred clientele, you can apply for the card to enjoy 8x lounge access to the Plaza Premium First and Plaza Premium lounges. Beyond the usual lifestyle perks, CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite cardholders are privy to preferential foreign exchange rates at the CIMB Foreign Exchange Booth in Malaysia.

Foreign transaction costs when using the CIMB credit card overseas

Credit cards are a safe and convenient way to spend your money when you’re travelling but it is key to note the additional fees charged on overseas spend. Every time you swipe your CIMB credit card overseas, you will be charged an administrative fee of 1% plus transaction fees imposed by Mastercard or Visa. Additionally, the conversion rate determined by Mastercard or Visa, may not always be the best.

Withdrawing cash overseas too incurs a fee of 5% of your withdrawal amount or a minimum of 15 MYR, whichever is higher. Overall, using your CIMB credit card for overseas spending might not be the best decision due to all the additional fees you’re likely to incur.

Bring along your CIMB credit card for lounge access and the Wise card for low-fee overseas transactions

While CIMB credit cards are a great way to get lounge access, given the earlier mentioned additional costs, it might not be the best for use on overseas spending. Even with CIMB’s attractive bonus points system, you will still be paying extra fees when you charge your foreign expenses to your card and withdraw from ATMs overseas.

To avoid this, reach for the Wise card instead. Not only can you hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account, you can spend in over 150+ countries, and there’s no foreign transaction fee to worry about. All currency conversion uses the mid-market rate, with low fees from 0.33%. You can also get some free ATM withdrawals every month to make it easier and cheaper to get cash while you’re on your travel agenda.

Use this guide as a starting point in your search for a CIMB credit card that will allow you to travel in luxury. But don’t forget the Wise card that will help you save on currency exchange.

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Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information