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

If you make frequent trips within Malaysia and are on the search for a credit card that will grant you complimentary lounge access, you have a few options from Public Bank to consider.

This guide will touch on 3 popular Public Bank credit cards that grant complimentary lounge access to its cardholders, including fees, additional features, and eligibility requirements. We’ll also discuss the Wise card as a reliable travel add-on for overseas expenditure with low, transparent fees and conversions at the mid-market rate.

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

To get the most out of your Public Bank credit card, it is wise to consider the card’s features beyond just its complimentary lounge access.

Here are some things to bear in mind before you apply for a Public Bank credit card with lounge access:

• Minimum income – the minimum income level for HSBC credit cards in this guide starts from 80,000 MYR
• Annual fee – some selected cards have fee waiver for the first year
• Number of visits – the Public Bank credit cards in this list offer 2x or 3x access to Plaza Premium lounges in Malaysia
• Supplementary cardholder visits – lounge access can be shared between principal and supplementary cardholder
• Minimum spend requirement – cards on this list do not have a minimum spend requirement
• Rewards – earn VIP points and Green Points with select Public Bank credit cards that can be redeemed for an extensive range of goods and services including air miles

Next, let’s look at the lounge access that Public Bank credit cards grant.

Public Bank credit card lounge access list

If you’re looking for a credit card that primarily offers access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia¹, all the Public Bank credit cards on this list will tick your boxes. The participating lounges include KLIA Terminal 2, Langkawai International airport, Penang International airport, and Kota Kinabalu International airport.

However, if you’re looking for lounge access at international airports you will have to look elsewhere.

Best Public Bank credit cards with complimentary lounge access

In this guide, we will dive into 3 Public Bank credit cards – the Public Bank Visa Infinite, Public Bank Visa Signature, Public Bank World Mastercard. In particular, we will discuss the cards’ eligibility criteria, fees, and key features beyond just complimentary lounge access.

Public Bank Visa Infinite

The Public Bank Visa Infinite card² grants 3x lounge access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia for its principal cardholders only.

Although cardholders will not be charged annual fees, the card has a high minimum income eligibility requirement of 100,000 MYR. If you qualify, this card’s cash back feature offers a smart way to spend your money.

You earn 0.3% unlimited Cash MegaBonus by spending your Visa Infinite credit card on any qualified local spend and a 2% Cash MegaBonus when you spend overseas.

Public Bank Visa Signature

Cardholders of the Public Bank Visa Signature card are privy to 2x complimentary lounge access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia.

The Public Bank Visa Signature card³ is generous with its cash back and points reward system. Earn up to 30 MYR cashback every month when you swipe your card on dining, grocery and online transactions.

Other local and overseas spending will earn you up to 3x VIP points. These accumulated points can be redeemed for a wide range of gift vouchers, and e-vouchers, noteworthy amongst them is air miles.

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Public Bank World Mastercard

With the Public Bank World Mastercard⁴, you can enjoy 3x complimentary lounge access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Malaysia as a principal cardholder.

If you’re a frequent flyer, this card’s air miles redemption program will be of interest to you. For every MYR charged to the card overseas and locally, you earn 3x air miles and 1x air mile respectively. The card’s air miles conversion offers one of the better rates out there for Malaysian airlines and AirAsia.

Foreign transaction costs when using the Public Bank credit card overseas

Now that we’ve looked at the perks of a credit card, we should also acknowledge the cons that can come with credit card usage overseas. Like most Malaysian issued credit cards, Public Bank cards too incur additional costs when swiped overseas.

This includes a 1.25% foreign transaction fee and 5% cash advance fees or 20 MYR (whichever is higher) when making ATM withdrawals overseas. When you charge your overseas spend to a credit card, you are also subject to provider rates that might be less than ideal.

These are a few things to have in mind before you use your credit card for all your travel needs.

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

To avoid the additional fees that can add up with multiple foreign transactions and cash withdrawals, consider using a debit card like the Wise card instead.

This way, you can avoid the fees you will be charged for making ATM withdrawals overseas and swiping your Public Bank credit card overseas. Even with the attractive rewards programs, the extra charges might not always cancel each other out.

To avoid unnecessary costs, use the Wise card for your overseas expenditure. Not only can you hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account at the mid-market rate and low fees from 0.33%, you are also entitled to some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month. You can spend with your Wise card in over 150+ countries, so always keep it handy no matter where you're headed.

Bring along your Public bank lounge credit card to travel comfortably, and the Wise card - a trusty travel companion that offers an ease of use and mind.

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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