Disclaimer: The article and product(s) that is/ are mentioned are non sponsored. All insights are based on personal opinions and researches done. The information would have been updated during the time you read this article. The resources are based on the day of this article being posted.
American Express (Amex), one of the most premium and prestige card issuers around the world. The word "credit" is selectively removed, as American Express offers not just credit cards, but charge cards as well.
The centurion card, aka Black card is the highest tier's charge card offered by American Express.
Let's check out what American Express offers for Malaysians' market with its ultimate Membership Rewards Point.
A. Charge Cards
i. Top Tier- American Express Platinum
Benefits
- 5x for every MYR spent
- 1x on utilities, education and insurance
- Unlimited access to American Express Global Lounge Collection
- 400 MYR hotel credit (at least 2 consecutive nights)
- Fast track to top tier of hotels' loyalty programs (Hilton, Radisson, Shangri-la)
- Fast track to top tier of Hertz and Avis Car rental service
- Complimentary access and green fees in 23 countries
- Access to Tower Club Singapore (Exclusive premier private business club)
- Up to 50% discount on dining at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and Mariott Bonvoy Participating Hotels and Resorts in Malaysia
- Travel accident and inconvenience insurance
- Purchase protection
Annual Fee 3,250 MYR
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 190,000 MYR
ii. Mid Tier- American Express Gold
Benefits
- 2x for every MYR spent
- Travel accident and inconvenience insurance
Annual Fee 238 MYR
Waived for 3 years
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 48,000 MYR
iii. Low Tier- American Express Green
Benefits
- 2x for every MYR spent
- Travel accident and inconvenience insurance
- No annual fee
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 30,000 MYR
The benefits jumping from Top tier to mid and low tier are drastically different. The Gold and Green cards seems totally out of the league of charge card. Without any multipliers or travel perks, and yet the Gold card comes with annual fee of 238 MYR.
B. Credit Cards
i. Top Tier- Malaysia Airlines American Express Platinum Business Card
Welcome Bonus
- 2,000 Enrich Miles for 1st card transaction
- 8,000 Enrich Miles for first Malaysian Airlines ticket purchase
Benefits
- 2 Enrich miles per 5 MYR overseas spend
- 1 Enrich miles per 5 MYR local spend
- 100% Bonus Enrich Miles with 10,000 MYR local spend in a year
- 50% savings on the second Malaysia Airlines ticket on ASEAN or domestic routes via Mayflower Corporate Travel Services Sdn Bhd and Mayflower Holiday Sdn Bhd.
- 20% savings on purchasing international flight tickets on malaysiaairlines.com
- 6x Malaysian Airlines' Golden Lounge
- Complimentary travel accident and travel inconvenience insurance
- 24/7 Global Assistance
Annual Fee 500 MYR
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 120,000 MYR
ii. Mid Tier- American Express Platinum Credit Card
Benefits
- 5x on groceries, selected cineplexes, participating bookstores and telecommunication charges
- 2x on other spending
- Special privileges at select hotel, golf, and leisure Partners
- Yearly purchase protection and return guarantee
- Online fraud protection guarantee
- Travel accident insurance and travel inconvenience insurance
- 24/7 Global Assistance
Annual Fee 800 MYR
Waived on 1st year
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 60,000 MYR
iii. Low Tier- Malaysia Airlines American Express Gold Business Card and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold Credit Card
1. Malaysia Airlines American Express Gold Business Card
Welcome Bonus
- 2,000 Enrich Miles for 1st card transaction
- 8,000 Enrich Miles for first Malaysian Airlines ticket purchase
Benefits
- 2 Enrich miles per 5 MYR overseas spend
- 1 Enrich miles per 5 MYR local spend
- 50% Bonus Enrich Miles with 10,000 MYR local spend in a year
- 50% savings on the second Malaysia Airlines ticket on ASEAN or domestic routes via Mayflower Corporate Travel Services Sdn Bhd and Mayflower Holiday Sdn Bhd.
- 20% savings on purchasing international flight tickets on malaysiaairlines.com
- 2x Malaysian Airlines' Golden Lounge
- Complimentary travel accident and travel inconvenience insurance
- 24/7 Global Assistance
Annual Fee 250 MYR
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 48,000 MYR to 119,000 MYR
2. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer American Express Gold Credit Card
Welcome Bonus
- 3,000 KrisFlyer Miles for 1st card transaction
Benefits
- 2 KrisFlyer Miles for every 2 MYR spent when purchasing tickets at singaporeair.com. Valid for flights originating from Malaysia only.
- 1 KrisFlyer Miles for every 2 MYR spent (From Maybank website)
- Double miles with RM 60,000 spent within 12 months of card anniversary year (capped 100,000 miles)
- 5x Plaza Premium Lounge access
- Complimentary travel accident and travel inconvenience insurance
- Online fraud protection guarantee
Annual Fee 250 MYR
Waived on 1st year
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 48,000 MYR
BONUS American Express Gold Credit Card
This card is not displayed on American Express (Malaysia) official website, but it is shown on Maybank's.
Benefits
- 5x on groceries, selected cineplexes, participating bookstores and telecommunication charges.
- 2x on other spending
- No annual fee
Eligibility Minimum annual income of 30,000 MYR
Mileage Redemption Rates
• Exclusive for American Express Platinum Charge Card
Malaysia Airlines Enrich and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- 5:1 (Min 5,000 points : 1,000 miles)
Other/ Ordinary redemption rate 5.6:1 (Min 5,600 points : 1,000 miles)
Partnered Airlines:
Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Etihad, Emirates, Delta Airlines, AirAsia and Asia Miles
Hotel Point Redemption Rates
Hilton Honors 3.29:1 (Min 2,800 : 800)
Marriott Bonvoy 11.21:1 (Min 3,700 : 330)
Final Thoughts
Combining the earning and redemption rate of American Express Platinum Charge card. It is truly having the best redemption. There is no better conversion rate than 1:1 for Malaysia Airlines Enrich.
The other charge cards provided are rather disappointing. There is no differentiation between Gold and Green charge card and a 238 MYR annual fee is applied.
American Express Gold credit card might be the second best card in American Express lineup, provided the benefits aligned with what published on Maybank's website.
The Malaysian Airlines affiliated credit cards do stand out from the competition by offering 50% off companion ticket. However, the miles earning rate is lower than the non annual fee Hong Leong Bank infinite card and both CIMB Enrich World, CIMB Enrich World Elite credit cards. If you are a solo traveller, the Amex Malaysia Airlines credit card might not be for you.
The Singapore Airlines affiliated card might be useful on the other hand as earning rate of 2:1, if the information on Maybank is accurate.
Is American Express for everyone?
Yes, it is. But to fully utilise and optimise the Membership Rewards system, only the users on top would be fully benefited.
Have a glance of estimated earning miles by using the excel file below:
By inserting the amount of expense in Yellow Column
Commentaires