The Best CIMB Travel Credit Card - 2025
Having a credit card can be convenient when you travel, to spread the costs of your purchases, and earn rewards. If you’re thinking of getting a CIMB travel credit card, this overview of CIMB travel credit cards and their features is for you.
We’ll take a look at the CIMB credit card benefits for each different option, and how to submit a CIMB credit card application. We’ll also touch on the Wise card which lets you spend globally using the mid-market exchange rate and conversion fees from just 0.71%. There’s no foreign transaction fee to pay and no annual charge either - more on that later.
What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card
To find the best CIMB credit card for travel you’ll want to consider a few things. Key factors to consider when choosing a travel credit card can include:
Miles and Rewards Program – what rewards are offered when you spend with the card, and how can you redeem them?
Foreign Transaction Fees – does the card waive or reduce foreign transaction charges when you use it abroad?
Travel Insurance Coverage – is there travel protection offered, and what does it cover?
Airport Lounge Access – does the card provide complimentary lounge access to make sure you can start your journeys in style?
Additional Perks – are there any other benefits such as hotel privileges, cashback, or dining discounts which may sway your decision?
Let’s explore the best travel cards from CIMB so you can decide if any suit your specific needs.
Best CIMB Credit Cards for Travelers: A Comprehensive Comparison
In this guide, we take a look at a comparison of top CIMB credit cards designed for travelers. We’ll touch on these popular CIMB Malaysia credit cards:
CIMB Platinum Credit Card
CIMB Petronas Platinum Credit Card
CIMB Travel World Credit Card
CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card
All of these options have some great travel features - but there are often foreign transaction fees which you’ll need to be aware of. If you’re looking for a card with no foreign transaction fee, a Wise debit card could be a good alternative. There’s no fee to spend if you already have the currency for the payment in your Wise account. And if currency conversion is required from MYR, the fee starts from just 0.71% with no annual fee and no interest to pay.
Here’s a comparison of the CIMB cards we’ve featured side by side - we'll touch on the details of each card in a moment, and then look at some alternatives like the Wise card a bit later.
| Card Name | Min Annual Income/ Eligibility | Annual Fees | Foreign Transaction Fees | Cash back/ Rewards | Major perks for travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIMB Platinum Credit Card | 24,000 MYR annual income | None | Network rate + 1% | 1 bonus point per 1 MYR spend | Some free travel insurance options |
| CIMB Petronas Platinum-i Credit Card | 24,000 MYR annual income | None | Network rate + 1% | Up to 8% rebate at Petronas, up to 2% rebate on other select spending | Some free travel takaful options |
| CIMB Travel World Credit Card | 100,000 MYR annual income | 554.72 MYR | Network rate + 1% | Up to 2 bonus points per 1 MYR local spend, and 8x on travel spend | 12x annual lounge access options Some free travel insurance options |
| CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card | 90,000 MYR annual income | None | Network rate + 1% | 1 bonus point per 1 MYR local spend, and 5x on travel spend | Golf privileges Some free travel insurance options |
CIMB Platinum Credit Card
The CIMB Platinum Credit Card is available with no annual fee, and offers a flat rate of bonus earning, set at 1 point per ringgit spent. You can use your CIMB Bonus Points to redeem selected flights, or hotel stays, to get gifts from the CIMB catalogue, or to redeem at partner merchants. Cards also offer automatic travel insurance coverage for inconveniences such as lost baggage or flight delays, when you pay for your airline tickets using the card.
- Key Features: 1 bonus point per 1 MYR spend, some free travel insurance options
- Card type: Visa
- Eligibility:24,000 MYR annual income
Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction uses the network rate + 1%
CIMB Platinum Credit Card pros CIMB Platinum Credit Card cons ✅ No annual fee
✅ Earn as you spend and redeem for travel perks or gifts
✅ Get free travel insurance
✅ Instalment plans to pay for purchases over up to 36 months❌ Annual income requirements of 24,000 MYR
❌ Interest and penalty fees apply
❌ Foreign transaction fee of 1% + any network costs
CIMB Petronas Platinum-i Credit Card
The CIMB Petronas Platinum-i Credit Card is an Islamic credit card, provided in partnership with Petronas. The card offers 8% cash rebate on fuel spending if you have a statement balance of 2,000 MYR and above, or a 4% rebate with a statement balance of 500 MYR and above. Other spending may be rewarded with a rebate of up to 2%. There’s no annual fee to pay, but an annual income requirement is in place.
Key Features: Up to 8% rebate at Petronas, up to 2% rebate on other select spending, some free travel takaful options
- Card type: Visa
- Eligibility: 24,000 MYR annual income
Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction uses the network rate + 1%
| CIMB Petronas Platinum Credit Card pros | CIMB Petronas Platinum Credit Card cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ No annual fee ✅ Some free travel takaful options offered ✅ Great rebates on fuel, and smaller rebates on some other select spend ✅ Shariah compliant | ❌ Annual income requirements of 24,000 MYR ❌ Interest and penalty fees apply ❌ Foreign transaction fee of 1% + any network costs |
CIMB Travel World Credit Card
The CIMB Travel World Credit Card is aimed at higher income individuals with a minimum 100,000 MYR annual income and a high annual fee. However, it comes with high earning potential, and easy ways to earn reward points. You’ll get a pretty small 1 or 2 bonus points per 1 MYR local spend, but you can then earn 8x on travel spend, plus 12x annual lounge access options, making this a good option for frequent travelers.
Key Features: Up to 2 bonus points per 1 MYR local spend, and 8x on travel spend, some free travel insurance options
Card type: Mastercard
Eligibility: 100,000 MYR annual income
Fees: 554.72 MYR, foreign transaction uses the network rate + 1%
| CIMB Travel World Credit Card pros | CIMB Travel World Credit Card cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ No foreign transaction fee ✅ 12x annual lounge access options ✅ 8x rewards on travel spend ✅ Globally accepted | ❌ High minimum income requirement ❌ 554.72 MYR annual fee ❌ Interest and penalties can apply |
Learn more about Malaysian cards without foreign transaction fees here.
CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card
Our final pick is the CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card which offers customers 1 bonus point per 1 MYR local spend, and an increased 5x on travel spend. As a Mastercard customer you also get some perks like golf privileges, and the card comes with some free travel insurance options in case your bags get lost or you hit delays. As there’s no annual fee, this can be a handy card if you want lifestyle benefits, but there is a relatively high minimum income which you’ll need to meet.
Key Features: 1 bonus point per 1 MYR local spend, and 5x on travel spend, golf privileges, some free travel insurance options
Card type: Mastercard
Eligibility: 90,000 MYR annual income
Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction uses the network rate + 1%
| CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card pros | CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ No annual fee ✅ 5x rewards on travel spend ✅ Lifestyle benefits like golf privileges ✅ Travel insurance offered if you pay for flights using your card | ❌ 90,000 MYR annual income required ❌ Foreign transaction fees apply ❌ Local spending is not as well rewarded |
Which CIMB Travel Credit Card is Right for You?
The right CIMB travel card for you will depend a lot on your travel habits and preferences, as well as your annual income and whether or not you’re prepared to pay an annual fee for your credit card. Here’s a quick shout out for the cards we’ve highlighted earlier, and who they might suit:
Best for low annual income requirement, no annual fee and good rewards: CIMB Platinum Credit Card or CIMB Petronas Platinum-i Credit Card
Best for frequent travelers: CIMB Travel World Credit Card or CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card if you meet the minimum income rules
Best for lounge access seekers: CIMB Travel World Credit Card with 12x annual lounge access options
Best for overseas shopping and spending: CIMB Travel World Credit Card, or CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card with 5x rewards on foreign spending
And as a bonus - if you prioritize travel insurance, all of the cards we’ve selected have free insurance or similar, for specific use cases and coverage.
Alternatives for CIMB for travel cards
With most CIMB cards, you pay a foreign transaction fee when you pay with the credit card abroad. This pushes up the costs of all your foreign spending. You’ll also need to settle your bill on time and in full to avoid interest and penalty fees. Alternative cards, like the Wise card, can help you avoid these costs:
Wise card
Use a Wise card for overseas spending and withdrawal in 150+ countries, including super convenient contactless payments with Google and Apple Pay.
You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with Wise, using the mid-market exchange rate and conversion fees from just 0.71%. There’s no fee to spend a currency you hold in your account already, and no foreign transaction fee to pay with a Wise card. If you need currency conversion, either switch currencies in your account in advance, or let the card do it for you, with the same great low fee from just 0.71%.
Wise can also do more if you have an international lifestyle - use your Wise account to receive payments from others in 9+ foreign currencies,and send money to 40+ countries around the world.
Wise accounts have no ongoing fees and no minimum balance requirement, making them a cheap and easy option to spend globally, hold, exchange and receive payments.
RHB multi-currency Visa debit card
The RHB multi-currency Visa debit card lets you hold and exchange up to 33 currencies, with no foreign transaction fee to spend a currency you hold.
Accounts are interest earning and offer a linked international Visa card which is accepted pretty much globally. Bear in mind that you’ll pay a 1% foreign transaction fee if you’re spending in a currency you don’t hold in your account, so you must switch to the currency you need to spend in advance of making a purchase.
As a debit card, there’s no interest to pay and no minimum income requirement to worry about.
How to Apply for a CIMB Travel Credit Card
So - how to apply for a credit card at CIMB?
You’ll first need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific card you’ve selected. You can then gather the required documents and complete the application process online.
You’ll need to confirm you’re not a US person, then enter your personal and contact information. Follow the prompts to provide the documents needed to prove your minimum income and wait for your application to be checked. Once approved you can start to spend. You can also complete this process in a CIMB branch if you'd prefer.
Conclusion
This guide walks through all you need to know about the best CIMB credit cards for travelers, to allow you to pick one based on your individual travel needs and your eligibility. Bear in mind that with all credit cards, interest and penalties may apply depending on how you use your account - plus annual and foreign transaction fees could push up your costs further.
Compare your options with CIMB and remember to take a look at the Wise card as well, to spend globally using the mid-market exchange rate and conversion fees from just 0.71%.