Top 6 Travel Cards in Malaysia 2026

If you love to travel, or shop online with international retailers, you may be wondering:

• What’s the best way to spend in foreign currencies without getting hit by high fees?

• How do I get the best exchange rate when I’m spending overseas?

• Are international debit or credit cards worth using?

Some Malaysians want lower currency conversion friction, while others care more about lounge access, miles, or travel insurance. That is why a travel card comparison works better when you look at how each card actually handles overseas spending, not just the headline perk.

6 travel cards that we’ll cover in this article:

• Wise debit card

• Maybank Visa Signature

• HSBC Visa Signature Card

• RHB Visa Signature

• CIMB Travel Platinum

• HSBC TravelOne

This guide compares four well-known options for 2026 and explains where the real costs can show up. One thing worth knowing is that this comparison includes both debit and credit cards, so it is not a like-for-like cost comparison. Debit cards use your own money, while credit cards involve borrowing and may add interest if you do not repay in full.

Travel cards for overseas spending: 6 of the top options in Malaysia

*Information correct at time of writing - 25th June 2026

What is a travel card?

A travel card is a card designed to be practical for overseas spending, foreign currency purchases, or both. It may be a debit card, prepaid card, or credit card, but the common purpose is to make international spending easier to manage.

How it works depends on the card type. Some cards let you hold foreign currencies before you travel, some convert at the point of purchase, and some focus mainly on rewards such as airport access or miles. The mechanism matters because it affects what you pay, when you pay it, and whether you are spending your own money or borrowing.

How does the travel card work?

Depending on the type of travel card you get, you’ll find a few different features.

Travel debit cards - like the Wise card which we’ll look at shortly - allow you to hold and exchange foreign currencies in an online account, which you can then spend conveniently when you travel.

Because they’re debit cards you don’t need to worry about running up high bills, or hitting unexpected interest charges. Cards like these are easy to apply for online or in a provider app, and can offer a flexible way to cut your international spending costs.

Travel focused credit cards on the other hand, typically offer higher levels of rewards for foreign and travel spending, with travel perks like lounge access and insurance often thrown in, too. These cards are credit cards, which does mean you’ll need to keep an eye on your balance and pay off your bills promptly to avoid penalties and late fees, and make the most of the rewards on offer.

Types of travel card

Most travel card options in Malaysia fall into three groups. People often compare cards by rewards first, but card type usually tells you more about the fee structure than the marketing headline does.

1. Prepaid travel card

A prepaid travel card is loaded before you spend. This can help with budgeting because you are using preloaded funds, but some cards charge for top-ups, conversions, inactivity, or ATM use.

2. International card with banks

Malaysian banks such as RHB do often offer foreign currency accounts which may have linked debit cards, which allow you to hold foreign currencies and spend conveniently when you travel. These accounts might have have fairly high minimum balance requirements, and the exchange rates on offer may not be the best available.

An alternative from banks is to get a credit card with travel features. We’ll look at a few of these in more detail later.

3. Multi currency travel card like Wise card

A travel debit card links to your own balance. Some debit cards let you hold multiple currencies, while others convert from MYR when you pay. If you want to compare wider account options, see Best multi-currency accounts in Malaysia.

Options like the Wise account do not have any minimum balance or monthly fee, and cards are easy to order online or in the app.

Best travel cards in Malaysia 2026: a comparison

Some specialist money transfer and financial providers offer alternatives to the travel cards commonly issued by traditional banks. These include the Wise account and card, which is available for Malaysian customers.

We’ll look at the Wise card and a few other options in more detail in a moment - first, here’s an overview of the cards we’ll profile:

*Information correct at time of writing - 25th June 2026

Wise Debit Card

The Wise debit Mastercard® is linked to the Wise account, which does not carry a monthly or annual account fee for personal customers. Unlike many travel credit cards, there is also no minimum income requirement or credit check. Wise is a financial institution, not a bank.

Wise may suit travellers who care most about exchange transparency and spending control. It is usually more relevant for people choosing between debit and multi-currency options than for people chasing travel rewards.

It's free to open a Wise personal multi-currency account, with no minimum balance and no monthly fee to worry about. You can set up your account online or in the Wise app for free, and then order the Wise card for a one-time fee. Use your Wise account to hold, convert, send and spend in 40+ currencies — and make purchases in 160+ countries and territories with your card, with the mid-market exchange rate.

For a deeper product breakdown, see our Wise card review and Wise multi-currency account review.

Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is regulated under the laws of Malaysia.

Pros of the Wise card

• Free to open personal accounts with no monthly fees or minimum income requirements — just low transaction charges for the services you use
• Hold, send and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account
• Auto-convert feature that selects the most favourable available currency balance for your conversion
• Check your account balances in the Wise app and get instant transaction notifications

Cons of the Wise card

• 13.7 MYR one-time card issue fee
• ATM fees apply after your monthly 1000 MYR free allowance
• Spending limits apply
• No option to top up account in cash or with a cheque
  Go to Site

Maybank Visa Signature

The Maybank Visa Signature credit card can be used to spend all around the world where you see the Visa symbol displayed. Card holders can earn points and rewards as they spend, which can vary depending on the category of spending. There are also travel focused treats like airport speed passes to let you get through immigration quicker, and a travel concierge to give local information and advice as you travel.

Pros of the Maybank Visa Signature card

• Popular, reliable and familiar bank
• Earn TreatsPoints and rewards on spending
• Travel perks available including airport speed passes and a concierge service

Cons of the Maybank Visa Signature card

• Credit card — you may end up owing interest or penalty fees
• Minimum annual income of 70,000–100,000 MYR required
• 550 MYR annual fee after year 1 (waived in year 1)
• 2.25% foreign transaction fee`

HSBC Visa Signature Card

The HSBC Visa Signature credit card allows customers to earn reward points on day to day spend - and more when shopping with HSBC preferred partners. There’s a higher rate of rewards on foreign currency spending, making this a card to consider if you want a credit card to use internationally. Foreign currency transactions do have fees attached though, so read the terms carefully.

Pros of the HSBC Visa Signature Card

• Higher rewards on foreign currency spend
• Travel treats like complimentary lounge passes
• Secure card, from a huge global banking brand

Cons of the HSBC Visa Signature Card

• Minimum annual income: 102,000 MYR
• 600 MYR annual fee for the primary card, plus 300 MYR for supplementary card
• 1% currency fee for foreign transactions plus additional costs imposed by Visa ### RHB Visa Signature Credit Card

RHB has a good range of credit cards on offer - but if you’re a frequent traveller looking for a card which offers travel perks, this may be the one for you. Cards offer airport lounge access, travel insurance and the opportunity to earn rewards on your spending at home and abroad.

Pros of the RHB Visa Signature Credit Card

• No annual fee
• Earn rewards when you spend
• Lounge privileges and golf privileges available

Cons of the RHB Visa Signature Credit Card

• High minimum salary of 80,000 MYR
• 5% cash advance fee with a 15 MYR minimum for ATM withdrawals
• At least 1% foreign transaction fee — extra fees from Visa may apply

CIMB Travel Platinum

The CIMB Travel Platinum credit card is an accessible entry-level travel option. It bridges the gap for those who are on a budget but still want meaningful travel perks, offering substantial bonus points multipliers and lounge access without demanding high salaries or charging an ongoing annual fee.

Pros of the CIMB Travel Platinum card

• Zero annual fees for both primary and supplementary cardholders
• Low minimum annual income requirement of 24,000 MYR
• Up to 5x Bonus Points on overseas transactions, direct airline bookings, and duty-free purchases
• Up to 4x complimentary access per year to selected Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide

Cons of the CIMB Travel Platinum card

• Lounge access requires fulfilling a minimum spend of 2,000 MYR within the same calendar month
  Wise
• Cash advance fees of 5% or 15 MYR apply at overseas ATMs, alongside immediate interest
  Wise
• Low reward accumulation rates on local, non-travel categories

HSBC TravelOne

The HSBC TravelOne credit card targets frequent flyers looking to quickly accumulate air miles. Earning rates are highly competitive, and the points transfer instantly to an expansive selection of airline and hotel partners, making it a powerful tool for flexible rewards redemption.

Pros of the HSBC TravelOne card

• High accelerator rate of 8x reward points on all foreign currency spend
• Generous lounge benefit providing 6x complimentary annual passes shared between primary and supplementary cardholders
• Instant reward redemption through the bank's digital platform
• Complimentary travel insurance coverage up to 250,000 USD when flight fares are fully charged to the card

Cons of the HSBC TravelOne card

• Minimum annual income requirement is set at 102,000 MYR
• Annual fee of 300 MYR applies after the first year unless you clear an annual spend threshold of 20,000 MYR
• Foreign transaction fees apply

Best Travel Cards in Malaysia by Category

A category view is usually more useful than trying to force one overall winner.

• For multi-currency spending and budgeting, Wise is a good fit because it is built around holding and converting currencies in the same account.
• For rewards and travel perks from a major local bank, Maybank Visa Signature and HSBC Visa Signature Card are both worth a look if you meet the income requirements.
• For lounge access and travel insurance with a cashback angle, RHB Visa Signature Credit Card is notable on the issuer's stated benefits.
• For low ongoing account fees, Wise and CIMB Travel Platinum stand out because they do not require complex spend criteria to avoid an annual fee.
• For highly accessible travel perks, CIMB Travel Platinum provides airport lounge visits with an income entry point of just 24,000 MYR per year.

Overseas transaction fees: what to watch out for

This is where travel cards can become more expensive than expected. The overseas transaction fee Malaysian cardholders pay is not always one neat percentage — the total cost can come from several layers.`

Exchange fee

The first layer is the issuer fee charged when you spend in another currency. The second layer is the exchange rate cost, which may sit inside the rate used to convert your payment into MYR. If the rate already includes a markup, the total cost can be higher even when the visible card fee looks modest.

Withdrawal fee

The third layer appears at the ATM. On credit cards, overseas cash withdrawals are usually treated as cash advances, so you may face a separate fee and immediate interest from the moment of withdrawal. On debit and prepaid cards, you are more likely to see a monthly allowance followed by fixed and percentage-based withdrawal charges.

What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)?

A common source of confusion is dynamic currency conversion. This is when a merchant or ATM offers to charge you in MYR instead of the local currency. It can feel more convenient because the amount looks familiar, but the conversion on offer is often less favourable. In most cases, paying in the local currency gives you more control over what your card provider does next.

How can I use a travel card abroad for overseas spending?

Broadly speaking you'll use your travel card overseas in exactly the same way you'd use a card at home, to pay merchants in person, or make withdrawals. You'll need to double-check the network your card is issued on is accepted by the merchant or ATM, and read through the fee schedule carefully before you travel.

It's worth noting that credit cards — even those which offer perks for travellers — can have fairly steep international fees, including foreign transaction charges and cash advance fees if you choose to make ATM withdrawals.

How to choose the right travel card in Malaysia

If you are stuck between two cards, start with your actual travel pattern. The risk is paying for perks you barely use while ignoring the fee you pay every time you spend abroad.

• Choose a multi-currency debit card if you want to preload, manage budgets, and avoid borrowing.
• Choose a travel credit card if you will genuinely use points, lounge access, or insurance — and if you repay in full each month.
• Check annual fees, income requirements, foreign transaction fees, ATM charges, and whether travel insurance only applies when tickets are charged to that card.
• If lounge access matters, check whether visits are truly complimentary, capped annually, or tied to a minimum monthly spend requirement.
• If air miles are important, work out the effective miles-per-ringgit rate, not just the headline points figure.

How to get a travel card in Malaysia

How you apply depends on the card type. Credit cards usually involve an eligibility review, income documents, and a credit assessment. Debit and prepaid travel cards are often faster to request because they use your own funds rather than a credit line.

Here's how to order a Wise card:

• Download the Wise app or head to the Wise desktop site
• Sign up for a Wise account with just an email address, Google, Facebook or Apple ID
• Get verified using your passport or MyKad
• Order your card online or in the Wise app for a one-off 13.70 MYR fee
• Your physical card will arrive within 5 days, or you can access your card details in the Wise app right away for mobile payments

For bank-issued credit cards, expect to provide identity and income documents. Approval depends on both your salary and the bank's internal credit assessment.

Advantages of international travel cards

The main advantage is clarity. A good travel card can make overseas spending easier to track, easier to budget, and in some cases more rewarding.

Travel debit cards can offer flexible ways to manage your money across currencies, with lower fees and more transparent exchange costs. You'll also avoid interest charges, and benefit from secure spending as your account isn't linked to your primary bank account.

Travel credit cards do usually come with fairly high fees, but can offer rewards in the form of cashback or benefits, including things of value to travellers like airport lounge passes and travel insurance. If you're interested in getting a travel credit card, weigh up the advantages against the potential costs to make sure you're choosing the right one for you.

Conclusion

Finding the right travel card depends entirely on your travel style because different cards target completely different financial needs.

For travellers looking for low-cost multi-currency spending, a multi-currency debit card like Wise provides transparency by using the mid-market exchange rate with clear, upfront fees, making it a great option to avoid accumulating debt and manage holiday budgets directly.

On the other hand, credit card options from banks suit reward and perk seekers who want to accumulate air miles, secure airport lounge access, or make use of complimentary travel insurance, provided they consistently clear their statements to avoid interest.

Meanwhile, prepaid travel cards offer a simple, isolated way to lock in rates and cap holiday spending. Ultimately, matching a card type to your spending habits will ensure you enjoy a smoother experience overseas without paying for perks you rarely use.