Top 5 best MAE cards alternatives for international debit card
MAE by Maybank offers a handy debit card for local and international spending from your MAE card account. However, there are ongoing fees which may mean that this is not the most attractive option. Instead, consider a ranger of MAE card alternatives, to help you find the best option for you.
In this article, we will show you 5 alternatives to the MAE card from Maybank, how they compare and why they might be better than MAE by Maybank.
Here’s a peak at the cards we will look at in this guide:
Wise card - Multi-currency account which supports 40+ currencies, with mid-market rates and low fees
RHB multi-currency debit card - Hold and exchange 33 currencies, and spend around the world conveniently
Bigpay card - Popular local e-wallet with low foreign transaction fees and good exchange rates
HLB multi-currency debit card - 12 supported currencies for easy spending and cash withdrawals
HSBC Everyday Global debit card - 11 supported currencies and competitive exchange rates
Why you should consider a MAE card alternative
MAE by Maybank is the Maybank app to manage your money digitally. You can link this app to your existing Maybank accounts, or open the app specifically to order an MAE card for spending. You’ll be able to hold a balance in your MAE account for card spending, with preferential exchange rates. However, there’s a MAE card annual fee, and the limits in the card account are set relatively low as a default.
You may find you prefer an alternative to the MAE card if you would like to avoid ongoing fees, or if you want an account which has multi-currency functions. In this guide we explore the best MAE by Maybank alternatives so you can pick the right one for your needs.
Pros of MAE card
Accepted pretty much anywhere the network is available
Preferential exchange rates when you spend overseas
Expense management solutions built into the app
Auto top up function so you can add money to your card account from your main Maybank account easily
Cons of MAE card
Annual fee of 8 MYR
3,000 MYR default daily spend limit - you’ll need to call the bank if you want to increase this
10,000 MYR maximum card account balance
No multi-currency functions
Alternatives to MAE by Maybank comparison
If you’re looking for MAE card alternatives we’ve got a few ideas. Here’s a quick summary of the cards we’ve selected so you can compare them - depending on whether you want an MAE alternative to avoid ongoing fees, hold a foreign currency balance, or get a cheaper deal for spending abroad.
| Provider/card | Annual cost | Supported currencies | Exchange rate | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise card | No annual fee | 40+ | Mid-market exchange rate | No fee to spend a currency you hold Conversion from 0.57 % |
| RHB multi-currency debit card | 20 MYR | 33 | Network rate | No fee to spend a currency you hold 1% foreign transaction fee |
| Bigpay card | No annual fee | MYR | Network rate | 1% currency conversion fee |
| HLB multi-currency debit card | 8 MYR | 13 | HLB rate which may include a markup | No fee to spend a currency you hold 2% foreign transaction fee |
| HSBC Everyday Global debit card | No annual fee | 11 | HSBC rate which may include a markup | No fee to spend a currency you hold 1% foreign transaction fee |
Wise Debit card
The Wise card can be a good pick as a MAE card alternative if you spend frequently in foreign currencies, either when you travel or when you shop online. You can hold 40+ currencies in a Wise account and there’s no fee to spend a currency you hold, with low conversion fees from 0.57 % if you don’t have enough of a particular currency to cover the costs of a transaction. That’s a very cheap and simple way to spend in 150+ countries - plus easy ATM withdrawals with low or no fees.
Best Wise features
No ongoing fees, no foreign transaction fees
Get some free ATM withdrawals monthly before the Wise fee begins*
Get a virtual card for increased safety when sending with merchants you don’t know
Use your Wise account to pay and get paid in a broad selection of foreign currencies
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
✅ Hold and exchange 40+ currencies ✅ Use your card in 150+ countries ✅ No ongoing card or account fees ✅ Mid-market exchange rates | ❌ 13.7 MYR one time card order fee ❌ Some ATM fees once free allowance is exhausted |
*Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks
RHB multi-currency debit card
If you’d prefer an MAE card alternative from a local bank, check out the RHB multi-currency debit card which supports an impressive 33 currencies for holding and exchange. If you have the currency you need in your account there’s no fee to spend with your card - but a fee of 1% does apply if you don’t have the right currency, or if you don’t have enough of the currency to cover a transaction.
Best RHB features
Low foreign transaction fee at 1%
ATM withdrawals at a local RHB terminal are free - fees of up to 12 MYR apply on overseas withdrawals
Some currency balances attract variable interest so you can earn from your account
| RHB pros | RHB cons |
|---|---|
✅ Large local and regional bank, making this an easy to use card in Malaysia ✅ 33 supported currencies ✅ No fee to spend a currency you hold in your account ✅ Some free local ATM usage | ❌ Annual fees of 20 MYR ❌ Foreign transaction fees apply if you don’t have the balance you need in your account |
Bigpay card
The Bigpay card is not from a bank - but it is from a licensed provider which is safe to use, and a very popular option for local and overseas spending. Like MAE, Bigpay offers helpful ways to manage your budget and to take care of local transactions like bill pay and splitting bills with friends. You can spend overseas, too - although here a 1% fee does apply. There’s also a 10 MYR fee for international ATM use.
Best Bigpay features
Low foreign transaction fee of 1%
ATM withdrawals at home and abroad - fees from 6 MYR - 10 MYR
Budgeting and spending options to make managing your money in MYR easier
| Bigpay pros | Bigpay cons |
|---|---|
✅ Popular local provider with an intuitive app ✅ Split bills and manage your budget easily ✅ Low foreign transaction fee ✅ Competitive exchange rates | ❌ 20 MYR card order fee ❌ Fairly high international ATM fee |
HLB multi-currency debit card
Another good option if you’d prefer to get an alternative to the MAE card from a bank - the HLB multi currency debit card supports 12 foreign currencies and lets you spend easily wherever the card network is accepted. There’s no fee to spend a currency you have in your account, but a fairly high 2% foreign transaction fee applies if you don’t have the currency you need. There’s also the option to convert currencies in your account with just a few taps - this uses the HLB prevailing exchange rate.
Best HLB features
Low annual fee at 8 MYR
ATM withdrawals have a fixed fee by currency if you’re overseas
Top up or convert to foreign currencies in your account with just the app
| HLB pros | HLB cons |
|---|---|
✅ Major bank with a good branch network ✅ Low annual fee ✅ No fee to spend a currency you hold ✅ Easy currency conversion in the app | ❌ 2% foreign transaction fee ❌ HLB exchange rate may include a fee |
HSBC Everyday Global debit card
HSBC is a huge global bank which offers services - and an ATM network - in many countries. They’ve also got the HSBC Everyday Global account and debit card which lets you hold select foreign currencies and spend conveniently around the world. There’s no extra fee for this account but you will also usually need another eligible HSBC account which may have its own fees to pay. Low 5 MYR ATM fees apply if you use an HSBC ATM overseas.
Best HSBC features
No ongoing fees for this account, although you also need an eligible MYR account
ATM withdrawals are cheap if you stick with HSBC terminals - there are many globally
Quick and easy currency conversion and international payments
| HSBC pros | HSBC cons |
|---|---|
✅ Global bank with excellent ATM coverage ✅ No ongoing fees for account or card ✅ 11 supported currencies ✅ Other options including ways to send payments abroad available | ❌ 10 MYR out of network ATM fee ❌ You also need an eligible MYR HSBC account |
Why you should use Wise over the MAE card
Wise could be a good alternative to the MAE card because you can hold multiple currencies in your Wise account - over 40 - and there’s no fee to spend if you have the currency you need in your account. There’s also no ongoing annual fee which may make this cheaper overall compared to MAE.
Why you should use RHB over the MAE card
If you need an alternative to MAE you might want to check out the RHB multi-currency card which supports 33 currencies and is still from a large and reliable local bank. You can spend a currency you hold with no fee, and may also earn interest on the balance in your account. If you convert funds in your account you can get preferential exchange rates.
Why you should use Bigpay over the MAE card
For a mix of local and international use, Bigpay can be a good alternative to the MAE card because it also supports local transactions like splitting bills with friends and paying for things digitally. Bigpay also offers a low 1% overseas transaction fee which can keep down your costs when you travel and when you shop online with international retailers.
Why you should use HLB over the MAE card
If you need an alternative to MAE the HLB multi-currency card is worth a look. For travellers this offers flexibility with 12 major supported currencies and easy ways to convert in your account through the HLB app.
Why you should use HSBC over the MAE card
HSBC Everyday Global could be a good alternative to the MAE card because there are no ongoing card or account fees, making this an easy add on to your existing HSBC account. You can hold and exchange MYR and 10 major foreign currencies which you can then spend with your card or send to others easily.
Are the alternatives safe?
The cards we have selected as alternatives to the MAE card are all safe. They offer smart digital solutions to let you view and manage your account transactions, and freeze and unfreeze your card as well. Some offer digital cards which enhance security, and if you’re using the provider or bank’s app you’ll also be able to add 2 factor authentication to make sure nobody but yourself can get access to your account.
MAE card alternatives conclusion
While the MAE card by Maybank is a handy tool for people who already use MAE services, it isn't the right solution for everyone. Firstly, there’s the MAE card annual fee to cover - plus you’ll only be able to hold MYR in your account. If you travel that may mean there are better - and cheaper - options out there.
Use this guide to alternatives to the MAE card which covers great international debit cards from banks and non-bank providers which may suit your needs better than the MAE card.
The MAE card offers handy ways to pay, but might not be the best solution for everyone. Use this guide to consider some alternatives like the Wise card to spend globally with mid-market rates and low fees, or the RHB multi-currency debit card which supports 33 currencies.
You’ll need to compare a few options to see if there’s an alternative to the MAE card which is cheaper based on how you transact. The Bigpay card or the Wise card may be good choices as they don’t have ongoing fees to pay - plus Wise has great international functions which can keep costs down.
MAE by Maybank is safe. The providers we’ve mentioned above all also have various measures to ensure safety of customer funds.
Wise card - 2 factor authentication, virtual cards offered, and 24/7 anti-fraud protocols running
RHB multi-currency debit card - Major local bank using industry level security, with essay ways to view and manage transactions in your app
Bigpay card - Keep on top of all your finances in the secure app, with secure log in functions and built in security
HLB multi-currency debit card - Backed by a major bank which has invested heavily in security to keep cards and accounts as secure as possible
HSBC Everyday Global debit card - Use your card safely alongside your other HSBC accounts, with secure logins and easy ways to manage your card from the HSBC app