Whether you’re a confessed shopaholic or just a regular Joe (or Jane) getting your necessities, if you’re spending money why not let these cards help stretch your spending an extra inch, or mile, or more?
With the many loyalty cards available to Malaysians, why not figure out which are best suited to your shopping needs? To do that, here is a comparison of the most popular multi-purpose loyalty cards in Malaysia.
BonusLink
One of the most well-known loyalty cards in Malaysia, BonusLink has been around since 1998. It allows you to collect points when you spend at various outlets.
You can even get supplementary cards issued for your family members so that all that spending generates points that can be pooled together.
Earn as you shop
• Earn points from these outlets and more: Shell, Parkson, Fireflyz, AmBank, Public Bank, Focus Point, Opulence Eyewear, Caring Pharmacy, ESH Electrical and more.
Benefits
• Points (called BonusLink Points) are earned at RM1-2 = 1 point (depending on the merchant).
• Redemption value estimate: 0.5%-1.0% (1,000 points = RM10).
• Points expiry: 36 months from when earned.
• Other benefits: Discounts at selected outlets e.g. O’Briens Sandwich, Taiwan Recipe, Sakae Sushi, MBO.
Application
• Fees: Free for life
• Qualifying: 18 years and above
• Supplementary card: Up to three (must have same address as primary cardholder)
B Infinite
Formerly known as BCard, the B Infinite card from Berjaya comes in two convenient forms – an actual physical card, and a virtual card – that both allow you to collect points and redeem rewards easily from over 80 brands – that’s more than 4,000 outlets nationwide.
Moving with the times, you can even access your account through the B Infinite App, available on both Android and iOS.
Earn as you shop
• Earn points from these outlets and more: Caltex, Starbucks, Chatime, Zalora, Lazada, 11 Street, Borders, U-Mobile, 7-Eleven, Cosway, Berjaya Group Outlets and more.
Benefits
• Points (called BPoints): RM1 = 1 point.
• Redemption value estimate: 1% (5,000 points = RM50 voucher).
• Points expiry: 36 months from when earned.
• Redemption items: Gift cards, cash conversion, U-Mobile prepaid top up.
Application
• Fees: Free for life
• Qualifying age: 18 years and above
AEON Member
AEON member benefits are applicable at all AEON stores, Wellness pharmacies and Pasar Raya MaxValu (do note that a different loyalty card applies for AEON BIG stores).
The AEON loyalty card also gives you benefits at many other non-AEON outlets including F&B outlets, clothing outlets and services.
Earn as you shop
• Earn points from these outlets and more: AEON, Pasar Raya MaxValu and more.
Benefits
• Points (AEON Points): RM1 = 1 point.
• Redemption value estimate: 0.67% (1,500 points = RM10 voucher).
• Redemption items: Cash vouchers, membership renewal, Starbucks preloaded cash cards.
• Additional benefits include Members Day Sales, Members Discounted Items,
Signup Bonus and Referral Bonus.
Application
• Fees: RM12 annually (or RM24 for three years – effective RM8 annually).
• Card replacement: RM5.
• Points expiry: 36 months from when earned.
• Qualifying age: 18 years and above.
• Supplementary card expires at the same date as the primary card (regardless of application date).
Watsons VIP Card
Watson introduced their VIP card in September 2010 to reward loyal Watson customers.
In December 2013, the Watsons and Touch ‘n Go ‘2-in-1’ membership card with Touch ‘n Go features card was launched combining the convenience of Touch ‘n Go with the Watsons loyalty programme in one card.
Earn as you shop
• Earn points from Watsons.
Benefits
• Points (Watsons Points): RM1 = 1 point.
• Redemption value estimate: 0.67% (1,500 points = RM10 voucher).
• Redemption items: In-lieu of cash for products in Watsons stores.
• Additional benefits include bonus membership points, 5x points during birthday month and 2x points on Watsons house brand products.
• Discounts for dining at selected outlets: San Franciso Coffee, Milkcow, Hui Lau Shan, Plan B, NY Steak Shack, Juicee and more.
Application
• Fees: RM18 lifetime, no renewal fees.
• Points expiry: Every two 31 Decembers from the transaction date.
• Qualifying age: 18 years and above.
• Touch ‘n Go must be used at least once annually else feature will be deactivated.
Genting Rewards
Most of us associate Genting Highlands with either the casino or theme park. However, Genting Rewards loyalty card offers many other benefits and not only at Genting.
There are multiple tiers for their loyalty card membership including Blue Classic, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Earn as you shop
• Earn points from these outlets and more: Genting Hotel & Outlets, Star Cruises, Starbucks, CBTL, Baskin Robbins, Dragon-i, Canton-i, Bonia, Carlo Rino, Hush Puppies, Obermain, G2000, Universal Traveller, Pierre Cardin, Tangs, Puma, Diamond & Gold, Thomas Sabo, BHP Petrol.
Benefits
• Points (Rewards Points): RM1 = 1-10 points (depending on merchant).
• Redemption value estimate: 1.00% (100 points = RM1).
• Discounts and benefits at selected outlets.
Application
• Fees: Free application.
• Renewal fees: Varies according to card issuers and can be paid via cash or membership points.
• Points expiry: Every 36 months.
• Qualifying age: 18 years and above
• Supplementary Card: Applicable for spouse.
Other loyalty cards
The above are our top five picks for multi-purpose loyalty cards. However, if you are a frequent loyal customer of certain merchants, you may want to consider more specific membership cards too.
• Dining: Coffee Bean, Juice Works, Kim Gary, Pinch of Salt, Sakae Sushi, Starbucks, Sushi King
• Petrol: BHPetrol eCard, Petron Miles, Petronas Mesra
• Shopping: AEON Big, IKEA Family, Metrojaya, Parkson, Robinsons, Senheng PlusOne, SOGO S Card, Tesco Clubcard
• Books: Borders, MPH Readers Circle, MPH Online, Popular, Times
• Fashion/Accessories: Fashion Fast Forward, FOS, Voir VPC Membership
This article first appeared in https://mypf.my. MyPF is on a mission to help simplify and grow Malaysians’ personal finances through financial education.