5 Awesome Credit Cards You Want But Can’t Get in Malaysia

With their flexibility, ease-of-use and perks, it’s easy to see why credit cards have become a preferred method of payment amongst citizens of the world – even in developing countries like Malaysia, where the reliance on credit cards actually continues to grow

But some credit cards go above and beyond expectations to offer their holders luxuries like no other. These cards allow their owners to access lifestyles that are almost surreal, making them incredibly valuable assets to have under your belt.

Unfortunately, such powerful credit cards are very exclusive in nature, and are often only given to select groups of people or are available only in specific locations. The list that follows sheds some light on five such cards – and by the end of it, you may find yourself wishing that you could leave Malaysia just to own one of them!

1. PlayStation Credit Card

No, dear gamers, you do not need to do a double-take. The PlayStation Credit Card is a very real financial tool, born in 2017 from the collaboration between PlayStation, Sony Rewards and Capital One. Available solely in the US, the card gives owners a generous bonus of $50 in the form of a PlayStation Store code upon making their first purchase with it.

Cardholders also earn Sony Rewards points from each payment they make with the card; points that can be used to redeem rewards like Sony electronics, PlayStation games, movies, and music when accumulated.

2. Coutts Silk Card

Crafted by Coutts Bank in the UK, which is known for having high-profile clients of great wealth like the British Royal Family, the Coutts Silk Card is a dream-come-true for travellers – but can only be obtained upon assessment of your credit report after directly opening an account with the bank in the UK.

The Silk Card’s LoungeKey™ service gives cardholders access to over 700 VIP lounges in more than 300 airports throughout the world. Cardholders can also reach the Coutts Concierge at all times, which is a team that is dedicated to the management of travel, leisure and social arrangements on a 24-hours, 7-days a week basis.

3. American Express Centurion Credit Card

Often hailed as ‘the original black card’, the Centurion Credit Card is not offered freely to just anyone by American Express (AmEx). Cardholders are given this piece of almost-infinite financial power by invitation only, and needless to say, such invitations are highly exclusive.

This exclusivity even affects details about the card, as AmEx does not publicly disclose any of the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to receive an invitation, aside from the existence of a one-off Initiation Fee of $7,500 and an Annual Membership Fee of $2,500.

However, news reports in the past have made it apparent that the card seemingly has no spending limit attached to it. In November 2015, for example, a billionaire by the name of Liu Yiqian used his AmEx Centurion Card to pay completely for a Modigliani painting worth more than RM650 million ($170 million).

4. Dubai First Royale Mastercard

“Desired by many but attainable by only a select few,” are the words which best describe the Dubai First Royale Mastercard, >as stated on Dubai First Bank’s official website. The card is offered to holders in the United Arab Emirates only through exclusive invitations, and cannot be applied for by just anyone.

Like the Centurion Card, not much is publicly known about the Royale card, as Dubai First rarely exposes any information regarding the card to anyone aside from cardholders. Dubai First does give us a taste of its luxurious nature, however, by explaining that the Royale card does not have a spending limit and has an actual diamond embedded in it.

5. Citigroup Chairman Card

Of all the breathtaking credit cards on this list, the Citigroup Chairman Card is the most elusive one by far. This is because ownership of this card is offered only to those who have substantial investment accounts in Citigroup Brokerage, which is Citigroup’s stock investment and trading arm.

The term ‘substantial’ is difficult to define in this context, however, as the bank itself does not explicitly state what the minimum required investment is and instead offers the card on a case-by-case basis once an application for it is submitted.

Aside from access to private airport lounges and upgrades when travelling, cardholders are reportedly given a massive credit limit of $300,000 – and are only required to pay an annual fee of $500 in return.

Swipe away your woes

Although all these credit cards seem incredibly scrumptious, it is important to remember that it is always in your interest to obtain a credit card that best suits your lifestyle and spending capability. Do not strain your financial ability by attempting to afford luxurious cards – like some of the above – which you may not be able to sustain.

The good news? With the vast array of credit cards available today in Malaysia, it has never been easier to find one that will comfortably complement your financial health. Just remember to always choose one that suits your needs!