How to activate RHB credit card for overseas use for overseas use and spending abroad

Before you embark on your vacation, there’s one thing left to do: Ensure you activate your RHB¹ credit card for overseas use. RHB credit card overseas activation is also needed when making reservations at your destination, even shopping online on global websites that take USD instead of MYR.

Keep reading for how to activate your RHB credit card for overseas use, and learn more about the RHB credit card overseas charges and overseas transaction fee. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use a RHB credit card overseas?

Yes, you can use a RHB credit card overseas. However, for security purposes, you will first need to ensure you activate the RHB credit card for overseas use.

Popular RHB travel credit cards² include:

• RHB Premier Visa Infinite Credit Card (Conventional and Islamic)
• RHB Visa Infinite Credit Card (Conventional)
• RHB Visa Signature Credit Card (Conventional)
• RHB World Mastercard Credit Card (Conventional and Islamic)
• RHB Rewards Credit Card (Conventional and Islamic)

When you use your RHB credit card overseas, you are subject to fees and charges. These include bank exchange rates, ATM withdrawal fees, and foreign transaction fees (MYR debit cards or non-foreign currency cards).

RHB credit card overseas transaction fees and charges

When you use your RHB credit card overseas or spend in a currency other than MYR, you might incur additional transaction fees⁴.

Transactions made in a foreign currency will be automatically converted to MYR by the respective card network (Mastercard or VISA). The conversion rate used is the one determined by the card network on the date the transaction is processed. This usually deviates from the mid-market rate, and the final rate depends on the network.

RHB will also levy a 1% administrative fee on the converted MYR value for all foreign currency transactions, making your final cost a little more than what you might expect.

If you decide to pay in MYR or the local currency of the country you are in, you'll be subject to dynamic currency conversion (DCC)³ fees. This is set by the foreign bank, and you will usually end up paying more that expected.

RHB overseas ATM withdrawal fee

Overseas ATM withdrawals are also subject to fees, and are called cash advance fees as you are withdrawing on credit. Here are the RHB credit card overseas charges when you withdraw from an ATM abroad.

When using an RHB credit card at a foreign ATM, a Cash Advance fee is incurred in order to get cash. This amounts to 5% of the total transaction amount, or a minimum of 15 MYR, whichever is greater.

Do note that other fees you may incur include the overseas transaction conversion fee, and any other charges as levied by the ATM provider.

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How to activate RHB credit card for overseas use

By default, you don’t need to activate your RHB credit card for overseas use and Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions as this is auto-enabled. But it is always a good idea to check the status to avoid declined payments.

CNP refers to purchases made online, and not in person.

You can do this online via your RHB account accessible from the RHB website, more on this below. You can also visit any RHB branch, or call the RHB Customer Contact Centre⁵.

RHB credit card overseas activation online

To check that your RHB credit card is activated for overseas use online or to opt out/deactivate it, here are the steps:

1. On the RHB website, log in to your account
2. Go to Account Details
3. Select Manage Card Settings
4. You can toggle overseas activation and CNP transactions on/off

How to use RHB credit card overseas

Now that your RHB credit card overseas activation is complete, just take the card with you on your trip abroad and use it as per normal. Remember to always pay in the local currency to avoid DCC markups.

RHB also has credit card promotions for travel, as well as on insurance. Also, depending on the RHB credit card you have, you might also enjoy complimentary lounge access.

Get the Wise card and enjoy zero foreign transaction fees and the mid-market exchange rate when spending abroad

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including CNY, JPY, GBP, and SGD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up MYR to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 13.7 MYR. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 1,000 MYR each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in MYR and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.77%.

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1. RHB Malaysia
2. Credit Cards in Malaysia - RHB
3. What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)? - Wise
4. RHB Banking Service Charges
5. RHB Malaysia - Contact Us
6. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information