CIMB credit card overseas activation guide for overseas use and spending abroad

Planning to use your CIMB credit card on your next overseas trip? Before doing so, check that your CIMB credit card overseas activation has been settled so you can spend with peace of mind.

In this guide, learn how to activate your CIMB credit card for overseas use, as well as any CIMB credit card overseas transaction fees you may incur. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Can I use a CIMB credit card overseas?

Yes, you can use your CIMB credit cards² overseas, as long as they have been activated for use abroad. This includes foreign currency transactions online and ATM withdrawals outside of Malaysia.

Popular CIMB credit cards include:

• CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite Credit Card/-i
• CIMB Visa Infinite Credit Card
• CIMB Travel Platinum Credit Card
• CIMB Visa Signature Credit Card
• CIMB Travel World Credit Card
• CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card
• CIMB World Mastercard Credit Card

When you use your CIMB credit card overseas, remember that you will be subject to fees and charges, including bank exchange rates, foreign transaction fees (for MYR-based debit cards or non-foreign currency cards), ATM withdrawal fees and other related costs

And when asked if you want to pay in the local currency or in MYR, always choose the former. This is because dynamic currency conversion (DCC)³ is at play here – this is a markup as the bank charges you an additional service fee to convert your purchase back to MYR.

CIMB credit card overseas transaction fee

Using your CIMB credit card overseas will incur a transaction fee that usually includes currency conversion. Here are CIMB’s overseas rates and charges for both conventional⁴ and Islamic credit cards⁵.

When making overseas transactions with CIMB credit cards, the conversion to MYR is based on the exchange rate determined by either Mastercard International or VISA International. This rate also includes any transaction fees that may be charged by the respective card network.

For standard CIMB Credit Cards and Credit Cards-i, an administrative cost of 1% is applied to the converted transaction amount. However, a key benefit for holders of the CIMB Travel World Elite Credit Card is that they are exempt from this 1% administrative fee.

If you choose to pay directly in MYR at the point of sale, both cards incur a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fee as well, bringing your final amount up.

CIMB overseas ATM withdrawal fee

When you use your CIMB credit card in a foreign country or currency, on top of overseas rates and charges as outlined above, you will also need to pay a cash advance fee as you are withdrawing the money on credit.

For conventional CIMB credit cards, the cash advance fee is 5% of the amount advanced or a minimum of MYR 15, whichever is higher. This is imposed for each cash advance transaction. If you’re using an Islamic credit card, expect to pay MYR 50 for every transaction (maximum withdrawal of MYR 1,000 per transaction).

Both types of cards are subject to finance charges for cash transactions of 1.5% per month or 18% per annum calculated on daily rest basis from transaction date to the date it is settled in full.

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How to activate CIMB credit card for overseas use

Before travelling abroad, make sure your CIMB credit card overseas activation has been completed. You can do so online, via the CIMB Clicks⁶ website and the CIMB OCTO App⁷ (more on these in the next section).

You can also call the CIMB customer service hotline⁸ for additional assistance. This is part of CIMB’s security measures before CIMB credit card overseas usage – be it in-person/card-not-present transactions or ATM withdrawals.

CIMB credit card overseas activation online

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to activate a CIMB credit card for overseas use via the CIMB OCTO App. This should be similar for CIMB Clicks.

Via CIMB OCTO App:

1. Login to CIMB OCTO App > Tap on More on the bottom-right hand corner
2. Tap on Services > Manage Card > Overseas Spending & Withdrawal
3. Select the card that you wish to enable/disable for overseas spending and withdrawal permanently. You can also turn on the function temporarily by selecting a Start and End Date.
4. Review details and Approve via SecureTAC

How to use CIMB credit card overseas

Your CIMB credit card has been activated for overseas transactions. Now you can buy all the souvenirs you want without worrying about your transaction getting declined at the cashier.

Check your CIMB credit card travel perks as well. These include extra monthly bonus points so you can treat yourself to another vacation, or exclusive sky lounge access. Look out also for CIMB’s hotel partners for even more promotions.

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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Sources:

1. CIMB Malaysia website
2. CIMB Malaysia Credit Cards
3. What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)? - Wise
4. Credit Cards Fees and Charges (Conventional) - CIMB
5. Credit Cards Fees and Charges (Islamic) - CIMB
6. CIMB Clicks
7. CIMB OCTO App
8. CIMB Malaysia Customer Help Centre
9. 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