In the last couple of days, many of my followers messaged me to inform on Maybank’s Announcement related to revised TnC for Air Miles Redemption.

First thing that came into my mind was – it does not really affects me; as nowadays it is pretty tough for me to accumulate more than 1,000,000 air miles per year for FREE with my Maybank credit cards.

In addition to credit card issuers and Frequent Flyer Programs inflating their rewards post-covid, and that my expenses have reduced significantly (no more buying Rolex, no new BMW as it is so much more convenient to just Grab which also means less Petrol and no more Uni fees to pay as all my children have graduated and earning big money (compared to Ringgit). Once a while I still buy Chanel handbags for the girls (my wife, daughters and daughter in-law) and go overseas for holidays (and if I go on tour I hardly spend anything as accommodation and meals are included) but still the total annual expenses would not be enough to earn more than 1M air miles from my Maybank credit cards alone. However combining the Maybank credit cards and other banks’ credit cards, I may earn more than 1M air miles per year.

However, I do have a few air miles disciples that do generate more than 2M air miles per year from the transactions they perform (mainly work related) with their Maybank Premier credit cards. For these said people, YES, the new TnC will affect them.

Below is the TnC that comes into effect on 12th April 2024:

In respect to Clause 5 first paragraph above – A cardmember may convert TreatsPoints or Membership Rewards Points up to a maximum of 2,000,000 Air Miles per calendar year regardless of the airline. This includes conversion of TreatsPoints or Membership Rewards Points to Air Miles during any Bonus Miles Campaign(s)* organised by any airline(s).

As I mentioned, above clause applies generally to those who have “high” transactions related to their work. And from my conversation with people like these, most of the time they are fixated with their work and will never experience Suite Class or First Class because they will tell me or kind of reasons, hahaha. And by the time they really want to experience First Class…. it may be too late either because (1) Airlines no longer allows redemption of First Class with air miles unless they are in the highest tier of the Frequent Flyer Program (which means they actually pay for air tickets and fly often and not earning miles from credit cards) or (2) WWIII.

Some airlines has started to imposed that only those in their highest FFP tier can redeem First Class tickets. For example, You can only redeem miles for Air France first class directly through the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program, and only if you have Flying Blue Platinum status: You can’t redeem miles for Air France first class if you are a Flying Blue Gold, Silver, or non-elite member.

Also note, for Air France case, only those with Flying Blue Program can redeem for First Class. Same thing for Enrich Points where we can redeem for Emirates Business Class tickets but not First Class.

As for WWIII, read the news if you have not been doing so living in your own small world – the people of a superpower nation has spoken where they democratically re-elected their leader who has threaten to use nukes.

Worst, for those not living in the present but working all the time and stressing themselves on accumulating more money as if they can bring the money they have to the grave when they are 100 years old, by the time that person has intention to travel in the future (which may never come for some people), his/her health may not permit him/her to do so. I tell you, nowadays more younger and younger people are having “old man sickness” likes heart attack and stroke. Last year, a relative of mine suffered a stroke and another close friend passed away due to heart attack and both are of them are the same age as me! And over the years I have come across many young people people (below the age of 40) who have slipped-disk or even cancer; and thus can’t walk much.

What I am telling you guys who has lots of air miles – go redeem your Suite Class and First Class tickets NOW and experience it asap!

Basically this clause limiting to 2M air miles per year is to put a cap and control people with high work related transactions.