Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card—MoneySmart Review 2025

maybank horizon visa signature card moneysmart review

While other banks promote their credit cards from the rooftops, Maybank lets its products speak for themselves. The Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card has been quietly making an impression with both users and industry professionals. The product recently swept up 2 prestigious awards—Best Travel Credit Card at the TripZilla Excellence Awards 2024 and Credit Card of the Year (Travel) at The Digital Banker’s Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.

It’s easy to see why people are taking notice. This travel card offers 2.8 miles per $1 spent—slightly below the market average of 3 miles per dollar that most premium cards provide—along with a generous three-year fee waiver, which stands out in today’s credit card market.

Now, the real question: do these industry accolades truly reflect the value this card brings to your wallet? We’re here to share our insights.

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Credit Card—Is it MoneySmart?
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
Overall:
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Best for: Frequent travelers and air miles enthusiasts who spend at least $800 monthly, especially on travel-related and foreign currency transactions.
The catch: Requires a minimum monthly spend of $800 to earn the highest air miles rate (2.8 miles per $1). The annual fee waiver depends on a yearly spend of $18,000.
Pros—What we like Cons—What we don’t like
  • High air miles earn rate: 2.8 miles per $1 for foreign and travel spend.
  • Broad earn categories: dining, groceries, shopping, travel.
  • 3-year annual fee waiver.
  • Complimentary lounge access (with spend).
  • Travel insurance coverage up to $1,000,000.
  • Flexible sign-up bonus options (cashback, air miles, or luggage).
  • Requires minimum spending of $800/month to unlock higher miles rate.
  • Annual fee waiver depends on $18,000 yearly spend.
  • Lounge access requires a single transaction of $1,000.
  • Monthly air miles bonus points capped for air tickets.
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Credit Card at a glance
Category Our rating The deets
Earn rates: Air miles ★★★★★ – 2.8 miles (7X TREATS Points) for every $1 on air tickets and foreign spend (min. $800/month).
– 1.2 miles (3X TREATS Points) for local spend (shopping, dining, groceries, hotels).
– 0.4 miles (1X Point) for all other spend with no minimum required.
Earn categories ★★★★☆ – Covers broad categories: air tickets, foreign currency, dining, shopping, groceries, hotels.
– Monthly bonus points for air tickets capped at 40,000.
Annual fees and charges ★★★★☆ – $180 annual principal fee waived for 3 years.
– Subsequent waiver requires a yearly spend of $18,000.
Accessibility ★★★★☆ – Singaporeans/PRs: $30,000 annual income.
– Non-Singaporeans: $60,000 annual income. Malaysia Citizens (1+ year employment): $45,000.
Extras/periphery rewards ★★★☆☆ – Complimentary lounge access with $1,000 spent in a single transaction (guest rate: 20% off).
– Complimentary travel insurance (up to $1,000,000).
Sign-up bonus ★★★★☆ – Choose from Samsonite ENOW Spinner (worth $570), 10,000 bonus air miles, or $200 cashback.
– Criteria: Spend $600/month for 2 months.
– Promo applies to new Maybank credit cardholders with CreditAble account approval.

See our credit card ranking rubric to find out how we rank credit cards.

 

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card—MoneySmart Review 2025

  1. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature review
  2. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature: TREATS Programme review
  3. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature miles and expiry
  4. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature lounge access
  5. How to maximise my Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card?
  6. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature promotion
  7. Maybank Horizon vs other air miles cards
  8. Should I get the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature?

 

Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
Annual Fee $180
Annual Fee Waiver 3 years, waived subsequently with yearly spend of $18,000
Supplementary Card Annual Fee Free
Interest Free Period 20 days
Annual Interest Rate 26.9%
Late Payment Fee 5% or $100, whichever is higher
Minimum Monthly Repayment 3% or $20, whichever is higher
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee 3.25%
Cash Advance Transaction Fee 8% or $15, whichever is higher
Overlimit Fee 3% or $10, whichever is higher
Minimum Income $30,000 (Singaporean/PR), $45,000 (Malaysian employed for at least 1 year), $60,000 (Foreigner employed for at least 1 year)
Card Association Visa
Contactless Payment Visa Contactless, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay

 

1. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature review

Maybank logo
Online Promo
on Air Tickets and Foreign Currency Spend
S$1 = 7X Points
on local Shopping, Groceries, Dining, Hotel Bookings
S$1 = 3X Points
Rewards to Miles Conversion for Selected Airline Partners
1 Point = 0.4 Miles

The Maybank Horizon Visa Signature is a travel rewards credit card that allows you to earn miles redeemable for KrisFlyer miles, ultimately leading to free flights. 

To maximise rewards, you’ll need to spend $800 monthly. This unlocks a boosted earning rate of 2.8 miles per dollar on air tickets and foreign currency transactions, and 1.2 miles per dollar on local spending such as dining, shopping, and hotel bookings.

While air ticket rewards have a monthly cap (around 4,0000 Bonus TREATS Points), foreign currency spending remains uncapped, making this card most ideal for online shopping and overseas travel. Even if you don’t meet the minimum spending, you’ll still earn base points on eligible transactions.  

Coupled with a 3-year fee waiver and subsequent fee waivers at $18,000 yearly spend, this card proves practical for both frequent and occasional users. 

Here’s an illustration to showcase how you can obtain rewards points on different spending categories: 

illustration to showcase how you can obtain rewards points on different spending categories on maybank horizon visa signature card
Source: Maybank

 

2. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature: TREATS Programme review

Speaking of rewards, the TREATS Programme forms the backbone of Maybank’s rewards system. Credit card members will earn 1 TREATS point for every $1 spent, while debit card holders earn 0.2 points per dollar. These points then unlock instant rewards, such as up to 50% off purchase deals, eCoupons, and other exclusive freebies.

It’s important to note that points are awarded in $5 increments; partial amounts don’t count. For example, spending $12.99 earns 10 points (equivalent to $10 spent) for credit card users.

Spend Amount Credit Card Points Debit Card Points
$12.99 10 Points 2 Points
$16.99 15 Points 3 Points
$4.99 0 Points 0 Points

Do note that your points will expire after one year from their earning quarter, so staying on top of redemptions is quite crucial. Moreover, there’s a cap of 1,000,000 TREATS Points—though that’s more than enough for most spenders.

Pro tip: Link your supplementary cards to maximise point earning. All points automatically pool into the principal cardmember’s account—ideal for families who want to consolidate their rewards into a single redemption.

How to make the most out of TREATS:

  • Convert points to miles for best value
  • Watch quarterly expiry dates
  • Use Auto Cash Credit for hassle-free redemption
  • Avoid excluded transactions like NETS, government payments, and prepaid top-ups

 

3. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature miles & expiry

Navigating the world of miles doesn’t have to be a struggle. We’ve made it simpler and clearer so you can easily access and enjoy your hard-earned rewards. Here’s how Maybank’s mile-earning system (typically) works:

Mile-earning structure:

  • S$1 ✈️ Air tickets + Foreign currency = 2.8 miles (7X TREATS points)*
  • S$1 ️ Local spending = 1.2 miles (3X TREATS points)
  • S$1 Base earn rate = 0.4 miles (1X TREATS points)

*Monthly requirement: Minimum spend of S$800 to unlock bonus rates

Here’s how your spending translates into miles earned:

Monthly spend scenario:

  • S$500 on airline tickets = 1,400 miles (2.8 × 500)
  • S$400 on shopping = 480 miles (1.2 × 400)
  • Total spend: S$900 = 1,880 miles earned

In terms of where TREATS Points can be transferred, these following partners of Maybank are available: 

which frequent flyer programmes you can use maybank treats points with
Image: Maybank

Keep in mind that you must convert via the TREAT SG app to enjoy all of the rates above. If you opt for manual conversion (i.e. contacting Maybank customer service via phone, chat, or in-person), you may get a less favourable exchange rate (30,000 points = 10,000 miles).

When it comes to monthly caps, there’s a notable distinction between different transaction types. While air miles bonuses are capped at 40,000 TREATS points (roughly equivalent to S$4,286 in spending), foreign currency transactions enjoy unlimited earning potential.

While standard point conversions may have shorter processing times (around 7-14 business days), conversions to air miles often involve the coordination of financial institutions with the airline loyalty program, thus it can take a longer period (up to 15 business days)

If you’re planning to use your air miles for a specific flight/ travel date, you might want to get ahead with the conversion process to ensure that the miles are credited to your account in time. 

Pro tip: You can also optimise your spending by directing larger purchases toward foreign currency transactions, since these aren’t subject to monthly caps. To earn the most bonus points, it’s better to spread out large air ticket purchases over several months, as many rewards programs have limits on the bonus points you can earn each month.

 

4. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature lounge access

If you have a 3-hour layover in Singapore, Malaysia or Hong Kong, the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature card offers complimentary access to airport lounges across these countries and terminals: 

  • Singapore
    • Plaza Premium Lounge Terminal 1
    • Ambassador Transit Lounge Terminal 2
    • Ambassador Transit Lounge Terminal 3
    • Blossom Lounge Terminal 4
  • Kuala Lumpur
    • Plaza Premium Lounge KLIA Terminal 1
    • Plaza Premium Lounge KLIA Terminal 2
  • Hong Kong
    • Plaza Premium Lounge Terminal 1 (Near Gate 35)
    • Plaza Premium Lounge Terminal 1 (Near Gate 1)

To qualify, however, you must spend at least $1,000 in a single retail transaction within 3 months prior to the date of lounge access. Moreover, you’re limited to one lounge pass per month. Though if you have company, your guests enjoy a 20% off walk-in rate at the lounge. 

 

5. How to maximise my Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card?

To reap the biggest rewards, concentrate your spending on air tickets and foreign currency transactions. Spending S$800 or more monthly earns you a generous 2.8 miles per dollar, and accelerates your mile accumulation. 

While some cards such as Citi PremierMile Card, DBS Visa Signature or HSBC Revolution offer higher base earning rates (4mpd), the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature stands out for its non-exclusion of day-to-day expenses or special activities from earning rewards. This includes lesser accepted categories like charitable donations, education payments, and utility bills

This broader range of eligible spending allows greater flexibility across all your lifestyle expenses and for a more strategic miles / rewards accumulation. 


ALSO READ: Best Air Mile Credits Cards in Singapore


 

6. Maybank Horizon Visa Signature promotion

In terms of promotions, new members can choose from 3 attractive welcome gifts when they apply for both a Maybank Credit Card and a CreditAble account:

  • A Samsonite ENOW SPINNER 69/25 EXP luggage worth S$570
  • 10,000 Bonus Air Miles
  • $200 Cashback

To qualify, simply spend a minimum of $600 in eligible transactions each month for your first 2 consecutive months after card approval. 

For those eager to rack up miles, the 10,000 bonus miles offer a fantastic head start on your next flight. If immediate redemption is your priority, the $200 cashback provides a solid return on your spending. Whereas, for frequent travelers, the Samsonite luggage stands out as the most value-for-money option of the 3 prizes.

 

7. Maybank Horizon vs other air miles cards

Now, lets see how Maybank Horizon Visa Signature goes up against other air miles cards in Singapore:

Feature Citi PremierMiles Card KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
Base Air Miles 1.2 miles per $1 spent locally; 2 miles overseas 1.1 miles per $1 spent locally 0.4 miles per $1 (base earn rate)
Bonus Air Miles Up to 10 miles per $1 on select bookings Bonus on KrisFlyer direct spending
  • 2.8 miles per $1 on air tickets & foreign currency transactions
  • 1.2 miles per $1 on local spending
Bonus Categories Travel bookings via specific portals Singapore Airlines transactions Air tickets, foreign currency transactions, dining, petrol, transport, hotel bookings
Annual Income $30,000 (Singaporeans)
$42,000 (Foreigners)
$30,000 (Singaporeans)
$40,000 (Foreigners)
$30,000 (Singaporean/PR)
$45,000 (Malaysian employed for 1 year)
$60,000 (Foreigner employed for 1 year)
Welcome Bonus Up to 45,000 miles (with qualifying spend) Up to 31,000 KrisFlyer miles 10,000 Bonus Air Miles

The Maybank Horizon Visa Signature outshines its competition with its adaptable miles-earning approach. Earn up to 2.8 miles per dollar on air tickets and foreign currency transactions, making this card a champ for diverse spending.

Compared to competitors such as Citi (offering up to 45,000 miles) or KrisFlyer UOB (31,000 miles) that primarily focus on miles, Maybank offers a more diverse range of welcome bonus options. This flexibility appeals to a wider range of travelers, providing a valuable alternative to those who may prefer more tangible rewards. 

Citibank logo
MoneySmart Exclusive
UPSIZED CASH | FASTER FULFILMENT
Local Spend
S$1 = 1.2 miles
All Foreign Currency Spend including Retail and Online
S$1 = Up to 2.2 miles
Selected Online Hotel Bookings
S$1 = Up to 10 miles
MoneySmart Exclusive:

Get UPSIZED S$378 Cash or 5,040 SmartPoints , and a Circles.Life 1-month Borderless Data plan + 5GB Global Roaming + 1TB 5G Local Data (worth S$70) in as fast as 5 weeks when you spend S$500 within 30 days. T&Cs apply.
 
Additionally, enrol in our Rollin' Rewards campaign for FREE, and stand a chance to win 6,140 SmartPoints. That’s a total of 11,180 SmartPoints, which you can use to redeem an Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi (11-inch, 128GB) (worth S$899) from our Rewards Store today!

Valid until 31 Jan 2025
UOB logo
MoneySmart Exclusive
Earn up to 3 Miles per S$1 spend
on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, Kris+ purchases
S$1 = 3 Miles
on dining, food delivery, online shopping, online travel, and transport spend
S$1 = 3 Miles
on all other spend
S$1 = 1.2 Miles
MoneySmart Exclusive:

MoneySmart Exclusive: Get S$88 Cash via PayNow when you apply, spend a min. of S$1,000 within the first month! T&Cs apply.
 
Additionally, enrol in our Rollin' Rewards campaign for FREE, and stand a chance to win 6,140 SmartPoints, which you can use to redeem an Apple 10.9-inch iPad 10th Gen Wi-Fi (64GB) (worth S$499) from our Rewards Store today!
 
UOB Online Promotion: Get up to 31,000 Miles plus first year annual fee of S$196.20 (inc GST) waived when you successfully apply for a UOB personal KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card and spend a min. of S$2,000 within 60 days from card approval date on their new KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card. Limited to the first 100 eligible participants. T&Cs apply

Valid until 02 Feb 2025

 

8. Conclusion—Should I get the Maybank Horizon Visa Signature?

Overall, Maybank Horizon Visa Signature is a quality entry-level option for travelers or those seeking a balance between traveling rewards and everyday spending perks. While air miles welcome bonuses are less generous than say, Citi PremierMiles, it still offers a competitive 2.8 miles per dollar earning rate on air tickets/foreign currency transactions, a generous three-year fee waiver, and a broad range of eligible spending categories, from charitable donations to utility payments. 

To maximise rewards, be sure to consistently meet the monthly minimum spend. Consider spreading out large ticket purchases across different months to avoid exceeding the monthly bonus points cap. Furthermore, you can leverage foreign currency transactions to earn uncapped bonus points. By strategically utilising all of the card’s benefits, accumulating miles and enjoying your rewards can add that extra spark to your travel adventures. 

 

P.S. Here’s our MoneySmart credit card ranking rubric

In case you’re wondering, here’s how we decide on our credit card rankings.

Is that credit card MoneySmart? Our MoneySmart credit card ranking rubric
Category Our rating
Overall The average rating for the credit card on the whole, calculated from the ratings for the individual categories below. Plus, we’ll give you a one-liner on who we think the credit card is best suited for. 
Earn rates: Air miles / Cashback / Rewards points Air miles ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️ / Cashback / Rewards points . This category looks at the depth rather than breadth of earn rates.

  • 5 stars means this card’s got the highest earn rates within that credit card type.
  • 3-4 stars mean it’s average
  • 1-2 stars reflect earn rates that are below average.
Earn categories This category looks at the breadth rather than depth of your earnings.

  • 5 stars: Earn with ANY spend.
  • 3-4 stars: Earn on a large number of categories (e.g. all dining, transport and retail, but not telco bills) OR earn on 1 very broad category (e.g. all contactless/mobile payments).
  • 1-2 stars: Earn a decent rate only on selected categories, such as fast food only.
Annual fees and charges
  • 5 stars: $0 
  • 4 stars: $1-200
  • 3 stars: $201-500
  • 2 stars: $501-$999
  • 1 star: $1,000 and up
  • We dock a star if fee waiver is NOT allowed.
Accessibility Minimum income requirements:

  • 5 stars: Less than $30,000 a year
  • 4 stars: Around $30,000 a year for Singaporeans and $40,000-$45,000 for non-Singaporeans
  • 3 stars: $30,000-$60,000 a year for Singaporeans, $40,000-$70,000 for non-Singaporeans
  • 2 stars: $60,000-$120,000 a year for Singaporeans, $70,000-$120,000 for non-Singaporeans
  • 1 star: $120,000 and up for either, or both

Exclusivity: We dock 1-2 stars if there is/are another category/categories that make the card exclusive and very specific to a certain clientele.

Extras/periphery rewards These include:

  • Travel benefits, such as airport lounge access
  • Lifestyle benefits, such as spa privileges
  • Dining benefits, such as complimentary AMEX Love Dining or Entertainer with HSBC subscriptions

We count the number of benefits and award between 0.5 to 2 stars for each, depending on how good the perk is.

Sign-up bonus
  • 5 stars: The gift(s), cash, or miles are the highest we see out there compared to other credit cards of the same type (miles, cashback, etc). Also easy to attain these welcome bonuses.
  • 3-4 stars: Average but not disappointing sign-up bonus compared to other credit cards. You aren’t losing out.
  • 1-2 stars: You are probably losing out in terms of the welcome bonus you’re getting; there are other similar credit cards with sign-up bonuses that are better or easier to attain.

 

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About the author

Travelling the world and getting involved in cross-cultural works is Caleb’s passion. Freelance digital marketing and content writing is a way for him to express himself creatively while earning his keep. He unwinds by diving into a variety of music genres. Living in a digitally disrupted world, he’d like to offer a different perspective on finances to show people the possibilities of what goes beyond a typical “Singaporean life”.