SCB Online Banking Free IBG

Effective from 2nd May 2013, most of the local banks will revise the Interbank GIRO online transaction fee to only RM 0.10 as per BNM announcement earlier this year.

However, all Standard Chartered Bank CASA holders will be able to enjoy FREE Interbank GIRO Fund Transfers via Standard Chartered Online Banking which was exclusively for JustOne Account previously.

I've been using JustOne Account for almost 6 months now. Overall, I'm happy with the account except the DDA that takes too long time to be done. I've compiled a simple table to show you the benefits of JustOne Account (3 types):

	Personal	Preferred	Priority
Min monthly deposit (single transaction)	RM 1500	RM 5000	RM 10000
Unlimited FREE ATM withdrawals	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Debit Card	Yes	Yes	Yes
Base interest (SA)	0.25% p.a.	0. 50% p.a.	1. 00% p.a.
Additional interest	1% p.a.	1% p.a.	1% p.a.
Privileges	Be rewarded for your total banking relationship with 360° Rewards Program	Preferred Bankers on demand	Dedicated Relationship Managers & Service Channels
		Enjoy 24-hour Preferred Banking Service Line	Free withdrawals at Visa/Plus or MasterCard/Cirrus network ATMs worldwide
			Free outward telegraphic transfer within Standard Chartered Bank’s network

Please bear in mind that you need to fulfill the monthly minimum deposit in single transaction in order to enjoy the free ATM withdrawals. Your account will be deducted for ATM withdrawal fee upfront and the total ATM withdrawal fees will be credited back to your account in the following month if you fulfill the requirement. I'll recommend you to sign up for JustOne Account to take full advantage of the Free IBG and ATM withdrawals. 

Pay TNB Bill with AMEX and Get 100% Cash Back

Payment for TM Streamyx & Unifi with AMEX via maybank2u were enabled early this year. You can even pay for TNB bill with AMEX via maybank2u now and stand a chance to get 100% cash back on your TNB bill when you pay with your AMEX card from 1st May until 31st October 2013.

The promotion is open to all AMEX cards issued by Maybank & Maybank Islamic. Every RM50 bill payment will entitle you 1 entry if you pay over-the-counter or online while you can get 10 entries if your TNB bill is paid via Autopay. AutoPay gives you the convenience of paying your monthly bills automatically with your AMEX card. To enrol, just complete this form and email to Maybankard Centre.

The winners are selected based on lucky draw basis. Each principal cardmember is entitled to one time cash back only. The cash back payout will be made to one of the highest amount of bill transacted during the campaign period, capped at maximum RM 1000 per cardmember. Total cash back will be capped at RM 150 000 throughout the campaign period. The winners will be announced by 31st December 2013.

Laptop Reliability

A PC management services company called Soluto had recently done a report on the best performing Windows laptops. The firm sampled data from 150000 laptops over a three month period from January to April, analyzing application crashes, application hangs, blue-screens-of-death, boot time and number of background processes to generate a comparison that shows a real user experience.

The ranking by brands and models are shown above. The lower the score, the higher the ranking. Surprisingly, Apple MacBook Pro 13 is rated as the best Windows laptop although not optimized for the operating system. One of the main reasons is that every Windows installation on it is clean, meaning that it is not loaded with crapware. Another thing to note, Dell has 5 models in the list while PC Giant HP has none.

This can be a good reference on which brand and model to choose if you are buying a laptop. I'll share with you another good report that was published in Year 2009 by SquareTrade, a company which provides extended warranties to eletronics gadgets.

The line graph above shows the failure rates over the number of months since a laptop purchase. This graph will help to answer question like "Do I need to buy extended warranty?" and "If yes, how many years do I need to buy?". Every 1 out of 3 laptops has a tendency to fail after 3 years. So you should get another extra 2 years warranty. Better be safe than sorry.

This is another interesting graph from the report that shows the laptop malfunction rates by Manufacturer. You can cross reference with the findings from Soruto. However, this graph might not be so accurate as it was done in Year 2009. Anyway, the report is still a great reference for us. You can get the full report here.

Starbucks Frappuccino Happy Hour

The new Starbucks promotion, Frappuccino Happy Hour, starts today until 31st May 2013. This promotion is exclusively for Starbucks Card holders only.

If you have Starbucks Card, you can get Frappuccino blended beverages at half price, during 5.00pm to 7.00pm every Tuesday and Friday. The promotion is applicable in all Starbucks stores in Malaysia except Genting stores. Also, purchases during Happy Hour using the Starbucks Card are not entitled to card trackers.

AEON @ FREE MASSIMO BREAD

*Promotion: AEON MALAYSIA @ FREE MASSIMO BREAD

*Promotion period: 18 - 21 APRIL 2013

*Term & Condition: -

For the first 500 customers per store with any purchase of RM 100 and above in a single receipt at  AEON Store Supermarket . This promotion is only limited to one redemption per customer per day.

 

Malaysiakini Goes Free for GE13

Malaysia's 13th General Election will be on 5th May 2013 and it will be a close fight between BN and PR. To make sure that all Malaysians can have access to the uncovered election campaign information, Malaysiakini will be available for free of charge from 17th April 2013 onwards until end of polling day.

Apart from www.malaysiakini.com, to make sure you get access to the latest news. please also bookmark:

1. www.facebook.com/malaysiakini
2. www.twitter.com/malaysiakini
3. For mobile users, m.malaysiakini.com
4. For smartphone and tablet users, download apps here.

Malaysiakini also hosted another website, undiinfo, that is a database of all the state seats and parliamentary seats in Malaysia. You can check a particular seat for the history of candidates, majority votes, voters composition and so on from Year 2004.

If you're a registered voter, you can check for your vote centre via SPR website. If you're not a first time voter, you should see the same vote centre and vote channel as previous general election.

SCB Online Supplementary Card Sign Up Cash Back

To all SCB existing credit card holders, did you feel disappointed after the latest announcement of rewards points booster promotion and you just want to cancel your SCB credit cards? If yes, you should reconsider first as SCB is giving out cash back of up to RM 300 for each successful online application of supplementary card from 8th April to 31st May 2013.

The campaign is open to existing principal credit card customers who successfully apply for one new supplementary card and whose applications are approved by SCB for any of the following credit cards:

• Gold Supplementary Credit Card
• Platinum Supplementary Credit Card
• Preferred World MasterCard Supplementary Credit Card

Customers whose card accounts are suspended, cancelled or terminated for any reason during the campaign period or within 3 months after the campaign period will not be entitled to any cash back under this campaign. Eligible customers must submit full and clear copies of the following documents online:

• Malaysian : Identification Card Copy (Front & Back)
• Foreigner : Valid Passport and employment pass Copy (Front & Back)

Each successful eligible customer is entitled to one sign up cash back of RM 300 without any requests made by SCB for further and clearer documentation per supplementary card approved. Eligible customers who do not meet the criteria above are still eligible to receive a sign up cash back of RM 250.

SCB will notify successful approved applicants via SMS that their credit card application has been approved. Cash back will be credited into Principal cardholder's credit card account within 60 days from the Supplementary card approval date.

NJOI Free Satellite TV

NJOI (pronounced as 'enjoy') is Malaysia's first free satellite television service provided by Astro. The NJOI features 19 TV channels and 20 radio stations without monthly subscription fees. The channels consist of quality educational channels, such as Astro Tutor TV UPSR, PMR and SPM, as well as other entertainment and information channels like Astro Prima, Astro Oasis, Astro Awani, Astro AEC, Jia Yu, Makkal TV, CCTV4, Bernama TV, iView, TVi, TV1, TV2 and Astro Xiao Tai Yang.

NJOI is available at a one-time payment from RM 180 at any authorized retailers and RM 100 for installation which includes:

1. 1 NJOI Decoder (New DMT - RM 308)/ (Refurbished DMT - RM 180)
2. 1 Remote Control Unit 
3. 1 Outdoor satellite dish 
4. 1 Smart Card 
5. 2 Prepaid Vouchers

The prepaid vouchers are called NJOI Prabayar. It is a pay-as-you-watch concept value added service for NJOI customers. NJOI customers have the option to enjoy additional channels from four different packages for the cost of RM 20 for 15 days with no recurring subscription fees or contracts:

1. Mustika (Astro Citra, Astro Warna, Astro Bella)
2. Indo Pek (Bintang & Pelangi)
3. Chinese Movies And Dramas (Celestial Movies, TVB Xing He, AstroXuang Xing)
4. Pek Sukan (Tempatan & Antarabangsa)

This is a very good package if you wish to install satellite TV but do not want to be burdened by the monthly subscription fees. You also have the flexibility to choose when you want to watch extra channels by purchasing the prepaid voucher, e.g. during year end holidays or festive seasons.

What Is a Merchant Category Code

Cash back cards like OCBC Titanium Card and Hong Leong Wise Credit Card are very popular nowadays as they give cash rebates according to the amount spent in specific categories such as dining, petrol, utilities and shopping. So how do credit card issuers know that each transaction belongs to which category? They actually know that from Merchant Category Code (MCC).

A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit assigned to a business by Visa or MasterCard in order to accept one of these cards as payment in the business. It is the responsibility of the credit card organization to assign the correct MCC classification to the business. The merchant category code is based on the predominant activity being conducted by the business, even if they are engaged in multiple types of commerce.

This is the list of commonly use MCC:

No.	Categories	Merchant Category Code (MCC)
1	Groceries	All grocery stores (MCC 5411)
2	Petrol	All petrol stations (MCC 5542)
3	Dining	All dining outlets (MCC 5811, 5812, 5814)
4	Utilities	Electricity and Water (MCC 4900)
5	Entertainment	All cinemas (MCC 7832)
6	Travel	All airlines (MCC 3000-3299, 4511), hotels (MCC 3501-3999, 7011), tour packages (MCC 4722, 4723)

Citibank Weekly 30% Cash Back

In Year 2012, Citibank came up with the weekly RM 100 cash back promotion. This year, Citibank has come back with its 30% cash back that gives you up to RM 150 weekly! The promotion starts on 13th April and ends on 21st June 2013.

Citibank is giving out total RM 500000 cash back throughout the campaign period. There will be 10 weekly cycles, each starts from Saturday and ends on the following Friday, total weekly cash back is capped at RM 50000. One principal cardmember can get maximum RM 150 cash back per week on a first-come, first-served basis.

So how do you get the cash back? 

1. This promotion is open to all citibank credit cards. All you need to do is to enrol by filling up the form here. You only need to enrol once to participate throughout the campaign period.
2. Then from every Saturday, you need to swipe minimum one or more transaction each on groceries, dining and petrol, with a cumulative spending of RM 500 on everything within that week.

Please take note on the transaction categories that are qualified for the cash back:

Category	Definition
Dining	Any transactions made at any dining or food and beverages merchants categorized under the following Merchant Category Codes (MCC): 5441, 5451, 5462, 5499, 5811, 5812, 5813, 5814 Transactions made at hotels which do not fall under the above MCC shall be excluded
Groceries	Any transactions made at the following stores: Giant, Cold Storage, Mercato, Jasons Food Hall, AEON, Tesco, AEON Big (formerly known as Carrefour), Mydin, Econsave, The Store/Pacific, Village Grocer, Jaya Grocer, Billion, NSK, Servay, 99 Speedmart, and Everrise, in Malaysia
Petrol	Any local transactions made at petrol stations categorized under the following MCC: 5541, 5542

As compared to the promotion last year, the promotion this round is allocated with 50% lesser total cash back, longer campaign period (extra 2 week cycles) and requires higher spending (minimum spend of RM 500). However, there is more flexibility on the spending. Overall, it's still a very good promotion.

SAKAE SUSHI@TEA TIME PROMOTION BUY 1 FREE 1

*PROMOTION : SAKAE SUSHI @ TEA TIME PROMOTION BUY 1 FREE 1

 PROMOTION PERIOD: ONGOING PROMOTION

 MONDAY - FRIDAY ( 3.00PM - 6.00PM)

 RED PLATES ON RM 5.99 EACH !!

 TERM AND CONDITIONS:
- Valid for dine-in only
- This promotion is only applicable to all Red Plates on the conveyor belt
- Limited to buy 5 free 5 Red Plates per transaction per table
- No splitting of bills or tables allowed
- This promotion is valid from 3pm - 6pm weekdays only
- This promotion is not valid on weekends, school holidays, eve of public holidays and public holidays
- This promotion is not valid with any other discounts, offers, privileges or promotions unless otherwise        stated
- Sakae Sushi reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions at its absolute discretion without perior notice

Microsoft Home Use Program

The Microsoft Home Use Program is a Software Assurance benefit available under a company’s Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. Under this program, employees of that particular company may be eligible to purchase Microsoft Office with discounted price.

If you are working in a multinational or public listed company, you may be eligible to purchase Microsoft Office with just only RM 28.61. To check for the eligibility, you need to go to Microsoft HUP site. If you don't know the program code, you can choose just to enter your work email. If you're eligible, an email will be sent to your work email inbox.

The Microsoft softwares that are available to purchase through HUP are:

1. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013
2. Microsoft Office for Mac 2011
3. Microsoft Project Professional 2013
4. Microsoft Visio Professional 2013

Each employee can purchase a single license for either Office Professional Plus 2013 or Office for Mac 2011. On top of that, one each of other products like Visio and Project may be purchased as well. 

Free RM10 Coffee Bean Voucher with Citibank Mobile

Citibank has just launched a promotion for its smartphone app Citibank Mobile, known as "Coffee On Us", from 1st to 30th April 2013. The campaign is only open to selected existing Citibank customers who are Citibank Online users and who have received Citibank’s invitation via email or SMS to participate in the campaign.

Citibank Mobile let you access your Citibank account anywhere, anytime conveniently to:

• Check outstanding balance, payment due date and minimum amount due
• Make bill payments
• Redeem Rewards Points

To get started, just follow one of the steps below:

Citibank will notify all winners if they have won the prizes. Winners will receive the prizes within 8-10 weeks from the end of the campaign period. Each winner is entitled to win more than one prize as long as the logging into Citibank Mobile is via different Citibank Online usernames. The prizes will be delivered to the Winners’ address as provided to Citibank free of charge.

ICHIBAN RAMEN@BUY ONE FREE ONE!

*Promotion: ICHIBAN RAMEN@BUY ONE FREE ONE!

Buy 1 free 1 on Ramen at Ichiban Ramen only exclusively for PUBLIC BANK CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD MEMBERS ONLY!

*Promotion period: Until 30/April/2013

*Term & Condition: 

Ichiban Ramen Special Promotion
Terms and Conditions
1. The Promotion is valid from 1 April to 30 April 2013 (¡§Promotion Period¡¨).
2. This Promotion is open to all new and existing Principal and Supplementary PB
Credit/Debit Cardmembers and Day2Day Cardmembers including staff of Public Bank, its
subsidiaries and advertising agencies (¡§PB Cardmembers¡¨).
3. PB Credit / Debit Cardmembers can enjoy Buy 1 Free 1on Ramen Menu, valid for dine-in
only.
4. All payment must be made through PB Credit / Debit Card during the stipulated Promotion
Period at Ichiban Ramen as follows:
AEON Taman Maluri 03-92009499
AEON Tebrau City 07-354419
AEON Mahkota Cheras 03-90748895
AEON Cheras Selatan 03-90768499
AEON Seremban 2 06-6015399
Sunway Pyramid 03-56314199
AEON Seberang Prai City 04-5373199
5. This promotion is not applicable at Ichiban Ramen, Pavilion.
6. The value of the free Ramen cannot exceed the value of purchased Ramen. The free Ramen
must be lower or equal value as the purchased Ramen.
7. This promotion is not applicable with other discount cards, vouchers and other on-going
promotions.
General Terms and Conditions
1. By participating in this Promotion, the PB Cardmembers shall be deemed to have read,
understood and agrees to be bound by the Terms and Conditions stated herein. The Bank¡¦s
decisions on all matters relating to the Promotion shall be final, binding and conclusive. No
correspondence, disputes and appeals will be entertained. The Bank shall notify the PB
Cardmembers of any changes, amendments, deletions or additions to these Terms and
Conditions.
2. The Bank shall not be responsible or liable for any claims, loss or damage whatsoever,
resulting from or in connection with this Promotion.
3. The Bank makes no representation or warranties and accepts any liability or responsibility
relating to the gifts/ offer of the promotion, in particular their quality and suitability for
use, or the benefits.
4. The Bank¡¦s prevailing Terms and Conditions governing the use of the PB Credit/ Debit
Card and PB Day2Day Card shall continue to apply in addition to the Terms and
Conditions herein.
5. Should you have any questions or queries on the Promotion , please contact PB Card
Services & Support at 03-2176 8000.

*Shop locator list: 

AEON Taman Maluri 03-92009499
AEON Tebrau City 07-354419
AEON Mahkota Cheras 03-90748895
AEON Cheras Selatan 03-90768499
AEON Seremban 2 06-6015399
Sunway Pyramid 03-56314199
AEON Seberang Prai City 04-5373199

MBSB Fantastic Returns

MBSB has brought you another FD promotion in April, the Fantastic Returns, that gives you advanced interest payment on your FD! The campaign started from 1st April to 31st December 2013.

You can get instant returns of investment when you deposit minimum of RM 1000 in your FD account. There are two types of FD in this deal, namely Individual and 49' ners CLUB. The latter is open to customers aged 49 and above.

The interest rates for Indvidual and 49'ners CLUB are as follow:

Months	Individual Rate	49’ners Rate
1	3.10 % p.a.	3.20 % p.a.
3	3.15 % p.a.	3.25 % p.a.
6	3.25 % p.a.	3.35 % p.a.
9	3.35 % p.a.	3.45 % p.a.
12	3.40 % p.a.	3.50 % p.a.

The interest rates are just normal for the promotion this time but the best thing is you can get instant payout of your FD interest once you place your FD. Interested? Visit your nearest MBSB branch to understand more.

Maybank FD/IFD-i Step Up & Loyalty 2+2 Campaign

Maybank has continued its FD/IFD-i promotion with FD/IFD-i Step Up & Loyalty 2+2 Campaign, starting from 25th March until 25th April 2013 or upon reaching its deposit target, whichever is earlier. The campaign is open to all new FD/IFD-i placements of fresh funds by new and existing Individual, SME and Business Banking customers, Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Clubs/Societies.

The minimum and maximum placement amount are same as previous promotion.
The campaign rates are as follows:

FD/IFD-i Step Up (12-month tenure)

Tenure	Promotional Rate	Effective Rate	Prevailing Board Rate
1st – 3rd month	3.05% p.a.	3.36% p.a.	3.15% p.a.
4th – 6th month	3.15% p.a.
7th – 9th month	3.25% p.a.
10th – 12th month	4.00% p.a.

FD/IFD-i Loyalty 2+2 (4-month tenure)

Tenure	Promotional Rate	Effective Rate	Prevailing Board Rate
First 2 months	3.10% p.a.	3.12% p.a.	3.00% p.a.
Next Rollover (1 time only for another 2 months)	3.15% p.a.

The promotional rate is subject to any Overnight Policy Rate (“OPR”) change. The campaign is available for placements made over the counter at any Maybank Branch. The promotional rates are offered only for new placement. Automatic Rollover of FD certificates from previous period will not be entitled for this promotional rate. Upon maturity of the FD, the placement rates shall revert to the prevailing board rates for the respective tenures.