As alerted by Aloysius Boo in Suitesmile Chat this morning, Maybank has announced new changes to the Maybank Family & Friends Card, which I currently see as one of the best cashback credit cards in Singapore.
As a refresher, here are the key benefits of the Maybank Family & Friends Card (also known as Maybank F&F, Maybank FnF), which is currently among the best credit cards for Online Shopping, In-Person Shopping, Dining, Groceries, Overseas Spending, Ride-Hailing and Food Deliveries.
💡 Click on + Card Summary below to view key details like pros & cons, miles/cashback details, annual fee, income requirement, and more.
New cashback tiers
From 1 January 2026, Maybank Family & Friends cardholders will need to spend a minimum of S$1,600 per month to receive 8% cashback on their qualifying spend; twice the current min. spend amount of S$800.
Cardholders can still receive 6% cashback on chosen categories when spending between S$800 and S$1,600 per month on the card.
Grocery spending limited to 6% cashback
Grocery spending on the Maybank Family & Friends Card will earn a maximum of 6% cashback, even if you’re spending at least S$1,600 per month.
In other words, to earn 6% cashback on groceries, you’ll need to spend at least S$800 per month on the card and a maximum of S$333.33 on groceries.
Related: Best credit cards for Groceries
MYR/IDR additional category
Currently, cardholders can receive a generous 8% cashback on a wide range of Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) spending, as long as the transactions’ Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) do not fall under the cardholder’s chosen categories.
Or if they do, those transactions will qualify upon exceeding the category cap. For example, spend S$312.50 on groceries in Malaysia to earn 8% cashback under the Grocery category, continue earning 8% cashback by spending a further S$312.50 under the MYR/IDR category.
At this stage, it’s unclear if this category will continue to qualify for bonus cashback from 1 Jan 2026. I’ve reached out to Maybank for clarification and will update this page accordingly.
UPDATE 2 DEC 2025: Maybank Family & Friends cardholders will continue to enjoy earning up to 8% cashback on the Malaysia Ringgit/Indonesian Rupiah (MYR/IDR) additional category, on top of the chosen 5. This additional category will come with the same monthly caps of S$20 for Tier 1 and S$30 for Tier 2. Maybank also explicitly mentioned that cashback for Grocery spending (in any currency) will remain limited to 6% cashback.
Cashback summary
All conditions considered, Maybank Family & Friends cardholders can earn 6-8% cashback on 5 chosen categories + the MYR/IDR additional category (6 in total).
Here’s how it works:
| Tier | Cashback Amount | Min. Spend On Card | Bonus Cashback Caps | Max. Spend Per Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6% (all categories) | S$800 per calendar month | S$20 (per category) S$120 (per month, on 5+1 categories) | S$333.33 (all categories) |
| Tier 2 | 6% (grocery category) 8% (all other categories) | S$1,600 per calendar month | S$30 (per category) S$180 (per month, on 5+1 categories) | S$500 (grocery category) S$375 (all other categories) |
Why this a nerf
Currently, cardholders can receive 8% cashback with a lower minimum spending requirement of S$800 and only need to spend on 3 categories to do so (S$312.50 spending cap per category).
Moving forward, you’ll need to spend on all 5 chosen categories to earn 8% cashback by meeting the higher minimum spending of S$1,600. And most importantly, cardholders can’t simply purchase supermarket vouchers to make up the numbers, when needed (as grocery spending will be limited to just 6% cashback).
It will be a lot harder to earn 8% cashback with the Maybank Family & Friends Card from 1 Jan 2026.
Changes to bonus cashback categories
Moving forward, Maybank has shared changes to certain bonus cashback categories, some with updated qualifying MCCs.
Cardholders will still be able to choose 5 out of 10 bonus categories (plus the MYR/IDR category), despite the higher minimum spending requirement to receive 8% cashback.
Importantly, note that you can no longer earn 6-8% cashback on the ‘Pharmacy’ category from 1 Jan 2026, as it will be replaced with ‘Automotive’.
Here are the 4 bonus cashback categories that will undergo changes from 1 Jan 2026:
| Bonus Cashback Category | Qualifying MCCs |
|---|---|
| Commute (previously “Transport”) | 4111, 4121, 4789, 4112, 4131 |
| Automotive (previously “Pharmacy”) | 5541, 5542, 5532, 5533, 5599, 7531, 7535, 7538, 5552 |
| Telco & Streaming (previously “Data Communication & Online TV Streaming”) | To be announced |
| Kids & Pets (previously “Retails & Pets”) | To be announced |
The 6 other bonus cashback categories will probably keep the same qualifying MCCs from 1 Jan 2026:
| Bonus Cashback Category | Qualifying MCCs |
|---|---|
| Grocery | 5411 |
| Dining & Food Delivery | 5812, 5814 |
| Online Shopping | 5611, 5262, 5309, 5310, 5311, 5331, 5399, 5621, 5631, 5641, 5651, 5661, 5691, 5699, 5948 |
| Entertainment | 5813, 7832, 7922, 7929 |
| Sports & Sports Apparels | 5655, 5940, 5941, 7032, 7941, 7992, 7997 |
| Beauty & Wellness | 7297, 7298, 7230 |
Base cashback remains the same
Cardholders who do not meet the minimum spending requirement of S$600 or S$800 monthly will earn an uncapped 0.22% cashback. In other words, it’s a terrible card to use if you’re not hitting the min. spend requirements.
Refreshed card design
The Maybank Family & Friends Card will come with a refreshed look for new applicants and renewals from 1 Jan 2026 onwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Update: On 2 Dec 2025, Maybank provided the following set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding this Maybank Family & Friends Card nerf:
1. What do I need to know?
- You will continue to enjoy the current benefits of the Maybank Family and Friends Card until 31 December 2025.
- From 1 January 2026, the enhanced Maybank Family & Friends Card Cashback Programme will apply on your Card, including changes to the Merchant Category Codes (“MCC”) and category naming for selected categories such as “Transport”, “Pharmacy”, “Retails & Pets” and “Data Communication & Online TV Streaming”.
- There will be a refreshed Card design, which will be delivered to your registered mailing address with Maybank upon your Card renewal.
2. What are the changes to the Merchant Category Codes (MCC)?
Revisions to the eligible MCC for “Transport” and “Pharmacy” categories with effect from 1 January 2026:
| Cashback category | MCC | Example of Merchants |
|---|---|---|
| Commute (Previously named as “Transport”) | 4111, 4121, 4789, 4112, 4131 | Batam Fast Ferry, Bus/Mrt, Horizon Fast Ferry, Gojek, Grabcar, Redbus, Easybook and more. |
| Automotive (Previously named as “Pharmacy”) | 5541, 5542, 5532, 5533, 5599, 7531, 7535, 7538, 5552 | Caltex, Shell, Sinopec, Esso, Stamford Tyres, Kah Motor, Cycle & Carriage, Chargeplus and more. |
3. What are the cashback categories that will be renamed?
Revisions to the names of the following Cashback Categories with effect from 1 January 2026:
| Cashback category (till 31 December 2025) | Cashback category (from 1 January 2026) |
|---|---|
| Retails & Pets | Kids & Pets |
| Data Communication & Online TV Streaming | Telco & Streaming |
| Transport | Commute |
| Pharmacy | Automotive |
4. How many cashback categories are there for my selection with effect from 1 January 2026?
- You can still choose 5 out of the 10 categories.
5. One of my current selected cashback categories is “Transport”, what will happen with effect from 1 January 2026?
- The “Transport” category will be renamed to “Commute”, do note of the changes in the eligible MCCs as mentioned in FAQ 2.
6. One of my current selected cashback categories is “Pharmacy” what will happen with effect from 1 January 2026?
- The “Pharmacy” category will be revised to “Automotive”, do note of the changes in the eligible MCCs as mentioned in FAQ 2.
7. My selected cashback categories include “Retail & Pets” and “Data Communication & Online TV Streaming”, what will happen with effect from 1 January 2026?
- There will be no changes to the eligible MCC under these categories. It is just a renaming of the cashback categories. The “Retail & Pets” category will be renamed to “Kids & Pets” and the “Data Communication & Online TV Streaming” category will be renamed to “Telco & Streaming”.
8. I’m interested in the new “Automotive” category. How do I ensure that I would receive cashback for this category from 1 January 2026 onwards?
- To earn bonus cashback for “Automotive” category from 1 January 2026 onwards, you need to have it selected by 31 December 2025.
- Login to Maybank TREATS SG app and choose “PHARMACY-Dec / AUTOMOTIVE-Jan” under “Benefit Selection” at the bottom right of the app from 5 December 2025 onwards.
- With this enhancement, you now have an opportunity before your next stated date to change your selection. The selected categories will take effect the next following month.
- Otherwise, if you make the change for your selection under the “Benefit Selection”/ “Benefit Optimiser” only in the month of January 2026, the cashback for “Automotive” category will take effect from 1 February 2026 onwards. Spends under the MCCs for “Automotive” category in January 2026 will not earn you any cashback.
9. If I am existing Maybank Family & Friends Cardmember and I want to stick to my previous selected categories, do I need to re-select?
- No, your selected categories will not be affected. Do note the changes in eligible merchants/MCCs under the new “Commute” and “Automotive” categories.
10. I have never made any selection for my cashback categories, what categories am I earning the bonus cashback on?
- Before 1 January 2026, the five (5) default cashback categories, which are assigned to new and existing Cardmembers, are: Groceries, Transport, Dining & Food Delivery, Retail & Pets, and Data Communication & Online TV Streaming.
- For all existing Cardmembers who hold the Maybank Family & Friends Card before 1 January 2026, the assigned cashback categories will remain the same, with changes in MCCs as mentioned in FAQ 2.
- For new Cardmembers who hold the Card from 1 January 2026 onwards, the five (5) default cashback categories assigned will be: Automotive, Dining & Food Delivery, Kids & Pets, Online Shopping and Telco & Streaming.
11. I do not think I have selected my cashback categories previously, how do I check / select my preferred categories?
- You can login to the Maybank TREATS SG app to check your cashback categories. If you have not selected your categories before, you will see the “Benefit Selection” upon login. Click on “Select Now” to select your 5 preferred cashback categories then click “Confirm”.
- The selected categories will take effect from the next following month.
12. I have forgotten what I have selected for my cashback categories. How can I check and/or change them with effect from 1 January 2026?
- You can login to the Maybank TREATS SG app to check your cashback categories. If you have selected your categories before, you will see your current selected categories, your total spending and cashback earned.
- To change your current selection, click on “Benefit Optimiser” button to do so. You can usually only change your selection every 3 months. With this enhancement, you now have an opportunity before your next stated date to change your selection.
- The selected categories will take effect the next following month.
13. If my spending in the calendar month is above S$800 but less than S$1,600, what will be my cashback with effect from 1 January 2026?
- From 1 January 2026, if your monthly spend is between S$800 to less than S$1,600, you will be receiving 6% cashback for your 5 Selected Categories + MYR & IDR spend (Tier 1), up to S$120 monthly.
- If your monthly spend is S$1,600 or above, you will be receiving 8% cashback for your 5 Selected Categories + MYR & IDR spend (Tier 2) and up to S$180 monthly. Note that cashback for “Groceries” spend will remain at 6% regardless of Tier 1 or Tier 2.
14. My Maybank Family & Friends Card is expiring soon. Will I receive the replacement card before it expires?
- Yes, we will be sending you the new Maybank Family & Friends Card upon your Card renewal from 2 January 2026 onwards. You can still use your existing Maybank Family & Friends Card until it expires.
15. My Maybank Family & Friends Card is linked to my Maybank Current/Savings Account(s) for ATM access. What should I do?
- No action is required on your part. Your new Maybank Family & Friends Card will be automatically linked to your existing account(s) based on your current ATM linkage.
16. What will happen to my outstanding balances, Instalment Payment Plan (IPP), Funds Transfer, and Instalment Loan after I receive and activate my new Credit Card?
- No action is required on your part. All outstanding balances and/or monthly instalments will be transferred to your new Maybank Family & Friends Card. Even if you choose not to activate the new Card, you will continue to be billed for the outstanding balances until they are fully paid.
17. Will my Credit Card GIRO payment for my Maybank Family & Friends Card be affected?
- No, it will not be affected. The existing Credit Card GIRO payment instructions for your Maybank Family & Friends Card will continue to apply.
18. What will happen to the existing recurring bill payment arrangements set up on my Maybank Family & Friends Card?
- If you have any recurring bill payment arrangements on your Maybank Family & Friends Card (e.g. recurring payments to telco, utilities, insurance, etc), please contact the respective billing organisation(s) to update the expiry date of your new Maybank Family & Friends Card to prevent any disruption in payments.
19. What will happen to my Maybank Family & Friends Card linked to e-commerce or merchant websites, and mobile wallet?
- If your Maybank Family & Friends Card is linked to e-commerce or merchant websites (e.g. Shopee, Lazada, Grab, etc), please re-link your Card and update the card details with the new expiry date and CVV of your new Maybank Family & Friends Card.
- For cards linked to mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay), you will need to re-link your new Maybank Family & Friends Card once it is activated.
20. I have a Supplementary Maybank Family & Friends Card. Will my Supplementary Cardmember also receive the new Maybank Family & Friends Card?
- New Cards for both Principal and Supplementary Maybank Family & Friends Cardmembers will be sent to the Principal Cardmember’s registered mailing address with Maybank upon your Card renewal.
21. What happens if I do not receive my renewal Maybank Family & Friends Card?
- Please ensure your mailing address with Maybank is up to date. If you have not received your Maybank Family & Friends Card, please contact us at 1800-MAYBANK (1800-629 2265) or +65 6533 5229 if you are calling from overseas.
What does it mean cannot purchase supermarket voucher to make up the number?
Grocery spending is limited to 6% cashback even if you spend min. S$1.6k per month. I’ve edited that line for clarity, thank you.