eml[Updated 6th August 2023]
Grab Platinum Member doesn’t make much difference nowadays. See the updates as below.
I got my Grab Platinum member tier early this year and earned rewards from around 1.8% to 3.125% since then. (If you would like to know how to maximize your rewards earnings, you may read my previous post here). GrabPay Wallet is currently my favourite E-wallet as it brings the most rewards according to my spending habits.
However, I realized people around me did not realize the awesomeness of being a Grab Platinum member. Hence, I would like to share some of my personal review of being a Grab Platinum Member.
How to be a Grab Platinum Member?
Spend and earn Grab Rewards Points over 3,500 within the first 6-month period. Member would be able to enjoy the Platinum Tier for the next 6-month period.
6-month period referring – between 1 January and 30 June; or between 1 July and 31 December. (According to Grab Official Website)
How good is Grab Rewards Program?
Based on my personal experience and calculation, Platinum member could earn up to 3.125% if they maximize their rewards with Grab’s campaigns.
As compared to other E-wallet available in Malaysia, GrabRewards do provide more options for the members to redeem. From vouchers (Eg. Shopee and Lazada cash voucher) to Grab’s credit. I personally found that the options provided are useful.
Furthermore, as long as you make a transaction within three months, your points expiry date would extend for another three months from the transaction date. You could accumulate your points and redeem your choice of rewards without worrying unable to accumulate enough points within the expiry date.
Where to use GrabPay and earn points?
Don’t worry, nowadays GrabPay could be considered as widely accepted. If you are unable to use it in your area, there are many online stores that accept GrabPay. For instance, Watsons online, HelloGold, Yoodo apps, Fave, Bookxcess and many more.
Benefits of Grab Platinum Member Tier
There are a few privileges of being a Grab Platinum member. The below two is the highlight among the privileges. (Personally, these are the most useful ones.)
1. Accelerated Earn Rate
[Updated 6th August 2023] The main benefit of a Platinum member no longer applies as GrabRewards earning are not depending on member tier anymore. Users get to earn a higher rate if you subscribe to GrabUnlimited.
However, from 10 July 2023, the In-Store & Online transactions no longer earns 0.75x or 1.5x. The GrabRewards are randomly given through Mystery Rewards.
From my personal experience, I earned is around 0.25x to 1x. But, this range is not an accurate reference, as my usage of GrabPay dropped significantly.
As a Platinum Member, a member able to earn 3 points for every RM1 spent using GrabPay. (There are certain exclusions, please refer to Grab Official website)
Previously I was able to earn 25 points for every RM1 through a campaign. So, make sure you stay alert on their campaigns.
Through the Pointsback campaign, Platinum members able to earn 40% points back yet for Gold member are only 30% and even lesser for other tiers (10%).
2. Dedicated Platinum Hotline
At first, I do not consider the benefit of having a dedicated Platinum Hotline as useful as most people seldom have the need to call the Hotline.
Until there’s one day, my friend shared with me her frustration of unable to reach the Grab Hotline while having issues with her Grab Food order. Coincidently after a few days, I faced some technical issues on my Grab Food order too. For the first time, I used the dedicated Platinum Hotline. As compared to my friend experience, mine was pretty awesome.
The customer service impressed me with their speed of answering my call within the second rung. My issues solve within two minutes. No time wasted on waiting at all.
When we called the hotline, we are expecting someone to assist and resolve our trouble. After the comparison of my experience and my friend’s experience, I changed my mind. The dedicated hotline is useful in some situations.
Some more what’s not to like when you are being treated like VIP. (*shoulder lift*)
Cons of GrabPay wallet
However, no matter you are Grab Platinum Member or not, there are a few limitations that you should know.
1. Pointsback Campaign Quantity and Options are limited
Every month end Pointsback rewards collection are different. Member would only be rewarded for Pointsback for the redemption from the Pointsback collection within the campaign.
Other than limited options, the rewards in the Pointsback collection are limited in quantity too. It would normally out of stock within the first few hours of the campaign.
Advice to everyone, redeem the rewards as soon as possible when the campaign started. (But, I fail to do so too sometimes.)
2. GrabPay wallet not as widely accepted as TNG e-wallet
This might not apply to everyone. However, in my area, TNG e-wallet is more commonly accepted in stores.
3. Not all transactions qualify for points earning
For example, bill payment in Grab apps do not earn points. To check out the full list you may check this out.
Overall Review
GrabRewards program is considered attractive. The best way to maximize your GrabRewards earning rate would be to focus your spending on the GrabPay wallet and upgrade to the Platinum member tier. While a Platinum member earns up to 3.125%, a Gold member can only earn up to 2%.
It would be best to use the GrabPay wallet when there is no cashback from TNG e-wallet or ShopeePay available for the stores. As currently, ShopeePay do generate attractive cashback.
Are you a Platinum member? Share with me your thoughts below.
Featured image by Kseniia Ilinykh on Unsplash
