New research by Wise shows why chasing travel deals might be costing Malaysians more than they think
- 96% of Malaysians who travelled abroad still rely on traditional money exchangers, losing out to hidden fees International payments app
- Wise has teamed up with content creator Adam Izzy to encourage Malaysians to rethink the value of travel beyond flashy deals
- Wise’s first-ever pop-up, Malaysia’s Wisest Travel Agency, runs from 11-13 April at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, helping Malaysians stretch their Ringgit further
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 APRIL 2025 – Malaysians love a great travel deal, especially as travel fairs and flash promotions ramp up ahead of mid-year holidays, but new research by Wise has found Malaysians are overlooking a key part of their travel planning: how far their Ringgit goes when they land.
As Malaysians hunt for the best travel deals, a recent survey by Wise has found nearly a third (29%) of respondents spend more than two days comparing hotel and accommodation options, 34% search for the best flight deals, and 40% focus on researching itineraries and must-visit spots.
However, this focus risks Malaysians getting a bad deal by ignoring the thing that matters most – how far their money goes when they land at their travel destination.
In fact, Wise’s research found that 70% of Malaysians prioritise the cost of hotels and accommodation, while 69% focus on flight prices—but only 41% consider how much local currency they get for every Ringgit.
This over-prioritisation on hotels and flights means Malaysians may not be getting the most for their money. Malaysians risk choosing holiday destinations where their Ringgit doesn’t go very far - and this is made worse by Malaysians using old school payment methods. The majority of Malaysians (96%) still rely on traditional money changers, who charge unfavourable exchange rates. Meanwhile, 65% use their local bank cards abroad, despite 67% of respondents knowing that banks apply hidden exchange rate markups and foreign transaction fees as high as 3%.
“Malaysians work hard to score cheap flights and hotel deals, but where you go and how you spend matter just as much,” said Yee Won Nyon, Senior Product Manager at Wise. “Malaysians need to consider where their Ringgit stretches the furthest, with places like Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan offering great value. And, perhaps most importantly, they need to stop getting ripped off when they spend abroad.
“Most travellers still use outdated spending methods overseas, getting hit by marked-up exchange rates and hidden fees that quietly eat into their budgets. At Wise, we give Malaysians more for their money, allowing them to spend in more places across the world. Our card lets you spend like a local in over 40 currencies, with transparent, mid-market exchange rates – the rate that you see on Google – with just a small upfront fee, you can make the most of every Ringgit.”
Wise launches ‘Malaysia’s Wisest Travel Agency’ pop-up to help Malaysians think about where to get the most from their Ringgit
As the travel season heats up – and with the MATTA Fair just around the corner – Wise is launching its first-ever pop-up in the country: Malaysia’s Wisest Travel Agency, running from 11–13 April at Pavilion Bukit Jalil (Pink Zone). The goal is to help Malaysians rethink the real cost of travel, and understand how their money can stretch when they travel.
Visitors can expect interactive experiences designed to help them avoid sneaky fees, learn smart spending tips, and a live ‘Siapa Wise?’ game show hosted by Adam Izzy in his iconic Uncle Tim persona. In his signature humorous style, Adam will guide visitors through common travel money mistakes and share practical tips to stretch their travel budgets further.
Expect plenty of “Aiyo! Why like that?!” moments, as Adam reveals the hidden pitfalls of currency exchange and other common travel money mistakes. Plus, visitors will have the chance to win exciting prizes, including three pairs of flight tickets to Asia!
“Many Malaysians don’t realise they're losing money before they even start their trip! Aiyo, we say ‘save money, save money,’ but then change currency at places that quietly makan duit,” said Adam. “Time to be wiser and use tools that help us dodge these nasty hidden fees and keep more of our Ringgit!”
For more details, visit Wise Malaysia on Instagram.
For images, brochure and more - access the media kit
Inspired by the Malay proverb “Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit” (Small savings add up), the campaign draws on the everyday wisdom of the "Aunties" and "Uncles" – much like Uncle Tim – trusted figures in Malaysian culture known for their no-nonsense advice. They always know how to get the best value, guiding Malaysians away from the distractions of flashy deals and towards true savings. In collaboration with Wise, Uncle Tim will help steer visitors away from distractions and flashy deals towards true savings, encouraging smarter choices to help them get the best value for their Ringgit.
Methodology: The research, conducted by Vase.ai from March 27 to April 4, 2025, gathered responses from a total of 1,014 participants from the Vase.ai proprietary online panel. The survey focused on understanding travel behaviors, spending habits, and preferences for travel deals among Malaysians.
About Wise
Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world's money.
One of the world’s fastest growing, profitable tech companies, Wise launched in 2011 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE.
In fiscal year 2024, Wise supported around 12.8 million people and businesses, processing approximately £118.5 billion in cross-border transactions, and saving customers over £1.8 billion.