Maybank has launched a new dining programme called Taste Circle, which offers cardholders up to 50% off the bill, or 1-for-1 deals at participating restaurants across Singapore.
Step into a world of culinary delights at the city’s leading hotels and restaurants. From indulgent buffets and elegant afternoon teas to curated set menus, enjoy premium dining privileges up to 50% off under Taste Signature or savour 1-for-1 experiences with Taste 1-for-1.
-Maybank
While some might dismiss this as “Love Dining lite”, with Accor Plus reducing its maximum dining discount from 50% to 30%, this move will at least provide some much-needed competitive pressure for American Express.
What is Maybank Taste Circle?
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| Maybank Taste Circle |
The Maybank Taste Circle programme features two components:
- Taste Signature
- Taste 1-for-1
To enjoy the promotion, payment must be made with a physical Maybank credit or debit card. Digital wallet payments are not eligible, as the physical card is required for verification purposes. Both principal and supplementary cardholders are able to participate.
Blackout dates apply, and there are limited redemptions per month, so it’s best to check with the restaurant at the time of reservation whether the promotion is still available.
Taste Signature
Taste Signature offers up to 50% off the food bill at participating restaurants, with the following discount structure.
| Number of Diners | Discount |
| 2 people | 50% |
| 3 people | 35% |
| 4 people | 25% |
| 5-20 people | 20% |
On first glance, this may look identical to Love Dining. However, it differs in terms of discounts for solo diners, the cap on number of diners, and what the discount covers.
| Love Dining | Taste Circle | |
| Solo Diners | 15% discount | No discount |
| Groups of 5 or more | 20% discount, capped at 10 diners* | 20% discount, capped at 20 diners |
| Covers | A la carte or buffet, depending on restaurant | Buffet or set meal only |
| *10 diner cap for Love Dining Hotels. Love Dining Restaurants cap the discount at 20 diners | ||
Taste Signature privileges are currently available at the following restaurants:
| 🍽️ Taste Signature Venues | |
| Hotel | Eligible Outlets |
| Conrad Singapore Orchard |
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| Fullerton Hotel Singapore |
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| Goodwood Park Hotel |
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| JW Marriott Singapore South Beach |
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| The Ritz Carlton Millennia Singapore |
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| Shangri-La Singapore |
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| W Singapore Sentosa Cove |
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| *Also offer 1-for-1 glass of wine or cocktail for Maybank Premium Cardmembers | |
Do note that the venues labelled “Premium” are only for Maybank Premium Cardmembers, defined as:
- Maybank Diamante Visa Infinite
- Maybank Visa Infinite
- Maybank Premier World Mastercard
- Maybank World Mastercard
Each venue is capped at 100 redemptions per month (30 for Tea Lounge, Ritz Lounge and SKIRT) and some have further sub-caps for weekends, so you’re definitely going to want to make an advance reservation to secure your place.
Taste 1-for-1
Taste 1-for-1 works more like The Entertainer, in that cardmembers get 1-for-1 pricing on selected menu items, set menus or buffets.
Some sample offers include:
- 1-for-1 Ultimate Racines Buffet Brunch at Sofitel Singapore City Centre
- 1-for-1 buffet dinner at Seasonal Tastes, Westin Singapore
- 1-for-1 Surf & Sear buffet dinner at Plate, Carlton City Hotel
- 1-for-1 buffet dinner at Window on the Park, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre
This could potentially be a better deal for large groups, since you’ll enjoy 50% off so long as your party is an even number.
Which Maybank card should you use for payment?
Maybank credit cards don’t offer great earn rates for local dining, with the notable exception of the Maybank XL Rewards Card which earns 4 mpd.
| Card | Local Dining | Remarks |
 Maybank XL RewardsApply |
4 mpd | Min. spend S$500, capped at S$1K per c. month |
 Maybank Horizon Visa SignatureApply |
1.2 mpd | No min. spend or cap |
 Maybank Visa InfiniteApply |
1.2 mpd | No min. spend or cap |
 Maybank World MastercardApply |
0.4 mpd* | No min. spend or cap |
| *Earns 4 mpd at selected dining venues under the Imperial Treasure and Les Amis Group, but none of these are participating in Taste Circle |
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Remember: all payments must be made with a physical Maybank credit or debit card. You will not be able to pay through other apps like Kris+ if you want the discount.
Conclusion
The new Maybank Taste Circle offers cardholders up to 50% off dining or 1-for-1 deals at participating restaurants across Singapore. Maybank Premium Cardholders can also look forward to additional venues and discounted drinks.
It can’t quite go toe-to-toe with AMEX Love Dining, but does cover some venues that the other doesn’t, such as Conrad Singapore Orchard, Goodwood Park Hotel and Shangri-La Singapore.
Hopefully Maybank will grow this programme over time and expand the cap beyond the current 100 reservations per month.
