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⚡ Quick Answer
Setel is purpose-built for Petronas petrol stations — it offers seamless pump-to-pay and a solid loyalty programme (Mesra points). MAE is Maybank’s e-wallet, and it’s more versatile, but its petrol-specific features are weaker. For regular Petronas users, Setel wins on convenience and rewards at the pump. If you want an all-round e-wallet that also works at petrol stations, MAE is the better daily driver.
What Is Setel?
Setel is a mobile app developed by Petronas (PETROS) that lets you pay for fuel at Petronas stations directly from your phone — without queuing at the counter or inserting your card at the pump. You also earn Mesra loyalty points on every litre you pump, which can be redeemed for fuel discounts and other rewards at Petronas stores.
Beyond petrol, Setel has expanded into convenience store purchases at Kedai Mesra, food delivery partnerships, and selected merchant payments — but its core use case remains paying for petrol at Petronas.
Setel is owned by Petronas and regulated as an e-money issuer by Bank Negara Malaysia. As of 2026, it is available at virtually all Petronas stations in Malaysia.
What Is MAE?
MAE (Maybank Anytime Everyone) is Maybank’s e-wallet and digital banking app. It was designed as a full-featured e-wallet — not just for petrol — covering DuitNow transfers, QR payments at merchants, bill payments, split bills, overseas spending, and more.
For petrol, MAE works at Petronas stations that accept DuitNow QR — but it doesn’t integrate with Setel’s in-app pump control. You pay at the counter or kiosk using your MAE QR. MAE users can also earn Poin Maybank (Maybank’s loyalty points) on spending, but the petrol-specific rewards are not as targeted as Mesra points.
MAE is connected directly to your Maybank account. It also functions as a standalone e-wallet for users who don’t have a full Maybank account.
Setel vs MAE: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Setel | MAE |
|---|---|---|
| Pump-to-pay (in-car payment) | ✅ Yes — core feature | ❌ No |
| Petronas Mesra points | ✅ Yes, on every litre | ❌ No |
| Petrol station coverage | Petronas only | Any DuitNow-accepting station |
| DuitNow transfers | Limited | ✅ Full DuitNow support |
| QR merchant payments | Limited (Petronas ecosystem) | ✅ Broad merchant coverage |
| Bill payments | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Overseas use | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (selected countries) |
| Bank account linkage | Any card/bank (top-up) | Maybank account (or standalone e-wallet) |
| Investment features | ❌ No | ✅ Basic investment products |
| Bank Negara licensed | ✅ Yes (e-money) | ✅ Yes |
Setel: Cashback & Rewards
Setel’s loyalty programme is built around Mesra points. Here’s how it works in 2026:
- Earn Mesra points on every litre of RON 95, RON 97, and diesel pumped via Setel
- Points can be redeemed for fuel discounts — typically RM0.10 or RM0.20 off per litre at the redemption kiosk
- Additional Mesra points from purchases at Kedai Mesra (Petronas convenience stores)
- Setel also runs periodic promotions: extra points multipliers, cashback campaigns, and partner promos
For a driver who fills up at Petronas twice a week, Mesra points add up meaningfully over a year. A rough estimate: filling 35 litres twice a week for 50 weeks = 3,500 litres per year. At typical Mesra earn rates, that translates to a noticeable annual saving on fuel costs.
Setel also offers Setel Pay, which gives additional savings on fuel when you link specific bank cards. The discount varies based on ongoing promotions.
MAE: Cashback & Rewards at Petrol Stations
MAE’s rewards at petrol stations are less targeted. Poin Maybank can be earned on general spending through MAE, but the petrol-specific earn rate isn’t as strong as Setel’s Mesra system.
Where MAE pulls ahead is broader merchant cashback: Maybank runs periodic MAE cashback promotions across food, groceries, utilities, and e-commerce — none of which Setel covers. If you’re optimising total spending cashback rather than just petrol, MAE offers a broader playing field.
MAE also accepts DuitNow QR at non-Petronas stations — Shell, BHP, Caltex, Petron — which gives it flexibility for drivers who aren’t exclusively Petronas users.
Pump-to-Pay: Where Setel Wins Decisively
Setel’s biggest advantage is the pump-to-pay experience. Here’s how it works:
- Pull up to a Petronas pump
- Open Setel, select the pump number
- Set your fill amount (or full tank)
- Confirm payment — the pump authorises automatically
- Fill up, drive off. Receipt in the app.
You never need to get out of your car, queue, or interact with the cashier. For anyone who fills up regularly, this alone justifies having Setel installed. MAE simply does not offer this feature — it’s a QR wallet, not an integrated pump controller.
Ease of Use
Both apps are intuitive and free to download. Setel requires a Malaysian phone number and IC for registration — no bank account required. MAE also registers quickly, though linking a Maybank account unlocks more features.
Topping up Setel: via debit card, credit card, or online banking. MAE is topped up directly from your Maybank account or via DuitNow from any bank.
Both apps work without problems on Android and iOS. Neither has a web-based interface — they’re mobile-only.
Which Petrol Stations Accept Each App?
| Station | Setel (pump-to-pay) | MAE (DuitNow QR) |
|---|---|---|
| Petronas | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (QR only) |
| Shell | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| BHP | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Petron | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Caltex | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
If you frequently use non-Petronas stations, Setel isn’t usable — and MAE wins on flexibility. If you’re primarily a Petronas customer, Setel’s pump-to-pay and Mesra integration make it the stronger choice.
Should You Use Both?
Honestly, yes. They serve different purposes and there’s no cost to having both installed:
- Use Setel at every Petronas fill-up for pump-to-pay convenience and Mesra points
- Use MAE for everything else: merchant QR payments, transfers, bills, non-Petronas petrol stations
Treating them as mutually exclusive is the wrong frame. They complement each other — Setel for Petronas, MAE for the rest of your daily spending.
Our Recommendation
For Petronas regulars: Setel is non-negotiable. The pump-to-pay feature alone is worth having the app. Layer in Mesra points and you’re earning back meaningfully on fuel you’d buy anyway.
For non-Petronas users or those who want one wallet for everything: MAE is the more versatile daily driver. Its petrol rewards are weaker, but it covers more ground across daily life.
Best answer: use both. They’re free to install, and there’s no reason to leave Mesra points on the table every time you pump at Petronas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use MAE at Petronas?
Yes — MAE works at Petronas stations that accept DuitNow QR. However, you cannot use MAE for pump-to-pay (authorising the pump directly from the app). You’ll need to pay at the counter or kiosk using the QR code, and you won’t earn Mesra points on the transaction.
Does Setel work at non-Petronas stations?
No. Setel is exclusively for Petronas stations. For Shell, BHP, Petron, or Caltex, you’ll need a different payment method — MAE, TNG eWallet, or a bank card.
Is Setel safe to use?
Yes. Setel is licensed as an e-money issuer by Bank Negara Malaysia, meaning it operates under the Payment Systems Act. Your stored value in Setel is regulated. For additional security, enable biometric authentication and set a transaction PIN in the app settings.
Do Mesra points expire?
Mesra points have an expiry — typically 3 years from the date of earning if there’s no activity on the account. Check your Setel app or Mesra loyalty account for the current expiry policy, as Petronas updates terms periodically.
Which app gives more cashback on petrol?
Setel, specifically for Petronas purchases. Mesra points are designed around petrol spend, and Setel’s periodic promotional cashback on fuel is hard to beat when active. MAE’s cashback is broader but not petrol-optimised.
