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### ⚡ Quick Answer
Fave is a legitimate cashback app in Malaysia, but its usefulness has narrowed significantly since 2020. It still delivers solid deals at F&B outlets, spas, and salons — but if you primarily shop online, ShopBack will earn you more cashback. Read on for the full breakdown.
## What Is Fave Malaysia?
Fave (formerly Groupon Malaysia) is a deals and cashback platform that lets you earn **FavePay cashback** when you pay at participating merchants. Instead of clipping coupons, you open the app, scan a QR code at checkout, and a percentage of your spend is credited back as FaveCoins (their cashback currency).
It launched in Malaysia around 2016, pivoting away from the classic Groupon “deal voucher” model toward a tap-to-pay cashback system. Today it operates across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and claims over 15,000 partner merchants in Malaysia alone.
The key things Fave does:
– **FavePay cashback** — earn typically 5%–20% cashback when you pay with FavePay at participating F&B, beauty, and wellness outlets
– **Fave Deals** — discounted vouchers for restaurants, spas, activities, and hotels (the old Groupon-style product)
– **eCards** — gift cards for specific brands at a discount
– **Cashback cards** — link your bank card to earn cashback at selected merchants
## How FavePay Cashback Works
Paying with FavePay is straightforward:
1. Open the Fave app and tap **FavePay**
2. The merchant scans your QR code (or you scan theirs)
3. Pay using your linked debit card, credit card, or e-wallet
4. Cashback (FaveCoins) is credited within 24–48 hours
5. Redeem FaveCoins on your next Fave purchase (min. RM10 to redeem)
**Important:** FaveCoins expire after **6 months** of inactivity. If you don’t use Fave regularly, you risk losing accumulated cashback — a design that pushes frequent engagement.
Typical cashback rates at F&B outlets range from **5% to 15%**. Beauty and wellness outlets sometimes go higher. These rates fluctuate based on merchant promotions, so what you see today may differ next month.
## Fave Deals: Are They Still Worth It?
Fave Deals are pre-purchased vouchers at a discount — think “buy RM50 of food for RM35.” These can be great value **if you’re disciplined about using them before expiry**.
The common pitfall is buying a deal impulsively (it’s 40% off!) and then forgetting to use it. Fave deals typically expire in **3–6 months**, and refunds are not guaranteed after expiry.
Best use cases for Fave Deals in Malaysia:
– Spa/salon packages (where deals can be 30%–50% off)
– Neighbourhood F&B outlets you visit regularly
– Activities like bowling, mini golf, or escape rooms
Avoid deals for restaurants you haven’t tried before — the experience may not match the discount.
## What Merchants Accept Fave in Malaysia?
Fave works primarily at **physical, offline merchants**. Strong categories include:
| Category | Examples |
|—|—|
| F&B | Cafes, restaurants, bubble tea chains |
| Beauty & Wellness | Hair salons, nail bars, facial studios |
| Fitness | Gyms, yoga studios |
| Activities | Escape rooms, bowling, trampoline parks |
| Hotels | Select budget and mid-range properties |
Fave’s coverage is strongest in **Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor Bahru**. Coverage thins out in smaller towns and rural areas.
For pure **online shopping cashback**, Fave has limited utility — that’s ShopBack’s territory.
## Fave vs ShopBack: Which Should You Use?
This is the comparison most Malaysians care about.
| Feature | Fave | ShopBack |
|—|—|—|
| Best for | Offline F&B & beauty | Online shopping |
| Cashback type | FaveCoins (redeemable in-app) | Cash (bank transfer) |
| Coverage | 15,000+ offline merchants | 1,000+ online stores |
| Minimum payout | RM10 in FaveCoins | RM10 cash withdrawal |
| Cashback rates | 5%–20% at F&B/beauty | 1%–15% at e-commerce |
| App quality | Good | Excellent |
| Voucher deals | Yes | No |
**Bottom line:** Use both. Fave for your daily teh tarik and salon visits; ShopBack when you shop on Shopee, Lazada, or travel via Agoda or Trip.com.
Sign up on ShopBack here — you’ll get a welcome bonus on your first qualifying purchase.
## FavePay vs TNG eWallet vs GrabPay for Cashback
Malaysia’s e-wallet scene is crowded. Here’s how Fave stacks up against the big e-wallets on cashback:
| | FavePay | TNG eWallet | GrabPay |
|—|—|—|—|
| Offline cashback | 5%–20% (selected merchants) | Varies by campaign | Varies by campaign |
| Online cashback | Minimal | Limited | Limited |
| Merchant coverage | 15,000+ (F&B/beauty focused) | Very wide (all QR merchants) | Wide (Grab ecosystem) |
| Cashback usability | Must redeem via Fave | Top-up, bills, transfer | GrabFood, GrabCar, Grab stores |
| Voucher deals | Yes | No | No |
Fave’s cashback rates at participating merchants are often **higher than TNG and GrabPay campaigns** — but the merchant network is more limited. The sweet spot is combining FavePay at Fave partner merchants and using TNG or GrabPay everywhere else.
## Is Fave Legit and Safe?
Yes. Fave is operated by **Fave Malaysia Sdn Bhd** and has been operating in Malaysia since 2016. It processes payments through licensed payment gateways and is not a scam.
That said, some users have reported:
– Slow cashback crediting (up to 48 hours)
– Merchant closures (you buy a deal, the restaurant closes)
– Customer service being slow on refund requests
For deal vouchers, the refund policy is: full refund if the merchant closes before you redeem; partial or no refund if the deal expires. Always check the refund terms before buying a high-value deal.
## Fave’s Weakness: The Ecosystem Lock-In
The main frustration with Fave is that **FaveCoins are not transferable to cash**. You earn within the Fave ecosystem and can only spend within it. This contrasts with ShopBack, which lets you withdraw cashback to your bank account.
If you stop using Fave (or it goes under), your accumulated FaveCoins are gone. For occasional users, this is a meaningful risk.
## Our Recommendation
Fave is worth installing if you regularly visit F&B and beauty establishments in major Malaysian cities. The FavePay cashback at participating merchants is genuinely good — often better than what e-wallet campaigns offer.
However, **don’t buy Fave Deals impulsively.** Only purchase a voucher if you’re certain you’ll use it within the redemption window.
For online shopping, skip Fave and use ShopBack instead — it has much wider coverage and pays out in actual cash.
**Our verdict: 3.5/5** — solid for offline F&B and beauty, limited elsewhere.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Is Fave Malaysia still operating in 2026?
Yes, Fave is still active in Malaysia in 2026. The platform continues to onboard new F&B and beauty merchants, though its growth has slowed compared to its 2019–2020 peak.
### How do I withdraw FaveCoins as cash?
You cannot. FaveCoins can only be used to offset future purchases within the Fave app. This is a key limitation versus ShopBack, which allows cash withdrawals.
### Does Fave work with all e-wallets?
FavePay links to most Malaysian debit and credit cards. You can also pay via TNG eWallet, GrabPay, and other e-wallets at merchants that accept multiple payment methods — but cashback is only earned through FavePay.
### What’s the minimum to redeem FaveCoins?
You need at least **RM10 in FaveCoins** to apply them to a purchase. Coins can cover up to **10% of your bill** per transaction.
### How long do FaveCoins last?
FaveCoins expire after **6 months of account inactivity**. As long as you earn or spend FaveCoins at least once every 6 months, your balance is preserved.
### Are Fave deals refundable?
Generally yes — if the merchant closes before you redeem. If the deal expires and you didn’t use it, most deals are non-refundable. Always check the deal’s terms before purchasing.
## Related Articles
– ShopBack Malaysia Review 2026: Is It Worth Using for Cashback?
– MAE vs BigPay Malaysia 2026: Which E-Wallet Should You Use?
– GrabPay vs ShopeePay Malaysia 2026: Which E-Wallet Gives You More Rewards?
