Browse the Best HSBC Credit Cards

Features of HSBC Credit Cards

HSBC cards offer a selection of unique cardmember benefits. These include:

• ShopRunner: HSBC offers complimentary ShopRunner membership. This service entitles members to free two-day delivery from over 40 online retailers. Members also get free returns – with no limit to the number of orders or returns.

HSBC cards also offer a variety of protections specific to the type of Mastercard product on offer. These include a selection of:

• Travel accident insurances
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Zero fraud liability
• 24/7 customer assistance

World Elite Mastercard holders can expect the highest level of service and protection, while standard Mastercard holders receive more basic benefits and insurance. That said, the Mastercard protections are robust, regardless of their “class.”

HSBC Rewards Program Guide

Rewards points are always popular, so it’s no surprise that HSBC offers several rewards credit cards. While HSBC reserves the very best travel rewards cards for HSBC customers (the HSBC Advance Mastercard® Credit Card), there are still plenty of quality rewards cards for everyone from the bank.

How to Earn Rewards

Like other rewards programs, HSBC earns a single point on eligible purchases with participating HSBC credit cards. Additional points are earnable when making purchases in select categories. These include the 2X points on travel with the HSBC Premier World Mastercard® Credit Card or the 3X introductory points on all purchases with the HSBC Platinum Mastercard® with Rewards Credit Card. Rewards points are also obtainable through sign-up bonuses, exclusive offers, or other promotions.

Do Rewards Expire?

HSBC Rewards never expire if the account is in good standing. Good standing means that the account holder fully complies with the terms and conditions of their HSBC Rewards credit card, including being current with their payments. If, however, there is a 12-month period of inactivity on the credit card account, HSBC reserves the right to close the account.

How to Redeem HSBC Rewards

HSBC Rewards points apply to the usual award options. These include:

• Cash Back: Cash back rewards apply as statement credits to the HSBC credit card account. Cardholders also have the option of a direct deposit into a linked HSBC banking account.
• Gift Cards: Points also apply for gift cards from leading names in retail, including Amazon, Best Buy, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, and more.
• Merchandise: Use reward points to purchase merchandise from leading names like Apple, Alex, and Ani, Dyson, and more. Points can be used through the HSBC portal, as well as on Amazon (subject to change).
• Charity: Points are donatable to good causes, such as the American Red Cross.
• Travel: Points also apply to a considerable number of travel awards and credits:
• Airline, hotel, or rental car bookings through us.hsbc.com
• Experiences, such as Broadway show tickets, whale watching, tours, and more
• Book ground transportation for travel
• Use rewards to receive a statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees

With travel booking awards, there are no seat restrictions and no blackout dates. This lack of limitations is a great perk, not found with every other reward program.

Can You Pre-Qualify for HSBC Credit Cards?

HSBC currently does not offer online prequalification for potential applicants. Other major issuers, such as American Express and Capital One, do provide this service, so HSBC’s lack of prequalification access is frustrating.

Prequalifying for a credit card gives potential applicants a better understanding of their approval odds before applying. Prequalification’s conduct a “soft pull” on their credit report. Soft pulls provide necessary information about an applicant but don’t affect their credit score.

“Hard pulls,” on the other hand, pull the credit report of the applicant and have a direct impact on their credit score. While this impact dissipates after several months, it still reflects on their credit report for two years. Hard pulls occur when a person applies for credit, such as a credit card application.

What to Look for in an HSBC Credit Card

As with any other credit card, there are certain things to look out for with HSBC cards when applying. Here are a few things to pay attention to when trying to find your next HSBC credit card:

• Annual Fee: Does the card charge an annual fee? Rewards cards – particularly travel rewards cards – sometimes come with annual fees. Before applying for a card that charges a yearly fee, make sure you’ll get enough value from the perks, credits, and benefits to justify that cost.
• APR: Always check the variable purchase APR before applying. The better your credit score, the better the rate you can expect. Also, does the card provide a 0% intro APR period?
• Fees: Does the card charge a balance transfer fee? Are there fees for cash advances and overdrafts? Do you need to apply for cash advances?
• Rewards: What type of awards does it offer? Pay close attention to how you’ll earn reward points. Are there particular categories that earn additional points?
• Type of Mastercard: There are three classes of Mastercard – Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard. These types all offer different benefits and protections, with World Elie offering the most comprehensive perks.

Looking for the Best HSBC Credit Cards?

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