The HSBC Rewards Card lets you earn travel points on everyday purchases and use them for flight upgrades or bookings.
It’s designed for travelers who want flexibility and value from their spending.
With the right strategy, you can turn daily expenses into travel rewards faster than you think.
What the HSBC Rewards Card Is
HSBC Bank issues the HSBC Rewards Card, which is primarily aimed at people who regularly spend on travel, dining, and daily expenses.
It lets you accumulate travel points for every purchase and then redeem them for flights, hotels, or rental cars.
It also gives you access to ticket and seat upgrades, helping you upgrade from economy to premium travel with your earned points.
Eligibility and Application Process
Before you apply, it helps to know if you’re eligible and what steps to take.
Here’s a quick list covering the requirements and process for the HSBC Rewards Card.
Eligibility
- You must be of legal age in your country to hold a credit card.
- You must have a stable income and sufficient financial capacity to meet monthly payments.
- You must have a good credit history (approval is subject to the bank’s credit assessment).
- You must provide valid identification, proof of residence, and, if required, income documentation.
Application Process
- Choose the card you want on the HSBC website or visit a local HSBC branch.
- Fill out the application form with your personal information: name, address, employment/income details, etc.
- Provide the required documents (ID, proof of address, income) as requested by the bank.
- Submit your application. The bank will review your information and decide on approval.
- Once approved, activate your card and start using it to earn travel points.
How You Earn Travel Points
Earn travel points whenever you use your HSBC Rewards Card for purchases.
You’ll get more points for spending on travel, dining, and online shopping. Here’s how to maximize your rewards.
- Earn points for every eligible purchase made with your card.
- Higher points are given for spending on travel, dining, and international transactions.
- Some promotions offer bonus points when you reach a specific spending amount.
- Points can also come from partner stores, airline tie-ups, and online booking platforms.
- Additional points may be earned through introductory or welcome offers for new members.
- Keep track of your points balance through your HSBC online or mobile banking account.
How to Redeem Travel Points
Once you’ve earned enough travel points, you can use them for exciting rewards like flights, hotel stays, or upgrades.
Redemption is simple and can be done through the HSBC Rewards portal or partner programs. Here’s how you can redeem your travel points effectively.
- Log in to your HSBC Rewards account through online or mobile banking.
- Check your available points balance and eligible redemption options.
- Redeem points for flights, hotels, or car rentals through HSBC’s travel partners.
- Transfer your points to airline or hotel loyalty programs at supported conversion rates.
- Use points for flight upgrades or partial fare payments on select airlines.
- Watch for limited-time bonus redemption offers to get more value from your points.
Step-by-Step: Applying for an Upgrade Using Points
You can use your HSBC Rewards points to upgrade flights through partner airlines or the rewards portal.
The process is simple and helps you get more value from your points. Follow these steps to apply for an upgrade.
- Step 1: Log in to your HSBC online or mobile banking account and open the rewards portal.
- Step 2: Check your total points balance and review the airline partners available for upgrades.
- Step 3: Choose the flight you want to upgrade and confirm if it’s eligible for points redemption.
- Step 4: Select the seat or class upgrade option and review the required number of points.
- Step 5: Submit your upgrade request and wait for confirmation from the airline or the rewards platform.
- Step 6: Once approved, verify your upgraded booking details before your travel date.
Rates and Fees
Knowing the rates and fees helps you understand the true cost of using the HSBC Rewards Card.
Review these details before applying to better manage your spending. Here’s a quick breakdown of the typical rates and fees.
- Annual Fee: May range from $0 to moderate, depending on the card type or promotion.
- Purchase APR: Usually ranges from 18% to 28% (variable) based on creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfer Fee: Around 3% to 5% of the transferred amount.
- Cash Advance Fee: Approximately 5% of each cash advance or a minimum set amount.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Often 0% to 3%, depending on whether the card supports global use.
- Late Payment Fee: Typically up to $40, depending on your billing terms.
- Returned Payment Fee: May apply if a payment fails or bounces.
Benefits and Additional Perks
These benefits and perks are designed to enhance your travel, lifestyle, and everyday spending experience when you hold the card.
Review them to understand what extra value the card may offer.
- Ability to earn and redeem points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or cash back.
- Travel-related protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and rental-car coverage.
- No foreign transaction fees on specific card versions, making it more cost-effective when you travel abroad.
- Transfer of reward points to selected airline or hotel loyalty programs (depending on version) to increase redemption value.
- Lifestyle perks like streaming, ride-sharing credits, or accelerated rewards on dining and travel categories.
- Special access or privileges (for premium versions) such as airport lounge access, concierge services, or premium travel experiences.
Tips to Maximise Your Travel Points & Upgrades
To get the most from your travel points and upgrades, adopt smart habits and stay alert to opportunities.
These tips will help you use your points more efficiently and increase your chance of successful upgrades.
- Use the card for travel, dining, and overseas purchases to earn higher points.
- Transfer points to airline or hotel partners when the conversion ratio is favourable.
- Watch for bonus-point promotions or special offers that accelerate earning.
- Check upgrade availability early and be flexible with dates or routes.
- Keep your account active and avoid prolonged inactivity to prevent losing points.
- Compare the value of each redemption (upgrades vs standard rewards) to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Contact Information
If you need help with your HSBC Rewards Card or have questions about your account, the bank provides multiple ways to get in touch.
Here are verified contact details for key regions.
- United States: Call 1-888-662-4722 for general customer support, or 1-716-841-6866 when calling from outside the U.S.
- United Kingdom: For card enquiries or lost cards, call 03457 404 404 (within the UK) or +44 1226 261 010 (from abroad). (hsbc.co.uk)
- Japan: For general credit card support, call 0120-777-377 (domestic) or +81 3 6832 2323 (outside Japan). (hsbc.co.jp)
- Germany: Contact the HSBC Service Center at +49 211 910-9000 for customer assistance. (hsbc.de)
To Wrap Up
The HSBC Rewards Card offers a smart way to turn your everyday spending into travel points and flight upgrades.
With its global benefits and flexible redemption options, it’s ideal for frequent travelers who value convenience and rewards.
Apply today through the official HSBC website to start earning points toward your next trip.
Disclaimer
Rates, fees, and benefits mentioned may vary by country and are subject to change without prior notice.
Always verify the latest terms on the official HSBC website before applying.
