The HSBC Premier Mastercards thread

[mrd]

Anyone have any insight into when they’ll allow new card applications?

Wonder what else they could be revamping.

[Maples]

I think it’ll be open once the changes go live. I think it’s 2x September, so about 3 weeks…

[QFFlyer]

meta wrote:

Asia Miles can be useful as opens more seats on Cathay not available to OW partners and often JAL availability intra Asia is better than with BA or with AA Advantage.

This is a good point, I’ve noticed this over the last few days comparing QF & BA availability on JL particularly, BA didn’t show any J/F availability, where QF did – these are domestic Japan flights, so I’m not overly bothered about flying domestic F for an hour, but it did highlight the differences.

BA are also more expensive than QF in terms of no. of points required now, they used to be very good value for shorter flights, but that’s gradually being eroded on more and more partner carriers’ reward flights (increases now evident on QF, JL, CX, plus all North American flights, which is where it started). Diversification is a very good strategy.

[sprnv]

Chance this gets relaunched as a Star Alliance card like the one they have in Aus?

[Maples]

Just seen that the income threshold for HSBC Premier has been increased to £100K. If going by savings and investments, you’ll also require £100K. Out of reach for me now.

[Skywalker]

Maples wrote:

Just seen that the income threshold for HSBC Premier has been increased to £100K. If going by savings and investments, you’ll also require £100K. Out of reach for me now.

Just going to add this for reference from HSBC website @Maples

“If you opened a Premier Account, or submitted your application for a Premier Account, on or before 4 September 2024, the previous eligibility criteria will still apply. These are: (1) an income of £75,000, and hold another eligible product, or (2) have £50,000 in savings or investments with us, or (3) hold and qualify for HSBC Premier in another country or region.”

[DJ]

There is my wondering what sort of improvements they will be making later this year as part of this announcement:

Changing our products and services
We’ve made important changes this year to support our customers in making the most of their money. To help customers build healthy savings habits, we’ve introduced a fixed rate ISA and digital savings pots, as well as digital tools that allow customers to track their financial goals. We’ll also be unveiling improvements to our Premier account later this year.

[Numpty]

DJ wrote:

There is my wondering what sort of improvements they will be making later this year as part of this announcement:

Changing our products and services
We’ve made important changes this year to support our customers in making the most of their money. To help customers build healthy savings habits, we’ve introduced a fixed rate ISA and digital savings pots, as well as digital tools that allow customers to track their financial goals. We’ll also be unveiling improvements to our Premier account later this year.

Mastercard World Elite cars issued in SE Asia/Oz qualify for free GHA Discovery Titanium status, would be nice to see that offered on UK card.

[MrWhite]

FYI – registering for the Dragonpass fast track now works

[Sam]

@MrWhite. Don’t suppose you have a link/pointer? Ta

[MrWhite]

This is the link I used: https://travelexperiences.mastercard.com/

[karanke]

I was just able to apply, got approved for a £30k limit. Woohoo!

[Numpty]

MrWhite wrote:

This is the link I used: https://travelexperiences.mastercard.com/

Fast track passes also seem to work for arrivals, in some cases, e.g. Kuala Lumpur.

In all cases you need to book a time slot, but it seems you can book a slot on the day / once in the airport.

[ross]

People still not liking HSBC vs Barclays Premier Plus?

I never managed to use the upgrade one-way voucher, if i did it would be within Europe (as long haul I’d be using AMEX 2-41-), so hardly much of an upgrade.

Just thinking if the other HSBC WE card’s benefits are worth it?

The 1% cashback paid in Rewards (on amounts over £100) was mentioned on my letter but not on the webiste.

Fast Track – seems limited and not of huge benefit.

The PP restaurant link of not worth much.

[Steven]

For me, the comparison would be Amex Plat vs HSBC WE given the lounge access. The no guest rule with HSBC leaves me to stick with Amex Plat. Everyone will be different though.

[Sam]

MrWhite wrote:

This is the link I used: https://travelexperiences.mastercard.com/

Lovely, thanks!

[alma]

ross wrote:

The 1% cashback paid in Rewards (on amounts over £100) was mentioned on my letter but not on the webiste.

@ross could you clarify what was in your letter in relation to the above? I can’t see how the rewards points would ever add up to exactly 1% cashback but I might be missing something.

[Rob]

ross wrote:

People still not liking HSBC vs Barclays Premier Plus?

I never managed to use the upgrade one-way voucher, if i did it would be within Europe (as long haul I’d be using AMEX 2-41-), so hardly much of an upgrade.

Just thinking if the other HSBC WE card’s benefits are worth it?

The 1% cashback paid in Rewards (on amounts over £100) was mentioned on my letter but not on the webiste.

Fast Track – seems limited and not of huge benefit.

The PP restaurant link of not worth much.

Do note, which no-one else has picked up today, that the sign-up bonus has been halved at the same time as the fee went up 50%.

[Pete C]

Rob Burgess wrote:

ross wrote:

People still not liking HSBC vs Barclays Premier Plus?

I never managed to use the upgrade one-way voucher, if i did it would be within Europe (as long haul I’d be using AMEX 2-41-), so hardly much of an upgrade.

Just thinking if the other HSBC WE card’s benefits are worth it?

The 1% cashback paid in Rewards (on amounts over £100) was mentioned on my letter but not on the webiste.

Fast Track – seems limited and not of huge benefit.

The PP restaurant link of not worth much.

Do note, which no-one else has picked up today, that the sign-up bonus has been halved at the same time as the fee went up 50%.

Is this to say that the second year bonus has been scrapped?

[Rob]

Seems so.

[JDB]

Rob Burgess wrote:

Seems so.

It’s interesting that Barclays and HSBC appear to be moderating SUB behaviour and Lloyds and NatWest are picking up business with premium travel cards without SUBs at all (??) as do the likes of Revolut while Amex continues to double down on rising SUBs and retentions.

[Pete C]

HSBC just confirmed on the phone that the anniversary bonus has been withdrawn, except for those who are currently in their first year and signed up under the previous terms

[BBbetter]

ross wrote:

People still not liking HSBC vs Barclays Premier Plus?

I never managed to use the upgrade one-way voucher, if i did it would be within Europe (as long haul I’d be using AMEX 2-41-), so hardly much of an upgrade.

Just thinking if the other HSBC WE card’s benefits are worth it?

The 1% cashback paid in Rewards (on amounts over £100) was mentioned on my letter but not on the webiste.

Fast Track – seems limited and not of huge benefit.

The PP restaurant link of not worth much.

It’ll come down to your spending then. You need to spend £58000 before you make any gain on this card, compared to ARCC or the free Barclays avios card.

[sturgeon]

I see they’ve opened applications again. Rob mentions above the sign up bonus is halved, it’s still 40k (20k Avios) for the first year which is the same isn’t it? Although the second year points have been removed.

I don’t have BA Amex as I’ve closed all Amex cards for two years to reset bonuses. I’m sitting on multiple upgrade vouchers from Barclaycard as well, they closed my account with them so it’s not an option.

In my situation is the HSBC card worth it? The £240 fee is a bit lumpy although in year one a chunk of it is covered by the sign up bonus. I’m not that bothered about the priority pass for one person as most non business flights I could just buy a pass for (a couple a year and isn’t the fee for a secondary HSBC card £60?).

Any other benefits I’m missing?

Do they charge a fee for international spending as the earning rate is slightly better so that’s attractive. I doubt it’s fee free though even though though it’s called ‘world elite’.

[TGLoyalty]

Yes as the second bonus was only on the condition you kept the card for the second year, spent £12k in year one and got 1 point/£ so it’s not as simple as fee is up and bonus is down.

So previously £390 fees got you 52k miles if you met the exact conditions.

Now £240 gets you 38k for £12k spend and you can boost about 16k points for the £150 saving if you really need them so the maths isn’t too different. Infact you could be 2k ahead for the exact same £ outlay.

3% FX fee so it’s not worth it. I just use Curve.