A First-Timer’s Guide to HSBC Credit Card Application

When it comes to credit cards, HSBC offers some of the most attractive and flexible options. Primarily, HSBC credit cards are for those who put a premium on lifestyle. That doesn’t mean, though, that they can’t be used for everyday expenses. With HSBC, even the most mundane spends come with rewards. 

If you’re planning to switch or get a new credit card, HSBC’s range is definitely worth looking into. Other than the excellent features and privileges that come with their cards, applying for one is surprisingly easy. 

Here’s a simple guide to the HSBC credit card application. We’ve also covered other important things you need to know about HSBC credit cards. 

Why Get an HSBC Credit Card? 

Looking for reasons to justify your HSBC credit card application? There are a lot of them. Here are some of the most noteworthy: 

1. Waived Annual Fees 

Usually, HSBC waives annual fees for the first year, which means big savings on your end. Look out for other exciting promos to double the money you save! 

Currently, HSBC is running a Waived Annual Fees for Life promo. This is open to those applying for a primary HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate, HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back, and HSBC Red Mastercard. To enjoy this perk, the cardholder must meet the required accumulated spend. Promo runs until December 31, 2022. 

2. Exciting Rewards 

With HSBC credit cards, spending is always a rewarding experience. Their rewards go beyond the usual points. You can earn cash back on dining, shopping, travel, insurance, and other types of transactions.

You can even redeem gift certificates, air miles, and exclusive freebies using your bonus points. With an HSBC credit card, you also get a 3% rebate on Caltex fuel purchases. 

Its Accelerated Rewards Program also offers the fastest earn rate in the market. With HSBC Premier Mastercard, HSBC Gold Mastercard, and HSBC Red Mastercard, you earn 1 bonus point for every ₱20 spend. Meanwhile, earn 1 bonus point for every ₱15 you spend with HSBC Advance Visa.

3. 0% Installment on Shopping and Purchases That Matter

If you love shopping, start your HSBC credit card application now. Enjoy 0% installment for up to 36 months at any of the bank’s partner merchants and buy big-ticket purchases, such as appliances, gadgets, and furniture, without paying additional interest. HSBC’s 0% installment program applies to other important purchases or transactions related to education, health, and wellness. 

4. Reliable During Emergencies 

You can count on your HSBC credit card in case you’re dealing with a financial emergency. Through a cash advance, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. You can even make withdrawals abroad. 

5. Convenient

HSBC’s credit cards make spending more convenient. Because an HSBC credit card is contactless, you don’t have to swipe it to complete your transactions. Just tap your card at a designated credit card payment terminal here or abroad, and you’re good to go. Transactions worth ₱2,000 or below don’t even require a PIN or signature. 

Say goodbye to missed due dates with HSBC’s AutoCharge. You can now set up your account to automatically pay your bills. Major billers include PLDT, SkyCable, and Globe Telecom, among others. 

6. Secure

HSBC credit cards come with an EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) chip. This mechanism reduces the chance of your card getting compromised. And if you’re shopping online, the HSBC Secure Pay feature adds another layer of protection. This includes password protection and personal message features powered by Mastercard SecureCode and Verified by Visa.

4 Steps to HSBC Credit Card Application in the Philippines

As mentioned, the HSBC credit card application process in the Philippines is easy. Here are the four steps you need to keep in mind. 

1. Check If You're Qualified

Make sure you're eligible to apply for the credit card—this is the first and most important step in the entire application process.

You can apply for an HSBC credit card if you meet all these requirements:

• Between 18 and 70 years old
• With a gross annual income of at least ₱200,000 (for Red Mastercard and Gold Visa Cash Back) or ₱500,000 (for Platinum Visa)
• An HSBC Advance^[1] bank account (for HSBC Advance Visa) or an HSBC Premier^[2] bank account (for HSBC Premier Mastercard)
• Primary cardholder of a credit card issued by a bank in the Philippines and in good standing for at least 12 months (for Red Mastercard, Gold Visa Cash Back, and Platinum Visa)

2. Prepare All Requirements

HSBC will process your credit card application only when you’ve submitted all the required documents. Since some documents take a while to obtain, especially government-issued ones, it's best to prepare them first before you proceed with applying for an HSBC credit card.

HSBC Credit Card Requirements:

• Accomplished application form
• Proof of identity with your complete name, picture, and birthday (at least one of the following: passport, driver’s license, SSS/TIN ID, NBI Clearance, or Voter’s ID)
• Proof of residence. It could be a valid ID containing your address or a utility bill issued within the last three months (electricity, landline, mobile phone, or cable TV)
• For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Certificate of Employment, work permit issued in the country/territory of residence issued by POEA, or POEA Certificate

3. Decide Which Credit Card to Apply For

Before your actual application, you need to know the most suitable HSBC credit card for you. Examine your options carefully by comparing important credit card features such as the following:

• Annual fee: Whether you can afford the cost or not
• Rewards: The rewards offered should be for categories you frequently spend on (e.g., travel, shopping, dining, etc.)

Here are the three cards you can apply for even without an HSBC Advance or HSBC Premier bank account.

HSBC Red Mastercard

📌 Features and Benefits:

• Earn 1 bonus point for every ₱20 spend
• Get 4x bonus points on online, shopping, dining, and overseas transactions
• Enjoy a 6% rebate on your first Caltex fuel purchase plus 3% fuel rebates year-round
• Waived annual fee for the first year

💸 Fees and Charges:

• Minimum monthly income: ₱16,666
• Annual fee: ₱2,500
  
• Interest rate: 2% 

Best for: Online shoppers and travelers abroad

The HSBC Red Mastercard is for people who love adventures, as it makes the finer things in life accessible through generous rewards. It entitles you to 4x bonus points on online, shopping, dining, and overseas transactions. On top of that, you can use your accumulated points to redeem appliances, air miles, and Zalora or Lazada gift certificates. 

HSBC Gold Cash Back

📌 Features and Benefits:

• Get 5% cash back on dining transactions
• Get 0.50% cash back on all of your other transactions
• Enjoy a 3% rebate on Caltex fuel purchases
• Waived annual fee for the first year

💸 Fees and Charges:

• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱16,666
• Annual fee: ₱2,500
• Interest rate: 2%

Best for: Shoppers, diners, and travelers

Love dining out and exploring delicious eats? Make your gastronomic adventures more rewarding with HSBC Gold Cash Back. Enjoy 5% cash back, automatically credited to your account, on dining transactions all year round. 

On top of that, this card entitles you to cash back across different types of spends, such as back-to-school purchases at department stores and overseas transactions. 

HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate

📌 Features and Benefits:

• Earn rebates on all your transactions charged to Platinum Visa
  • 5% on travel and shopping spend (including online shopping)
  • 1% on insurance
  • 0.50% on all other spend
  • 6% on the first Caltex transaction and 3% on Caltex fuel purchases year-round
• Comes with free Purchase Protect insurance, which provides coverage for eligible goods bought from an authorized store, retailer, or distributor using a qualified HSBC credit card.
• Waived annual fee for the first year

💸 Fees and Charges:

• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱41,666
• Annual fee: ₱5,000
• Interest rate: 2%

Best for: Shoppers and travelers 

With HSBC Platinum Visa Rebate credit card, you can get the most out of your spending with rebates across different transaction categories such as shopping, travel, and insurance. This is designed for people who regularly spend big or rely heavily on credit cards for their everyday purchases.

Applicable merchants include clothing stores, cosmetic stores, department stores, duty-free stores, direct marketing, discount stores, electronic stores, leather goods stores, and jewelry stores, among others. 

4. File Your Application

An HSBC credit card application can be completed either in-branch or online. Visit any of the bank's branches in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao and submit your supporting documents there.

HSBC Credit Card Online Application

However, for more convenience, it is recommended you apply online. You may go to the HSBC Credit Cards page^[3] on the bank's official website and click the Apply Now button under your chosen credit card. You can also do it for free on the Moneymax website!

Completing the online application form takes about 10 minutes. To speed up the process, prepare your valid ID number and credit card number from another bank. 

You'll receive an email requesting you to submit supporting documents. Use the HSBC Online File Upload Service to upload documents for your credit card application online. It accepts PDF, JPEG, TIFF, and GIF files no bigger than 2MB.

HSBC Credit Card Application FAQs

Want to make sure all your bases are covered? Here are the other important things you need to remember regarding your HSBC credit card application. 

1. What is the HSBC Credit Card Application Processing Time?

HSBC takes around five to 10 working days to process a credit card application after receiving your completed application form and all supporting documents.

2. Is HSBC Credit Card Visa or Mastercard?

HSBC credit cards differ in payment networks. HSBC Gold Cash Back, HSBC Platinum, and HSBC Advance are Visa credit cards. HSBC Red and HSBC Premier, on the other hand, are under Mastercard.

3. How can I check my HSBC credit card application status?

Have you been waiting for your card? Note that the HSBC credit card approval process usually takes 5 to 10 business days upon submission of completed application forms and required documents.

If you wish to check your application status, you can call HSBC through the following numbers:

• (02)8858-0000 from Metro Manila
• +1-800-1-888-8555 domestic toll-free for calls outside Metro Manila through PLDT landlines

You may also email HSBC at hsbc@hsbc.com.ph. Make sure you have your application reference number with you.

4. How can I activate my HSBC credit card? 

Got your HSBC credit card? Congratulations! Before using it, make sure you activate it first. To do so, just text HSBC<space>LAST 4 DIGITS OF YOUR CARD<space>LAST NAME<space>BIRTH MONTH & YEAR in MMMYYYY format (ex. JUN1985) to 0922-1001010 using your registered mobile number with HSBC.

You can also activate your card by calling HSBC’s hotline at (02) 8858-0000 or (02) 7976-8000. Follow the voice prompts and wait for an SMS containing an OTP sent to your registered mobile number. 

5. How many supplementary cards can I own?

According to HSBC, you may have up to four supplementary cards. If you apply for your first supplementary card, its annual fee will be waived for life.^[4]

6. Do my reward points expire? 

If you have an HSBC Classic Mastercard or Visa credit card, its rewards points are valid for up to two years. For HSBC Gold Mastercard, HSBC Red Mastercard, HSBC Advance Visa, and HSBC Premier Mastercard, points are valid for up to three years.

Final Thoughts

The HSBC credit card application is a straightforward process, especially if you follow the steps properly and submit all the requirements. If you're looking for a more flexible credit card, you can't go wrong with HSBC's extensive selection of capable credit cards.

Check Out Other Exciting Credit Card Options

Want to receive rewards for your spending? Check out the Citi Rewards Card, Citi Cash Back Card, or Citi Prestige Card for exciting rewards.

Explore other cash back credit cards and rewards credit cards for more exclusive perks and privileges.

Sources:

• ^[1] HSBC Advance
• ^[2] HSBC Premier
• ^[3] HSBC Website Credit Cards Page
• ^[4] HSBC Supplementary Cards