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HSBC TravelOne Credit Card Review (2023): Travel and Earn Rewards All on One App

Sihan Chia

Sihan Chia

Last updated 12 May, 2023

Ready to spread your wings and fly off to your next vacay? With a growing list of 12 travel partners in airlines and hotels, the HSBC TravelOne credit card has a decent miles earn rate and provides lounge access and travel insurance for fuss-free journeys.

Best HSBC credit cards: HSBC Revolution | HSBC Advance | HSBC Visa Platinum | HSBC Visa Infinite

Why do we travel?

For some, it’s to escape the humdrum and hustle and bustle of routine, waiting to explore uncharted waters. For others, it’s an essential break to reset and recharge our weary selves from the daily grind.

Why do we need a travel card?

If you're looking at the HSBC TravelOne credit card, the list can be endless.

Good miles earn rate? Checked. Travel perks from the largest range of airlines and hotels? Checked. How about lounge access and travel insurance? Also checked.

All ready to set your out-of-office note and jet off soon? Find out why this card can be your new travel buddy!

Table of contents



What the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card can do for you

HSBC TravelOne Welcome Gift: Receive 20,000 miles (equal to a round trip to Bali) when you make a min. spend of S$1,000 within the qualifying spend period, pay the annual fee (S$194.40 incl. GST) and provide marketing consent when you apply. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.

HSBC TravelOne card product summary:

  • 2.4 mpd (6x Rewards points) on foreign currency spending
  • 1.2 mpd (3x Rewards points) on local currency spending
  • Points transfers will be completed within 1 business day
  • Perks can be shared with a supplementary card
  • No conversion fee when you redeem for air miles or hotel points (till 31 December 2023)
  • 4x complimentary airport lounge visits a year
  • Up to US$100,000 complimentary travel insurance
  • Annual income requirement: S$30,000 (Singaporeans/PRs), S$40,000 (Foreigners)
  • Annual fee: S$194.40 (waived from 2nd year onwards with >S$25,000 annual spend)
Pros ✅
Cons ❌
1.2 mpd on local spend
Annual fee only waived from 2nd year onwards with min. S$25,000 spend per year
2.4 mpd on foreign spend
 
Points transfer completed within 1 business day
 
No conversion fee for air miles and hotel points redemption until 31 Dec 2023
 
4 complimentary airport lounge visits per year
 
Up to US$100,000 complimentary travel insurance coverage
 

How are miles earned and redeemed?

To those who are befuddled by the miles vs points conversion, you’ll be glad that the HSBC TravelOne card has a pretty straightforward process.

It has a decent earn rate of 1.2 mpd (3X Reward points) for local spending and 2.4 mpd (6X Reward points) for foreign currency spending.

There is no minimum spend or cap on the points that you can earn.

What’s good is that the spending categories are not restricted to earning miles as it follows an eligibility blacklist approach, so you can also earn on your daily expenses.

However, there are some MCC exceptions that do not qualify for miles to be earned. Refer to the full list here.


Why should you choose the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card?

HSBC TravelOne

HSBC TravelOne Welcome Gift: Receive 20,000 miles (equal to a round trip to Bali) when you make a min. spend of S$1,000 within the qualifying spend period, pay the annual fee (S$194.40 incl. GST) and provide marketing consent when you apply. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.


#1: It has the highest number of transfer partners 

There’s something appealing about being in the miles game that no number of cards seems too great for miles chasers.

A quick look at the card benefits and it’s clear from the 2.4 mpd on foreign currency spending that this card is practically urging you to book the next available flight out to the 1st destination that comes to your mind.

Another highlight is the high number of travel partners (12 and counting), effectively letting travel lovers enjoy perks from a broad range of frequent flier and hotel loyalty programs. 

With an ambitious goal to sign 20 travel partners by the end of 2023, we can't wait to see who else will be joining this highly attractive list. 

While it is a decent card to charge your travel expenses, what’s attractive about this card is definitely not just the miles earning rate. This brings us to the next point…

See also: HSBC Revolution Card Review (2023)


#2: It prefers to give instant enjoyment

With a great starting point of 20,000 bonus points if you apply before 31 August 2023, the minimum spending criteria of S$800 should be quite a breeze to hit.

Another plus point is the rewards redemption over the HSBC Singapore app, which gives you access to instant miles and hotel points redemption with a wide range of airline and hotel partners including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy and more.

Here are more details on redeeming your HSBC TravelOne Rewards points.

Do note that to start redeeming air miles or hotel points on your HSBC TravelOne Credit Card, you will need a minimum of 25,000 Reward Points to redeem 10,000 air miles or hotel points. Thereafter, the redemption will be based on blocks of 5 Reward points to 2 air miles or hotel points.

25,000 Rewards Points 🎫 = 10,000 miles ✈️

Below is the list of eligible Frequent Flyer Programmes following the above rate:

  • Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer
  • Cathay Pacific – Asia Miles
  • EVA Air – Infinity MileageLands
  • British Airways – Executive Club
  • Air Frane-KLM – Flying Blue
  • Qantas – Frequent Flyer
  • Vietnam Airlines – Lotusmiles
  • Etihad – Guest
  • AirAsia – rewards

Hotel partners wise, this is the list so far:

  • Accor Live Limitless Lifestyle*
  • IHG One Rewards
  • Marriott Bonvoy

*Only partner with a lower conversion rate of 25,000 Rewards Points : 5,000 Rewards Programme Points

See also: Best Air Miles Credit Cards In Singapore


#3: It comes with peace of mind 

If travel insurance is usually an afterthought for you, you won’t need to think twice with the HSBC TravelOne card.

It comes with complimentary travel insurance with up to USD100,000 of coverage when you charge the full cost of your air ticket to your HSBC TravelOne Credit Card.

For added security, there's the ID Theft Protection™ which gives you peace of mind when surfing and purchasing online.

Proactive monitoring and alerts help to ensure your personal data is safe from identity theft or fraud. Simply enrol online for complimentary access. 

See also: Instarem Amaze Card Review 


#4: It’s eligible for the HSBC Everyday+ Rewards Programme

For HSBC TravelOne cardmembers who have an HSBC Everyday Global banking account, the HSBC Everyday+ Rewards Programme lets you earn up to 1% cashback on card spend and GIRO bill payments, and 1% bonus interest on your savings account upon fulfilling the criteria.

What’s more, if you make 5 qualifying transactions on your HSBC credit card, you’ll be eligible for the Sure-Win monthly promotion and stand to win some awesome prizes including a hotel stay and dining vouchers.

This is provided you deposit an aggregate of at least S$2,000 (or S$5,000 for Premier banking) into an eligible HSBC Everyday Global Account in a given calendar month via salary crediting and/or inward transfers from a non-HSBC bank account too.

HSBC Everyday Global Account Welcome Gift: Enjoy up to S$2,030 in rewards when you sign up for an HSBC Everyday Global Account and complete offer bundles with HSBC credit card, investment, and life insurance products. T&Cs apply.

Read more:
HSBC Everyday+ Rewards Programme: Earn 1% Bonus Interest and 1% Cashback on GIRO bill payments, HSBC Credit and Debit Card Spending


What fees and charges should you look out for?

Type of charge
Fee
Annual fee
S$194.40 (incl GST)
Supplementary card fee
N/A
Minimum monthly payment
  • S$50 or 100% of monthly instalment amount of each cash instalment plan & spend instalment plans (if any), plus
  • 100% of any interest, late fees, annual credit card fees, and overlimit fees charged to your account, plus
  • 1% of remaining outstanding balance, plus
  • Excess amount above your credit limit
Card replacement fee
S$21.60
Late payment charge
S$100
Overlimit fee
S$40
Cash advance fee
US$15 or 6%, whichever is higher
Stolen/lost card liability
S$100
Foreign currency transaction fee
2.25% + up to 1% additional charge imposed by Visa/Mastercard
Dynamic currency conversion fee
1%
Interest on purchases
26.9% p.a.
Interest on cash advance
28% p.a.


Eligibility criteria

Minimum age requirement
At least 21 years old
Minimum annual income (Singaporeans/PRs)
S$30,000
Minimum annual income (Foreigners)
S$40,000

 


How to apply?

HSBC TravelOne

HSBC TravelOne Welcome Gift: Receive 20,000 miles (equal to a round trip to Bali) when you make a min. spend of S$1,000 within the qualifying spend period, pay the annual fee (S$194.40 incl. GST) and provide marketing consent when you apply. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and complete the application form on SingSaver site. You might need to prepare the following documents for the application process:

  • Front and back of NRIC/Passport/Employment Pass/Proof of billing address

  • For Salaried employees: Past 12 months' CPF statement (Singaporean/PR), latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment via Myinfo, and latest 3 months' original computerised payslip
  • For Self-employed & Commission-based earners: Past 12 months' CPF statement and latest Income Tax Notice of Assessment
      • Latest 1 year's Notice of Assessment only required if the above is not available

Should you get the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card?

HSBC TravelOneIf you’re just getting into the miles game and can’t wait to book your next getaway and enjoy some great perks, the HSBC TravelOne is ideal for you.

Apart from the fantastic array of established hotels and airline partners, it is also a great card to help you earn miles quickly through daily spending.

We especially like the part where air miles and hotel points redemptions will be completed instantly or within 1 business day (up to 5 business days for Accor Live Limitless). Instant gratification is indeed a great feeling.  

There’s also the 20,000 miles signup offer (or the equivalent to a round trip to Bali!) for both new and current HSBC cardmembers. All you need to do upon card approval is to hit the minimum monthly spend of S$800.

HSBC Credit Card Welcome Gift:

For HSBC TravelOne Card Only: Receive 20,000 miles (equal to a round trip to Bali) when you make a min. spend of S$1,000 within the qualifying spend period, pay the annual fee (S$194.40 incl. GST) and provide marketing consent when you apply. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.

For Other HSBC Credit Cards: Receive a Samsonite ZELTUS 69cm Spinner Exp with built-in scale (worth S$680) or S$150 cashback when you make a min. spend of S$1,000 by the end of the following calendar month from the card account opening date and provide marketing consent. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.

Read these next:
HSBC Revolution Credit Card Review: Up to 4 Miles Per S$1 Spend
HSBC Advance Credit Card Review: Up to 3.5% Cashback 
Card Comparison: HSBC Revolution vs HSBC Advance vs HSBC Visa Platinum 
Why HSBC Everyday Global Account is Made For Young Professionals

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