Three Months with the Refreshed HSBC Premier Mastercard (2025)

For a long time, the HSBC Premier Mastercard was a card that was good to have if you were already banking with them, but rarely a reason to switch. However, following the massive refresh in August 2025, the value proposition shifted dramatically. I made the decision to invest some of my funds with HSBC in order to qualify for HSBC Premier and to get my hands on this card. It was a calculated move to access better earning rates and stronger travel benefits. Now that I am three months into using the card, I wanted to share my experience and whether the "entry fee" of funding the account was worth it.

Photo Credit: HSBC Singapore

The primary motivation for the switch was the earn rate and the sign-up bonus (but more on this later). The refreshed card structure is aggressive, and over the last quarter, it has been the hardest-working card in my wallet (especially since I have been traveling quite a fair bit). Here is the current earn structure I have been enjoying on the HSBC Premier Mastercard:

Spend Category	HSBC Points (Per S$1)	Equivalent Miles (Per S$1)
Local Spend (SGD)	4.2 Points	1.68 Miles
Foreign Spend (FCY)	6.9 Points	2.76 Miles

Earning 1.68 miles per dollar (mpd) on local spend is significantly higher than the 1.2-1.4 mpd standard in the market - there is also no minimum spend requirement, or any maximum caps applied to this superior earn rate. For foreign currency spending, the 2.76 mpd rate is excellent. While this does incur the standard 3.25% foreign transaction fee, the accelerated earn rate helps to justify the cost. My strategy has been to use this card for the bulk of my travel expenses, but only after I have fully maximised the 4 miles per dollar opportunities on other specialised cards which typically come with restrictive monthly caps (e.g. S$1,000 per statement period).

Took Advantage of Sign-up Bonus

Timing is everything and sometimes, it makes absolute sense to jump in right at the start. I signed up at the start of the card’s relaunch in August 2025, which allowed me to tap into the launch promotion. By spending S$5,000 within a month, I received 265,500 bonus HSBC Reward Points (equivalent to 106,200 bonus miles) on top of what I earned from spending. Effectively, the sign-up bonus alone justified the effort of moving funds to establish the Premier relationship. It is rare to secure a six-figure mileage bounty from a single card sign-up (especially when the annual fee is waived for qualifying customers).

Unlimited Priority Pass Membership (No Guests)

One of the other reasons I wanted this card was to fill a gap in my travel setup - I recently cancelled The American Express Platinum Card, which meant losing unlimited lounge access. Even though I rarely use this benefit, it is still a nice perk to have and my parents used to ride on this benefit to access airport lounges while traveling. The HSBC Premier Mastercard provides unlimited Priority Pass access for the main cardholder and up to three supplementary cardholders - I was able to issue these supplementary cards to my parents, giving them their own unlimited cards which is a fantastic perk that costs me nothing extra.

Photo Credit: HSBC Singapore

Airport Limousine Rides

Beyond the travel benefits, the lifestyle perks have proven surprisingly accessible. In the first quarter of my card membership alone, I unlocked two airport limousine transfers after charging S$6,000 to the card - bookings can be done easily online once the voucher code is provided by HSBC. However, do note that unlike the limousine benefit offered by the Citi Prestige Card, midnight surcharges are payable here. It is also important to remember that the S$6,000 spend threshold is a special concession for the first quarter; in subsequent quarters, a minimum spend of S$12,000 is required to unlock the same two rides.

Tactical Promotions for Existing Cardholders

I also appreciate that HSBC consistently offers tactical promotions for existing cardholders - a segment that many banks tend to overlook in their pursuit of new acquisitions. I have already managed to unlock a complimentary HSBC Movie Card through my regular spending, and I am currently on track to secure a free Samsonite suitcase upon hitting the S$15,000 spend threshold by the end of the year.

Three months in, I can confidently say that the refreshed HSBC Premier Mastercard has earned its place in my wallet. The return on the relationship in the form of market-leading earn rates, practical lifestyle perks, and extensive lounge coverage for the family has been great. It admirably fills the void left by the American Express Platinum Charge. When paired with a portfolio of 4 mpd cards for specialised spending, it creates a formidable miles-earning strategy. If you are looking for a way to make your capital work harder for your travel goals, the HSBC Premier Mastercard is definitely an option you should consider for now. Any friends out there who are interested in signing up for HSBC Premier to get this card, drop me a message on Instagram or send me an email. I can refer you directly to my Relationship Manager who can help smoothen the application process and advise on the latest welcome gifts.