HSBC Gold Visa

Good – I have canceled my ANZ credit card as the annual fees is ridiculous with the benefits I get. Don't try to delay to pay the bill as the interest rate is high. Overall, I am happy to become their customer. If you are looking for a reasonable annual fees credit card, which comes with reward points and traveling insurance. I fully recommend you to… Read more

use this credit card. The credit limit is less than other banks. But as long as you are fine with it. Then it's ok.

OK – I have held a HSBC online savings account as my primary account for years. I changed my primary credit card from a eight-year-old Commonwealth Bank basic Mastercard to them, as I was buying enough electronics and plane tickets to justify paying extra for the extended warranty, purchase protection, travel insurance features. BankWest offers similar… Read more

features on a Gold card without an annual fee, but without rewards.

In general, the HSBC credit card website is an odd duck. First, HSBC savings account holders, note that their credit card site is different from their savings account site. It is protected by a different set of passwords, not the keyfob. Usage of the card does not immediately appear on the online site (although I think this is so for most credit cards).

BPay in particular, looks half done. e.g. no scheduled payments for BPay. I can’t instruct the website: “pay this bill by BPay in 2 weeks time”, which is a standard feature on Westpac and Commonwealth Bank sites, and on the HSBC savings account.

The BPay interface is also poor. Previous BPay billers are listed by their numbers only, not their names. Even even worse, 3 times out of 5 (not including retries), after entering payment details, I get the message “this service is not available”. So... try again later.

Most inexcusable, is that BPay payments are listed on the website & mailed statements as “BPay transfer” without additional detail at least on who the payment was to. If you make multiple BPay payments in a month, prepare to have multiple “BPay transfers” on your statement, and having to work out which payment was to whom based on the amounts and dates.

Good thing is that these statements can later be downloaded as PDFs from their site for filing.

Note that all these criticisms are based on their website features. Other things are just fine. In particular, I instructed them to direct debit the entire credit card balance monthly, and received confirmation by mail within a week. Other things like changing my address, changing payment protection, adding supplementary cards, website speed: no problems. Yes, I have reported the above to HSBC customer service. I would rate a 3 and a half, but 3 will do. Rewards, travel insurance, extended warranty on purchases, purchase protection. No charge for first year. No supplementary card charge. Quick response to mail. Electronic statements downloadable. Website and statements rudimentary

Good – Overall, this card is a winner. It is great for needy owners who love a card that delivers excellent service, and protection! This card has a good limit for those who like to spend with their credit card without worrying about their credit limit, with a great introductory interest offer. Classy credit card for everything from low introductory… Read more

interest rates for 6 months, Earning Rewards Points for every dollar you spend, International Travel, Extended Warranty, and Purchase Protection insurance, PLUS 45 days interest free! Interest rates after the introductory 6 months period could not be suitable for some people, as it will rise.