Get amazing benefits and discounts every time you spend with the best credit cards in Hong Kong.
We here at Honeycombers absolutely love a good deal! From happy hours to student discounts, to finding free things to do in Hong Kong, we believe you can always enjoy life at the best price if you know where to look – which is why, this time, we’re taking it a step further to have your credit card do the saving for you. Here are the best credit cards in Hong Kong for you to get a deal whenever you flash your plastic!
Spend and save with the best credit cards in Hong Kong
1. For the savvy shopper: Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card
If you’re a Hong Konger who loves to shop smart, one of the best credit cards for rebates and exclusive deals is the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card. In addition to a welcome offer of three months interest-free instalment, this card allows you to enjoy massive rebates year-round with 5% cashback from designated merchants. Whether you’re ordering lunch with Deliveroo or staying in for movie night with Netflix, you can save every time you spend (until 31 December 2024). As this card regularly partners with popular merchants, such as K11 and Samsung, don’t forget to check monthly for new bargains on local spending. What’s more, good news to those who spend abroad on the regular: this credit card holds no foreign currency transaction fees nor annual or cash advance fees!
Minimum annual income: $96,000
Find out more about the Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card.
2. For the frequent traveller: Citi PremierMiles Card
Any globetrotters in the house? With the Citi PremierMiles Card, you can whittle away at that coveted plane ticket every time you splurge! Along with a welcome offer of 20,000 miles (240,000 points), you’ll receive one mile (12 points) for every $8 you spend locally. Miles and points can be redeemed in 11 Frequent Flyer Programmes and over 100 airlines. The best part? Your points never expire, so you can save slowly and steadily for that ultimate dream trip. With the Citi Mobile App, you’ll also be able to check your points and bank balance more conveniently than ever.
Minimum annual income: $120,000
Find out more about the Citi PremierMiles Card.
3. For the sensible student: Hang Seng Enjoy Card
While there are many student-specific cards, we recommend the Hang Seng Enjoy Card as one of the best credit cards in Hong Kong for student spenders. With more flexibility than a university-specific credit card, the Enjoy Card is specially linked to the local Yuu Rewards Programme to offer you more deals than ever before. Along with year-round discounts at designated merchants, you can earn up to 4X Reward Points when you spend at retailers, like Ikea and Pizza Hut (for the late-night study munchies). If you apply before 30 June 2024, Hang Seng will throw in up to 120,000 Yuu Points and perpetual annual fee waivers as a welcome offer. Remember to bring your student card to bypass the minimum annual income requirement!
Minimum annual income: $150,000 (waived for full-time university/tertiary students)
Find out more about the Hang Seng Enjoy Card.
4. For the techie: BOC i-card (Virtual Card)
If you prefer to keep everything digital or on your phone, a virtual card may be best for you. The BOC i-card (Virtual Card) allows for easy spending, as well as an extra layer of security against fraud by cutting out the need for a physical credit card. With this virtual card, Bank of China offers a 10% cash rebate for mobile spending at designated online merchants, and up to $300 cash rebate when you first apply. In fact, until 30 June 2024, you can earn up to 10X redeemable Gift Points when shopping online or using mobile payment. If you travel frequently between Hong Kong and Mainland China, this virtual card makes currency conversion a breeze as it supports both HKD and RMB. Additionally the virtual BOC i-card has perks not offered to physical card holders.
Minimum annual income: enquire at the bank
Find out more about the BOC i-card (Virtual Card).
5. For the expat: HSBC Red Credit Card
With a city like the 852 that’s brimming with expats and immigrants, there are, of course, many credit cards to help make settling in easier. One of the best credit cards in Hong Kong for expats is the HSBC Red Credit Card. Great for online shopping and earning rewards, this card gives users up to 4% RewardCash rebate when spending online. Additionally, you can enjoy a 2% rebate at local supermarkets, as well as a 1% rebate for all other local and overseas spending. Moreover, annual fees are waived perpetually and frequent HSBC Reward+ deals are offered from selected merchants. Expats and new residents will especially appreciate that a permanent HKID is not required to apply for the card if proper documents (detailing your passport and an employment contract of up to nine months) are presented. Requirements for the proof of income are also more flexible with the HSBC Red Credit Card, benefitting self-employed or irregular income earners.
Minimum annual income: $120,000
Find out more about the HSBC Red Credit Card.
6. For the Octopus user: Citi Octopus Credit Card
To many Hong Kongers, the Octopus Card is the holy grail. Combining the capabilities of the Octopus Card and a credit card, the Citi Octopus Credit Card streamlines spending and travelling within the city. Especially valuable to those who rely on public transport, this card helps you battle rising travel fees with a 15% rebate for riding on the MTR, bus, minibus, ferry, and tram (upon reaching a certain amount of spending each month). Additionally, you’ll earn a 5% rebate on tunnel tolls, parking fees, and metres when using this card. This fabulous two-in-one credit card also offers a $1 Octopus Cash Rebate with every $200 spent, along with an Octopus Automatic Add Value Service that’ll take away the constant need to top up manually.
Minimum annual income: $120,000 (waived for student card applicants)
Find out more about the Citi Octopus Credit Card.
7. For the flexible user: DBS Compass Visa
Those looking for an all-around great credit card in Hong Kong can turn to the DBS Compass Visa. With the first year annual fee waived, this card is amazing for local supermarket and Taobao redemptions. An exceptional exclusive privilege of this credit card is the Super Wednesday deal. On Wednesdays, when spending a designated amount at local supermarkets, you’ll be eligible for a 10% Compass Dollar Rebate that’ll be credited to your account immediately. Be sure to seize the numerous promotions every season!
Minimum annual income: $100,000
Find out more about the DBS Compass Visa.
