Two weeks ago, HSBC Malaysia unveiled its HSBC Premier Elite service, a bespoke offering for the affluent, designed to blend luxurious travel perks with sophisticated financial solutions. Having fully digested the updates, let’s explore the enriched benefits and what this means for those who qualify.
In a significant update, HSBC has refined the privileges associated with its HSBC Premier World Travel Mastercard credit card, aligning it with the exclusive offerings of Premier Elite.
The card, previously available to those with a Total Relationship Balance (TRB) of RM200,000, has elevated its requirement to a TRB of RM3 million. Additionally, it transitions to an invitation-only status, underscoring its exclusivity.
Lounge Access & Premier Travel Benefits
Since Refined Points is ultimately a travel and airline miles blog, let's begin with the important information. The HSBC Premier World Travel Mastercard credit card is now exclusive to Premier Elite accountholders.
Cardholders are welcomed to a world of travel luxuries, including unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide—12 visits per year at no extra cost. The annual fee, once RM600 for principal cardholders, is now fully waived for Premier Elite members.
The card’s benefits, such as earning "1.1 air miles" (which are actually points) for every RM1 spent on overseas transactions and special discounts on golf fees, accommodations through Expedia and Agoda, along with e-commerce protection insurance, remain unchanged. This revision enhances the card's prestige, making it a jewel in the crown of HSBC Premier Elite’s travel offerings.
Recap: HSBC Premier Travel Mastercard Airline Miles Earning Rate
If you're holding onto an HSBC Premier Travel Mastercard, congratulations—you've got one of Malaysia's top credit cards for racking up airline miles in your wallet. Let's break down the airline miles earning rates for a quick refresher. For a deep dive, feel free to check out the comprehensive review on our site.
Enrich Miles Accumulation
Local Earn Rate: 1 Airline Mile for every RM4 spent.
Overseas Earn Rate: Earn 1 Airline Mile for every RM0.90 spent.
KrisFlyer/Asia Miles Accumulation
Local Earn Rate: 1 Airline Mile for every RM8 spent.
Overseas Earn Rate: 1 Airline Mile for every RM2.22 spent.
HSBC's terminology around points can be quite baffling, as they choose to term the points earned through card spend as "Air Miles". When browsing the HSBC Premier Travel Mastercard's website, you'll encounter the following claims:
1.1X Air Miles on Spending Overseas
1X Air Miles for every RM4 spent Locally
This presentation can be deceiving. It suggests you're earning 1.1X AIRLINE MILES on foreign transactions, when in reality, you're earning 1.1X HSBC's version of credit card points, not direct airline miles.
It's crucial to understand this distinction to accurately gauge the value you're getting from your spendings.
If you'd like to compare other credit cards airline miles earning rate without all the confusion, be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide.
Final Thoughts
Before I close this blog post, note that I have purposefully omitted other Premier-related perks that were announced by HSBC, as I am focusing on what matters to us as airline miles connoisseurs.
Read HSBC's full announcement to get in depth information about HSBC Premier Elite.
With the recent enhancements to the HSBC Premier World Travel Mastercard credit card, HSBC Premier Elite further solidifies its position as the ultimate package for luxury travel and advanced financial management. These updates reflect HSBC’s commitment to serving the needs of Malaysia’s growing segment of affluent customers, offering them an unmatched level of service and exclusivity.
For Refined Points readers looking to elevate their travel experiences while ensuring their wealth is expertly managed, HSBC Premier Elite presents an unparalleled opportunity.
