HSBC Premier Credit Card Review
Unlimited global lounge access, a 0.99% forex mark-up and evergreen reward points, reserved for HSBC's Premier banking relationship customers.
Quick facts
This card is built around the HSBC Premier banking relationship — the annual fee is waived for customers who qualify for and maintain Premier status, but the card isn't generally available to the public outside that relationship.
Fees and reward rates
Complimentary Taj Epicure membership and a Taj voucher worth ₹12,000 on card activation (metal variant).
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹12,000 + GST |
| Annual/renewal fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Renewal fee for qualifying Premier customers | Waived |
| Forex mark-up | 0.99% of transaction value, no conditions |
| Add-on card fee | Assessed individually |
| Spend category | Reward rate |
|---|---|
| All eligible spends | 3 RP per ₹100 |
| Travel with Points (hotels, flights, car rentals) | Up to 12X reward points |
What else you get
Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access, plus 8 complimentary guest visits a year
1 air mile per reward point across 20+ Star Alliance airlines including Air India
Complimentary annual EazyDiner membership and additional restaurant discounts
Buy-one-get-one movie and event offers via BookMyShow
Comprehensive international travel insurance covering lost luggage, delays and travel documents
Reward points never expire
Eligibility
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years and above |
| Income (salaried) | Must qualify for and maintain HSBC Premier banking relationship status (typically high relationship balances or salary credits) |
| Income (self-employed) | Assessed as part of the HSBC Premier banking relationship qualification |
| Credit history | Good credit history with no payment defaults |
| Residency | Existing HSBC Premier banking relationship customer in a serviceable city |
HSBC issues credit cards only to residents of its serviceable cities — mainly Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata and other large metros — confirm current city availability and exact fee terms on the official HSBC India website before applying. This card specifically is positioned for HSBC Premier relationship customers rather than the general public.
Verdict
What works
- 0.99% forex mark-up is among the lowest of any card available in India
- Unlimited lounge access with guest visits is a genuinely premium perk
- Reward points never expire, unlike most Indian cards
- Welcome Taj benefits add immediate value for the metal variant
What to watch for
- Not generally available — tied to maintaining an HSBC Premier banking relationship
- ₹12,000 joining fee is non-trivial even before the annual fee
- Base reward rate of 3 RP/₹100 is unremarkable outside the Travel with Points accelerator
- Less useful if you don't already bank with HSBC Premier
FAQs
Can anyone apply for the HSBC Premier Credit Card?
What is the forex mark-up on the HSBC Premier card?
How much lounge access does HSBC Premier offer?
Do HSBC Premier reward points expire?
Compare more HSBC cards
See the full HSBC India lineup on SearchLocally.in.