The HSBC Revolution Card is convenient for frequent online shoppers because of its generous discount and rewards points. It offers up to 4 miles and 10 HSBC points for every S $1 you spend while shopping online and using contactless payments. However, it does have some shortfalls for frequent travelers that spend cash overseas. Let’s learn more about the HSBC Revolution Card in-depth in this review.
Key Features
- Rewards 10 points for online payments made for food deliveries, online shopping, and travel booking
- Rewards 10 points for contactless payments made through Visa PayWave, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Rewards 1 point for all other spending and in other spending categories
- Virtual card for payment using your mobile phone or compatible wearables
- 16% off petrol at Caltex and 14% off at Shell
- No annual credit card fee
- Effective Interest Rate: 25.9% per annum
- Minimum monthly payment: 3% or S $50, whichever is higher
- Late payment charge: S $55
Benefits
1. HSBC Revolution Card Rewards Points
You can get 10 points for every purchase that involves food deliveries, online shopping and online travel booking.
2. Dining
You can get up to 1 point for every S $1 you spend in any restaurant.
3. Grocery
You can get up to 1 point for every S $1 you spend in any grocery.
4. Non-Categorical Spending
You can get up to 1 point for every S $1 you spend in any category.
5. Contactless Payment Perks
You also get 10 points for using Google Pay,Apple Pay, and Visa PayWave
6. Rewards Categories
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Vouchers
Cash credit vouchers are available in denominations of S $50 and S $100.
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Flyer Miles
You can also exchange your points for rewards, but you’ll need to pay an annual fee of S $40 to use the Asia Miles and KrisFlyer miles Mileage Programme. You can only exchange your points in blocks of 5,000 points, which converts to 2,000 miles.
Note: All the points you’ve accumulated will expire three years after you’ve earned them.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High point rewards for a wide spectrum of online and contactless payments
- Biggest flyer miles reward of 4 miles per S $1
- No annual fees
- Long reward points expiry period
Cons
- Limited rewards for overseas spending
HSBC Revolution Credit Card Vs. Other Cards In The Market
Let’s take a look at how the HSBC Revolution Card is doing against similar cards in the market.
| Credit Card | Minimum Income Requirement | Annual Interest Rate | Cashback | Cashback Cap | Minimum Monthly Spending | Rewards |
| HSBC Revolution Credit Card | S $30,000 (S $40,000 for foreigners) | 26.80% | 2.5% | Unlimited | None |
|
| DBS Black Card | S $30,000 (S $ S $45,000 foreigners) | 26.80% | 10% | n/a | S $1 (Visa contactless spending) |
|
| Citi Rewards Card + Mastercard | S $30,000 (S $42,000 for foreigners) | 26.90% | 1.6%-5% | Unlimited | None |
|
| DBS Woman’s World Card | S $80,000 for both Singaporeans and Foreigners | 26.80% | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|
| American Express True Cashback Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000 for foreigners) | 26.90% | 3.0% | Unlimited | None |
|
| Standard Chartered Unlimited Cashback Credit Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000 for foreigners) | 26.90% | 1.5% | Unlimited | None |
|
| Maybank Family and Friends Card | S $30,000 (S $60,000) | 25.90% | 8% | S $125 (Monthly) | S $800 |
|
| POSB Everyday Card | S $30,000 (S $45,000 for foreigners) | 26.80% | 10% | Unlimited | None |
|
Looking at this table, we can easily see the highlights between HSBC Revolution and its competitors. We see DBS Woman’s World Card and DBS Black Card in direct competition because of their similar points system.
However, the DBS Woman’s World Card falls short because of its enormous annual income requirement. On the other hand, the DBS Black Card provides lower miles per S $1 at 1.3 miles, though it outdoes the HSBC Revolution Card on cashback rates.
Anybody doing their groceries, bill payments, and other spendings online will find the HSBC Revolution Card helpful. Plus, without an annual fee, you can keep on making online purchases and earn enough miles to travel without spending extra, thanks to the HSBC Mileage Programme.
4 Spending Exclusions to Earning Reward Points
Keep these excluded items in mind before applying for the HSBC Revolution Card.
1. Bank Fees
Withdrawals, balance transfers, cash advances, finance charges, late charges, tax payments, fees, and charges pursuant to your HSBC credit card cardholder’s agreement are excluded from earning you points using your HSBC card. Plus, any expenditure incurred as part of points plus cash redemption under the Rewards Programme is also excluded.
2. Bank Transfers and Bill Payments
HSBC points cannot be earned on transactions related to any payment or money transfer facilities or made on brokerage/securities websites.
3. Institutional Payments
Business transactions and securities trading expenses using your card will not earn any HSBC points. Cash top-ups with financial institutions, dining, or entertainment services are also excluded.
4. Others
HSBC points can’t be earned from using your card to make money orders, traveler’s checks, gaming-related transactions, and lottery tickets
HSBC Revolution Credit Card Eligibility, Requirements, and Fees
Eligibility
- Applicants must be 21 years old and above.
- Minimum income of S $30,000 (Foreigners and self-employed Singaporeans must fulfill a minimum income of S $40,000)
Requirements
- A copy of NRIC (Front & Back)
- Latest 3 months computerized payslips
- Company letter certifying employment and salary in SGD (dated within last 3 months from date of card application)
- Latest min 3 months CPF Contribution History Statement
- Latest 1 year of Income Tax Notice Assessment with latest 3 months computerized payslips / 12 Months CPF Statement.
- A copy of your Telecommunication or Utility Bill
For foreigners, the requirement set is different. Learn more about them below:
- A copy of valid Passport
- A copy of your Work Pass (Front & Back, min. 6 months validity)
- A copy of your In-Principal Approval (IPA) if your Work Pass has less than 6 months validity
- Latest 1 year of Income Tax Notice Assessment with latest computerized payslips
- A copy of your Telecommunication or Utility Bill (for new DBS/POSB Bank customers only)
Fees
- Annual Principle Fee: S $150
- Annual Supplementary Card fee: Free for up to 5 cards
- Minimum monthly payment: 3% or S $50, whichever is higher
- Late payment charge: $55
Other things you need to know about The HSBC Revolution Card
Here are the answers to your frequent questions about this card.
1. Do I Get Cashback From HSBC Revolution Credit Card?
The HSBC Revolution Credit Card gives cashback as rewards points. These points could be exchanged for vouchers, miles, and other rewards available from the rewards catalog. Its small 2.5% cashback rate is lower than other competing cashback credit cards, making it a much better decision to use other cashback credit cards instead.
2. Is It Better To Use a Rewards Card or a Cashback Credit Card?
Both cashback credit cards and rewards cards offer different types of rewards, and both have their respective pros and cons.
Cashback credit cards offer cashback on purchases, which may be used to purchase items or for anything else. On the other hand, rewards cards limit how the cardholder can use their points to the card company’s rewards catalog.
3. How Many Miles Can I Get From HSBC Revolution Credit Card?
While it is not possible to get the exact mileage value of the program, you can exchange your points for miles in blocks of 5,000 points, which is equivalent to 4 miles per S $1. It’s the highest miles per dollar you can get from a rewards card in Singapore.
4. Can This Card Help Me Save Money?
The answer to this question are subjective. HSBC Revolution Credit Card can help you earn HSBC points, which you can exchange for cash vouchers that serve as discounts or flyer miles. Based on its spending categories, it rewards online transactions, giving you as much as 10 points for each transaction that involves the use of the Internet to buy food, clothes, or anything more.
If your lifestyle revolves around these services, you’ll surely save a bundle using HSBC Revolution. Otherwise, it’s best to find a card that suits your lifestyle. For example, you can use Maybank Family and Friends if you’re leaning towards huge cashbacks for everyday grocery and transportation spending.
Lastly, make sure to look at the interest fees, processing fees, and service fees. For example, exchanging your points for miles has a transaction fee each time you convert a block of points, which can defeat the purpose of saving money.
Our Final Thoughts
The HSBC Revolution Credit Card is an excellent choice for any customer who loves online shopping and taking flights using Asian or KrisFlyer miles. It’s a great card to get the most points that you can exchange for discounts, vouchers, and other perks. The zero annual fee and minimum monthly spend seals the deal on this card. It’s a must-have for any frequent shopper.
- The HSBC Revolution offers the highest miles per dollar (S $1 = 4 Asian or KrisFlyer Miles)
- It has no annual fees and minimum monthly spend
- Frequent online and contactless shoppers can earn HSBC points quicker than other HSBC cards
- Overseas spending isn’t greatly rewarded
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