Frequently Asked Questions

1. General credit card application
2. Credit card activation
3. Debit card activation

General

1. What is the criteria to apply for an HSBC credit cards?
Individuals who are 21 years and above with a minimum annual income of S$30,000 may apply. A minimum annual income of S$40,000 for self-employed applies. Supplementary card applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

2. What are the documents required?
For salaried employees
Latest computerised payslip or latest Notice of Assessment or last six months' CPF statements to be submitted electronically via www.hsbc.com.sg.

For self-employed and commission-based earners
Last two years' Notice of Assessment

For foreigners
As above for salaried employee and a copy of employment pass with at least one year's validity at the time of application and a copy of passport.

3. Tell me more about your Rewards programme?
Every dollar charged to your credit card earns you one Rewards point. Rewards points can be used to redeem shopping, dining and entertainment vouchers, gifts and cash rebates. And your Rewards points last not one but THREE years.

4. Tell me more about your Frequent Flyer programme?
Your Rewards points can be translated into free flights with frequent flyer programmes from Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and Asia Miles^TM. Every 2,500 Rewards points can be exchanged for 1,000 miles.

5. How much cash can I withdraw ?
The amount of cash you may obtain from your card account is subject to a limit imposed by the Bank, in relation to the status of your card account.

6. Where can I get cash advance around the world?
Cash advances can be made at over 900,000 Visa/Plus ATMs (for Visa cardholders) and MasterCard/Cirrus ATMs (for MasterCard cardholders) in more than 120 countries.

7. What is your finance charge and how is it calculated ?
Finance charge is levied at 2% per month on the amount withdrawn from the day the transaction is posted to your account until the date payment is made in full or the next statement date, whichever is earlier.

Effective Annual Rate : 24% p.a. (minimum)
Minimum Charge : S$2.50

8. What is the minimum payment ?
The minimum payment is 3% of your outstanding balance or S$50, whichever is greater.

9. How many supplementary cards can I apply ?
There is no limit to the number of supplementary cards you can apply and they are free for life.

10. Can I separate my limit and have separate billing for my supplementary cardholder ?
The limit will be shared between the principal and supplementary cardholder(s). However, the statement will list down the individual card expenditure.

11. How may I make payment?
Payment can be made through the following:

• SingPost outlets
• SAM machines
• online@hsbc (if you have a banking account with HSBC)
• 7-Eleven outlets
• AXS stations
• HSBC ATMs
• Phonebanking Hotline on 1800-227 8888
• Bulk Cash Deposit machines in ATM lobbies
• Cash at any HSBC branch
• Autopay/Inter Bank GIRO for automated bill payment
• Cheque made payable to "HSBC"

12. How can I increase my credit limit on a permanent basis?
You can write in to us and enclose a copy of your latest income document for our review.

Credit card activation

1. Why do I have to activate my HSBC credit card now?
HSBC is taking extra steps to protect its cardholders to minimise the possibility of fraudulent transactions being undertaken by unauthorised parties.

2. Can I use my HSBC credit card if I have not activated my card?
No. You need to activate your HSBC credit card before you can use it.

3. Which types of HSBC credit cards need to be activated?
All principal and supplementary credit cards, including Corporate cards, Secured cards, USD cards and The Choice Card. This activation applies to all new-to-bank, renewal and replacement cards.

4. How do I activate my HSBC credit card?
Please call the respective HSBC Hotline to activate your HSBC credit card.

5. Can I activate a supplementary card when I activate my principal HSBC credit card?
No. It is the individual cardholder's responsibility to perform card activation. Activation cannot be performed on behalf of another person.

6. Can I activate a supplementary and / or The Choice Card before I activate my principal HSBC credit card?
Yes.

7. Is activation immediate?
Yes. Activation is immediate.

8. Do I have to activate my HSBC credit card before I can register for Personal Internet Banking (PIB)?
Yes. You are not allowed to register for PIB if your HSBC credit card is not active.

9. Is there a timeline to activate my HSBC credit card?
There is no specific timeline but this is subject to the credit card expiry.

Debit card activation

1. Why do I have to activate my HSBC debit card now?
HSBC is taking extra steps to protect its cardholders to minimise the possibility of fraudulent transactions being undertaken by unauthorised parties. 

2. Can I use my HSBC debit card if I have not activated my card?
No. You need to activate your HSBC debit card before you can use it.

3. Which types of HSBC debit cards need to be activated?
All HSBC debit cards: HSBC Debit, HSBC Premier Debit and HSBC PowerVantage Debit cards. This activation applies to all new-to-bank, renewal and replacement cards

4. How do I activate my HSBC debit card?
Please activate your HSBC debit card with a PIN via any HSBC ATMs or ATM5 machines found locally or HSBC ATMs or CIRRUS machines found overseas.

5. Is HSBC debit card activation via ATM immediate?
Yes. Activation is immediate.

6. Do I have to activate HSBC my debit card before I can register for Personal Internet Banking (PIB)?
No. You do not have to activate your debit card before you can register for PIB.

7. Why is my HSBC ATM card not affected?
This activation is only required for signature based cards and an ATM card is not considered a signature based card.

For further clarifications on your credit or debit card, please call our activation hotline on 1800-HSBC NOW (4722 669). If you are overseas, please call 6-HSBC NOW (4722 669).