For savvy travelers, the credit card is a tool to make life more fun. Whether you value preferential treatment and supplementary privileges while traveling, or you want to earn points and convert them to upgrades in airlines and hotels, the high-end HSBC Premier MasterCard has got those covered.

Kris Werner, HSBC Philippines’ senior vice president and head of retail banking and wealth management, recently launched a new suite of perks for HSBC MasterCard at Ascott BGC. The dinner for loyal customers prepared by Asia’s Best Chef 2016 Margarita Forés referenced the event’s travel theme.

Top tier

Werner cited the Premier MasterCard as a top-tier card. “It recognizes the affluence and loyalty of our customer base. We have a number of features and propositions where you earn points which convert to gifts and travel rewards much more than other cards,” he said.

“When we spoke to our customers, they said they were more interested in a traditional earning and points program. They feel they can derive more benefit from such an arrangement, given their own spending habits.”

The basic perks include exclusive offers, discounts and privileges from 27,000 merchants in 160 countries worldwide. Then there are special deals—10-percent off when booking at Agoda and 12-percent discount in Hotels.com, for instance.

“Noting that Premier users focus on travel, lifestyle and entertainment, we try to make it relevant for them,” said Werner.

Chris Paraiso and Ailea Zialcita ofMasterCard, Mayette Casanova, Mike Miranda of MasterCard and HSBC vice president of propositions Rocky Asuncion

Airport lounge access

The latest perks include access to airport lounges at a good deal. Miascor and Skyviewairport lounges in the Philippines allow card members to use the lounges at Naia 1 and 3, and at Clark and Davao International Airports. For foreign travel, Lounge Key operates over 850 lounges worldwide.

“Flash your Premier card and you are entitled to a discounted rate. Depending on the airport, you are given either a business or first class lounge,” said Werner.

Travelers are also protected with travel insurance for medical emergencies and inconveniences.

“When you get sick or lose your luggage, it’s covered provided you booked your ticket using your card,” he said.

Travelers can also redeem their bonus points from PAL Mabuhay Miles, KrisFlier and Asia Miles.

The user earns four times more bonus points in foreign currency. The service transaction fee is 2.5 percent of the converted sum, with a reimbursement charged by the assessment fee exacted from MasterCard to HSBC.

Bruce Peoples, SVP and head of sales and distribution of HSBC; Anya Cajucom, SVP and head of
marketing of HSBC; Aileen Litonjua, SVP and head of private banking of HSBC; Wick Veloso and
Kris Werner —PHOTOS BY EARVIN PERIAS

Gifts with purchase

HSBC is also the sole banking partner of the Rustan’s Group of Companies. To celebrate Rustan’s 65th anniversary, Premier MasterCard rewards its users with special gifts for a minimum purchase.

For entertainment, users and HSBC premier debit card users are entitled to a 10-percent discount on tickets to the musical “The Lion King” in March 2018.

Werner added that the new design places the lion logo prominently on the card front to symbolize the bank’s courage, strength and resilience.

The minimum total relationship balance for a Premier account is P4 million. The Premier MasterCard is a bonus with this account.

Werner said that there is a dedicated relationship manager for HSBC’s Premier clients. They can assist the cardholder with traditional banking requirements such as lending, mortgage, moving overseas, transferring accounts in the Philippines here and abroad or investment services.

“They get to know you and your personal economy. They will help you through your requirements and achieve your financial goals,” he said. —CONTRIBUTED