HSBC Travel One Credit Card

About HSBC Travel One Credit Card

Are you spending thousands on flights and hotels without getting anything back for your next trip? The HSBC Travel One Credit Card is designed to change that by turning your travel expenses into future adventures.

This card offers a solid reward structure for those who find themselves at airport terminals or booking stays frequently. With 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent on travel and international transactions, you can see your points balance grow quickly. If you spend ₹50,000 monthly on flights or foreign currency, you could be looking at significant value back toward your next vacation.

Designed for professionals earning at least ₹4 lakh annually, this card targets the frequent flyer who values both local and international airport comfort. It bridges the gap between basic shopping cards and high-end luxury travel cards.

What makes it stand out:

• Earn 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent on flights, travel sites, and foreign currency transactions.
• Access 6 domestic and 4 international airport lounges every year at no extra cost.
• Get a welcome package worth over ₹4,000 including cashback and luxury hotel vouchers.

Quick check: To qualify, you will need a monthly income of ₹35,000 if you are salaried and a CRIF credit score of at least 750.

Let's break down why this card might be the right fit for your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of the HSBC Travel One Credit Card

The HSBC Travel One Credit Card focuses heavily on travel and lifestyle perks. Here is a detailed look at what you get when you use this card:

Welcome Rewards

When you start using your card, you can access a multi-layered welcome gift. By spending ₹10,000 within the first 30 days of getting the card, you receive ₹1,000 cashback, a Postcard Hotel voucher worth ₹3,000, and a 3-month EazyDiner Prime membership. If you are a heavy spender and reach ₹1,00,000 in transactions within the first 90 days, the bank adds another 3,000 bonus reward points to your account.

Travel and Foreign Currency Earnings

The core strength of this card is its accelerated reward rate. You earn 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent on flights, travel aggregators, and foreign currency transactions. Since 1 reward point is worth ₹0.20, this effectively gives you a 0.8% value back on these specific categories. For all other eligible spends, you continue to earn rewards that you can use for your next trip.

Airport Lounge Access

Travel becomes much more comfortable with the complimentary lounge program. You get 6 domestic airport lounge visits and 4 international airport lounge visits every year. This is a significant benefit for international travelers, as many cards in this price range often limit visits to domestic terminals only.

Entertainment and Dining

Beyond travel, the card offers great value for your weekends. You can get a "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" offer on movie tickets twice every month using the promo code HSBCTOMOV. For food lovers, the card provides exclusive dining offers through Zomato District when you use eligible promo codes, making your meals out more affordable.

Fees and Annual Waiver

The HSBC Travel One Credit Card comes with a joining fee of ₹4,999 and an annual fee of ₹4,999. However, if you use the card for your primary expenses and spend more than ₹8,00,000 in a year, the bank will waive the annual fee for the following year. This makes the card effectively free for high spenders.

Reward Redemption Options

You have plenty of flexibility when it comes to using your points. You can redeem them for:

• Airmiles and Hotel Loyalty Points
• Apple Products
• Gift Cards and Merchandise
• Credit card bill payments

Spending Exclusions

It is important to note that you will not earn rewards on certain types of transactions. These include rent payments, fuel, insurance, EMI transactions, jewelry, school and education fees, government payments, and wallet loads. These transactions also do not count toward the spending milestones for fee waivers or welcome bonuses.

How to Apply for the HSBC Travel One Credit Card

The application process is straightforward and can be completed online. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Visit the official HSBC India website and navigate to the Credit Cards section.
2. Select the HSBC Travel One Credit Card and click on "Apply Now."
3. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria: you must be between 18-65 years old and have a minimum annual income of ₹4 lakh (salaried) or ₹5 lakh (self-employed).
4. Fill in your personal details, including your mobile number and PAN card information.
5. Complete the digital KYC process as prompted by the bank.
6. Submit the required income and identity documents for verification.
7. Once the bank verifies your details and your CRIF score (750+ required), your card will be dispatched to your registered address.

Note: You must make a minimum transaction of at least ₹100 within the first 30 days to activate the card and remain eligible for any rewards.

Credit Limit and What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. Credit limits typically range between ₹1,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 for applicants meeting the ₹4 lakh income criteria, though higher limits are available for existing HSBC customers. Applicants with a stable income and a CRIF score above 750 receive a competitive limit that aligns with their spending needs. HSBC may review your limit periodically and offer increases based on your repayment history and usage patterns.

Comparison Table: HSBC Travel One vs. Competitors

While the HSBC Travel One has a higher fee waiver requirement of ₹8 lakh compared to HDFC Regalia Gold, it offers a unique combination of international lounge access and a specific focus on foreign currency transactions. It is a better choice if you often find yourself traveling abroad and need a card that supports international lounge visits without needing a high-tier luxury card.

Documents Required for HSBC Travel One Credit Card Application

You will need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income, 6 months' bank statements, and CA-certified financials
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration (if applicable), or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most from the HSBC Travel One:

The International Business Traveler: If you are a professional who flies abroad 2-3 times a year for work and spends about ₹20,000 in foreign currency per trip, this card is for you. The 4 international lounge visits and the 4 reward points on forex transactions mean you are earning while you travel and staying comfortable during layovers.

The Weekend Lifestyle Seeker: If you spend ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 a month on dining out and movies, you can maximize this card's BOGO movie offers and Zomato District deals. You could save over ₹6,000 annually just on movie tickets alone.

The High Spender: If your annual lifestyle expenses (excluding rent and fuel) exceed ₹8,00,000, the annual fee is completely waived. This allows you to enjoy all the travel perks for free while accumulating points for your next family vacation.

You might want to skip this card if... your biggest monthly expenses are rent, utility bills, and insurance. Since these categories are excluded from rewards and fee waiver calculations, you would be paying a ₹4,999 annual fee without getting much value back in return.

BankKaro Expert Review

The HSBC Travel One Credit Card is a specialized tool for a specific type of spender. This card excels at providing international travel comfort for people who aren't ready to pay for ultra-premium cards like the Amex Platinum. The inclusion of 4 international lounge visits is a standout feature for a card with a ₹4,999 fee.

However, the biggest limitation is the steep ₹8 lakh spend requirement for the annual fee waiver. Compared to competitors like HDFC Regalia Gold, which waives the fee at ₹4 lakh, HSBC is asking for double the commitment. Additionally, the reward rate on non-travel categories is not the highest in the market.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you prioritize international lounge access and frequently spend on travel sites or foreign currency. If you are looking for a general-purpose card for utilities and shopping, there are better value options available.

Terms and Conditions

Please keep the following terms in mind when applying for and using the HSBC Travel One Credit Card:

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of Rs.100 within 30 days is required to activate the card, otherwise, you won’t be eligible for the Rewards.
• Reward points come with a standard validity period of 3 years, giving you ample time to accumulate and redeem them.
• The annual fee waiver is only applicable if you reach the ₹8,00,000 spend milestone within the preceding year.
• Spending on excluded categories like rent, fuel, and insurance does not earn points or count toward fee waivers.