The HSBC Revolution Card received a major overhaul in 2020, adding 10X points (4 mpd) on a wide range of categories including travel, shopping, groceries, dining, and transport. The S$160.50 annual fee was permanently removed, and cardholders received a free Entertainer membership on top of all that.
These changes have made the HSBC Revolution one of my go-to cards, and I religiously max out the monthly 10X cap (S$1,000) without fail.
For those of you yet to join the party, the HSBC Revolution has just launched an improved sign-up offer which runs from now till 30 April 2021.
 HSBC Revolution |
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| Income Req. | Annual Fee |
| S$30,000 | None |
| Apply here | |
| Read the Full Review | |
HSBC Revolution Sign-Up Offer: New Customers
New-to-bank customers who apply by 30 April 2021 will receive up to S$200 cashback when they spend at least S$500 in the qualifying spend period (1-2 months, see below). This consists of:
- S$30 cashback for applying through SingPass MyInfo
- S$50 cashback for charging 1 qualifying transaction in the first month of card opening
- S$120 cashback for meeting the S$500 minimum spend during the qualifying period
The new offer is a significant upgrade from the previous offer of S$180 cash or S$200 Lazada vouchers, which required a minimum spend of S$800.
| โ ๏ธ New-to-bank customers are defined as those who do not currently hold a principal HSBC credit card (except the HSBC Visa Infinite), and have not in the last 12 months |
The qualifying spending period depends on when your card was approved, but will be between 1-2 months. The mechanics mean that it’s always better to apply towards the start of the month, as it gives you up to two months to meet your qualifying spend.
| Card Opening Date | Qualifying Spend Period | Notification Date |
| 1-31 Mar 2021 | 1 Mar- 30 Apr 2021 | By 31 May 2021 |
| 1-28 Apr 2021 | 1 Apr- 31 May 2021 | By 30 Jun 2021 |
| 1-15 May 2021* | 1 May- 30 Jun 2021 | By 31 Jul 2021 |
| *Why “1-15 May 2021” when the deadline is 30 Apr 2021? The latter refers to the application submission date, while the former refers to the card approval date | ||
HSBC Revolution Sign-Up Offer: Existing Customers
Existing customers who apply by 30 April 2021 will receive up to S$60 cashback when they spend a minimum of S$500 in the qualifying spend period (1-2 months, see below). This consists of:
- S$30 cashback for applying through SingPass MyInfo
- S$30 cashback for meeting the S$500 minimum spend during the qualifying period
The qualifying spending period depends on when your card was approved, but will be between 1-2 months. The mechanics mean that it’s always better to apply towards the start of the month, as it gives you up to two months to meet your qualifying spend.
| Card Opening Date | Qualifying Spend Period | Notification Date |
| 1-31 Mar 2021 | 1 Mar- 30 Apr 2021 | By 31 May 2021 |
| 1-28 Apr 2021 | 1 Apr- 31 May 2021 | By 30 Jun 2021 |
| 1-15 May 2021* | 1 May- 30 Jun 2021 | By 31 Jul 2021 |
| *Why “1-15 May 2021” when the deadline is 30 Apr 2021? The latter refers to the application submission date, while the former refers to the card approval date | ||
An important point to note: HSBC is doing something rather unusual with their definition of “existing customers”. While most banks simply define them as “anyone who isn’t a new customer”, HSBC adds the further conditions:
- Existing HSBC Credit Card* must be issued more than 12 months earlier;
- Did not cancel any HSBC Credit Card* within last 12 months
*HSBC Visa Infinite cards are the exception to this rule
For example, if you applied for a HSBC Advance Credit Card in November 2020, you will not count as an existing customer for the purposes of this promotion. Likewise, if you cancelled a HSBC Advance Credit Card in December 2020, you will not count as an existing customer for the purposes of this promotion.
This means you’re neither here nor there, in a limbo of sorts- not entitled to the new or existing customer gifts. I guess they’re trying to disincentivize those who apply for a lot of credit cards in quick succession, and it’s almost like they want you to be a “new” existing customer…
What spending is excluded?
The easiest way to hit your S$500 minimum spending is to go out and shop at a supermarket. Since you’ll earn 4 mpd here, there really is no opportunity cost involved in using the HSBC Revolution; in fact, it’s the card I’d use by default here anyway.
Do note that your transactions must post by the end of the qualifying period. It can take anywhere from 1-3 days from the date of the transaction for it to post to your account, so don’t leave your spending till the last moment.
The minimum spend of S$500 does not include the following:
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The key exclusions to note here are insurance, utilities, education, government transactions as well as CardUp/ipaymy. These were all excluded from 1 July 2020 onwards as part of HSBC’s revised rewards terms and conditions.
The full T&C of this offer can be found here.
Conclusion
The HSBC Revolution is one of the most useful cards to have right now, and what I particularly like is that it awards 4 mpd on both dining and hotels. This solves the age old question of “what card should I use to pay at hotel restaurants?” It’s also the most straightforward way of earning 4 mpd at Cold Storage (remember: UOB cards will only earn SMART$ here), and paying for staycations.
| HSBC Revolution |
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| Apply here |
All in all, the HSBC Revolution is a great multi-role card, and one to add to your wallet. The improved sign-up offer represents 40% cashback, which you’ll earn on top of 4 mpd, and there’s very little to dislike here.
Remember that you must apply by 30 April 2021 and be approved by 15 May 2021 to be eligible.
Is this card 4 mpd for RedMart orders as well?
yup.
I clicked on the link but it still shows $180 cash back
And spending requirement is still $800
i think HSBC has just forgotten to update that page. the interesting thing is, even if you’re brought to the page with the $180 cashback/ $200 lazada vouchers, click on the T&C and you’ll see it’s the $200 cashback offer. i wouldn’t worry too much about it.
cant seem to get pass the selection of card stage. Are we required to apply for multiple cards in order to proceed?
nope. if HSBC’s website is acting up, try visiting in incognito.
Mystery solved. Apparently, itโs not mobile optimized. Gotta tilt to landscape to see the button to proceed
Thanks for reporting back!
isit just me or is there issue with the hsbc website linking myinfo details? “We are unable to proceed with your application using the personal data from MyInfo. Please complete your application by selecting the โUpload IDโ or โFill inโ option”