HSBC India has made an exciting update for its credit cardholders, effective from April 1, 2025. The bank has added 20 new airline and hotel transfer partners to its credit card rewards program, offering an expanded selection of travel booking options. This move caters to the growing demand for travel rewards, giving customers more flexibility and value in their redemption options.

The Addition of 20 Airline and Hotel Partners

HSBC's latest initiative includes 15 airline partners and 5 hotel groups, giving cardholders a range of options for reward points transfers. These new transfer partners are designed to make it easier for HSBC credit cardholders to earn and redeem loyalty points for airline tickets and hotel bookings.

The airline transfer partners added by HSBC include well-known carriers like Air India, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines, while the hotel loyalty programs include popular names like Marriott Bonvoy, Accor Live Limitless (ALL), and Shangri-La Circle. Cardholders can transfer their HSBC reward points to these loyalty programs in a set transfer ratio, depending on the type of card they hold.

Here’s a detailed look at the transfer ratios for the HSBC Premier Credit Card and TravelOne Credit Card:

Airline Frequent Flyer Programs (FFPs)

• Air India: Maharaja Club - 1:1

• British Airways: The British Airways Club - 1:1

• Qatar Airways: Privilege Club - 1:1

• United Airlines: MileagePlus - 2:1

• Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer - 1:1

Hotel Loyalty Programs

• Accor: Live Limitless (ALL) - 1:1

• Marriott International: Bonvoy - 1:1

• Shangri-La: Circle - 5:1

• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Wyndham Rewards - 1:1

This initiative is expected to bring great value for those planning to use their credit card rewards for travel, making it possible to cover significant portions of their trip costs through loyalty points.

How to Transfer Reward Points

To make the process of transferring points easier, HSBC has integrated a new rewards platform that can be accessed via the HSBC India Mobile Banking App. From April 2025, all credit cardholders can log into the app, navigate to the Rewards Marketplace, and select their preferred transfer partner.

Once a transfer request is made, points will be credited to the respective airline or hotel loyalty program based on the specified transfer ratio. For example, Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club and Air India Maharaja Club will complete transfers within five working days, while JAL Mileage Bank may take up to ten working days. For most other airlines and hotel programs, transfers are instant or completed within one working day.

Making Use of Transferred Points

Once points are transferred into the airline or hotel loyalty program, cardholders can use them to book flights and hotel stays. For instance, Air India’s Maharaja Club points can be redeemed for flight bookings within India and on international routes, while points transferred to Accor’s Live Limitless (ALL) program can be redeemed for hotel stays at Accor properties worldwide.

Many travelers know that flights and hotels are the largest expenses during vacations. With this new points redemption option, HSBC credit cardholders can cut down on these expenses, and even use points for additional costs like meals at participating hotel chains.

Benefits of This Expansion

This expanded rewards program by HSBC not only unlocks more destinations for travel enthusiasts but also provides a simplified and convenient way to manage reward points. By introducing new airline and hotel partners, HSBC is positioning itself as a strong contender in the competitive space of travel rewards credit cards.

For those with HSBC Premier, TravelOne, or Visa Platinum cards, this means more flexibility in planning vacations without worrying about ticket and accommodation costs. With instant transfers to most of the new partners, this update significantly enhances the overall user experience, making travel planning more rewarding than ever before.

As travel and tourism continue to expand globally, credit cardholders who take advantage of these expanded options can maximize the value of their reward points for luxury vacations or business trips.

In conclusion, HSBC's 20 new transfer partners are a welcome development for cardholders looking to make the most of their rewards program, providing new opportunities to convert points into travel bookings and ultimately enhance the overall travel experience.

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