Looking for a credit card in Singapore that gives you high rewards on everyday spending and extra perks overseas?
The HSBC Revolution Card is a popular choice, especially among frequent diners, online shoppers, and travellers. With cashback, rewards points, and travel benefits, it’s designed for flexibility and convenience.
That said, travellers who spend extensively overseas may also want to compare it with YouTrip, a multi-currency travel card designed specifically for Singaporeans abroad, offering competitive exchange rates and zero fees.
Here’s a complete guide on the HSBC Revolution Card, including benefits, miles, annual fees, promotions, and using it overseas.
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⚡ TL;DR Table: HSBC Revolution Card Overview
| Feature | HSBC Revolution Card |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Visa Platinum credit card |
| Annual Fee | S$0 (waived for life, no spend requirement) |
| Current Promotion | 10X rewards on online travel & contactless until 28 Feb 2026 |
| Standard Rewards | 10X on online shopping & dining; 1X on other spend |
| Monthly Bonus Cap | S$1,500 (promo) / S$1,000 (standard) |
| Miles Conversion | Base: 1x HSBC Points per S$1 (0.4 mpd) Bonus: 9x HSBC Points per S$1 (3.6 mpd) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3.25% |
| Eligibility | S$30,000-S$65,000/year, depending on HSBC relationship OR S$10,000 fixed deposit (effective since 1 Oct 2025) |
| Key Exclusions | Fast food, online travel agencies, balance transfers, gambling, recurring payments |
📚 Table of Contents:
- What is the HSBC Revolution Card Singapore?
- HSBC Revolution Card Benefits
- HSBC Revolution Card Miles & Rewards
- Using the HSBC Revolution Card Overseas & for Travel
- Eligibility & Credit Score Requirements
- Exclusions & Spending Limitations
- HSBC Revolution Card Pros & Cons
- Verdict: Is It Worth It?
- FAQ
What is the HSBC Revolution Card Singapore?
Image credits: HSBC Singapore
The HSBC Revolution Card is a rewards and cashback credit card designed for Singaporeans seeking everyday rewards and travel perks. Earn points on dining, online shopping, and select categories while enjoying overseas benefits.
Although it’s a versatile card for domestic use, travellers should note the 3.25% foreign transaction fee.
💡 Tip: Some Singaporeans may prefer a dedicated multi-currency travel card like YouTrip for competitive wholesale exchange rates and zero FX fees.
📖 Related guides: Best Singapore Credit Card For Overseas Spending (2025)
HSBC Revolution Card Benefits
Rewards Structure:
- 10X rewards on whitelisted online merchants and dining
- Current promotion (now till 28 Feb 2026): 10X (4 miles per S$1) on online travel bookings and contactless spending
- 1X rewards (0.4 miles per S$1) on all other spend
Key Features:
- No annual fee (permanently waived)
- Flexible redemption options: air miles, vouchers, or cashback
- Welcome bonuses for new cardholders
- Easy management via the HSBC mobile app
- Compatible with digital wallets for contactless payments
Monthly Bonus Caps:
- Promotion period: 13,500 bonus points (S$1,500 spend)
- Standard: 9,000 bonus points (S$1,000 spend)
📖 Related guides: UOB Mighty FX Review 2025: Rates, Fees & Benefits
HSBC Revolution Card Miles & Redemption Options
HSBC Rewards Points convert to air miles across various airline programs, vouchers, or cashback. Points can offset flight costs or book travel experiences.
Important: Only whitelisted merchant category codes (MCCs) qualify for bonus points.
📖 Related guides: DBS Multiplier Account Review (2025): Interest Rates, Salary Credit & Is It Still Worth It?
Using the HSBC Revolution Card Overseas
The HSBC Revolution Card can be used internationally, but with important considerations:
✅ What Works:
- Contactless payments at eligible merchants earn 4 mpd during the promo period (until 28 Feb 2026).
- This includes dining, shopping, and travel bookings at whitelisted merchants.
- Pre-booking flights/hotels online before travel earns 10X rewards.
❌ The Catch:
- 3.25% foreign transaction fee applies to ALL foreign currency transactions
- Not all overseas merchants are whitelisted (fast food, online travel agencies excluded)
- You must pay with contactless (tap card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) to qualify for bonus points
For example, on a S$1,000 overseas spend:
- You pay: S$32.50 in foreign transaction fees
- You earn: 1,600 miles (at 4 mpd)
- Miles are worth: ~S$16-24 (depending on how you redeem them)*
- Net result: S$16-24 minus S$32.50 = ~S$8.50 to S$16.50 loss
For everyday overseas spending, cash withdrawals, or smaller transactions where you won’t hit bonus categories, YouTrip’s zero FX fees and wholesale exchange rates typically save more money.
*Miles are typically worth 1-1.5 cents each for economy redemptions, more for business/first class
📖 Related guide: HSBC Everyday Global Account (HSBC EGA) Singapore Guide 2025
Eligibility Requirements (Effective Since 1 Oct, 2025)
🇸🇬 Singaporeans/PR
- New applicants or existing HSBC customers with TRB < S$50,000: S$65,000 annual income
- Existing HSBC customers with TRB ≥ S$50,000:
- Salaried employees: S$30,000 annual income
- Self-employed or commission-based earners: S$40,000 annual income
🌍 Foreigners: S$65,000 annual income
💡 Don’t Meet Income Requirements?
If you don’t meet the minimum annual income requirement, you can still get the card by placing a S$10,000 fixed deposit with HSBC. This gets you a secured version with a credit limit equal to 100% of your deposit amount.
Other Requirements:
- Good to excellent credit score
- Age 21 and above
*Criteria subject to change — verify current requirements with HSBC.
📖 Related guide: UOB One Account Singapore Guide (2025): Interest Rates, Fees, Review
Spending Exclusions & Limitations
Not all spend earns bonus rewards. The card uses a whitelist policy — only specific MCCs qualify for bonus rewards.
Common Exclusions:
- Balance transfers and cash advances
- Gambling transactions
- Recurring payments (some)
- Fast food outlets (MCC 5814)
- Online travel agencies (MCC 4722)
- Many other non-whitelisted categories
Always review HSBC’s merchant whitelist and terms to maximise points.
📖 Related guide: DBS Multi-Currency Account (MCA) Guide 2025: Features, Exchange Rates, Fees
HSBC Revolution Card Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Strong rewards on dining and online shopping (whitelisted merchants)
- No annual fee
- Attractive contactless promotion through Feb 2026
- Competitive welcome offers
- User-friendly digital management
❌ Cons
- 3.25% foreign transaction fee reduces overseas value
- Rewards limited to whitelisted merchants only
- Monthly caps limit high spenders (S$1,000-1,500/month)
- Low base rate (0.4 mpd) on non-bonus spend
- Higher minimum income requirement for new applicants without HSBC relationship (S$65,000 from Oct 2025)
📖 Related guide: OCBC Multi-Currency Account Guide: OCBC Global Savings Account (2025)
Verdict: Is the HSBC Revolution Card Worth It?
The HSBC Revolution Card is great for everyday local spending. You get 10X rewards on dining, online shopping, and contactless payments, plus a no-strings, permanently waived annual fee. For most Singaporeans, it works well as a daily-use card — especially during the current 10X contactless promo (until Feb 2026).
However, the card is less ideal for overseas spending. There’s a 3.25% foreign transaction fee on all foreign currency transactions.
To put it into perspective: S$3,000 overseas spend = ~S$97.50 in fees. Even if you earn 10X rewards or ~4 mpd during promos, the fees can cancel out the benefit.
For travel, a multi-currency card like YouTrip can be more cost-efficient.
YouTrip offers:
- Zero FX fees
- Competitive real-time exchange rates
- Support for 12 wallet currencies
This helps you avoid the foreign transaction fees entirely.
📚 Read next: Check out our guide to the best multi-currency cards for the biggest savings here
For Those Who Want to Stretch Every Dollar
Looking for a simpler, fee-free solution for overseas spending? YouTrip provides a modern, multi-currency alternative that eliminates FX fees, hidden markups, and annual fees — making it a practical choice for Singaporeans travelling abroad in 2025.
Not on YouTrip yet? Get a free YouTrip card + S$5 YouTrip credits with code <YTBLOG5>.
Then, head over to our YouTrip Perks page for exclusive offers and promotions — we promise you won’t regret it. Join our Telegram (@YouTripSG) and Community Group (@YouTripSquad) for travel tips, event invites, and more!
Bon voyage!
FAQs:
Q1. Does the HSBC Revolution Card have an annual fee?
No. The annual fee is permanently waived.
Q2. Can I use the HSBC Revolution Card internationally?
Yes, but be aware that a 3.25% foreign transaction fee applies to all foreign currency transactions.
Q3. Which categories are excluded from HSBC Revolution bonus rewards?
Balance transfers, cash advances, gambling, recurring payments, fast food, and online travel agencies are commonly excluded. Only whitelisted MCCs qualify.
Q4. What if I don’t meet the income requirements?
You can place a S$10,000 fixed deposit with HSBC to get a secured card with a credit limit equal to your deposit amount.
Q5. Are there better options for travel?
Yes. Multi-currency cards like YouTrip offer zero conversion fees and support 12 currencies, making them more cost-effective for frequent travellers, given the HSBC Revolution Card’s 3.25% FX fee.
Q6. What promotions are currently available?
Until Feb 28, 2026: 10X rewards on online travel and contactless spending with a S$1,500/month cap. Check HSBC’s website for welcome bonuses and merchant partnerships.
Q7. What’s the rewards cap?
Monthly bonus cap: 13,500 points (S$1,500 spend) during promo; 9,000 points (S$1,000 spend) normally.
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