Your Guide to Credit Cards in Hong Kong

From booking flights to settling the tab at the end of the night to the inevitable online shopping spree, life in Hong Kong is made much easier when you had a credit card at hand. Choosing the right one, however, is easier said than done. With so many on the market, narrowing down your search is no mean feat, but not all cards carry equal weight. To help you out, we’ve looked at the options for Hongkongers, to find the most suitable for each type of spender.

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American Express Cathay Pacific Elite

Best for: Travel, foreign spending Perks: 1 Asia Mile for every $6 spent locally, 1.5 for every $6 spent overseas, complimentary enrolment into the Marco Polo Club Annual fee: $1,800 (first-year waiver) Minimum annual income: $300,000

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Standard Chartered Bank Asia Miles Mastercard

Best for: Travel, flight benefits Perks: 1 Asia Mile for every $6 spent locally, 1 Asia Mile for every $4 spent overseas and in select local spending categories Annual fee: $1,800 (first-year waiver) Minimum annual income: $240,000

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ANGEL Pre-Paid Mastercard

Best for: Travel, instant approval Perks: No credit check, low exchange rates, stores up to $100,000 Annual fee: None ($300 purchase fee) Minimum annual income: None

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Dah Sing British Airways Platinum

Best for: Travel, expats Perks: Flight discounts, 1 Avios for every $6 spent locally, 1.5 for every $6 spent overseas Annual fee: $1,800 (three-year fee waiver) Minimum annual income: $150,000

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Citi Octopus Visa Platinum

Best for: Commuters, convenience Perks: 15% select bus fare rebate, Octopus cash rewards Annual fee: $1,800 (two-year fee waiver) Minimum annual income: $150,000

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HSBC Platinum Visa

Best for: Rewards seekers Perks: Cashback, exclusive offers Annual fee: $1,800 (two-year fee waiver) Minimum annual income: $150,000

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DBS Black World Mastercard

Best for: Travel, air miles affiliates Perks: Local and foreign spending rebate, select travel discounts Annual fee: $2,000 (first-year waiver) Minimum annual income: $240,000

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HSBC UnionPay Dual Currency

Best for: Frequent visitors to China, low-income earners Perks: Cash back on local spending, separate HKD and RMB accounts Annual fee: $300 Minimum annual income: $60,000

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Going Cashless

Hong Kong is becoming an increasingly cashless society, and Octopus Cards can be used on public transport, to make purchases at convenience stores, and even to settle hospital bills. You can now also link them to select credit cards, meaning you never have to carry cash to top up. There are also now several payment systems linked to smart devices that are widely accepted in Hong Kong, including Apple Pay, AliPay, and WeChat.

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Read more! Visit the Careers page on Localiiz for more information on money matters in Hong Kong.

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