See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card
Rewards rate
N/AAnnual fee
$0Intro offer
N/ARegular APR
13.99% - 23.99% (Variable)Recommended Credit Score
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card review
Why you can trust Bankrate
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to:
- Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options.
- Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you\'re well-equipped to make confident decisions.
- Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you.
At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next.
Editorial Integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.
How We Make Money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Insurance Disclosure
This content is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate.com. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states were it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
ON THIS PAGE
ON THIS PAGE
Snapshot
3.5
HSBC Gold Mastercard Card Overview
The HSBC Gold Mastercard is a solid, low-fuss option for a credit card with 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months (13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable thereafter). Those with good-to-excellent credit will find this credit card a suitable option for paying down debt or financing a purchase over the short term. Our HSBC Gold Mastercard review will help you decide if this card is right for you.
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- 18-month intro APR of 0 percent creates a cushion for those trying to reduce debt (13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable thereafter)
- No annual fee
- A generous late-payment policy
- Travel benefits and discounts pair well with other travel credit cards
Cons
- No rewards structure
- Slightly higher balance transfer fees than competing cards
A deeper look into the current card offer
Quick highlights
- Rewards rate: N/A
- Welcome offer: N/A
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase intro APR: 0 percent intro APR on credit card purchases for the first 18 months
- Balance transfer intro APR: 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months
- Regular APR: 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable
Welcome offer
The HSBC Gold Mastercard credit card has a generous intro APR, making it ideal for short-term financing. For the first 18 months of account ownership, the intro APR is 0 percent, including balance transfers (13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable thereafter). Just keep in mind, if your balance transfer exceeds your HSBC Gold Mastercard credit limit, your request may be canceled. You also need to make your transfer within 60 days of account opening and pay a balance transfer fee of $10 or 4 percent, whichever is greater.
After 18 months the APR adjusts based on creditworthiness, ranging from 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent variable. To calculate the cost and savings of doing a balance transfer with the HSBC Gold Mastercard, access our balance transfer calculator.
Key cardholder perks
The HSBC Gold Mastercard is your run-of-the-mill credit card with limited rewards and an equitable 18-month intro APR. However, there’s more to the HSBC Gold Mastercard than meets the eye. In addition to APR benefits, this credit card offers an annual late fee waiver and some decent travel benefits.
Late fee waiver
A late fee can be waived once within a 12-month calendar year. Additionally, there is no penalty APR for late payments. This unique feature is beneficial to those looking for a little extra flexibility.
Travel benefits
Modest travel benefits include no transaction fees on purchases in foreign countries, protection on rental vehicles and a 15 percent discount on certain airport concierge services. Additional travel benefits include travel-related discounts you enroll in the Mastercard Priceless Cities program.
Rates and fees
The HSBC Gold Mastercard is a reliable, low-fee credit card. In the first 18 months from opening an account, most fees are minimal, as there is no annual fee and an intro 0 percent APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. After the first 18 months, the variable APR for both purchases and transfers will adjust from 13.99 percent to 23.99 percent based on creditworthiness. This is a reasonable APR compared to similar zero interest credit cards.
Although the HSBC Gold Mastercard is suitable for balance transfers, there are some associated fees. Balance transfers will incur a fee of either $10 or 4 percent, whichever is greater. This also applies to checks. Both cash advances and overdrafts will incur a fee of $10 or 5 percent, whichever is greater. Here’s how other cards with a balance transfer measure up.
Unlike many cards, the HSBC Gold Mastercard has a generous late fee policy. One late fee can be waived in a 12-month calendar year, otherwise, the fee is up to $39. A bonus perk of the HSBC Gold Mastercard is the travel benefits, although modest.
How the HSBC Gold Mastercard compares to other zero percent APR cards
The HSBC Gold Mastercard can best be compared to other intro 0 percent APR credit cards. The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers an intro APR of 12 months on purchases and and 21 months on balance transfers, yet adjusts to a slightly higher APR afterward (15.24 percent to 25.24 percent variable) and also has stricter credit score demands.
In comparison, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers cash back rewards in addition to a comparable intro APR, yet only on purchases. If you’re more interested in financing than debt reduction, this credit card is a good alternative.
Here’s a quick overview of how the cards measure up:
HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card
See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Annual fee
$0Intro offer
N/ARewards rate
N/ARecommended credit
Good to Excellent(670 - 850)
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
Annual fee
$0Intro offer
N/ARewards rate
N/ARecommended credit
Good to Excellent(670 - 850)
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Annual fee
$0Intro offer
$200Rewards rate
1%–3%Recommended credit
Good to Excellent(670 - 850)Best cards to pair with HSBC Gold Mastercard
Because of the modest travel benefits of the HSBC Gold Mastercard, pairing it with a travel-oriented credit card could yield even more desirable results. If you’re planning to travel, look for a card that earns cash back or miles to use in conjunction with the HSBC Gold Mastercard. This can help ease travel costs in the long term and make your traveling experience more robust. If you like the idea of staying away from annual fees, consider a starter travel card, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
Additionally, a cash back credit card has the potential to be a good pairing, especially if your goal is to pay down debt. A good cash back card will help you diffuse everyday purchases while you pay down your HSBC Gold Mastercard. Choosing something with more flexibility and a low starting APR will help you get the most bang for your buck. Approach this strategy with caution, as it’s important to remember you have to spend money to earn money with cash back credit cards.
Bankrate’s Take—Is HSBC Gold Mastercard worth it?
Overall, the HSBC Gold Mastercard is a great choice for those looking to reduce their interest payments on an existing balance or finance a purchase in the short-term. The lack of rewards makes the credit card low-fuss, and the 18-month intro APR provides a cushy time frame to reduce debt. Remember that transfers must be made within the first 60 days of opening an account. This debt reduction strategy can also be useful in improving one’s credit score for better deals in the future.
If you’re looking to travel, the benefits are minimal but can make a powerful pairing with a more travel-oriented credit card. This credit card isn’t a good match for those who have low credit scores or are looking for a credit card with a rewards system.
The information about HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Share