HSBC Joins Hands With Plaza Premium Group to Launch the First Travel Rewards Partnership in Hong Kong

HSBC and Plaza Premium Group (PPG) today announced a new partnership for HSBC credit card customers to enjoy a range of exclusive airport hospitality benefits via Smart Traveller, PPG’s mobile-app based global membership programme. This first-in-market collaboration will significantly enhance the travel experience for HSBC’s cardholders.

This partnership will enable cardholders to instantly convert their RewardCash (RC) into Smart Traveller’s Arrture Points on HSBC Reward+ through API-integration and redeem various airport experience rewards, such as Plaza Premium Lounge access or Plaza Premium First upgrade, ALLWAYS buggy services, as well as airport lounge and hotel services in key travel destinations on the Smart Traveller app. Moreover, HSBC cardholders will have access to an exclusive marketplace within the Smart Traveller app to redeem a curated selection of travel experiences for themselves, their families and friends at an always-on discount of up to 70 percent. 

The collaboration comes at a time when the travel hustle and bustle is returning to full swing after the border reopening. In the first quarter of 2023, HSBC cardholders spent 5 and 9.5 times more on air tickets and travel agency services respectively when compared with last year – a rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

Cardholders can instantly convert their RewardCash into Smart Traveller’s Arrture Points on HSBC Reward+, and redeem various airport experience rewards via an exclusive marketplace within the Smart Traveller app, ranging from Plaza Premium First upgrade and ALLWAYS buggy services

Amy Kam, Head of Cards and Personal Lending, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC, Hong Kong, said: “It is always one of our core focuses to provide relevant and innovative rewards to our credit card customers, so that they can make the most of their RewardCash. Since the border reopening, travel-related rewards and benefits have become all the most important. Supported by our extensive network of 16 frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programmes since the launch of the HSBC EveryMile Card two years ago, our credit card customers redeemed RC for air miles two times more year-on-year in the first quarter of this year. We are now excited to pioneer the partnership with PPG Smart Traveller Programme, which builds upon our solid partnership network and opens up a new use case of RC – redeeming an array of travel experience and benefits. Customers can now travel in style and comfort with RC at any moment of their journey.”

Jenny Zhang, Regional General Manager, Plaza Premium Group, North Asia, said: “Travel has bounced back strongly, and as we approach the busy summer travel months, this is a great time to launch this partnership to celebrate the return of travel and showcase an enhanced travel experience. Through this partnership with HSBC, cardholders can now choose airport experiences to bring comfort and conveniences through our Smart Traveller App and the exclusive HSBC marketplace, the points give flexibility to travellers; they can choose from a range of airport hospitality services according to their travel needs, we recognize that it may be different whether travelling with kids, friends, family or work, including buggy services to your gate, a lounge entry, a shower, a place to nap or work, or even a cocktail, during the airport dwell time. We hope this strategic partnership will Make Travel Better for all HSBC Cardholders.”

(From left) Sunny Chow Head of Usage and Rewards, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC, Hong Kong; Amy Kam, Head of Cards and Personal Lending, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC, Hong Kong; Sunny Chow Head of Usage and Rewards, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC, Hong Kong; Jenny Zhang, Regional General Manager, Plaza Premium Group, North Asia; Natalie Ng, Director of Sales, Plaza Premium Group

As part of the collaboration, Smart Traveller has created an exclusive marketplace for HSBC credit cardholders to redeem a carefully curated set of travel privileges at preferential prices. HSBC credit card customers can instantly get these offers with the Arrture Points converted from RCs at an exchange rate of $1RC to 5 Arrture Points. To celebrate the launch of the partnership, from 1 July until 31 August 2023,  HSBC cardholders can enjoy a preferential  conversion rate of $1RC to 10 Arrture Points, under which customers can enjoy an upgraded access to Plaza Premium First airport lounge with as low as $100RC, or charter an ALLWAYS electric buggy with as low as $160RC.

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