HSBC Canada is shutting down its operations in Canada as it prepares to be taken over by RBC. So, if you are looking to apply for a new credit card or bank account, you can no longer do so.
Existing customers with HSBC accounts continue to have access to their accounts for now. However, if you are looking to open a new account, you should check out these alternatives.
HSBC Mastercard Alternatives
HSBC used to offer these credit cards:
- HSBC World Elite Mastercard
- HSBC +Rewards Mastercard
- HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard
- HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard
HSBC World Elite Mastercard
The HSBC World Elite Mastercard was the bank’s premium credit card for travel rewards. It offered comprehensive travel insurance, no FX fees, and robust cash back earn rates.
Alternative credit cards for similar or better benefits include the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
Both credit cards waive foreign currency transaction fees and include a long list of travel insurance benefits. Their cash back rates are also competitive.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
Best for no FX fees and travel perks
Annual fee: $150
Rewards: Earn 3x Scene+ points on eligible grocery purchases, 2x pts. on dining, entertainment and transit, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and no annual fee for the first year.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $60,000
Recommended credit score:
Very Good
On Scotiabank’s website
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card
Best travel credit card in Canada
Annual fee: $120
Rewards: Earn up to 6x Scene+ points on groceries, 5x pts. on dining, food delivery, & entertainment, 3x pts. on gas, and 1x pts. on everything else.
Welcome offer: Get up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in the first 12 months.
Interest rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Scotiabank’s website
HSBC +Rewards Mastercard
HSBC +Rewards Mastercard used to be one of Canada’s best low-interest credit cards, with a low 11.9% rate on cash advances and purchases.
A solid alternative credit card is the Scotiabank Value Visa Card, which currently also has a 0% introductory rate for balance transfers for the first 10 months.
Scotiabank Value Visa Card
Best for low-interest rates
Annual fee: $29
Welcome offer: No annual fee for the first year and 0.99% interest rate for cash advances for the first 9 months.
Interest rates: 13.99% for purchases and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: N/A
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Scotiabank’s website
HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard
The HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard offered 0.5% and 1.5% cash back on all purchases and was a no-annual-fee credit card.
It can be replaced by several no-fee cash back credit cards, including the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card (up to 2% cash back) and Neo Credit Card (average 5% cash back).
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Best no-fee cash back credit card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn up to 2% unlimited cash back in up to 3 spending categories and 0.50% on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Get an extra 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in spending in the first 2 months ($100 value).
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Fair to Good
On Tangerine’s website
Neo Credit
Excellent credit card for cash back
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn up to 5% cash back at partner stores.
Welcome offer: $25 bonus on approval.
Interest rates: 19.99% – 22.99% for purchases.
Minimum income requirement: None
Recommended credit score:
Fair
On Neo Financial’s website
HSBC Travel Rewards Mastercard
This credit card was a no-annual-fee travel credit card. Consider the Tangerine World Mastercard or American Express Green Card to replace it.
American Express Green Card
Entry-level Amex rewards credit card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn 1X points on everyday purchases.
Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases and 21.99% on cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: None
Recommended credit score:
Good
On Amex’s website
Tangerine World Mastercard
Excellent no-fee cash back card with travel perks
Annual fee: $0
Rewards: Earn up to 2% unlimited cash back in 2-3 spending categories and 0.50% on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Get an additional 10% cash back valued at $100 in the first 2 months.
Interest rates: 19.95% for purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
Minimum income requirement: $12,000
Recommended credit score:
Fair to Good
On Tangerine’s website