[aussiebiscuit]

hi guys,

i've heard from some local friends that when applying for a credit card shop around because they give away free stuff most of the time e.g. ipods...

does anyone know of a promo currently that gives away a ipod when signing up for a credit card? or what the best deal is atm? i recently moved to HK and will be applying for a credit card when i get paid soon...

cheers,

tim

[Sleuth]

Unless the rules are different for Aussies, or if you are applying strictly for the give-away, getting a credit card in HK is not easy.
Sorry, no idea on the Ipod give-away. That strikes me as a rather expensive freebie. Were your friends using "Ipod" in a generic sense?

[freeier]

usually each company wld have a marketing budget for each card issued.

i think the budget is generally between 300~1000hkd, depending on the size of the company and how good the card is (they think that people will keep over long term).

for an item that is priced higher than that in the retail market, the bank will ask you to pay an additional amount to top up the difference.

[discobay]

HSBC did have a promotion which would reward you with an ipod nano if you applied for two cards.

[Swell]

Originally Posted by discobay

HSBC did have a promotion which would reward you with an ipod nano if you applied for two cards.

Plus I believe you need to meet a spending target over a number of months to be eligible for the ipod.

[discobay]

Bah that was nothing, I spent their target in a week.

[aussiebiscuit]

from what i understand from some local friends there are heaps of ads in the local cantonese paper.... too bad i can't read cantonese!

she was saying its different to oz because chinese are heavy savers so credit cards are a huge industry to try and encourage spending. apparently in the west they say most ppl have their credit cards maxed out and its a saturated market. don't know what truth there is to this though...

[discobay]

Originally Posted by aussiebiscuit

from what i understand from some local friends there are heaps of ads in the local cantonese paper.... too bad i can't read cantonese!

Just so we get this right it's not "cantonese paper" but "Chinese paper" and not "can't read cantonese" but "can't read Chinese"

[muse07]

Right now there is a deal with DBS Compass Visa cards where you can get a free cordless phone, Hyundai DVD/Hi-fi system or luggage cabin (I think) bag.. or "$300 Compass Dollars". U can also get a camcorder if u pay extra.

However, you need a number of supporting documents including a HK ID card..(and there are minimum spend requirements, but i think only about HK$3,000 within the first 3 months).

I am planning to apply for this card. However, none of the free gifts really appeal to me as I have already bought a new phone, have enough luggage and want to get a better hi-fi system. There was also a recent deal with HSBC where u could get a mobile phone or digital photo frame and other things, but I think that just ended.