[PDLM]

Why would you want to sweep your Reward Points into AsiaMiles every month? The result of doing that is that they expire sooner (AsiaMiles have an expiry date 3 years after they are earned or transferred in). The Reward Points also have an expiry date (as detailed on your credit card statement). The best way to get maximum life for your miles is to transfer all the Reward Points that are about to expire from the HSBC account to AsiaMiles in the last month before they expire.

(Or obviously whenever you need them for a specific redemption.)

I can't explain why so many things that work for me are broken for you. I guess it could be something to do with the way your account is set up, but that seems rather unlikely.

[JJexpat]

PDLM, you've been lucky (and perhaps knew to set stuff up comprehensively in the first place...as Janet notes, these are often surprises to the uninitiated). E-banking is largely smoke and mirrors here with a paper flow happening behind the glorious web presence. A mind blogging approach to security will lock you down while abroad if your pattern changes, and if a period of time goes by, your limits may be automatically reset "for your own good" resulting in missed payments, additional charges and the joy of building negative relationship with suppliers and partners (not that relationship matters in Asia...) Auto this and that also makes forerrors - as in reseting limits when the time limit has NOT been exceeded, and until I and enough others complained, advice to use IE and NEtscape instead of more reliable browsers (er...Netscape?). As others have noted, it can drive you crazy. If you have rank of any sort--use it--that is a fascinating exercise in itself. Janet--drink up, but pace yourself, its a long haul and a short ride to oblivion! Bonne chance!

[PDLM]

Eh? The security seems very solid and straightforward to me: ID, password and one-time token. I can't see how it makes any difference where in the world I am. I can see that losing the token, particularly whilst abroad, could be a pain, but that's not an unreasonable price to pay for a level of security that means I am happy to do my internet banking from unknown public terminals (which I wouldn't be in the absence of the token).

I've never had any of my transfer limits reset without my knowledge so I can't really comment on that or why it might happen.

But you do seem to be talking about a business account rather than a personal account - that's something of which I have no experience.

[MovingIn07]

PDLM - I have no idea how you manage to be so lucky with HSBC. If you have any idea LET THE REST OF US KNOW!

Because my experience are identical to the ones described here. I could have typed Janets original email verbatim (including the references to First Direct) and it would have been my exact experience. Ditto JJexpats.....

They are both right. HSBC are a bunch of useless twats.

[PDLM]

Could it be that I RTFM so that I do understand what the limits are, how they work and so on?

So many expats just seem to come to Hong Kong, expect everything to be defined and work exactly the same way as it did in their home country, fail to read what they are actually signing up for, and then whinge mightily when they find out that things are sometimes done a little differently here.

[KnowItAll]

>> same way as it did in their home country

World's local bank....

Same disconnect as with airlines who advertise first class seats and create the illusion that they really give a rats arse about passengers in cattle.

[Jon.E.Kong]

As much as I hate banks, I have had no problems with HSBC in Hong Kong. I've only ever been to the bank teller once in 2 years because I had to, when I submitted the form to open the account. The only other times I've gone into an actual bank was to deposit US cheques. That was fun... but I expected the long lines at least.

All I can say is make a list of everything you need to do so you only have to do it once. All in all HSBC much better than any bank in Canada, especially TD Canada antiTrust!

[shanx999]

HI,
I am bit surprised at the rants about HSBC and HK banks in general.
Granted I have not lived in US and UK where most of the complainants seem to be from, I m guessing here.
However, on my visits there, I can assure you that the bank staff and systems didnt strike me as particulally efficient.

I use HSBC's internet banking effectively, all the time, make transfers between accounts, transfer overseas, transfer to my broker, pay some of my bills, have autopays set up with them, make investments in units trusts and funds, buy and sell currency, manage my depsoits nline
Recently misplaced my security device and was sent one by mail within three days and the activation was painless, although it involved a phone call

I think one issue I have occasionaly faced is that they sometime do not understand what I am trying to say ( my accent, I am Indian)
and generally that has been remedied with some patience and a couple of smiles.
I have banked with other banks in HK, and in general staff attitudes are good, operational efficiency varies rather widely. HSBC is efficient, but they are matter of fact and do not particularly pamper you , unless u are a premium account holder
The requirement for third party transfer accounts having to be authorised by a paper form , is , in my opinion, a conservative and safe protectiion measure for the account holder

A lot of the complaints here have been about initial setting up of accounts,creit cards etc. IN general, a company letter is normally required and I confess I am not sure what people who cannot produce a company letter can do

However, when u move places, I would expect the bank to ask for some reasonable documentation to establish basic identities. For example, if I move to the US now, I am sure I will face some issues, especially because I will not have a credit score etc

HSBC recently has deteriorated significantly in terms of telephone service, I suspect they have cut staff. Waiting times have rocketed when u call their call centre. THis may be part of the reason for these complaint

Disclaimer - I do not work for HSBC

[iRake]

Bamboozled too. HSBC owns.

UK: Apply for account.
1st day: I had to make an appointment to apply for an account.
2nd day: Went in on appointment to bank. Filled in a few forms. Then was told my ATM card and check book would arrive within 5-10 working days.
3rd day to 7th day: Sit back and relax.
8th day: Whoopee! My ATM card did infact arrive! Account usable!

HK: Apply for account:
1st day: Went in unannouced. Applied for account. CS helped me fill in forms.
15mins later: ATM card supplied. Account usable.

As I said, totally baffled by most of your complaints with HSBC HK. To me, they've been nothing short of perfect.

Weird though, as most of you MUST of had bad experiences in order to rant about them like this, I must be in the minority. =/

[colingally]

Same experience as iRake. Very suprised to receive atm card right there and then. Nice.
just trying to set up internet banking now. Online process did not work so will have to phone up.