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What is a cashback credit card?

There are several types of cashback credit cards. See which one will save you the most money based on your spending habits.

Compared to cash or other regular credit cards, cashback credit cards are one of the best payment options if you're a frequent shopper at supermarkets or grocery stores.

How does a cashback credit card work?

A cashback credit card enables you to earn a percentage of the amount spent on each purchase. The cashback rate is calculated according to the purchase categories defined by each bank.

Let's say you use a cashback credit card, which offers 8% cashback, to shop at a supermarket. If the total bill is VND2,500,000, the cashback amount would be:

0.08 × VND2,000,000 = VND200,000

This amount will be credited to your primary credit card to offset your balance or make other purchases.

Which credit card gives you the most back?

Credit cards with cashback programs incentivise cardholders to spend money on certain things. Many people use cashback credit cards for shopping because of the convenience and savings when paying. 

The different types of cashback credit cards available include:

  • Online cashback credit card
  • Supermarket and grocery cashback credit card
  • Insurance cashback credit card
  • Education cashback credit card

The HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back card gives you unbeatable ongoing cashback rate for supermarket spending, unlimited cashback for insurance and education spending, and reasonable cashback rate for online spending when compared with the rest of the market.

Are you ready to get your right card?

Apply now to get a welcome offer up to VND1.8 million!

Already an HSBC credit cardholder? Discover our latest credit card articles.

Why should I use a cashback credit card for daily spending?

One way to use credit cards for budget-friendly money management is by taking advantage of the 'buy now, pay later' feature. At the same time, you can choose cashback rewards to maximise savings while you spend.

The HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card offers outstanding benefits, such as:

Saving more

The main advantage of using a cashback credit card for supermarket and grocery spending is that helps you save more money than using cash or other regular credit cards.

The HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card maximises consumer benefits by offering a cash back rate up to 8% when spending at supermarkets and grocery stores[@8-percent-cashback]. This card allows you to get cashback on all spending plus Daily Offers and a variety of discounts with HSBC partners.

Cashback on all spending

Unlike some cashback credit cards that only refund for supermarket spending, the HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card has integrated cashback on all eligible spending.

You not only receive cashback when shopping at supermarkets up to 8% (capped at VND200,000 each month), but you also receive an unlimited 1% cashback when paying insurance and education fees. This is considered one of the most outstanding features among cashback cards on the market, meeting all daily spending needs related to shopping, insurance and education.

In addition, you'll earn unlimited 0.3% cashback on any other eligible purchase.

55-day interest-free period

Taking advantage of the interest-free period on credit cards when shopping helps you proactively manage personal payments to suit your current financial situation.

At HSBC, we offer a 55-day interest-free period for all credit cards. This allows you to better plan out your finances, especially when purchasing high-value products. 

Compare credit card rewards, interest rates, instalment plan and interest-free periods to help you choose the right card.

3 ways to maximise cashback with your credit card

Understand how a cashback credit card works and what to look for in your ideal card. That way, you can maximise rewards and earn more money back on everyday purchases.

  1. Consider the categories you typically spend in
    What purchase categories do you usually spend on? Shopping online, or paying for insurance, tuition or traveling? Review your spending to get a better idea of where your money is going. This will help you optimise the card's cashback benefits to save more. The HSBC Visa Platinum Online Cash Back is an all-in-one cashback card, offering various benefits and competitive cashback rates in all of these categories.
  2. Pay at supermarkets and grocery stores that accept your card
    Almost all supermarkets accept credit cards. However, you need to pay attention to what type of cards that the supermarket and grocery accept for payment, whether that's Visa, Mastercard, JCB or American Express. HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card is accepted at supermarkets, shopping centres and grocery stores wherever the Visa logo is displayed. This includes Parkson, Vincom, Diamond Plaza, Crescent Mall and Aeon Mall, as well as supermarket chains such as Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Big C, Bach Hoa Xanh, Lotte and Winmart.
  3. Look for a card with a welcome bonus
    Not all credit cards offer a sign-up bonus, so consider the ones that do to maximise your cashback early on. The HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back card, with a welcome bonus offer of VND1 million and no annual fee for the first year, allows you to earn cashback by reaching a specified spending target within the initial months of card activation.

Spending and getting cashback with an HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back card

Still confused about how a cashback card works? Take a look at the different ways you'll save in your daily spending categories with the HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card.

Single, independent young people, income from VND10 million:

Spending category Goods and services Minimum amount (VND)
Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback]
  • Food, from VND2 million 
  • Household goods, from VND250,000 
2.25 million
Education Foreign language study; online learning 1 million
Insurance No demand 0
Dining Coffee, eating out 2 million
Others Cinema, motorbike gas, Shopee purchase 500,000
Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@8-percent-cashback] (Not applicable) 3.37 million
Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds] (Not applicable) 280,833

Single, independent young people, income from VND10 million:

Spending category Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback] Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback]
Goods and services
  • Food, from VND2 million 
  • Household goods, from VND250,000 
  • Food, from VND2 million 
  • Household goods, from VND250,000 
Minimum amount (VND) 2.25 million 2.25 million
Spending category Education Education
Goods and services Foreign language study; online learning Foreign language study; online learning
Minimum amount (VND) 1 million 1 million
Spending category Insurance Insurance
Goods and services No demand No demand
Minimum amount (VND) 0 0
Spending category Dining Dining
Goods and services Coffee, eating out Coffee, eating out
Minimum amount (VND) 2 million 2 million
Spending category Others Others
Goods and services Cinema, motorbike gas, Shopee purchase Cinema, motorbike gas, Shopee purchase
Minimum amount (VND) 500,000 500,000
Spending category Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@8-percent-cashback] Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@8-percent-cashback]
Goods and services (Not applicable) (Not applicable)
Minimum amount (VND) 3.37 million 3.37 million
Spending category Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds] Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds]
Goods and services (Not applicable) (Not applicable)
Minimum amount (VND) 280,833 280,833

With family, income from VND20 million:

Spending category Goods and services Minimum amount (VND)
Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback]
  • Food, from VND8 million
  • Snacks, spices, fruit, yogurt, cakes and candies, from VND600,000 
  • Household goods, from VND600,000 
9.2 million
Education Regular classes, foreign languages, books (2 children) 7 million
Insurance Annual fee from VND18 million (insurance fee) 1.5 million
Dining Coffee, eating out 2.5 million
Others Entertainment, motorbike gas, Lazada shopping 700,000
Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@cashback-refunds] (Not applicable) 4,535,200
Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds] (Not applicable) 377,933

With family, income from VND20 million:

Spending category Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback] Supermarkets and groceries[@8-percent-cashback]
Goods and services
  • Food, from VND8 million
  • Snacks, spices, fruit, yogurt, cakes and candies, from VND600,000 
  • Household goods, from VND600,000 
  • Food, from VND8 million
  • Snacks, spices, fruit, yogurt, cakes and candies, from VND600,000 
  • Household goods, from VND600,000 
Minimum amount (VND) 9.2 million 9.2 million
Spending category Education Education
Goods and services Regular classes, foreign languages, books (2 children) Regular classes, foreign languages, books (2 children)
Minimum amount (VND) 7 million 7 million
Spending category Insurance Insurance
Goods and services Annual fee from VND18 million (insurance fee) Annual fee from VND18 million (insurance fee)
Minimum amount (VND) 1.5 million 1.5 million
Spending category Dining Dining
Goods and services Coffee, eating out Coffee, eating out
Minimum amount (VND) 2.5 million 2.5 million
Spending category Others Others
Goods and services Entertainment, motorbike gas, Lazada shopping Entertainment, motorbike gas, Lazada shopping
Minimum amount (VND) 700,000 700,000
Spending category Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@cashback-refunds] Total refund within 1 year from card opening date[@cashback-refunds]
Goods and services (Not applicable) (Not applicable)
Minimum amount (VND) 4,535,200 4,535,200
Spending category Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds] Average refund per month[@cashback-refunds]
Goods and services (Not applicable) (Not applicable)
Minimum amount (VND) 377,933 377,933

How do I apply for an HSBC Visa Cash Back credit card online?

Before you open a credit card online, be sure to read the card issuer's terms thoroughly for important information. 

Fees and charges

  • No card issuance fee
  • Annual fee: VND800,000 (primary card), VND400,000 (supplementary)
  • 36% per year finance charge

Credit limit

  • From VND15 million to VND1 billion

Eligibility

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
  • Vietnamese salaried earners must have a minimum monthly income of VND9 million; VND36 million for foreigners; and VND40 million for Vietnamese self-employed/ business owners
  • Applicants must reside in the following cities and provinces: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Long An, Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong
  • Foreigners staying in Vietnam must have residence permission in Vietnam for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of application

Learn more: What do you need to prepare to apply for a credit card?

Are you ready to own an HSBC Visa Platinum Cash Back credit card?

Apply now!

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Disclaimer

This article is informational only and intended to help you choose the most suitable type of credit card for your needs.