Swipe Mode

Top 10 Best HK Bank Promotions & Welcome Offers May 2026

10 remaining

American Express Explorer Credit Card - American Express

KEY METRICS: Welcome bonus: Up to 72,000 miles (1,296,000 Membership Rewards points). Annual fee: HK$1,800 (first year fee applies, but bonus value far exceeds fee). Minimum spend: None explicitly stated for the bonus, but spending unlocks points. Income requirement: HK$300,000 per annum. OVERVIEW: The American Express Explorer Credit Card leads our May 2026 ranking due to its exceptional welcome offer of up to 72,000 miles. This is the highest mile-based bonus currently available in Hong Kong, offering tremendous value for frequent flyers. Cardholders earn 1 Membership Rewards point per HK$1 spent, which can be transferred to over 10 airline partners including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and British Airways Avios. KEY BENEFITS: Pros: Massive 72,000 miles welcome bonus easily covers a round-trip business class ticket to Europe or two economy tickets to Japan; flexible point transfer to 10+ airline programs including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 transfer rate); no pre-set spending limit provides high flexibility; comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protection included; access to American Express Global Lounge Collection (Priority Pass Select and Centurion Lounges). ELIGIBILITY: Open to Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above with an annual income of HK$300,000 or more. Applicants need to provide Hong Kong ID card, proof of income (e.g., tax return, salary slips), and proof of address. New cardmember definition applies—applicants must not have held any American Express personal charge or credit card in the past 12 months. DRAWBACKS: Cons: Annual fee of HK$1,800 is not waived in the first year, meaning the net bonus value after fee is approximately HK$3,070 (72,000 miles valued at ~HK$4,870 minus fee); high income threshold of HK$300,000 excludes many applicants; miles are earned at 1 point per HK$1, which is average for general spending—not the best for everyday purchases compared to cashback cards; American Express acceptance is still not universal in Hong Kong, particularly at smaller merchants. RATES ARE INDICATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Always verify current rates directly with the bank before applying.

Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard (Priority Banking) - Standard Chartered Bank

KEY METRICS: Welcome bonus: Delsey 30-inch GRENELLE SE Expandable Front Opening Suitcase (value of HK$4,980). Minimum spend: HK$5,000 within first two months. Annual fee: HK$1,800 (waived for first year). Overseas spending: 5 Asia Miles per US$/HK$40 spent. Income requirement: HK$96,000 per annum. OVERVIEW: The Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard, particularly the Priority Banking version, offers one of the most physically valuable welcome gifts on the market in May 2026: a premium Delsey suitcase worth nearly HK$5,000. This product is specifically designed for Cathay Pacific loyalists, as it earns Asia Miles on every purchase. The card integrates seamlessly with the Cathay membership program, allowing direct redemption of miles for flights and upgrades. It also offers accelerated miles for spending on Cathay Pacific and partner merchants. KEY BENEFITS: Pros: Welcome gift has a high real-world value of HK$4,980, making it one of the most generous physical gifts available; earns 2 Asia Miles per HK$4 on general local spending (with bonus categories for overseas and Cathay spending); first-year annual fee waiver makes the bonus cost-free; suite of travel insurance benefits including trip cancellation, baggage delay, and personal accident coverage; Priority Banking version offers dedicated relationship manager and preferential banking services. ELIGIBILITY: Open to Hong Kong residents aged 18 or older, with a minimum annual income of HK$96,000. For the Priority Banking version, applicants must be existing or become Priority Banking customers with a minimum deposit of HK$1,000,000. Applicants need Hong Kong ID card and proof of income. New cardmember definition applies—must not have cancelled any Standard Chartered credit card in the past 12 months. DRAWBACKS: Cons: The welcome gift is a physical suitcase, which may not be as liquid or flexible as cash rebates or miles—some users may prefer cash or miles instead; the minimum monthly income requirement of HK$96,000 is higher than many entry-level cards; to maximize value, users need to spend on Cathay Pacific and overseas purchases, which may not suit infrequent travelers; the Asia Miles earn rate on local spending (2 miles per HK$4) is lower than some dedicated cashback cards for daily use. RATES ARE INDICATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Always verify current rates directly with the bank before applying.

Citi PremierMiles Card - Citibank Hong Kong

KEY METRICS: Welcome bonus: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Action Camera (value HK$3,059) or 22,000 miles. Minimum spend: None required for the welcome gift (spending required for the camera). Annual fee: HK$1,800 (waived for first year). Overseas spending: HK$3 = 1 mile. Local spending: HK$6 = 1 mile. Income requirement: HK$120,000 per annum. OVERVIEW: The Citi PremierMiles Card ranks high in May 2026 for its versatile welcome offer that allows applicants to choose between a physical camera worth HK$3,059 or 22,000 flight miles. This flexibility is rare and valuable. The card is designed for travelers, offering a flat mile-earning structure with no caps, and includes benefits like free airport lounge access (via Priority Pass) and comprehensive travel insurance. The miles can be transferred to over 20 airline partners, including Asia Miles, Avios, and KrisFlyer. KEY BENEFITS: Pros: Choice of welcome gift (camera or miles) provides great flexibility—the camera has a high resale value of around HK$2,500-2,800; unlimited miles earning with no cap on rewards; competitive earning rates of HK$3 per mile overseas and HK$6 per mile locally; includes Priority Pass membership with 2 complimentary lounge visits per year; comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, lost luggage, and personal accident; first-year annual fee waived, making it cost-effective to try. ELIGIBILITY: Available to Hong Kong residents aged 18 or older with an annual income of HK$120,000 or more. Applicants need to provide Hong Kong ID card and proof of income (e.g., latest tax return or salary slips). New cardmember definition applies—must not have held a Citi PremierMiles Card in the past 12 months. DRAWBACKS: Cons: The welcome camera is not cash, so it may not suit those who prefer rebates; overseas spend earn rate of HK$3=1 mile is good but not the best in the market—some premium cards offer better rates; the local earn rate of HK$6=1 mile is average and can be outdone by specialized cashback cards for daily spending; income requirement of HK$120,000 may exclude younger earners. RATES ARE INDICATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Always verify current rates directly with the bank before applying.