I can tell you one terrible negative re HSBC Premier (and it does not exist with CitiGold).

HSBC Premier ATM does NOT allow ATM withdrawals in Ukraine or Romania. That's right, those 2 countries are totally blocked, if you show up in either of them, you will NOT be able to take out any cash whatsoever from an ATM (you can use the card as a credit card via it's sign and spend feature, but this does not help you get cash).

Now, I don't mind HSBC Premier protecting itself and blocking what it believes to be questionable countries. What I DO mind, is that I called them to place a travel alert in my profile and specifically mentioned that I was going to those countries (in addition to a few other Eastern European countries). And they didn't mention this country block to me.

I only found out when I landed in Ukraine and wanted to take out cash. You can imagine my surprise when bank after bank declined me. After a scramble to get a SIM card and call them, I find out about the blocks. When I question why they wouldn't tell me in advance, the lady responds that "the list changes from time to time so we can't tell you which countries may be on the block list, since it could change by the time you arrive". I said in rebuttal, "I didn't even realize there was a list!!"

I am flabbergasted that this is "The Worlds Local Bank". As you might have guessed, CitiGold ATM card worked fine in Ukraine (and thank goodness too - or I'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle)!

Can you imagine an International company blocking certain countries and providing no warning whatsoever of this to its cardholders, especially one's who specifically told them they were visiting those countries? And the lame excuse provided at the end? If true (and I doubt Ukraine and Romania were suddenly added to some list within the past month since I called to place my travel notification), they could have at least said, "Sir, since you're traveling, you should carry extra cash into every country, since we maintain an ever changing list that we can't tell you about - but that could preclude you from taking out any cash at all during your stay". But of course, nothing but silence from HSBC Premier.

With all that said, I generally find HSBC Premier to be the better of the 2 companies - but with this new development, I am seriously reconsidering my relationship with them.

I can only imagine what would have happened had I not had my trusty CitiGold ATM with me as well. Which, btw, has never failed to withdraw cash in any country I've ever been to (and I've been to 50 countries).

My 2 cents, you better carry a backup ATM card and be sure HSBC Premier is not the only card in your wallet when you travel.