There is information about HSBC Premier airport lounges here. I do not know if this is a comprehensive list:

http://www.hsbcpremier.com/1/2/hsbcp...irport-lounges

Primary discussion thread here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...am-coming.html

Pretty sad little list! I've been saying for a while that they should just strike a deal with Priority Pass. Oddly enough, they do have a deal with Priority Pass, but only for Indonesian account holders.

This means we have to use our open-your-account-anyware-for-free to open one in Indonesia?!?!

I better keep my AMEX IDC Latam.

It is not outsourced per se -- HSBC are using one of their own offshore serice centres - most likely in Manila.

No such luck. From the IBC: Accounts in Indonesia cannot be opened until you have obtained registration documents from local regulators and are physically in the country for face-to-face verification. Credit cards can only be issued to those with resident status. So, Indonesians get a free Priority Pass membership with a lower relationship balance requirement than most other countries (about USD 57 000), and the rest of us just get subpar rates and outsourced/clueless customer service.

That's interesting. The last time I had an agent with a distinctly Malaysian accent; Indian before that. I find their service is hit-and-miss. I've said before: I don't care if the call centres are local or internationally outsourced as long as the agents know what they're talking about and have the authority to get things done.

HSBC Premiere is better in value and network than Citigold both in Asia and Europe. I have both accounts but the services with HSBC Premiere are fantastic. In Asia, Australia, Europe and USA HSBC Premeiere comes with an HSBc premiere credit card with a preset limit of minimum 6500 USD ((HSBC Premiere USA), 15000 AUD (HSBC Premiere Australia), 50000HKD (HSBC Premiere Hong Kong). This facility with HSBC premiere allows you to manage your finances whilst leaving yours untouched in the bank account. Citigold do not provide a preset limit citigold credit card, INFACT Cwith citigold, you see no benefit in opening the account at all.

I therefore strongly recommend HSBC Premiere for excellent premiere services, investment product, better value for money and much more.

I have no idea why this one was resurrected, but since it was...

I banked with HSBC, found them to be low service, uninformed, hard selling investment products and not interested in me. Took my business to Citi and never been happier, service is outstanding, helpful, polite and a nice bunch of guys. In NYC I would definitely recommend them over HSBC.

Plus my banker took me and the wife out to a great foodie event in the city which certainly is a perk.

Another thumbs up to HSBC Premier and another thumbs down to Citigold. I used to have both but dropped Citi, they maybe OK if you never leave NYC but I travel in France (lots of HSBC - no Citi), UK (HSBC everywhere, about 4 Citi's in the whole of the country), Canada (HSBC in major cities, is Citibank even there any more ? - I never see them) and I live on the west coast of Florida (and they only have branches on the east coast). I opened my Citi account in 1979 when I lived in NYC and they were great then but it's been downhill ever since. I told my financial advisor that I was closing my accounts when they appointed that idiot Pandit, at least is seems now that the board thought of much of him as I did. Maybe they will improve now that he is gone - maybe they will even pass a stress test and pay back all the money we gave them just so they could survive - maybe. (and thankfully I sold my stock when it was $50 and that's a real $50 not the 10 for one reverse split that they did - what sort of company does a reverse split- oh yes, a terribly managed one).

I am HSBC Premier, meeting the 100k minimum with an investment account, same holdings I'd have if it was Fidelity or Schwab, so no real cost to me. I like the staff at the local HSBC branch MUCH BETTER than the staff at the local Citibank where I also have an account (but not Gold).

The only premier feature I really take advantage of is the zero foreign exchanges fees on the MasterCard AND on the ATM card. ATMs are my main source of funds when traveling overseas. (Capital One also seems to not charge foreign exchange fess on international ATM usage, Citibank does on my regular card, not sure about CitiGold).

I am in NYC, had CitiGold, but closed it a couple of years ago and switched to HSBC online savings for higher interest rates. At the same time we also applied for Premier because we had 100k in our savings acct. Besides higher online savings interest earned, we also got a lower mortgage rate thru HSBC than Citi offered back then. On top of that since we're a Premier customer, HSBC gave us extra .25% off. so, total about 0.5% lower mortgage rate lower than Citi. ^

For the past few years since the financial crises, Citi's stocks lose over 90% of it's value. As far as I can see, don't think they ever going to recover.

Hello all.
Does Citigold member can get Citi Premier card annual fee waived?
Thanks

Since I'm Indonesian and I have a HSBC Premier account in Indonesia, I can tell the requirement to get a free Priority Pass membership.

The Total Relationship Balance for HSBC Premier Account in Indonesia is Rp500,000,000 (Rupiah) or equal to USD 52,000 with the current exchange rate.
To get a free Priority Pass membership, Premier customer must improve the Total Relationship Balance to Rp2,000,000,000 (Rupiah) or equal to USD 210,000 with the current exchange rate.

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.

I've had opposite experience in Canada. Was able to withdraw money w/ HSBC card and no go with Citi card. YMMV

Regardless always a good idea to carry 2 ATM cards and some hard cash.

Wow, I find that very surprising. Did you try to withdraw money from multiple banks in Canada - or just one?