Credit Card Freebies

One thing I like about Hong Kong are the credit card promotions.

I dont know about other places, but in the Philippines back when I was still there, having a credit card is a priviledge. You usually have to apply and pay for them for yourself. There's no such thing as a free gift back then. I dont know the state of credit card promotions now, although it might be taking off right now, but the thing with Hong Kong is the great promotions they have with credit card applications.

Lots of banks set up street boths to promote their cards. Hong Kong people are known to own several, ranging from 3-5 cards at any one time. (No there's no statistics that I can refer to right now, but all my officemates and friends have at least 2 in their wallets, and probably some others stashed at the house) Aside from each credit card having several type of discounts on retail shops and dining locales, which would really be convenient for shopping, (so handy since people here are also avid shoppers. It wouldn't be a great tourist destination without the loads of shopping malls with renowed brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and the like) most of them also provide installments with 0% interest on selected shops. They even waive the annual fee for the first few years. So getting a credit card is generally cost free.

But the thing that gets people off to apply for them are the really great giveaways they include once your application is approved.

Some give away freebies upon the immediate approval of your application. Others require you spend a certain amount with your card to get the freebie. Needless to say, its one of the reasons you want to look out for seasonally when you're in dire need of a particular appliance.

This season, they're giving away lots of interesting things:
1. DVD players
2. Coupons to established supermarket chains (For the mommies who want to save the supermaket bills)
3. Digital Video recorders
4. Cameras
5. Heaters
6. Digital entertainment sound systems
7. Mp3 players
8. LCD monitors
9. And lots lots more!

Of course, most of these freebies are usually less well known brands. But then, if the generic or less well known brand works, why hold out on applying for a no cost credit credit card and get a branded one? You have to shell out a lot more money for the branded ones, and these banks rarely give away stuff like Sony or Samsung, so getting branded stuff ends you up spending more. So, why not, right?

I already have 3 cards on hand.. now I've applied for another one. Its really convenient cause I was planning to get an mp3 player (my old one is already dying on me). Now I have to option to get something else aside from the mp3. I can just use the newly card I applied for and get an mp3 player.

And its is an Ipod Shuffle 512MB no less. (retail price for a 512MB IPod shuffle is ~900HKD)

I just have to spend 4800HKD within the next 6 months of application approval, plus an added 298HKD to get the IPod. The credit card amount usage is nothing since that would mean an average usage of 800HKD per month; The food expense alone would be enough to cover that. An average meal here costs around 25HKD (Mcdonalds meal is generally between 20-25HKD per meal) and three meals a day would amount to more than enough. Plus the luxuries, 4800HKD expense in 6 months is a walk in the park. (Thank god I still have my job tho)

I have a couple of stuff I was planning to get, but since the mp3 player will come for free, that is one less expense to worry about. :)

I hope they would still have promotions on LCD monitors and cameras in the next few months. I was hoping to get those, too.

Man Thank goodness I'm living in HK. These HK credit card companies are great!