American Express Cobalt vs HSBC World Elite Mastercard

By   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 17 Aug 2023

The main difference between the American Express Cobalt and the HSBC World Elite Mastercard lies in their rewards structure, fees, and standout benefits. While both cards offer appealing rewards programs and share some similarities, they also present striking differences that cater to diverse spending habits and lifestyle preferences.

The rewards structure of the American Express Cobalt card is tailored for those who love dining out and exploring new places. With a focus on foodies and travel enthusiasts, the card offers generous points for restaurant expenses, groceries, and travel-related spending. This makes it an enticing choice for individuals who frequently indulge in culinary delights or embark on exciting journeys. Additionally, the Cobalt card boasts a flexible redemption system, allowing users to maximize the value of their accumulated points.

On the other hand, the HSBC World Elite Mastercard shines with its unique travel benefits and global accessibility. This card caters to jetsetters and globetrotters by offering travel-centric perks such as travel insurance coverage, airport lounge access, and exclusive hotel privileges. Moreover, the HSBC card's rewards program is structured to reward various types of spending, making it an attractive option for those who wish to earn points across a range of categories.

When it comes to fees, the American Express Cobalt card typically features an annual fee that aligns with its comprehensive rewards and lifestyle offerings. In contrast, the HSBC World Elite Mastercard may present a higher annual fee, reflecting its premium travel benefits and global services. However, this discrepancy in fees is offset by the unique advantages each card provides, ensuring that users receive value in line with their spending habits and preferences.

Both cards offer intriguing introductory offers and bonuses, encouraging new applicants to take advantage of their rewards programs from the start. These limited-time promotions can include bonus points for achieving specified spending milestones or special perks that enhance the cardholder experience. These enticing incentives add an extra layer of appeal to the cards, enticing potential users to explore the benefits of each option.

In summary, the American Express Cobalt and HSBC World Elite Mastercard each bring their own distinctive flavor to the world of credit cards in Canada. Whether you're a food connoisseur seeking culinary rewards or a frequent traveler in search of global perks, these cards offer tailored solutions to elevate your credit card experience. The choice between the two ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and lifestyle, ensuring that you can find a credit card companion that resonates with your individual financial journey.

American Express Cobalt Card
 

On website

HSBC World Elite Mastercard
 
Description
Offers an attractive rewards program with a focus on earning points quickly on everyday spending categories like dining, streaming subscriptions, and transportation.The HSBC World Elite Mastercard allows you to save on all your foreign currency purchases (including online) with no additional foreign currency conversion.
Basics
Additional Cardholders
94
Card Type
American ExpressMastercard
Minimum Credit Limit
N/AN/A
Maximum Credit Limit
N/AN/A
Sign up bonus
Signup Bonus Points
15000 pointsN/A
Signup Bonus Points Required Spend
$750.00N/A
Signup Bonus Points Required Spend Terms
eligible purchases every month for 12 months, that's 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period.N/A
Rewards
Rewards Program
American Express RewardsHSBC World Elite Rewards
Domestic Rewards Points Earn Rate
12.00
Benefits
Airport Lounge Access Included
YesYes
Concierge Service Included
YesNo
Cardholder's International Travel Insurance
YesYes
Complimentary Flight Voucher Included
NoYes
Introductory balance transfer
Balance Transfer Rate
N/A22.99%
Balance Transfer Period
N/AN/A
Balance Transfer Fee
N/AN/A
Balance Transfer Limit
N/AN/A
Balance Transfer Revert Rate
N/AN/A
Ongoing rates
Cash Advance Rate
21.99% p.a.22.9% p.a.
Purchase Rate Ongoing
21.99% p.a.19.9% p.a.
Ongoing fees
Annual Fee Ongoing
$155.88$149.00
Foreign Exchange Fee Percentage
N/A0%
Late Payment Fee
$38.00N/A
Overseas ATM Withdrawal Fee
$5.00$5.00
Digital wallets
Apple Pay Enabled
YesYes
Google Pay Enabled
YesYes
Samsung Pay Enabled
YesYes
Eligibility
Available To Existing Customers
NoNo
Minimum Age
18 years18 years
Minimum Credit Rating
GoodGood
Minimum Income
N/A$80,000.00
Temporary Residents Accepted
NoNo