WHAT happens if you combine a platinum credit card and a gold frequent flyer program? Perhaps this was what HSBC had in mind when it came up with its newest program for its Visa Platinum credit cardholders.

Johanna Garcia, senior vice president and head of group communications at HSBC Philippines, said their surveys have shown traveling always ranks high on the list of favorite things to do. While people enjoy redeeming those knick-knacks offered in most credit card loyalty programs, almost everybody wants to hop on a plane and visit their dream destinations. HSBC has made this dream more attainable with its partnership with Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific.

HSBC Platinum Visa cardholders can now get a free round-trip ticket to Hong Kong with five charge slips of at least P10,000 each. With 10 charge slips of at least P10,000 each, the cardholder can get a free round-trip ticket to Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Saigon and other Cathay Pacific Asian destinations.

With 15 charge slips of at least P10,000 each, HSBC Platinum Visa cardholders can also get free round-trip tickets to flights to the US (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Chicago), Canada (Vancouver and Toronto), Europe (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Milan, Moscow, Paris and Rome), Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne), Auckland in New Zealand, Johannesburg in Africa and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh).

HSBC president and chief executives Tony Cripps said: “HSBC is the world’s local bank and Asia’s strongest banking brand. We’ve achieved this kind of global and local success by really listening to our customers and then developing products and solutions that address their specific needs. You told us you wanted to travel more, and we listened. And we’re particularly proud to partner with Cathay Pacific, largest foreign airline in the Philippines, to offer some great international travel rewards.”

“We are indeed looking forward to being able to share the Cathay Pacific experience with HSBC clients,” said Ed Higgs, Country Manager of Cathay Pacific Philippines.

The partnership is quite timely as Cathay Pacific recently unveiled two exciting new product enhancements—a new long-haul business-class cabin and The Cabin which is its latest addition to the lounges at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

HSBC and Cathay Pacific recently flew some media guests into Hong Kong and hosted lunch at Cuisine Cuisine, a two-Michelin star Cantonese restaurant inside IFC Mall in Central Hong Kong. After a few hours of shopping then it’s back to the airport to fly back to Manila, but not after trying out The Cabin lounge at HKIA to sit back and relax on the new Cathay Solus chairs while surfing the Web using WiFi-enabled Apple iPads and snacking on sandwiches, dim sum, fresh antipasti, salads freshly squeezed juices and even ice cream.

Annette Tirol, senior vice president and head of personal financial services, said: “We’ve provided our customers with the freedom to choose from a wide range of benefits that they can actually use. When you use your HSBC Platinum Visa for your everyday spending, you can easily and instantly collect rewards that you actually use.  In addition to the great international travel rewards, your smaller receipts can earn some great rewards, including domestic travel options.” These rewards include gift certificates for Cebu Pacific, Starbucks, Caltex, SM, Chi Spa, Blue Water Day Spa and Bench Fix Salon.

Other benefits are discounts at HotelClub.com, complimentary fees at six Philippine golf clubs (when bookings are charged with the HSBC Visa Platinum) as well as free nights at luxury private villas in Bali, Koh Samui, Lombok, Phuket and Sri Lanka, duty-free store discounts in Thailand and South Korea not to mention fast-track immigration processing at over 280 international airports courtesy of the Visa airport speed pass.

Tirol said the offerings are year-round and have no deadlines although the receipts must be exchanged within a three-month period while redeemed gift certificates have a two-year validity.