5 Best Business Credit Cards in Hong Kong in 2024

With the biggest hurdles for Hong Kong's SMEs being the increasing costs (36%) and cash flow issues (30%), running a successful business in the region takes careful financial management, expense control, capital acquisition, cash flow optimisation, and more.

Given these challenges, credit cards are one effective tool to support business finance. Not only can they provide a convenient source of short-term financing, but many also offer rewards programs and employee cards with associated tracking and reporting features.

In Hong Kong, there is a range of choices for business credit cards available from both local and global issuers. This article highlights the top 5 business credit cards, outlining their features, fees, eligibility criteria, and which businesses they might best suit.

Before examining the list, choosing the right business credit card for your company will involve several considerations. Let's explore the primary factors that can guide your decision.

When choosing business cards, fundamental features to look for are business expense tracking, separate employee cards, accounting integration, and cross-border transaction capability, especially if your business operates internationally.

Each card also highlights different rewards, so understanding your spending patterns and actual borrowing needs can help prioritise benefits that align best with your company’s requirements.

For instance, consider whether you would benefit more from cashback on everyday business expenses or if travel points and complimentary travel insurance for frequent business trips are more valuable.

Typical fees include annual fees, late payment charges, foreign exchange or transaction fees, and the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), which represents the yearly cost of borrowing funds, encompassing interest charges.

In Hong Kong, most regular business credit cards have an annual fee of HKD 300 to HKD 550, while premium cards charge HKD 800 to over HKD 1,000. Some cards offer a fee waiver for the first year as a welcome offer during their promotion period. 
APR starts at around 30% to 35%, and many providers offer an interest-free repayment period of 20 to 50 days for new purchases.

Most business credit cards in Hong Kong are designed for businesses registered in Hong Kong or for residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and China. Some cards may only accept certain types of entities, and higher-tier cards often require a minimum revenue threshold.

It's advisable to assess your chances of being approved beforehand because each application will result in an inquiry. Too many inquiries within a short period of time may negatively impact your credit score in Hong Kong.

The minimum payment on a credit card is the lowest amount you are required to repay to fulfil your credit agreement. This amount ranges between 1% and 3% of your total outstanding balance. Paying the minimum payment by the due date helps you avoid late fees and maintains a good credit history. 

It's important to assess your repayment ability to avoid negatively impacting your business credit. This is because a poor credit rating will make it more challenging to secure loans and funding, so the use of credit cards will be counterproductive if not managed responsibly.

HSBC Business Mastercard® is the primary business credit card product offered by HSBC (Hong Kong), the Asia-Pacific subsidiary of the HSBC banking group and one of the three commercial banks licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to issue banknotes for the Hong Kong dollar.

HSBC provides a wide range of products, including retail banking, commercial banking, corporate banking, investment banking, private banking, and global banking services.

Among HSBC's business card offerings, you can also find the HSBC RMB Business Card, HSBC Corporate Mastercard®, and HSBC Purchasing Mastercard®.

• Receive 1 Dollar RewardCash for every HKD 250 spent
• Redeem RewardCash for gifts and merchant vouchers
• Turn RewardCash into miles
• Get double rewards for eligible spending overseas and online purchases with the World Business Mastercard®
• Obtain up to 56 days of interest-free repayment
• Utilise cash advances at ATMs
• 4 free visits per calendar year to over 70 designated Plaza Premium Lounges across the globe
• Monitor company expenses through reports detailing individual card activities
• Make payments using contactless, card-not-present (CNP), and mobile wallet options like Apple Pay, Google Pay™, and Samsung Pay™

✅ International businesses seeking to benefit from double rewards for overseas and online purchases.

✅ Frequent business travellers looking for complimentary access to premium lounges worldwide.

For more information, please visit the HSBC Hong Kong Card Key Facts Statement.

According to their application form, the following entities are eligible to apply:

• Companies, limited companies, sole proprietorships, and partnerships
• Businesses with legitimate proof of business address (e.g., bank statement or utility bill)
• HKID or passport of shareholders, directors, or owners of the business is required unless you already have an active account with HSBC Hong Kong.

For more information, please refer to the HSBC Hong Kong Card Application Form or contact HSBC directly.

The DBS VISA Business Card is provided by DBS Hong Kong, a licensed bank incorporated in Hong Kong and a subsidiary of DBS Bank headquartered in Singapore. 

With an extensive network in Asia and a presence in 19 markets, DBS Hong Kong offers a full range of consumer, SME, and corporate banking solutions.

Apart from the DBS VISA Business card, you can also find the DBS Corporate ATM Card for SME banking, another card designed for business use.

• Principle and supplementary cards
• Contactless payment
• Instant tracking of spending for nominated cardholders and the company
• Breakdown of spending by country and category
• Quarterly and annual reports
• You can work with DBS to customise and freely set a credit limit for each individual cardholder
• Liability waiver protection of up to HKD 190,000 per cardholder and HKD 12,000,000 per company

✅ SMEs needing flexible credit solutions and credit limits customisation for each cardholder.

✅ Companies placing high importance on safety net against unauthorised charges.

For more information, please visit the DBS VISA Business Card Key Facts Statement. 

• The business must be a limited company registered in Hong Kong.
• The application is available to existing Business Banking customers. 

American Express Gold Business Card is among the variety of credit cards provided by American Express in Hong Kong. 

American Express, also known as Amex, is a major American bank holding company, the largest global card network, and a multinational corporation specialising in payment cards.

American Express offers a range of cards for business and corporate use, including the American Express Classic Corporate Card, Business Card, Elite Corporate Card, and more. However, the Gold Business Card is the card that the American Express website recommends for small businesses. 

• Access to American Express Membership Rewards® and Gold Business Program exclusive privileges
• Earn up to 2 points for every HKD 1 spent locally 
• Earn up to 3 points for every HKD 1 spent in foreign currency
• Receive an additional 315,000 points upon spending HKD 45,000 in the first 3 months
• Earn extra 5X points at selected merchants in the first 3 months
• Redeem points for Pay with Points or cash vouchers
• Enjoy complimentary 1-day global access 3 times a year at The Executive Centre, along with 20% savings on meeting room bookings
• Receive up to 51 credit-free days when paying suppliers
• Access to airport lounges
• Year-round 10% discount on regular-priced tickets at Broadway, PALACE, and AMC Cinema

✅ International businesses looking for generous rewards on both local and foreign spending.

✅ Companies that value premium perks, such as exclusive discounts at cinemas and meeting rooms.

For full information, please visit American Express Cards Key Facts Statements.

Applicants may be qualified for the American Express Gold Business Card if

• They are the owner, partner, shareholder, CEO, managing director, or executive director of the company. (If authorised by the company to apply, a director resolution may be required).
• Their gross personal income is over HKD 200,000 per annum.
• They are over 18 years of age.
• They are a resident or citizen of Hong Kong or Macau.

For further details, please visit the American Express Gold Business Card Application page.

ICBC UnionPay Dual Currency Corporate Card is offered by The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) or ICBC (Asia), a licensed bank incorporated in Hong Kong and a subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

The bank provides a range of financial services, including consumer banking, commercial banking, treasury services, and bond offerings.

ICBC UnionPay Dual Currency Corporate Card is specifically offered by ICBC for SME financing, along with another option, the ICBC Corporate Mastercard®.

• Dual currency card with HKD and RMB accounts on one card, usable in mainland China and Hong Kong
• Seamless travel in the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge cross-bridge fare, Guangzhou and Shenzhen Metro gates and public buses, and more
• Contactless payment for transportation and shopping in Macao with UnionPay QuickPass
• Individual monthly statements for each customer, with consolidated reports sent to the company monthly
• Personal accident insurance for public transportation travel

✅ Businesses operating in Greater China looking for dual currency functionality and seamless use across Mainland China and Hong Kong.

✅ Frequent business travellers to the Greater Bay Area seeking benefits regarding transportation services.

To learn more, please visit the ICBC UnionPay Dual Currency Corporate Card fee schedule.

We cannot find information on the website. Please contact ICBC’s customer support team to learn more about its eligibility.

Dah Sing Business Card is a primary business card product offered by Dah Sing Banking Group Limited (DSBG), a Hong Kong-based banking and financial company headquartered in Wan Chai. 

DSBG operates three main banking subsidiaries across Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China. The bank provides personal banking, VIP banking with wealth management services, business banking, corporate banking, and private banking services. 

They have a vision of becoming the local bank for customers in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

• Easy application by applying with a fixed deposit instead of providing proof of company asset 
• Earn cash rebate as you spend, credited automatically
• Customise the card in your company name
• Setting individual credit limits based on employee requirements
• Receive monthly statements covering all cardholders' expenses

✅Startups and small businesses seeking simple applications without proof of company assets.

✅Cost-conscious businesses looking for generous an annual fee waiver for the first few years.

For more information, please refer to this Dah Sing Bank Business Card Terms and Conditions page. 

• The applicant's company must be either a sole proprietorship or a partnership that has been established for 6 months or a limited company that has been established for 2 years.
• Applicants must be 18 years old or above.
• Applicants must be residents of Hong Kong.

If you seek the convenience and functionality of a payment card for business transactions but lack a substantial credit history or wish to avoid accumulated interest, consider using a business payment card instead of a business credit card. 

Business payment cards are prepaid cards designed for business use. You deposit funds onto the card before spending, allowing direct control over your spending limit. They come with spending tracking and reporting features similar to business credit cards but with lower fees and no credit check required, making them accessible to a wider range of businesses.

If your companies are registered in Hong Kong or Singapore, consider Statrys payment cards. To facilitate effective expense management, we offer prepaid business Mastercard® cards, which can be applied subsequent to opening a Statrys multicurrency business account. 

With this card, you can: 

• Distribute and manage cards among persons or employees
• Make business purchases at the point of sale
• Withdraw cash from participating ATMs
• Monitor live transactions
• Track and analyse spending categories