British Airways American Express Premium Plus vs HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard wins 4-1. HSBC Premier customers who want unlimited lounge access. British Airways American Express Premium Plus is still the right call if heavy british airways flyers chasing avios and tier points..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | British Airways American Express Premium Plus | HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · £300 | £290 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.25% (general) | 1.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.25% | 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = N/A | = 2.99% |
| Welcome bonus | · N/A | 70,000 reward points after £2,000 spend in the first 90 days (offer ends 1 December 2026) |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = £35,000 | = Not verified |
| Min credit score | = N/A | = N/A |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
- 1.25 Avios for every £1 spent on purchases
- From 1 April 2027, 1 British Airways tier point per £10 of eligible spend, up to 3,000 a year
- Travel inconvenience cover, including £200 for flight delay and £750 for delayed baggage
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
- 3 reward points per £1 in sterling, 4 per £1 in other currencies
- Points convert to airline miles: £1 in sterling equals 1.5 miles, £1 in other currencies equals 2
- Unlimited Priority Pass access to more than 1,700 airport lounges, for additional cardholders too
- Only for HSBC Premier customers
FAQ
›British Airways American Express Premium Plus vs HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: which is better?
HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use British Airways American Express Premium Plus for its best categories, HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
British Airways American Express Premium Plus doesn't list a welcome bonus. HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: 70,000 reward points after £2,000 spend in the first 90 days (offer ends 1 December 2026).