HSBC Plus Account

The_Money_Saver_2

Hello - having visited this site a few times for advice I thought its time to join! Advice always seems very good .

HSBC keep trying to get to upgrade my bank account to the Plus account I wondered what you lot think of it? So, can anyone offer any advice? I remain suspicious - especially as you have to agree to subscribe to it for 12 months. The account seems to offers good features - but obviously that comes at a cost!

In particular, the brochure seems to make a lot of suggestion about "service" does this mean that you get an enhanced telephone service to what is already available on the Active current account? Is it also true that HSBC are withdrawing the £250 Cheque Guarantee card for non-premier customers?

Any views gratefully received and thanking you in anticipation!

ShelfStacker_3

Plus customers have a dedicated call centre located in the UK for their calls about most subjects (credit card enquiries as well). If you travel a lot and you don't pay for breakdown cover, and you're willing to pay a few quid for better service, it's a good idea.

As with all things however, it's only worth getting if you're going to use the benefits. If it's just that the debit card is pretty then I'd give it a miss tbh.

The_Money_Saver_2

Thanks for the info Shelfstacker. I note you work for HSBC, so do you know anything about the £250 cheque guarantee card being withdrawn for exisiting non-premier customers?

brookerbabyisababy

Who is the Breakdown Cover provided by? - RAC, AA, Greenflag?

Also the dedicated call centre - is it the same one First Direct use in Hamilton?

ShelfStacker_3

brookerbabyisababy wrote: »

Who is the Breakdown Cover provided by? - RAC, AA, Greenflag?

Also the dedicated call centre - is it the same one First Direct use in Hamilton?

It's provided by Mondial Insurance.

The Plus call centre is, as far as I can tell, totally seperate from others.

As for the £250 CG being Premier-only... that's pretty much it tbh. The maximum anyone "below" that can get is now £100. As it is, I understand £250 cheque guarantee cards are as rare as hen's teeth at HSBC anyway. There's a massive shift within the bank to more automated methods of banking like debit cards, the deposit machines and Internet banking at any rate, and this is possibly a part of that.

Inactive

I have a HSBC £250 CG Card and I don't have a Premier Account.

I have had mine for years.

ShelfStacker_3

Inactive wrote: »

I have a HSBC £250 CG Card and I don't have a Premier Account.

I have had mine for years.

You're very, very lucky. They're relatively hard to get.

It is, however, now changing. When the Visa Debit changeover takes place, only Premier account holders will be given £250 CG cards.

The_Money_Saver_2

I have had mine for years too! But when I was last in branch there was some confusion about whether I would be able to keep it if upgraded the account to Plus - some thought I would, and others thought I wouldn't!

Inactive

ShelfStacker wrote: »

You're very, very lucky. They're relatively hard to get.

It is, however, now changing. When the Visa Debit changeover takes place, only Premier account holders will be given £250 CG cards.

Looks like this change to Visa isn't in the best interest of customers to me..

agsnu

What use is a cheque guarantee card now anyway? Hardly any retailers accept cheques due to the comparatively high incidence of fraud.

Inactive

Lot's of trades people still accept them and don't take cards alone.