Sri Lankans catch travel bug

Sri Lankans may have caught the travel bug in recent months, with travel becoming more affordable and gaining momentum as a lifestyle aspect. This has resulted in an increase in the usage of HSBC credit cards overseas, for convenience and other beneficial factors, according to HSBC.

While Singapore, India, Thailand, Australia and Malaysia, remained the key destinations for frequent travel by HSBC credit cardholders, the UAE, UK, US, Hongkong and the Maldives were the next best travel choices, according to HSBC's Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Nilantha Bastian.

He further added, "HSBC credit cards have become the preferred choice among travellers simply because they offer safety, convenience, global recognition and acceptance along with unsurpassed travel privileges. Furthermore, our home&away global privilege programme welcomes cardholders to unforgettable travel experiences with local and global offers that extend to over 29 million merchant outlets in over 40 countries around the world."

Through this global programme, cardholders have access to the same shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment discounts and benefits that local HSBC credit cardholders enjoy wherever they travel to, in the world.

HSBC credit cards also provide travellers a safety net to ensure cardholders and their family enjoy a peaceful travel experience. HSBC has partnered with Global Insurer Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd., to provide cardholders a travel protection cover for a range of contingencies.

They are also more effective in preventing cards from being copied to produce counterfeit credit cards and further safeguards against fraud and theft when transacting online. As a further safety measure, cardholders are advised to contact HSBC prior to their departure out of the country, to advise their travel plans.

In addition, cardholders can enjoy savings at a number of duty free shops at several airports. Duty Free shop at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and a number of retail stores around the country until April 2013 .

All HSBC credit cardholders can enjoy complimentary airline tickets on a number of partner airlines by converting their HSBC Rewards points into mileage rewards points, upon registering for this programme.

Moreover, VISA Signature cardholders can enjoy complimentary companion tickets, luxury international indulgences around the world as well as special savings on dining, lodging, supermarket, home electronics and furniture, travel and leisure, shopping and retail.

For more details cardholder can log onto <www.hsbc.lk>www.hsbc.lk