There are hidden costs and false promises made by the bank. I faced an issue with regards to Fuel surcharge and in the end felt cheated by the bank as there is no clear information on their website and their phone banking gives wrong information, which they accepted later and were "exceptionally" giving me "bonus points" for their fault.

Issue: Fuel charge is levied on every purchase of petrol using HSBC card. The same is reimbursed for Gold card members at the end of the month for sale between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4000. I was not credited the same since April, 2009.

I have a HSBC - Westside co branded gold card.

Information:
By phone banking exec - I will be credited the fuel surcharge at the end of the month. This I confirmed on two occasions with them. I was always greeted as a " Valued HSBC-Westside" customer. So, the exec who were talking to me were aware of the fact that I have a co-branded card.

On the HSBC Webside: Under credit card > Gold cards > Exclusive gold card benefits > 0% fuel surcharge - it is no where mentioned that this benefit is not extended in case of a co-branded gold card.

Argument given by phone banking: It is not mentioned as a benefit under the co-branded cards.

But there it not mentioned that the fuel surcharge will be charged in the first place. If exceptions are there to any rule, they should all be mentioned in general terms and conditions.

What is given to me is a raw deal. I do not understand if I have a gold card or a co branded card or a co branded gold card. I cannot trust any information given on by the phone banking anymore. They say that all of their calls are recorded, but when I asked them to take out the information, I was expected to know the date and time I spoke with them!!!!!