The Bank of China released the new BOC Cheers Card. The Visa Infinite version has received a facelift from its predecessor, the BOC Visa Infinite Card, and has upped its game with new and improved offers. With cashback rewards of up to 4% on purchases and a range of travel and dining benefits, the BOC Cheers Card is quickly becoming the talk of the town. Cardholders can also enjoy lounge access and bring guests along, as well as take advantage of buy-one-get-one deals at select restaurants. Let MoneySmart guide you through what makes the BOC Cheers Card so special.
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite: Is it worth applying? MoneySmart credit card rating
| Bank of China Cheers Credit Card – Visa Infinite—Is it MoneySmart? | ||
| Overall: ★★★★☆ Best for: Dining and traveling users |
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| Category | Our rating | Explanation |
| Earn rates: air miles & cashback | ★★★★★ | – Up to 10X Gift Points (4% cashback) on overseas spending and dining
– Up to HK$1.5/mile for overseas spending and dining – Spending categories cover overseas spending and dining only. |
| Earn categories | ★★☆☆☆ | |
| Annual fees and charges | ★☆☆☆☆ | – HK$3,800 (First year waived) |
| Accessibility | ★☆☆☆☆ | – This BOC Cheers credit card requires an annual income of HK$600,000, which is a threshold that not many can reach. |
| Extras/periphery rewards | ★★★★☆ | – Priority Pass membership + 2 complimentary visits per year for you and a guest (worth S$221).
– Enjoy 2 Complimentary accesses upon accumulated HK$15,000 in spending per quarter – Buy-1-Get-1 Free Fine Dining – Hotels.com 25% off discount – 48% off discount on Limousine transfer service |
| Welcome offer | ★☆☆☆☆ | — Compared to other credit cards, such as the Standard Chartered Smart Card (which offers HK$1,200 cashback for spending HK$4,000 in the first month), the welcome offer of the BOC Cheers Card is not as generous. It only offers 300,000 points (equivalent to an HK$1,200 cash rebate or 20,000 miles) when you spend HK$12,000 in the first 2 months. |
Table of contents: BOC Cheers card
- What is BOC Cheers card?
- BOC Cheers Card welcome offers
- BOC Cheers Card 10X/8X Gift Point Rewards offer
- More credit cards with dining rebates
- BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite offers airport lounge access
- BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite special offers
- Final verdict: Is BOC Cheers Card worth applying for?
- Frequently asked questions: BOC Cheers Card
- Related articles
BOC Cheers Card: Basic in formation
Bank of China Cheers Card has 2 different tiers: Visa Infinite and Visa Signature. Here is an overview of the BOC Cheers Card’s 2 tiers:
| Credit Card | BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | BOC Cheers Card Visa Signature |
| Income Requirement | HK$600,000 or possessing assets of HK$1,000,000 | HK$150,000 |
| Annual Fee | HK$3,800 (First year waived) | HK$2,000 (First year waived) |
| Food and travel credit card rewards | 10X Gift Points (equivalent to HK$1.5/mile or 4% cash rebate)^ | 8X Gift Points (equivalent to HK$1.9/mile or a 3.2% cash rebate)^ |
| Airport Lounge Access | Enjoy 2 Complimentary accesses upon accumulated HK$15,000 in spending per quarter; share Complimentary access with accompanying guests (Get 2 Complimentary accesses upon card approval and in subsequent calendar year with no spending requirement) | – |
| Buy-1-Get-1 Free Fine Dining | Included with local restaurants | – |
| Hotels.com 25% off discount | Book at the same hotel for 4 consecutive nights or more | – |
| Miles Redemption | Miles redemption handling fee waived | – |
| Dining Offers | Buy-1-Get-1-Free Menu at selected restaurants | – |
^Enjoy dining and travel privileges by accumulating retail spending of HK$5,000 per month (The waiver of spending requirement is valid until December 31, 2023.)
BOC Cheers Card welcome offers
New customers who successfully apply for the following eligible credit cards during the promotional period and accumulate qualified transactions of the specified amount within the card-issuing month and the first 2 calendar months thereafter are eligible for the welcome offer (Valid until December 31, 2023).
| BOC Cheers Card Welcome Offer Overview | ||
| Credit Card | Eligible Spending Requirement | Reward |
| Bank of China Cheers Visa Infinite Card | Spend HK$12,000 or more within the month of card issuance and the following 2 calendar months | 300,000 points (equivalent to HK$1,200 cash rebate or 20,000 miles) |
| Bank of China Cheers Visa Signature Card | Spend HK$10,000 or more within the month of card issuance and the following 2 calendar months | 225,000 points (equivalent to HK$900 cash rebate or 15,000 miles) |
BOC Cheers Card 10X/8X Gift Point Rewards offer
When it comes to dining and travel rewards, the BOC Cheers Card has a lot to offer. You can earn up to 10X points with BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite or 8X points with BOC Cheers Card Visa Signature when you spend on dining or travel services and the Gift points can be redeemed as cash back or miles.
| BOC Cheers Card Rewards Overview | ||
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | BOC Cheers Card Visa Signature | |
| Dining and Travel Spending Gift Points Rewards | 10X points | 8X points |
| Gift Points In Terms of Miles | HK$1.5/mile | HK$1.9/mile |
| Gift Points In Terms of Cashback | 4% | 3.2% |
| Max Monthly Gift Points Earned | 250,000 Gift points (A spending of HK$25,000) | 150,000 Gift points (A spending of HK$15,000) |
| Max Monthly Miles Earned | Approximately 16,666 miles | Approximately 10,000 miles |
| Max Monthly Cash Back Earned | HK$1,000 cashback | HK$600 cashback |
What is eligible dining transaction spending?
- Eligible Dining Transactions refer to retail purchases made at select restaurants and dining merchants with designated merchant codes, as determined by the company or Visa International.
- Banquet services, private parties/functions, private room events, and dining outlets in food courts, supermarkets, department stores, social/sports associations, or clubhouses are not included.
- Transactions made through Alipay HK and WeChat Pay HK are also not eligible for rewards.
What is eligible overseas retail spending?
- Eligible overseas retail spending refers to retail transactions made and settled in a foreign currency but excludes foreign currency transactions settled in HKD.
The minimum spending of HK$5,000 waiver until December 31, 2023
In general, BOC Cheers Card holders are required to spend a minimum amount in retail transactions in order to be eligible for the 10X/8X point rewards offer.
But the good news is: from now until December 31, 2023, the Bank of China will waive the minimum spending requirement for monthly dining and travel expenses on the Cheers Card. Cardholders can enjoy rewards as low as HK$1.5/mile or up to 4% cashback (25,000 reward points = HK$100).
More credit cards with dining rebates
If you’re on the hunt for a credit card that offers dining rebates, the BOC Cheers Card isn’t your only option. There’s some stiff competition in this area. You can also consider other options such as the Hang Seng MMPower Card, which offers a 5.4% high +FUN Dollars reward, or the Citi Premier Miles card, which provides 12 free airport lounge access entries.
| Credit Card | Dining Spending Rebates | Mile Rate |
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | 4% | HK$1.5/mile |
| Hang Seng MMPOWER | 5.4% | – |
| Citi PremierMiles Card | 3.2% | HK$8/mile |
| American Express® Platinum Credit Card | 1% | $5/mile |
Hang Seng MMPOWER Card
The Hang Seng MMPOWER Card offers high cash rebates on dining spending. If you choose the “dining” spending category, you can receive a 5.4% cash rebate plus +FUN Dollars rewards, which can be used as cash at designated shops.
- Annual fee
- Perpetual annual fee waiver
- +FUN Dollars rebate on selected spending categories
- 6%
- +FUN Dollars rebate on Online Retail Transaction
- 5%
Citi PremierMiles Credit Card
Citi PremierMiles Credit Card offers a 3.2% cash rebate and HK$8/mile on dining spending. Another highlight of this card is its 12 free airport lounges per year, making it a must-kept card for travel lovers!
- Minimum Income Requirements
- HK$120,000
- Miles Conversion (local spend)
- HK$8 = 1 mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$3 = 1 mile
American Express® Platinum Credit Card
Get the most out of your spending with the American Express Platinum Credit Card! For every HK$1 spent, you’ll earn 3 points that can be redeemed for cash vouchers, air miles (HK$5/mile), and more. Plus, enjoy up to 50% off at selected restaurants and indulge in a limited-time buy-1-get-1-free offer at agnes B CAFE for a delicious meal or takeaway.
- Min. Annual Salary
- HK$300,000
- Cash back on local spend
- 1％
- Miles Conversion (local spend)
- $6 = 1 Mile
More Credit Cards Offer Foreign Currency Spending Rebates
Comparing the BOC Cheers Card to other credit cards can help you find the most suitable one. For example, the CMCBI Motion credit card offers the highest 6% foreign currency spending rebate, but it has a maximum rebate of HK$200 per month. On the other hand, the Standard Chartered Cathay Pacific Credit Card has a low mile rate of HK$4/mile, which is not too bad for frequent travelers.
Here is a comparison of the credit cards:
| Credit Card | Foreign Currency Spending Rebates | Miles Rate |
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | 4% | HK$1.5/mile |
| Standard Chartered Cathay Pacific Credit Card | – | HK$4/mile |
| CNCBI Motion Credit Card | 6% | – |
| DBS Black World Mastercard | – | HK$4/mile |
CNCBI Motion Credit Card
You can also receive a year-round 6% cash rebate on dining, online, and foreign currency spending, with a maximum of HK$200 cash rebate each month, or approximately HK$3,333 in total spending.
Welcome offer of 10% cash rebate in the first 3 months
Apart from the year-round 6% cash rebate. You can now get a maximum 10% Cash Rebate if you spend HK$10,000 on spending in foreign currencies in the first 3 months.
- Min. Annual Salary
- HK$96,000
- Cash Back on Dining, Online and Foreign Currency Spending
- 6%
- Annual Fee Wavier
- First-Year
Standard Chartered Cathay Pacific Credit Card
As mentioned previously, the Standard Chartered Cathay Pacific Credit Card offers a redemption rate of HK$4 per mile. As for other eligible transactions, the redemption rate gets higher to HK$6 per mile.
- Miles Conversion(Eligible spending on Cathay and HK Express)
- HK$2=1 mile
- Miles Conversion (Eligible spending on dining, online and overseas category)
- HK$4 = 1 mile
- Bank Welcome Offer
- 60,000 miles
【Free ACER Luggage!】From now until 15 May 2024, new cardholders who successfully apply for for Standard Chartered Cathy Mastercard now via MoneySmart to get ACER Trunk Sport 4-wheel Frame Luggage 20” (Retail Value: HK$1,298) or $900 ParkNshop vouchers / $900 Apple store gift card / AirSim sim card with $900 value!
【Limited time offer on 5,000 extra miles】From 26 April to 30 May 2024, Standard Chartered is giving away an extra 5,000 miles to new credit card holders!
【Referral Bliss: Treats for You and Your Loved Ones - Earn Extra HK$55 for Every Referral! 】Unlock extra rewards by referring your friends and family to our fantastic credit card deals! Not only will they enjoy the good deals, but you'll also be rewarded with a referral bonus of 555 SmartPoints for each successful application! No cap on the maximum reward amount!
DBS Black World Mastercard
Experience the ultimate travel rewards with DBS Black World Mastercard, one of the most sought-after credit cards for collecting Air Miles. Get 3X points for overseas transactions (HK$4=1 mile) and redeem them as Asia Miles, Avios, KrisFlyer, and more, with no conversion fee. Plus, your points will never expire, so you can save them until you can finally plan for your next trip.
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- Welcome Offer
- Up to 42,000 miles
- Upon meeting local and overseas spending goal*
- HK$3/mile
- Miles Conversion (overseas spend)
- HK$4/mile
From now until 10 May 2024, customers who successfully apply for DBS Blackworld Mastercard via MoneySmart, can enjoy HK$500 Apple Store Gift Card/ Klook Voucher/ PARKnSHOP Supermarket Voucher! You can also earn the bank welcome offer of up to 42,000 miles at the same time!
【Referral Bliss: Treats for You and Your Loved Ones - Earn Extra HK$55 for Every Referral! 】
Unlock extra rewards by referring your friends and family to our fantastic credit card deals! Not only will they enjoy the good deals, but you'll also be rewarded with a referral bonus of 555 SmartPoints for each successful application! No cap on the maximum reward amount!
How do BOC Cheers Card’s air miles work?
You can redeem your BOC Gift Points Rewards for air miles under 3 mileage programs at a rate as low as 8 points = 1 mile (HK$8 = 1 mile), with no handling fees charged. However, please note that the mile redemption rates vary depending on the airline. You may also have different rates for the first transfer and any subsequent transfers.
Here is the overview of the mile redemption rates:
| Mileage Programs | Initial Transfer | Every Subsequent Transfer | Miles Redemption Rate | Mile Rate with BOC Cheers 10X Rewards Offer | Mile Rate with BOC Cheers 8X Rewards Offer |
| PhoenixMiles (Air China) | 8,000 Gift Points = 1,000 km | 4,000 Gift Points = 500 km | 8 Gift Points/mile | HK$0.8/mile | HK$1/mile |
| Eastern Miles (China Eastern Airline) | 12,000 Gift Points = 1,000 Eastern Miles Points | 6,000 Gift Points = 500 Eastern Miles Points | 12 Gift Points/mile | HK$1.2/mile | HK$1.5/mile |
| Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) | 15,000 Gift Points = 1,000 Asia Miles | 7,500 Gift Points = 500 Asia Miles | 15 Gift Points/mile | HK$1.5/mile | HK$1.9/mile |
BOC Cheers Card miles compared to other credit cards
Here’s a quick comparison of other credit card miles:
| Credit Card | Annual Income Requirement | Miles Rate | Conversion Fee |
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | HK$600,000 | HK$1.5/mile | N/A |
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Signature | HK$150,000 | HK$1.9/mile | |
| Citi PremierMiles Card | HK$120,000 | HK$3/mile | |
| Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard | HK$96,000 | HK$4/mile |
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite offers airport lounge access
The BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite offers the following airport lounge access perks:
- New cardholders can receive 2 free entries to designated Plaza Premium Lounges without any spending requirements.
- Both Visa Infinite and Visa Signature cards can earn 2 VIP lounge services per quarter by spending HK$15,000 on each card.
- The VIP lounge service of the Bank of China Cheers Card can be shared with fellow guests or affiliated cardholders.
Here is a quick comparison of the popular credit cards that offer airport lounge access:
| Credit Card | Annual Income Requirement | Lounge Access | Max. Number of Free Visits | Requirement For Free Visits |
| BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite | HK$600,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge | 2 free visits (shareable with guests) | HK$15,000 per quarter |
| American Express Platinum Card | HK$300,000 | Plaza Premium Lounge | Unlimited (primary cardholder can invite 2 guests with no fee) | – |
| Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard – Priority Banking | HK$96,000 and become a Priority Banking client. (Need to maintain at least HKD1,000,000 Average Daily Relationship Balance.) | Cathay Pacific Business Lounge | 4 non-sharable visits per year | – |
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite special offers
The BOC Cheers Visa Infinite card offers more than just hotel specials. What you can’t expect is free accident travel insurance, hotel com discount and limousine service discount offer.
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite Card Hotels.com 25% off discount
Customers can enjoy a 25% discount on Hotels.com when they book at the same hotel for 4 consecutive nights or more (up to 7 nights) within the promotion period using their BOC Cheers Visa Infinite Card and the designated promotion code. The discount is not applicable for on-site payments at the hotel. The promotion code is BOCCHEERS, and the promotion period is from August 4, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Free Global Personal Accident Protection
You can get insurance coverage when paying for transportation, accommodation, and/or travel packages (including deposit payments, travel expenses, flight charges, and/or transportation receipts) with the BOC Cheers Visa Infinite Card.
The BOC Cheers Visa Infinite Card offers up to HK$7.8 million in personal accident protection for cardholders and their spouses who are aged 76 or below, as well as unmarried, legally dependent children aged 23 or below.
48% discount on Limousine transfer service
You can now enjoy a 48% discount on limousine transfer service to and from Hong Kong International Airport.
- Visa Infinite cardholders can book through email at [email protected], call +852 5529 9113, or fax +852 2619 1189.
- The service must be reserved 48 hours in advance. If the service is not used, it must be canceled 8 hours before. Otherwise, 50% of the fee will be charged.
- The promotion is valid from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
- You can find the Visa Infinite Card Airport Limousine Booking Form here.
Here is the price reference for Limousine Transfer service:
| Zone | Districts | Discounted Price |
| Zone 1 | Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Mei Foo, Cheung Sha Wan, Shum Shui Po, Kowloon Tong, Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok, Prince Edward, Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui, San Po Kong, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Bay, and Kwun Tong. | HK$338 (Original Price: HK$650) |
| Zone 2 | Pok Fu Lam, Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Central, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Mid Levels, North Point, Quarry Bay, Sau Kei Wan, Chai Wan, Aberdeen, and Wong Chuk Hang. | HK$390 (Original Price: HK$750) |
| Zone 3 | Tai Wai, Shatin, Ma On Shan, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Lok Ma Chau, Sha Tau Kok, Clearwater Bay, Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan 0, Chung Hom Kok, Tai Tam, Stanley/Shek O, Repulse Bay, Redhill Peninsula, The Peak, HK Parkview, Sham Tseng, and Ting Kau. | HK$442 (Original Price: HK$850) |
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite buy-1-get-1-free fine dining offer
BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite holders can indulge in a delightful dining experience through the buy-one-get-one-free offer for selected set menus at upscale restaurants. However, reservations must be made in advance, and the promotion must be mentioned while booking. Only one offer or designated set menu can be used per table each time, unless specified otherwise. Please note that the offer is not valid on designated holidays, and it is recommended to check with the restaurant first to confirm.
The offer includes the following menu sets:
- Ami’s 8-course tasting dinner
- EPURE’s tasting dinner
- Arbor’s Full Arbor Experience dinner
- Castellana’s Tour Around Italy Menu / Traditional Piedmontese Recipe Menu
- Perla’s Mediterranean Seafood Journey menu
Final verdict: Is BOC Cheers Card worth applying for?
Considering the 10% cashback and miles that the BOC Cheers Card Visa Infinite offers, you may want to add the card to your watchlist. However, keep in mind the promotional period for the minimum spending limit waiver ends on December 31, 2023. Without the waiver, you would need to spend at least HK$5,000 per month to enjoy these offers.
Plus, if you are a frequent traveler, the free airport lounge access and 48% discount on limousine service are valuable add-ons to enhance your trip. In terms of mileage redemption, BOC Cheers has the best rate of HK$1.5/mile after fulfilling the minimum spending requirement. (Waived until December 31, 2023)
The last point about its con is the high application threshold. Not everyone meets the threshold for applying for the card. The BOC Visa Infinite Card requires cardholders to have an annual income of HK$600,000, while the Visa Signature requires an annual income of HK$150,000.
Frequently asked questions: BOC Cheers Card
Does the Bank of China Cheers Card require an annual fee?
The first year is free, and after that, it starts at HK$2,000.
Can the Bank of China Cheers Card airport lounge offer be shared with others?
It can be shared with fellow guests or supplementary cardholders.
What is the annual income requirement for a Bank of China Cheers Card?
Bank of China Cheers Visa Infinite Card requires either a minimum salary of HK$600,000 or assets of HK$1,000,000 or above. Bank of China Cheers Visa Signature Card requires a minimum salary of HK$150,000.
What is the maximum amount of $1.5/mile or 4% cashback for a Bank of China Cheers Card?
Each Bank of China Cheers Visa Infinite Card account (including both the main and supplementary cards) can earn a maximum of 250,000 reward points (HK$25,000 in spending) per calendar month during this promotion.
BOC Cheers Visa Signature Card account (main card and additional card will be combined in the calculation) is eligible for earning 150,000 Gift Points (HK$15,000) at a maximum each calendar month.
The 10X/8X promotion period will run from July 27, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Related articles
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