On July 19th, I received a text message from HSBC that read like this, “Save more with HSBC credit card! Just for you, get 10% rebate up to RM30 (per customer) on your monthly total spend. Offer till Oct 31st. T&C apply.” I was pleased with HSBC’s generosity. Before month end, I had charged RM239.85 to my HSBC card.

My statement came in August and I couldn’t find my RM23.99 rebate. I called up customer service and was told the rebate will be credited to my account in November. I was further told that since there are 3 months in total (August, September and October) I have a maximum RM90 rebate to be earned.

I was a little disappointed. I had assumed the rebate period would start from July. It’s my mistake for not finding out the commencement date. If I had known earlier then I would have charged my RM239.85 on another card which would have earned me a rebate of RM1.20 plus cash voucher of RM15.

Instead of getting a rebate of RM23.99 I had lost RM16.20. This experience has taught me to be more careful in the future.